CODE OF CONDUCT
TITLE I — PRINCIPLES AND SCOPE OF THE
Art. 1. Guiding Principles:
Freedom, rule of law, civic virtue, servant leadership, unity and dialogue, merit, ethics, and excellence.
Art. 2a. Personal Scope
- This applies to:
- a) Ordinary, honorary, and institutional members.
- b) Employees, interns, and contractors.
- c) Volunteers and delegates representing FDLL in any physical or virtual space.
Art. 2b. Dress Code
We reserve the right to refuse admission to any of our events or institutional visits to individuals who are not dressed professionally or in business casual attire. Participants should not wear low-cut tops and, preferably should not expose their knees.
TITLE II — EXPECTED CONDUCT
Art. 3. General Behavior:
- a) Treat all persons with respect and dignity.
- b) Compliance with local and federal (U.S.) laws and FDLL regulations.
- c) Cooperation with cultural and ideological diversity.
- d) Protection of data confidentiality and internal discussions.
Art. 4. Official Representation
- a) Only the president, or their written delegate, may issue public statements on behalf of FDLL.
- b) The use of the logo in press, social media, or documents requires written authorization from the events coordinator or the board of directors.
- c) Soliciting visas, funds, or favors using the FDLL name without express authorization is prohibited.
Art. 5. Conflicts of Interest
Any employment, financial, or family relationship that may influence FDLL decisions must be declared to the board of directors within five business days of its occurrence.
TITLE III — SPECIFIC PROHIBITIONS
Art. 6. Unacceptable Conduct
- Discrimination based on nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, disability, or political ideology.
- Physical violence or threats of any kind.
- Sexual, verbal, non-verbal, physical, or digital harassment.
- Unauthorized commercial or profit-making use of the FDLL name, logo, or database.
- Active participation in authoritarian regimes or acts that violate human rights.
- Intoxication or consumption of illegal substances during events.
TITLE IV — DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM
Art. 7. Competent Bodies of the FDLL
- a) Ethics Committee (EC): composed of three independent members elected by the FDLL’s Board of Directors.
- b) FDLL Board of Directors: appeals body. Currently composed of 5 members.
Art. 8. Procedure
- Complaint (signed or anonymous) submitted to the EC or the Board of Directors.
- Admission: the EC or the Board of Directors decides within 7 days whether to open a case.
- Investigation: interviews and evidence gathering (max. 30 days).
- Report: recommendations and proposed sanction.
- Notification: to the accused, who has 10 days to appeal to the Board of Directors.
Article 9. Disciplinary Measures:
Verbal reprimand, written reprimand, temporary suspension (up to 24 months), removal from office (if applicable), permanent expulsion, and/or reporting to civil authorities.
Article 10. Protection Against Reprisals:
Any form of retaliation against a person who reports in good faith will constitute a serious offense, and appropriate legal and institutional measures will be taken.
TITLE V — TRAINING, ACCEPTANCE, AND VALIDITY
Art. 11. Mandatory Training
Each member or participant must sign a compliance agreement with the code of conduct.
Art. 12. Signature of Acceptance
Adherence to FDLL implies the digital or handwritten signature of the EC. Without this signature, credentials and access to events will not be granted.
Art. 13. Amendment and Publication
Amendments require a two-thirds majority vote of the General Assembly and will take effect 30 days after their publication on the corporate intranet.
