Code of Conduct of FRIENDS OF HIGH PARK ZOO

Adopted by the Board on: October 1, 2024

Introduction

All Friends of High Park Zoo (FHPZ) Board members and Volunteers shall abide by the following Values of Ethical Behaviour. This Code of Conduct is binding upon all FHPZ Board members and volunteers when working on behalf of FHPZ. 

Principles

All FHPZ Board members and volunteers will operate and conduct their decisions and actions based on the following principles: 

1. Honesty and Integrity: To be honest and ethical in all transactions and maintaining an irreproachable standard of integrity; 

2. Professionalism: Modeling the highest standards of professional competence; 

3. Responsible Management: Optimizing the use of resources for which they are responsible so as to provide the maximum benefit and value-for-money to FHPZ; and

4. Serving High Park Zoo’s Best Interests: Not using their authority for personal benefit; rejecting and denouncing any business practice that is improper. 

Rules of Conduct 

1. Declaration of Interest: Any personal interest which may impinge or might reasonably be deemed by others to impinge on the impartiality of a FHPZ’s Board member or volunteer, in any matter relevant to his or her duties should immediately be declared to FHPZ. 

2. Confidentiality and Accuracy of Information: The confidentiality of information received in the course of duty must be respected, and should not be used for personal gain; information given in the course of duty should be true and fair and not designed to mislead. 

3. Discrimination and Harassment: No FHPZ Board member or volunteer shall knowingly participate in acts of discrimination or harassment toward any person.

4. Professional and respectful conduct: FHPZ welcomes and values open discussion and a wide range of viewpoints. At the same time FHPZ expects that Board members and volunteers treat each other and members of the public fairly and with respect. When conflicts and differences of opinion arise, Board members and volunteers are encouraged, whenever possible, to resolve such conflicts themselves in the spirit of mutual respect, and to work to de-escalate rather than escalate disagreements.

5. Escalation: Volunteers may escalate any concerns relating to adherence to this Code of Conduct to the volunteer coordinator, who may in turn refer the concern to the Board for further consideration.  Board members may escalate concerns relating to the Code of Conduct to a member of the Board’s Executive.  In either case, the Board’s Executive Officers shall have the ability to recommend to the Board further action, including a recommendation that the volunteer or Board member step down from their position with FHPZ.

6. All new Directors and volunteers are to read & acknowledge the Code of Conduct upon signing on. They shall read and acknowledge annually at the first meeting of the calendar year.