(Sample for copy, modification and use in your organization.)
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DECLARATION OF ETHICS
Note from the Author
*NAME OF YOUR AWARDS
PROGRAM*
I, *YOUR NAME*,
Owner *AND/OR CO-OWNER* of all Awards
Programs held at the *YOUR WEBSITE* web
site, do hereby declare on behalf of myself and any other Evaluator/s who may be
contracted at any time by *YOUR WEBSITE* to
evaluate for any *YOUR WEBSITE* Sponsored
Award Program, that we agree to advance and promote the Web site Evaluator Code of Ethics
in order to ensure fairness to all Applicants and to maintain the honor and integrity of
Applicants, Evaluators and Awards.
We agree that all critiques given will be
constructive in nature as positive comment is productive. We will refrain from criticism
unless specifically requested by an Applicant, and in such instances, will remain positive
where possible in an effort to promote goodwill and advance the level of quality among
Internet sites.
We agree to allow eligibility to all
Applicants who meet the SET (posted online, written = set) Criteria of any particular
award. We agree to be uniform in our eligibility requirements (Criteria) and will fairly
evaluate all sites/pages meeting our Criteria which are submitted by any Applicant. We
further agree to clearly post these Criteria.
We agree not to discriminate on grounds of
race, gender, nation of origin, religion, profession, age, mental or physical handicap, or
any other reason which is not globally viewed as an illegal trait or manner of conduct.
We agree to set forth Awards Criteria and to
adhere to same. Proposed time frames for changes will be posted for two (2) weeks prior to
the final publishing of same with notices posted on site so all potential Applicants can
view and understand the proposed changes.
We agree to evaluate web sites under the
Criteria which was in place at the time of any and/or all application/s. If changes are
made to Criteria AFTER application/s is/are received, the submitted site/s will be
evaluated using the Criteria that was in effect when Applicant/s initially submitted the
site/s.
We agree to immediately inform any Criteria
compliant Applicant in writing, of a 'Refrain to Evaluate' if it is found that a Conflict
of Interest would occur in evaluating their Web site - e.g. Such may occur upon being
requested to evaluate the Web site of a good friend. We will offer such Applicant a choice
of Evaluator taken from our Membership Listing.
We agree to maintain a professional, friendly
and positive manner in any and/or all correspondence and/or communication held with any
Applicant/s.
We agree to evaluate all submitted sites
within four (4) weeks of receipt of submission. If this deadline cannot be met, we agree
to suspend submissions until we can again work within this timeframe.
We agree not to divulge any information about
any Applicant to persons, groups, or agencies not directly connected to our Awards
Programs, and only then for the purpose of evaluating submissions and notifying winners.
All information received from Applicants via e-mail submissions or submission forms will
be deemed private.
We agree to encourage and promote the use of
original material for Awards Programs Criteria and evaluation processes. We agree to
assist any person requesting advice concerning ethical evaluation for and disbursement of
awards. PLEASE NOTE: The Awards Evaluation processes in use at *YOUR
WEBSITE* are copyrighted material and written authorization is required
for their use.
We agree to maintain any owned individual web
site/s that include Awards Program/s to a standard that meets the Criteria of the Award/s
given. In the case of any Award/s offered that is/are OUTSIDE the main subject of our web
site/s, any and/or all such web site/s will be maintained to a high standard of integrity
in all its/their main areas.
We agree to maximum dimensions of Awards given
in courtesy of web sites that will use them. If the maximum dimensions cannot be adhered
to then a text only link will be permitted for graphics larger than maximum size. (Maximum
size dimensions offered from this web site are: no more than *200*
pixels Height and *200* pixels Width.)
We agree that there will be only one
obligation for winning Awards from this web site beyond meeting the Criteria. It is not,
and never will be, mandatory at this web site to sign a Guest book or to join a mailing
list. It is a requirement that any Awards granted from this web site must be linked back
to our web site in a method that will be outlined in Award notification e-mails.
We agree that we will not grant Awards to, or
in any other manner endorse or promote, any web site that endorses, promotes or contains
content which is considered globally to be illegal or discriminatory whether same be
against human or wildlife.
We agree that we will not accept favors of any
sort in exchange for preferential treatment of submissions. We will at all times maintain
a high standard of honesty and integrity.
We agree that we will take all measures
necessary to maintain the honor and integrity of our Awards Programs.
Submitted on this day, *DATE
POSTED*.
Notes: This is a sample only version. For specific versions
made by members, please follow the links to various member's websites to see some of the
adaptations that have been made.
It is suggested that you copy the statement above and make
the appropriate changes to the *RED* text to
reflect your name, the name of your website and awards program, etc. If you wish you can
download a text version here.
If your country of origin has any specific laws relative to
this type of ethical agreement, please add them where appropriate. We ask that if your
native language is one other than English, and you want to post this page in your native
language, that you also include an English version on your website.
Thank you for your consideration,
Members of Website Evaluator Code of Ethics Group
To Whomever this may concern:
For the purposes of this statement the Code of Ethics / Statement of Ethics will be known
as the 'Code'.
Reason: As the 'Code' was created to be adapted for the use of individual Award Programs
varying Titles may also be used.
The Spirit of the 'Code' and the reasoning behind the 'Code' being created and then gifted
to the Awards Community were and remain as follows:
The Spirit of the 'Code' was and is that individuals, groups and/or organizations
worldwide could have freely available a flexible standard format which could be used as
the backbone of ethical Award Programs.
That no one individual, group and / or organization can or should own such a vehicle,
therefore the 'Code', in its entirety, is International Property.
Any individuals, groups and / or organizations believing in and standing behind the 'Code'
may legally without restriction offer the 'Code' in the form of a document from their
website for use by other individuals, groups and / or organizations who may wish to adhere
to such a 'Code'.
The 'Code' is to be offered to any individuals, groups and / or organizations without
restrictions: this means that mandatory group and / or organization membership may not be
part of the overall use of the 'Code'.
The 'Code', although within the environs of websites protected by Copyright, cannot be
covered by any Copyright. The 'Code' belongs to all individuals, groups and/or
organizations who desire to abide by the spirit and content of the 'Code' for the
betterment of the International Awards Community.
Signed:
Rhonda M. Serong
(Original author of the Declaration of Ethics)
E-mail: otak@xtra.co.nz