COLORADO FIREFIGHTER CALENDAR CODE OF CONDUCT

If any Board Member, Calendar Participant, Invited Guest or Volunteer is uncertain about the application or interpretation of any requirement in this Code, they should seek guidance from the CFC Board President or Vice President. Our Code of Conduct can be summarized as: “We are all professionals, we represent the noblest of professions, and we are seeking to raise funds for the most innocent of those among us. Act like it.” We planned to leave it at this, but the attorneys insisted that we add a few more details, thus:

General Conduct: 

Colorado Firefighter Calendar, Inc. (“CFC”), Board Members, Calendar Participants, and any Volunteers must, at all times comply with applicable laws and regulations. CFC will not condone activities of Board Members, Calendar Participants, or any Volunteers who achieve results through violation of the law or unethical dealings. This includes any payments for illegal acts, indirect contributions, rebates, and/or bribery. CFC will not permit activities that fail to stand up to the closest possible public scrutiny.

Board Members, Calendar Participants, and Volunteers may bring spouses or significant others (“Invited Guests”) to events to volunteer or provide support, and all such Invited Guests will be held to the same standards of this Code of Conduct.

CFC expects its Board Members, Calendar Participants, Invited Guests, and Volunteers to conduct themselves in a business-like manner. Gambling, fighting, swearing, and similar unprofessional activities are prohibited while participating in CFC sponsored events and activities. All Board Members, Calendar Participants, Invited Guests and any Volunteers share the responsibility for CFC’s positive public relations and community goodwill. Their readiness to help with charitable, educational, and civic activities brings credit to CFC and is encouraged.

Sexual Harassment: 

Board Members, Calendar Participants, Invited Guests and Volunteers must not engage in sexual harassment, or conduct themselves in a way that could possibly be construed as sexual harassment. If there is any doubt about this – DON’T DO IT! 

Dress: 

All Board Members, Calendar Participants, Invited Guests and Volunteers will wear proper attire when conducting business for, or attending events sponsored by, CFC. Calendar Participants will be informed on proper dress for an event 48 hours prior to the event, at which time the event coordinator will provide the criteria for level of dress for photo opportunities at that particular event. Calendar Participants may be asked to wear CFC t-shirts, Fire Department Bunker Gear or Fire Department dress uniforms. All Calendar Participants who wear any official Department uniform item(s) must have the permission of their Department. Blue jeans can be worn with CFC t-shirts but CFC requests that you refrain from wearing items with holes. CFC t-shirts are part of the CFC brand, and shall be afforded the same level of decorum as any official Department uniform. Any questions on proper dress at events can be addressed by the CFC liaison(s).

Alcohol:

Board Members, Calendar Participants, Invited Guests and Volunteers will be allowed to consume alcoholic beverages in moderation at events where alcohol is legally being served. Board Members, Calendar Participants, Invited Guests, and Volunteers will abide by all regulations at events that do not allow alcohol. At any event Board Members, Calendar Participants, Invited Guests, and Volunteers will not consume alcohol to the extent that they become impaired. Any impaired Board Member, Calendar Model, or Volunteer will be asked to leave the event. While efforts may be made to assist such impaired persons in obtaining a ride home, COLORADO FIREFIGHTER CALENDAR, INC. will not be responsible or liable for any impaired person’s transportation or conduct. If asked to leave an event due to intoxication, any association with COLORADO FIREFIGHTER CALENDAR, INC., and participation in future events, may be forfeited.

Discretion: 

Board Members, Calendar Participants, Invited Guests, and Volunteers will responsibly use the discretion vested in your position and exercise it accordingly. Reasonableness should guide Board Members, Calendar Participants, Invited Guests, and Volunteers determinations. Consistent and wise use of discretion, based on your professional experiences, will enhance and preserve good relationships with, and retain the confidence of, the general public.

Professionalism: 

Enough Said!

Courtesy: 

Courtesy is demonstrating a caring and polite attitude while working with others. It is the goal of the CFC that its events provide an environment where courtesy and consideration of others is instilled.

Punctuality: 

Board Members, Calendar Participants, and Volunteers need to exercise punctuality at all times.

Conflicts of Interest: 

Board Members, Calendar Participants, and Volunteers must not use any knowledge gained as a result of their positions within the CFC for private or personal advantage. Regardless of the circumstances, if Board Members, Calendar Participants and Volunteers sense that a course of action they have pursued, or are presently pursuing, or are contemplating pursuing, may involve a conflict of interest with CFC, they should immediately communicate all the facts to the CFC Board President or Vice President, to seek further guidance.

Gifts, Entertainment and Favors: 

Board Members, Calendar Participants, and Volunteers must not accept entertainment, gifts or personal favors that could, in any way, influence, or appear to influence, decisions in favor of any person or organization with whom or with which CFC has, or is likely to have business dealings.

Undisclosed Commissions: 

Regarding CFC business activities, Board Members, Calendar Participants, and Volunteers may not receive payment of compensation of any kind, except as approved by the Board. In particular, CFC strictly prohibits the acceptance of kickbacks and secret commissions from sponsors, suppliers or others.

CFC Funds and Other Assets: 

Board Members, Calendar Participants, and Volunteers who have access to CFC funds in any form must follow the prescribed procedures of recording, handling, and protecting money as detailed in other materials. Any money you receive for CFC products is held in trust. CFC imposes strict standards to prevent fraud and dishonesty. If any Board Member, Calendar Model, or Volunteer becomes aware of any evidence of fraud or dishonesty, they should immediately advise the President or Vice President of the Board, or seek appropriate legal guidance so that CFC can promptly investigate.

Communications: 

Board Members, Calendar Participants, and any Volunteers must not make or engage in any false record or communication of any kind, whether internal or external, including but not limited to:

• Falsifying expenses, attendance records, production, financial, or similar reports and statements;

• False advertising, deceptive marketing practices, or other misleading representations.

Dealing With Outside People, Organizations & Media: 

Board Members, Calendar Participants, and Volunteers must take care to separate their personal roles from their CFC positions when communicating on matters not involving CFC business. Board Members, Calendar Participants, and any Volunteer must not use organization identification, stationery, supplies, and equipment for personal or political matters.

When communicating publicly on matters that involve CFC business, Board Members, Calendar Participants, or any Volunteer must not presume to speak for CFC on any topic. This will be done by the CFC Public Relations Committee Chair Person, CFC Board President or Vice President. All written statements for use in media will also be the responsibility of the CFC Public Relations Committee Chair Person, CFC Board President or Vice President.

When dealing with anyone outside CFC, including public officials, Board Members, Calendar Participants, and any Volunteer, must take care not to compromise the integrity or damage the reputation of the CFC or any outside individual, business, or government body.

Prompt Communications: 

In all matters relevant to suppliers, government authorities, the public and others, all Board Members, Calendar Participants, and any Volunteer must make every effort to achieve complete, accurate, and timely communication. They will respond promptly and courteously to all proper requests for information and to all complaints.

Privacy and Confidentiality: 

When handling CFC related financial and personal information, observe the following:

• Collect, use, and retain only the personal information necessary for the CFC business.

• Retain information only for as long as necessary or as required by law. Protect the physical security of this information.

FINALLY, REMEMBER – YOU ARE AMONG THE ELITE CHOSEN TO BE INVOLVED IN THE COLORADO FIREFIGHTER CALENDAR. YOU REPRESENT THE NOBLEST OF PROFESSIONS AND ARE DOING THIS TO HELP THE CHILDREN. YOU ARE THE BEST – MAKE US PROUD!

Download CFC Code of Conduct (.PDF)