Code of Ethics Policy

Background/Purpose

Information Technology Scholars is committed to conducting its operations ethically and in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and standards. This policy applies to all directors, officers, employees, and volunteers of Information Technology Scholars, including the Executive Director, financial officers, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions (hereafter "ITS Members").

We are committed to maintaining a written Code of Ethics to provide guidance on individual and organizational responsibilities related to ethical conduct and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Policy

1. Information Technology Scholars will develop and maintain a written Code of Ethics to provide guidance on expectations for workplace conduct.
2. The Code of Ethics will apply to all ITS Members.
3. All ITS Members are responsible for reporting misconduct, including actual or potential violations of law, regulations, the Code of Ethics, and concerns regarding questionable accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters.
4. The Board of Directors will maintain open communication channels to receive reports directly from ITS Members regarding problems and concerns about questionable accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters.
5. Any ITS Member with knowledge of a potential violation of law, regulation, Code of Ethics, policies, or procedures has an affirmative duty to report that information. Failure to report a potential violation may result in appropriate disciplinary action.
6. All ITS Members who report problems and concerns in good faith will be protected from any form of retaliation or retribution. Information Technology Scholars prohibits the firing, threatening, or otherwise harming of any person based on their reporting of a problem or participation in an investigation of violations of rules or organizational responsibility laws.
7. ITS Members cannot exempt themselves from the consequences of their own misconduct by reporting the issue. However, self-reporting may be considered in determining the appropriate course of action.

Implementation

1. The Executive Director is responsible for implementing and maintaining the Code of Ethics.
2. All ITS Members will receive training on the Code of Ethics upon joining the organization and annually thereafter.
3. The Code of Ethics will be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors to ensure it remains current and relevant.
4. Any violations of the Code of Ethics will be promptly investigated and addressed by the appropriate organizational body, which may include the Board of Directors or a designated Ethics Committee.
5. Information Technology Scholars will maintain confidential reporting mechanisms for ITS Members to report ethical concerns or violations.

Last revised: 10 August 2024