Friday, October 15, 2004
6:47:00 PM EDT
Leading With Values
"Honesty is the
cornerstone of character. The honest man or woman seeks not merely to avoid
criminal or illegal acts, but to be scrupulously fair, upright, fearless in both action and expression." -- B.C. Forbes
Peter F. Drucker said "management is doing things right;
leadership is doing the right things." One of the defining characteristics
that separates nonprofit from for-profit organizations
-- at least in the public mind -- is the focus on core values. Nonprofits are
often held to a higher standard of conduct than for-profits. Why? Because their mission is seen to create and sustain the moral and
ethical standards of our culture -- to build a better world, and to build it in
better ways. In that light the following self-test may be useful for
current or prospective board members.
Commitment beyond self
Am I faithful to the public
service mission of the USCF in fulfilling my responsibilities?
Do I participate in
volunteer and charitable giving opportunities offered to me as a member of this
organization?
Do I demonstrate a sense of
cooperation for the benefit of the whole organization?
Do I strive for excellence
in fulfilling my USCF responsibilities?
Obedience to the laws
Do I know and follow
existing federal, state, and local laws as well as bylaws and rules of the
USCF?
Do I raise questions when
I'm not sure about laws or rules but wonder whether laws might apply?
Commitment beyond the law
Can I articulate my
organization's mission and recognize my role in achieving this mission?
Do I fully understand my
legal and leadership responsibilities as a member of a governing board?
Do I follow not only the
rules of law, but also the spirit of the law?
Do I have concern not only
with the legality but also the appropriateness of our actions?
Commitment to public good
In USCF operations, am I
true to the USCF standards put forward in public announcements?
Am I responsive to public
inquiries about USCF activities and finances?
Do I work at USCF partly as
a way of making a personal contribution of time and effort to the public good?
Respect for the worth and
dignity of individuals
In my own actions, do I
always see other human beings as individuals who bring something of value to
our workplace and to our discussions?
Do I always recognize that
every other person has his or her own right to personal dignity as well as due
process and do I respect that in all of my actions?
Tolerance, diversity, and
social justice
Do I fully recognize that
if we are to deal effectively with current and future challenges that we need
the special skills, knowledge, and perspectives of a broad variety of
individuals with differing attitudes, outlooks, and cultural backgrounds?
When I encounter personal
conflict, do I work to channel that energy in constructive ways?
Do I strive to recognize
and understand differences in communications styles between genders and between
cultural backgrounds?
Do I communicate (verbally
and nonverbally) the equal value of all persons, even though they may differ
in appearance, style, customs, talent, and technical skill?
Accountability to the
public
Am I familiar with USCF
operations and activities in my area of responsibility? Do I take initiative
to learn what I do not know?
Do I act responsibly and
responsively to all inquiries about the USCF?
Do I know to whom to refer
matters about which I have no knowledge? If not, do I take initiative to find
out?
Openness and honesty
Do I routinely take an open
and honest position?
Am I meticulously accurate
in collecting and reporting information?
Do I disclose to the USCF
any personal conflicts of interest that might affect the work that I do for the
USCF?
Prudent application of
resources
Am I familiar with, and follow, USCF personnel and travel policies?
Do I act always to conserve
USCF resources?
Do I stay within assigned
budgets?
Do I always refrain from
temptations to use USCF resources and supplies for personal use?
* Staff Ethics Audit
Workbook by INDEPENDENT SECTOR