Addendum D – GSF Ethics Resource Pool Policy

(May 2014)

In 2005, The Global Speakers Federation created an Ethics Resource Pool.

Here’s the relevant information

The Federation exists to do those things that individual member associations cannot practically do for themselves.

One of these is to provide a mechanism for input to/resolution of ethics issues for the member associations. Some of the associations are too small to have an “ethics committee” that would have any perception of independence or impartiality. All of them have the potential of a situation arising where obviously arms-length input could be a valuable thing.

The Ethics Resource Pool is a list of people, from which an ad hoc “committee” could be chosen, if and when the need might arise. The maximum size of any given committee would be 7 people, out of those on this list.

It is specifically noted that such a committee does not have the power to impose resolution, nor make binding judgments. It can only advise the association, or make recommendations. Each association will then take whatever action it deems appropriate.

The Pool is not available to individuals. It is a resource to ‘member associations’ only.

This pool is made up of people who are recognized for their high personal integrity and have sufficient expertise in the business to provide valuable input.

This is not a pro-active or standing committee and only comes “into existence” should it be called upon to serve. At the conclusion of any given undertaking, the committee reverts to dormant.

Below is the relevant excerpt from the official minutes, and a list of those who have agreed to serve.

” . . . a pool of 25 to 35 individuals whose high personal integrity is globally recognized, so that any member association could form, from this pool, an ad hoc ethics committee should they have need to do so or have need of a source for commentary on ethics issues.”

1. An association Executive Director forwards an ethics “file” to the GSF Executive Director.
2. GSF ED reviews and determines an appropriate committee chair from the Resource Pool. GSF ED forwards file to the committee chair.
3. GSF ED sends this Resource Pool list to each of the two parties with instructions for each of them to choose three names from the list that they would like to see on the committee and return their choices to the GSF ED. (Association ED(s) have no further, active role in this process).
4. Chair will choose one name from each party’s list of three to create the committee.
5. Committee will determine if the issue at hand requires a larger committee to address the issue. If so, step 3 is repeated with the full Resource Pool list minus the previous 6 names chosen by the parties sent back to the two parties involved. (The committee membership is a maximum of seven and numbers should be adjusted accordingly).
6. Chair will advise GSF ED if additional information is required from the parties and the GSF ED will collect and forward same.
7. Chair will forward committee’s findings* to GSF ED who will forward to the respective parties and association ED(s).
8. Committee returns everything received from each party to that party, keeping only a copy of their findings*.
9. Committee disbands.

*The committee has no power to impose decisions, penalties, binding judgments, or other remedies. It can only advise the association, provide analysis, offer opinion, and make recommendations. Each association will then take whatever action it deems appropriate.

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