Charity values

As a member of Parrot Trust Scotland I promise to abide by the fundamental values that underpin all the activity of this charity. These are:

Accountability

Everything Parrot Trust Scotland does will be able to stand the test of scrutiny by the public, the media, charity regulators, members, stakeholders, funders, Parliament and the courts.

Integrity and honesty

These will be the hallmarks of all conduct when dealing with colleagues within Parrot Trust Scotland and equally when dealing with individuals and institutions outside it.

Transparency

Parrot Trust Scotland strives to maintain an atmosphere of openness throughout the charity to promote confidence of the public, stakeholders, staff, charity regulators and Parliament.

Additionally, I agree to the following points:

Law, mission, policies

• I will not break the law or go against charity regulations in any aspect of my role of member.
• I will support the mission and consider myself its guardian.
• I will abide by organisational policies.

Conflicts of interest

• I will always strive to act in the best interests of the charity.
• I will declare any conflict of interest, or any circumstance that might be viewed by others as a conflict of interest, as soon as it arises.
• I will submit to the judgment of the board and do as it requires regarding potential conflicts of interest.

Person to person

• I will not break the law, go against charity regulations or act in disregard of charity policies in my relationships with directors, staff, volunteers, members, service recipients, contractors or anyone I come into contact with in my role as member.
• I will strive to establish respectful, collegial and courteous relationships with all I come into contact with in my role as member.

Protecting the charity's reputation

• I will not speak as a member of this charity to the media or in a public forum without the prior knowledge and approval of the Chair or Vice Chair in the absence of the Chair.
• When I am speaking as a member of this charity, my comments will reflect current charity policy even when these do not align with my personal views.
  When speaking as a private citizen I will strive to uphold the reputation of the charity and those who work in it.
• I will respect charity, board and individual confidentiality.
• I will take an active interest in the charity's public image, noting news articles, books, television programmes and the like about the charity, about similar charities or about important issues for the charity.
  Personal gain
• I will not personally gain materially or financially from my role as a member, nor will I permit others to do so as a result of my actions or negligence.
• I will document expenses and seek reimbursement according to procedure.
• I will not accept gifts or hospitality without prior consent of the Chair.
• I will use charity resources responsibly, when authorised, in accordance with procedure.

In meetings

• I will strive to embody the principles of membership in all my actions and live up to the trust placed in me by the charity.
• I will abide by board governance procedures and practices.
• I will strive to attend all relevant members meetings, giving apologies ahead of time to the Chair if unable to attend.
• I will study the agenda and other information sent to me in good time prior to the meeting and be prepared to debate and vote if applicable on agenda items during the meeting.
• I will honour the authority of the Chair and respect his or her role.I will engage in debate and voting in meetings according to procedure, maintaining a respectful attitude toward the opinions of others while making my voice heard.
• I will accept a majority vote on an issue as decisive and final.
• I will maintain confidentiality about what goes on in the meeting unless authorised by the Chair or board to speak of it.

Enhancing governance

• I will participate in induction, training and development activities for members.

Leaving the charity

• I understand that substantial breach of any part of this code may result in my removal as a member from the charity.
• Should I resign as a member, I will inform the chair in advance in writing, stating my reasons for resigning. Additionally, I will participate in an exit interview if requested.
• All assets, merchandise, documentation, property including all intellectual property must be returned (or appropriately dealt with) to a director on resignation.

Conflicts of Interest

• As a member, you are required to act in the best interests of Parrot Trust Scotland. However, inevitably, members have a wide range of interests in private, public and professional life and these interests might, on occasions, conflict.
• We are obliged to review any possible conflicts when preparing our annual report so ask you to supply the following details: