MRC's Code of Ethics

As a community non-profit organization, MRC has a special responsibility to fulfill its mission in ways that address everyone's best interests and meet the highest ethical standards. Our responsibilities are addressed in this Code of Ethics.

I. Board Responsibilities:
The Board of Directors pledges to

• Promote MRC's mission
• Promote ethnic and cultural diversity in staff and Board
• Set policy
• Oversee MRC's financial stability
• Ensure programs meet the needs of consumers
• Actively participate in fund-raising endeavours
• Fulfill all legal requirements and regulations

II. Service Quality

MRC is committed to develop and support high quality services that meet the needs of MRC consumers in a professional and compassionate manner.

MRC is committed to providing services that meet or exceed customer expectations for quality, cost, and delivery.

III. Fiduciary Responsibility
MRC is committed to fiduciary responsibility. Financial activities will comply with necessary standards and regulations.

IV. Employees
MRC believes that each employee is entitled to be treated fairly and with dignity and respect.

MRC will provide processes for conflict resolution.

V. Safeguarding the Rights of Recipients
All service recipients will be treated equally, regardless of funding source.

Employees will endeavour to protect the dignity of the people served and will ensure that all interactions with service recipients are respectful.

Confidentiality will be respected according to the guidelines established in the Michigan Mental Health Code.

Employees will exercise the greatest caution when handling funds belonging to service recipients and procedures for handling cash will be followed diligently. Any financial transactions not covered by established procedures require the review and approval of MRC's President or designee.

VI. Business Practices
Rehabilitation funds will not be used to lower prices below market value.

MRC requires employees to comply with the antitrust laws of the United States, to compete in the marketplace, and not to enter into agreements with competitors in regard to restricting competitiveness through price-fixing, market share, decisions not to quote, etc.

MRC respects the concept of unionized labor and will not knowingly take struck work.

MRC requires all employees to use only legitimate practices in business operations and in promoting its position on issues before governmental authorities.

• No payment of anything of value (in the form of compensation, gift, contribution, or otherwise) will be made to any customer, official, or governmental entity for the purpose of inducing or rewarding any favorable action.
• Ordinary and reasonable business entertainment or gifts of nonsubstantial value may be authorized in a very limited set of circumstances by the President or a Program Director.

VII. Nonpartisan Nature of MRC
MRC will not support or make any contribution to any political party or to any candidate for political office.

MRC will provide information about all major candidates running for election and the pros and cons of ballot issues, drawing on the resources of nonpartisan groups such as the League for Women Voters.

MRC will assist all consumers to use their right to vote irrespective of the consumers' choice of candidates or position on issues.

Individual employees are free to support or make contributions to political parties or candidates or ballot issues as long as they do not designate themselves as MRC employees.

VIII. Public Positions
The MRC Board of Directors may take a position on existing or proposed legislation, government policies or practices, or ballot proposals or millages based on potential risk or benefit to people served by MRC.

MRC is free to communicate information about these possible risks and benefits to the general public, legislators, and governmental officials.

IX. Marketing
MRC will make fair and honest representations to the public in the areas of fund development, marketing, and public relations.

X. Safety
MRC is committed to safety in the workplace for all staff and consumers, both on- and off-site.

MRC will conduct its operations in a safe and healthy environment that meets or exceeds legal requirements for building, equipment, grounds, and vehicles.

XI. Violations of this Code of Ethics
MRC staff, students, or volunteers

• Alleged violations will be referred to the MRC President for investigation and resolution.
• Serious violations will be reported to the Board Chairperson and Personnel Committee.

Board member or MRC President

• Alleged violations will be referred to the Board Chairperson and Executive Committee.
• After an investigation, this group will consider the impact of the actions on the reputation of MRC and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors.