CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
CHAPTER 1. VISION AND APPLICABILITY
1.1 Vision and Purpose
Berkeley Middle East Investors Club members are expected to be civic-minded and willing to operate with the highest standards of honesty and integrity. It is our duty to conduct ourselves with the highest principles of the free enterprise system.
This Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct describes the expectations that we have of ourselves in the Berkeley Middle East Investors Club and our fellow members in the global investor’s community. It articulates the ideals to which we aspire as well as the behaviors that are mandatory in our professional and volunteer roles.
We wish Berkeley Middle East Investors Club to always be synonymous with competence and fairness. As Berkeley Investment Club members, we hereby strictly bind ourselves to this code of ethics.
1.2 Persons to Whom the Code Applies
The Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct applies to:
1.2.1 Berkeley Middle East Investors Club members
1.2.2 Berkeley Middle East Investors Club affiliates.
1.2.3 Third-party representatives, such as freelancers, subcontractors, suppliers, service providers and agents who work on behalf of Berkeley Middle East Investors Club, may also be required to confirm their understanding and compliance with relevant provisions of the code as required by Berkeley Middle East Investors Club compliance and ethics program and its internal control procedures.
1.3 Structure of the Code
The Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct is divided into sections that contain standards of conduct that are aligned with the four values that were identified as most important to the global investor’s community.
1.4 Values that Support this Code
The values that the Berkeley Middle East Investors Club Founders defined as most important are: Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, and Honesty. This Code affirms these four values as its foundation.
1.5 Aspirational and Mandatory Conduct
Each section of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct includes both aspirational standards and mandatory standards. The aspirational standards describe the conduct that we strive to uphold as Berkeley Middle East Investors Club members. Although adherence to the aspirational standards is not easily measured, conducting ourselves in accordance with these is an expectation that we have of ourselves as professionals. It is not optional.
The mandatory standards establish Berkeley Middle East Investors Club requirements, and in some cases, limit or prohibit member behavior. Members who do not conduct themselves in accordance with these standards will be subject to disciplinary procedures before Berkeley Middle East Investors Club Ethics Review Committee.
CHAPTER 2. RESPONSIBILITY
2.1 Description of Responsibility
Responsibility is our duty to take ownership for the decisions we make or fail to make, the actions we take or fail to take, and the consequences that result.
2.2 Responsibility: Aspirational Standards
As Berkeley Investment Club members in the global investor’s community:
2.2.1 We make decisions and take actions based on the best interests of society, public safety, and the environment.
2.2.2 We accept only those assignments that are consistent with our background, experience, skills, and qualifications.
2.2.3 We fulfill the commitments that we undertake – we do what we say we will do.
2.2.4 When we make errors or omissions, we take ownership and make corrections promptly. When we discover errors or omissions caused by others, we communicate them to the appropriate body as soon as they are discovered. We accept accountability for any issues resulting from our errors or omissions and any resulting consequences.
2.2.5 We protect proprietary or confidential information that has been entrusted to us.
2.2.6 We uphold this Code and hold each other accountable to it.
2.3 Responsibility: Mandatory Standards
As Berkeley Middle East Investors Club members in the global investor’s community, we require the following of ourselves and our fellow members:
Regulations and Legal Requirements
2.3.1 We inform ourselves and uphold the policies, rules, regulations, and laws that govern our work, professional, and volunteer activities.
2.3.2 We report unethical or illegal conduct to appropriate management and, if necessary, to those affected by the conduct.
Ethics Complaints
2.3.3 We bring violations of this Code to the attention of the appropriate body for resolution.
2.3.4 We only file ethics complaints when they are substantiated by facts.
2.3.5 We pursue disciplinary action against an individual who retaliates against a person raising ethics concerns.
CHAPTER 3. RESPECT
3.1 Description of Respect
Respect is our duty to show high regard for ourselves, others, and the resources entrusted to us. Resources entrusted to us may include people, money, reputation, the safety of others, and natural or environmental resources.
An environment of respect engenders trust, confidence and performance excellence by fostering mutual cooperation, an environment where diverse perspectives and views are encouraged and valued.
3.2 Respect: Aspirational Standards
As Berkeley Middle East Investors Club members in the global investor’s community:
3.2.1 We inform ourselves about the norms and customs of others and avoid engaging in behaviors they might consider disrespectful.
3.2.2 We listen to others’ points of view, seeking to understand them.
3.2.3 We approach directly those persons with whom we have a conflict or disagreement.
3.2.4 We conduct ourselves in a professional manner, even when it is not reciprocated.
3.3 Respect: Mandatory Standards
As Berkeley Middle East Investors Club members in the global investor’s community, we require the following of ourselves and our fellow members:
3.3.1 We negotiate in good faith.
3.3.2 We do not exercise the power of our expertise or position to influence the decisions or actions of others in order to benefit personally at their expense.
3.3.3 We do not act in an abusive manner toward others.
3.3.4 We respect the property rights of others.
CHAPTER 4. FAIRNESS
4.1 Description of Fairness
Fairness is our duty to make decisions and act impartially and objectively. Our conduct must be free from competing for self interest, prejudice, and favoritism.
4.2 Fairness: Aspirational Standards
As Berkeley Middle East Investors Club members in the global investor’s community:
4.2.1 We demonstrate transparency in our decision-making process.
4.2.2 We constantly reexamine our impartiality and objectivity, taking corrective action as appropriate.
4.2.3 We provide equal access to information to those who are authorized to have that information.
4.2.4 We make opportunities equally available to qualified candidates.
4.3 Fairness: Mandatory Standards
As Berkeley Middle East Investors Club members in the global investor’s community, we require the following of ourselves and our fellow members:
Conflict of Interest Situations:
4.3.1 We proactively and fully disclose any real or potential conflicts of interest to the appropriate stakeholders.
4.3.2 When we realize that we have a real or potential conflict of interest, we refrain from engaging in the decision- making process or otherwise attempting to influence outcomes, unless or until: we have made full disclosure to the affected stakeholders; we have an approved mitigation plan, and we have obtained the consent of the stakeholders to proceed.
Favoritism and Discrimination:
4.3.3 We do not hire or fire, reward or punish, or award or deny contracts based on personal considerations, including but not limited to, favoritism, nepotism, or bribery.
4.3.4 We do not discriminate against others based on, but not limited to, gender, race, age, religion, disability, nationality, or sexual orientation.
4.3.5 We apply the rules of the organization without favoritism or prejudice.
CHAPTER 5. HONESTY
5.1 Description of Honesty
Honesty is our duty to understand the truth and act in a truthful manner both in our communications and in our conduct.
5.2 Honesty: Aspirational Standards
As Berkeley Middle East Investors Club members in the global investor’s community:
5.2.1 We earnestly seek to understand the truth. We are truthful in our communications and in our conduct.
5.2.2 We provide accurate information in a timely manner.
5.2.3 We make commitments and promises, implied or explicit, in good faith.
5.2.4 We strive to create an environment in which others feel safe, to tell the truth.
5.3 Honesty: Mandatory Standards
As Berkeley Middle East Investors Club members in the global investor’s community, we require the following of ourselves and our fellow members:
5.3.1 We do not engage in or condone behavior that is designed to deceive others, including but not limited to, making misleading or false statements, stating half-truths, providing information out of context or withholding information that, if known, would render our statements as misleading or incomplete.
5.3.2 We do not engage in dishonest behavior with the intention of personal gain or at the expense of another.
A.1 Process Used to Create this Standard
The first step by the Berkeley Middle East Investors Club founders in the development of this Code was to understand the ethical issues facing the global investor’s community and to understand the values and viewpoints of members from all regions of the globe. This was accomplished by a variety of mechanisms including internet surveys involving members and volunteers. Additionally, the team analyzed the ethics codes of many international Investors Clubs from various regions of the world, researched best practices in the development of ethical standards, and explored the ethics-related tenets of the Berkeley Middle East Investors Club’s strategic plan.
This extensive research conducted by the Berkeley Middle East Investors Club founders provided the backdrop for developing the exposure draft of the Berkeley Middle East Investors Club’s Ethics and Professional Conduct standard.
The result of this effort is a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct that not only describes the ethical values to which the global project management community aspires, but also addresses the specific conduct that is mandatory for every individual bound by this Code. Violations of the Berkeley Middle East Investors Club’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct may result in sanctions by the Berkeley Middle East Investors Club under the Ethics Case Procedures.
Berkeley Middle East Investors Club learned that as partners of the global investor’s community, our community takes its commitment to ethics very seriously and we hold ourselves and our peers in the global project management community accountable to conduct ourselves in accordance with the provisions of this Code.