code of conduct
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THORNLEIGH WEST PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENTS’ AND CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION
Thornleigh West Public School P&C Association Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct applies to all financial members, volunteers, and employees (Members) of Thornleigh West Public School Parents & Citizens Association (P&C Association) while undertaking any role or activity related to the P&C Association.
1. Principles.
1.1. The Code of Conduct is based on the following fundamental ethical principles:
Respect for the Law
The Members, in common with all citizens, are under the jurisdiction of the laws of the State and the Commonwealth and are obliged to observe such laws.
Respect for all Persons
The Members are expected to treat students, school staff, and all members of the community equitably with dignity and respect. This involves, but is not limited to, the following:
Tolerance of the views held by others which are different from your own;
Courtesy and responsiveness in dealing with others;
Fairness in supervising and dealing with other Members;
Making decisions that are procedurally fair to all people according to the principles of natural justice;
Not discriminating on grounds such as gender, sexual orientation, race, ability, cultural background, religious status, marital status, age, or political conviction;
An awareness and respect for cultural difference;
Engaging in rational debate allowing for alternative points of view to be expressed;
Not engaging in behaviour that might reasonably be perceived as harassment, bullying, or intimidation.
Integrity
The Members shall be honest in carrying out their duties and avoid conflicts between their private interests and their P&C Association roles and responsibilities with respect to:
Personal relationships;
Financial relationships;
Receipt of gifts;
Employment;
Use of confidential information obtained in the course of P&C Association duties;
External activities and public comment.
Diligence
The Members shall carry out their duties in a professional and conscientious manner. This involves:
Carrying out official decisions and policies faithfully and impartially;
Seeking to attain the highest possible standards of performance;
Exercising care for others in activities related to the P&C Association;
Ensuring outside interests do not interfere with a Member’s duties or responsibilities to the P&C Association;
Adhering to professional codes of conduct where applicable being encouraged to report fraud or corrupt conduct to an Office Bearer of the P&C Association and/or external authorities.
2. Working with Children
2.1. The P&C Association adheres to the government’s Child Protection Act & Regulations (Working with Children Check) legislation and relevant procedures.
3. Conflict of Interest
3.1. Members must declare to the P&C Association any: interests which represent a conflict, either perceived or actual, with their duties to the P&C Association; and activities that might benefit their private interest.
3.2. Members must always act in the best interest of the P&C Association and adopt a process to disclose and address potential conflicts of interest.
3.3. A conflict of interest may include, but is not limited to, existing individual interests or a benefit, professional ethics, personal or professional relationships, financial or proprietary interests.
Notes: Examples of a conflict of interest include:
Example 1:
Personal or Financial Interest: Joe, an Office Bearer of a P&C Association, owns a Building
& Maintenance Company. During the P&C Association meeting, he recommends his company for an upcoming building work the P&C Association is considering undertaking as he believes he can offer the best competitive price being in the building business. However, he does not disclose the ownership of the company. Does Joe have a Conflict of Interest?
Yes. It is Joe’s duty to act in the best interest of the P&C Association and not his own interests. To promote the profit interest of his own company and receive remuneration is contrary to his role and responsibilities as an Office Bearer of a P&C Association as stated in Clause 5 of the Standard and the Prescribed Constitution. There is clear Conflict of Interest as Joe failed to disclose his personal business interests for gaining an undisclosed profit.
Example 2:
Non-Financial Interest involving some close relationships (not limited to partners, family, and friends): Vicky, a Canteen Manager of a P&C Association, suggested at a P&C meeting, an online fresh fruits and vegetables vendor she knew could offer a more competitive price than the existing supplier. She discloses that her son works as a delivery driver for the vendor. Is there a Conflict of Interest?
Yes. Indirect and or direct employment of an immediate family member, friend, or a close acquaintance is a conflict of interest. In this case, there is a clear indirect financial gain as her son will benefit from the extra work.
3.4. A conflict of interest that has been disclosed or otherwise identified (Disclosed Conflict) must be brought to the attention of the Office Bearers of the P&C Association and all Members and be disclosed or addressed in a meeting of the P&C Association.
3.5. A Disclosed Conflict is to be managed as follows:
Impartial decision-makers, who are not involved in the conflict, should be appointed to manage the conflict;
Minutes of relevant meetings of the P&C Association should reflect how the conflict was raised, addressed, and managed; and the outcome be disclosed to all Members;
Member(s) involved in the conflict may be refrained from participating in all formal or informal discussion, debate, and voting; and their duties may be re-assigned, until the conflict has been resolved;
Member(s) involved in the conflict may be restricted from access to confidential information and sensitive documents relating to the conflict;
In the event where a conflict is very significant and prevents the Member(s) involved in the conflict from performing their P&C Association role and responsibilities, the P&C Association may ask that the Member(s) involved in the conflict resign from their P&C Association role, or abandon any personal interest or activity giving rise to the conflict.
4. Privacy and Confidentiality
4.1. The P&C Association must adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act of 1988.
4.2. The P&C Association must recognise that the privacy of any individual’s personal identifiable information must not be divulged or shared under any circumstances without the individual's written consent within or outside the P&C Association unless there is a lawful authority for its disclosure.
4.3. The P&C Association must take all reasonable steps to ensure confidential data, documents, and personal information of any individual is protected from misuse, loss, and unauthorised access, and/or disclosure.
4.4. All personal and sensitive information held by the P&C Association must not be viewed, shared, or distributed to any person other than the Office Bearer(s) of the P&C Association who has/have responsibility for such information.
4.5. All personal and sensitive information held by the P&C Association must be disposed of securely when no longer required.
4.6. Confidential information of the P&C Association must not be published or otherwise publicly disclosed by a Member or copied or used by a Member in any way, except with the consent of the P&C Association.
5. Grievances, Complaints and Procedures
5.1. Breaches of this Code of Conduct or other policies of the P&C Association will be addressed by way of the Grievances, Complaints, and Procedures Policy.
5.2. Breaches of this Code of Conduct may result in a Member being removed from the P&C Association.
As adopted by the Thornleigh West Public School P&C Association General Meeting on Tuesday 31st August, 2021.
Signed President: Meera Seemampillai NAME: Meera Seemampillai
Witnessed Secretary: Melannie Hogan NAME: Melannie Hogan
Date: 31/08/2021
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TWPSP&C Code of Conduct