Code of Ethics
MOWW Code of Ethics Extract from Policy Manual, 29 May 2012, Page 96
6. Code of Ethics. Public service is a public trust, requiring all office holders to place the laws and ethical principles of the Organization above private gain. Whether particular circumstances create an appearance that the law or the following standards have been violated shall be determined from the perspective of a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts.
a. MOWW office holders will put forth their best effort in the performance of their duties and will:
1) Act impartially and not give preferential treatment to any other member or employee of the Order, as well as any other private organization or individual.
2) Protect and conserve the MOWW’s property and shall not use such property, or allow its use, for other than authorized purposes.
3) Disclose waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption to appropriate authorities.
4) Satisfy in good faith their obligations as citizens, including all just financial obligations, especially those (such as, but not limited to, Federal, State, or local taxes) that are imposed by law.
5) Adhere to all laws and regulations that provide equal opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap.
6) Endeavor to avoid any actions creating the appearance that they are violating the law or the ethical standards set forth in this Part 1.
b. An office holder of MOWW will not:
1) Hold financial interests that conflict with the conscientious performance of duty.
2) Engage in financial transactions using nonpublic Government information or allow the improper use of such information to further any private interest.
3) Solicit or accept any gift or other item of monetary value from any person or entity seeking official action from, doing business with, or conducting activities regulated by the MOWW, or whose interests may be substantially affected by the performance of their duties.
4) Knowingly make unauthorized commitments or promises of any kind purporting to bind the MOWW, unless expressly permitted to do so by regulation and/or permission of the General Staff.
5) Use their position with MOWW for private gain.
7. Related Statutes. In addition to the standards of ethical conduct set forth herein, there are other conflict of interest statutes that prohibit certain conduct. Criminal conflict of interest statutes of general applicability to all office holders must be taken into consideration in determining whether their conduct is proper. Citations to other generally applicable statutes relating to all office holders’ conduct are set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws of the MOWW as well as the “MOWW Manual” and they are further cautioned that there may be additional statutory and regulatory restrictions applicable to them generally. Because all are considered to be on notice of the requirements of any statute, they should not rely upon any description or synopsis of a statutory restriction, but should refer to the statute itself and obtain the advice of an ethics official as needed.
8. Use of Intoxicants. An office holder who abuses drugs or intoxicants to excess may be subject to removal from office after correctional actions have been taken and the abuse continues.
9. Appropriations, Legislation & Lobbying. Unless authorized by the General Staff or its Executive Committee (EXCOM), office holders are prohibited from using any part of the money appropriated by any enactment of the MOWW to pay for any personal service, advertisement, telegram, telephone, letter, printed or written matter, or other device, intended or designed to influence in any manner a Member of Congress, to favor or oppose, by vote or otherwise, any legislation or appropriation by Congress, whether before or after the introduction of any bill or resolution proposing such legislation or appropriation.
a. The prohibition above does not prevent any office holder from communicating to Members of Congress to request, through proper official channels, legislation or appropriations which they deem necessary for the efficient conduct of MOWW’s public business. When acting in their official capacity, office holders are required to refrain from promoting or opposing legislation relating to programs of the MOWW without the official sanction of the proper MOWW authority, i.e. the General Staff.
b. To comply with these "Code of Ethics" all elected or appointed Officers of the Order must have been installed in their respective positions by competent authority as permitted by the National Constitution and By-Laws, the Order's National Manual, or the Regions, State, Department or Chapters By-Laws using the latest updated "Installation of Officers" guidelines in Chapter XVI of this Manual or have signed a formal "Oath of Office" form located in at the end of Chapter XVI and have this form on file at their respective headquarters. Additionally, there two overall categories, each with special requirements:
1) National Officers – filed with the Chief of Staff at National Headquarters.
2) Region, State, Department or Chapter – filed with their respective Commander or Adjutant and verified to National Headquarters on an annual basis.