Kingston Green Business Community

Code of Conduct for Members

INTRODUCTION

This Code is intended to outline and clarify some of the key issues that might affect a Member’s relationship with the Community. This Code does not provide an exhaustive list of obligations of membership, and the Code does not preclude the Community from doing anything (including deciding not to take a particular course of action).

Definitions for this Code

Member Means a member of Kingston Green Business Community. This member might be an individual, a member of a business or corporate body and listed in the Directory of Members of the Community.

The Community Means the Kingston Green Business Community.

Executive Function & Secretariat (temporarily by Kingston Council) Means the Administrative officer(s) of the Community; Coordinates the activities and maintains a log of Actions of the Community and reports regularly to the group on activities completed and upcoming activities.

Code Means the Code of Conduct presently in force. This may change from time to time, 

and at the discretion of the Community.

Code Of Conduct

Professionalism and Communication

• The Member shall always act in the best interests of the Community.
• The name, reputation and goodwill of the Community are all vitally important. The Member shall not do anything that is likely to have a negative effect on the reputation of the Community.
• The Community has numerous intellectual property rights and other proprietary rights that are all important to it. The Member shall not do anything that is likely to have a negative effect on the intellectual property rights or other proprietary rights.

Dignity and Equality

The Community  aims to ensure that all members can participate in an environment that respects their personal rights and dignity, and which is free from unacceptable behaviour and conduct. The Community  does not tolerate any form of harassment or bullying under any circumstances.  

The Community will make it a priority to support any individual in the unlikely event they are experiencing bullying or harassment, of any kind and in any form, from anyone connected with the Community. This extends to all membership events whether during working hours or outside of normal working hours, on or off the premises.  

The Community ’s aim is to provide a safe and professional environment without any member, visitor or staff member feeling uncomfortable, threatened or excluded. It will not tolerate behaviours that do not treat all persons fairly and with respect. 

The Community wants everyone to feel confident that any complaint against any other individual or individuals will be taken seriously and action will be taken as quickly as possible. The Community encourages any individual experiencing bullying or harassment to report their experience to the Chair/Co-Chairs or to the Secretariat so that the support available can be used to resolve the situation as early as possible. Any report will be treated in the strictest confidence.  

Social Media
Whilst social media is a large part of many people’s lives, uploading personal images that contain other people, including members, must be done with consideration and sensitivity. Images should not be uploaded which could cause embarrassment or ridicule at someone else’s expense. Our activity on social media is not separate to our roles in person at events; we need to maintain the values of the Community at all times. This is to protect both the Community and its members.

Criminal Offences

• If a Member is charged with a criminal offence then the Community may, at its own option, suspend the membership of that Member. The suspension may be with immediate effect.
• If a Member is convicted of a criminal offence then the Community may, at its own option, terminate the membership of that Member.

Sanctions

• Failure by the Member to comply with any element of this Code will provide sufficient grounds for the Community to terminate the membership of that Member.

Effect of Suspension and Termination

• Any sanction or remedial action at the disposal of the Community under this Code is an additional right to any alternative sanction, remedial action, legal action, or other action that the Community may take in respect of that Member.
• Any person or organisation shall, on ceasing to be a Member, forfeit all rights to utilise, without limitation, the name, insignia, logo, goodwill, products or services of the Community in connection with its business, personal or social activities.

Changes to the Code

This Code may be changed from time to time by the Community. The Community will provide each Member with reasonable notice that the Code has changed, together with details of where the Member can view such changes.