Introduction
The Friends
of the Markham Museum is a “not for profit” registered charity established by
the Town of Markham to be an advocate of the Museum within the community; to
provide advice and recommendations to the Museum and to take a leadership role
in developing a fund for the maintenance and enhancement of the Museum and
Museum services and programs.
The
directors of the foundation are appointed from within the community and serve
without remuneration.
Town of Markham Code of Ethics
The Friends
of the Markham Museum has been established by the Town of Markham and
accordingly, the directors are to follow the Town’s Code of Ethics as follows:
Recognizing
responsibilities to the people, desiring to input public confidence and respect
for government and believing that honesty, integrity, loyalty, justice, and
courtesy form the basis of ethical conduct, an appointed director:
o
Puts
public interest above individual group or special interest and considers the
position as an opportunity to serve society.
o
Recognizes
that government service is a public trust that imposes responsibility to
conserve public resources, funds and materials.
o
Never
offers, gives nor accepts any gifts, favours, or services that might tend to
influence the discharge of duties.
o
Never
uses the position to secure advantage or favour for self, family or friends.
o
Never
discloses confidential information gained by reason of position, nor uses such
information for personal gain.
o
Never
makes recommendations, while a member of a Committee, on any matter that
involves a business in which there is a personal direct or indirect financial
interest.
Other Codes of Conduct
In addition
to the Town’s Code of Ethics, directors are also expected to conform to the
standards of conduct of any professional organization to which they belong and
to International Council of Museums (ICOM) Code of Ethics for Museums to which
the professional staff of the Museum subscribe.
The ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums addresses the following issues:
o
Museums
preserve, interpret and promote the natural and cultural inheritance of
humanity.
o
Museums
that maintain collections hold them in trust for the benefit of society and its
development.
o
Museums
hold primary evidence for establishing and furthering knowledge.
o
Museums
provide opportunities for the appreciation, understanding and management of the
natural and cultural heritage.
o
Museums
hold resources that provide opportunities for other public services and
benefits.
o
Museums
work in close collaboration with the communities from which their collections
originate as well as those they serve.
o
Museums
operate in a legal manner.
o
Museums
operate in a professional manner.
Where
individual professional standards of conduct or ICOM Code of Ethics standards
differ from the Town’s Code of Ethics, directors must always comply with the
higher standard.