To promote a positive, collegial atmosphere among members, it is the policy of the Board that the following Code of Civility and Code of Conduct apply to all members.

Code of Civility

All members shall uphold the following values:

1. Honesty. Members must be honest and ethical in dealing with other members and in handling SVCTBA business. This means that members must not knowingly make any false, misleading, inaccurate, or unsubstantiated statement to other members or in any SVCTBA-related discussion. No unfair advantage shall be taken through the use of manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other unfair dealing practice.

2. Civility. Members must treat other members with respect and in a professional manner at all times, whether in person or in written communication (including e-mail). Regardless of any ill feeling toward others, members must avoid using vulgar language, insults, or other disparaging personal remark in communicating with other members.

3. Respect. Members must respect the differences in people and reject bigotry on the basis of ethnicity, race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Code of Conduct

All members shall abide by the following Code of Conduct:

1. No member may represent him/herself using SVCTBA’s name or logo or his/her status as a SVCTBA member in such manner to create an impression that he/she is speaking or acting on behalf of SVCTBA unless specifically authorized to do so by the Board or President.

2. No member may represent him/herself using SVCTBA’s name or logo or his/her status as a SVCTBA member in such manner as to imply endorsement by SVCTBA in order to advance personal interests, such as monetary or other gains.

3. No member may represent him/herself using SVCTBA’s name or logo or his/her status as a SVCTBA member in such manner as to imply endorsement by SVCTBA of any political, religious, or charitable cause or to solicit any donations or funding on behalf of such cause.

4. Members must respect the data privacy of other members. Therefore, no member may “harvest” member contact information from SVCTBA member database and to use or distribute to others such information for any reason, including, without limitation, to promote the sale of any product or service or the investment of any business to other members.

5. Members must respect the personal choices and boundaries of other members. Therefore, no member may pressure or coerce other members to purchase any product or service, to participate any investment or business activities, to join any organizations, or to donate money for any cause or organization.

Disciplinary Procedures

Failure to comply with the Code of Civility, the Code of Conduct, or Section 3.05(b) of the Bylaws might result in disciplinary actions against the non-compliant member, including without limitation suspension or termination of membership, depending upon the nature, severity, and material impact of the violation.

1. All complaints of any alleged violation shall be reported to the Chair of the Membership Committee (the “Membership Chair”).

2. Upon learning of any allegation that might warrant disciplinary action, the Membership Chair will convene a Disciplinary Committee, consisting of the Membership Chair and two (2) Executive Officers appointed by the Membership Chair, to investigate the incident and determine an appropriate course of action.

3. In order to protect the reputation of the member being investigated, the investigation shall be conducted with as much as confidentiality as possible. The Disciplinary Committee will notify the member in writing of the allegation against him or her, and the member shall cooperate with the investigation in all respects. In order to protect the confidentiality of the investigation, the Disciplinary Committee will not respond to any communication regarding any aspect of the investigation except with the member(s) directly involved in the disciplinary proceedings.

4. On the basis of this review, the Disciplinary Committee may, upon a majority vote, take any of the following actions:

a. Dismissal of Complaint: In this case it is determined that there is no basis for the charges made against the member. The member will be notified in writing if the complaint is dismissed.

b. No Further Action: In some cases where the member is found to have breached the standards of SVCTBA, it may be determined that no further action is deemed necessary beyond a discussion of the matter with the member. The member will be notified in writing that no further action will be taken.

c. Disciplinary Warning: The member may be warned, in writing, of the possible consequences of continuing the behavior involved, and appropriate conditions may be applied.

d. Disciplinary Probation: A member who is placed on disciplinary probation is permitted to remain a member of SVCTBA under specified conditions. It is understood that the member is subject to further disciplinary action, including suspension or dismissal, if the member violates the terms of the probation or in any way fails to conduct himself/herself as a responsible member of SVCTBA. Probation is considered a final warning to the member.

e. Recommendation for Suspension/Termination of Membership: In the event that a member has been found to have committed a serious breach of the standards of SVCTBA to warrant a suspension or termination of the membership, the Disciplinary Committee will make a recommendation to the Board for such action. The Board may then decide to initiate a suspension/termination proceeding in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.05(c).