TEXAS TORNADO BOOSTER CLUB

CODE OF ETHICS

APPROVED ON: AUGUST 17, 1999

INTRODUCTION

This Code of Ethics is to provide broad guidelines to assist booster club members in putting applicable ethical and legal standards into daily practice. The Code of Ethics does not cover every situation, nor do they set forth every applicable rule. There will be gray areas where questions arise.

WHEN YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE CODE OF ETHICS OR THEIR INTERPRETATION, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, ASK THEM, IF YOU HAVE ETHICAL CONCERNS RAISE THEM. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO SO.

In all circumstances booster club members should act with integrity and in accordance with the law. Acting with integrity means acting honestly and in accordance with ACCEPTED ETHICAL NORMS. It means TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE'S ACTIONS AND ACTING RESPONSIBLY.

No member is authorized to act unethically or illegally, even when doing so seems to be in the best interest of the club. FOR THE BOOSTER CLUB TO ACT WITH INTEGRITY, ITS MEMBERS MUST DO SO. Rules cannot guarantee integrity or ethical conduct, only people can.

Remember too, all members must follow all legal requirements set out in federal or state statues and regulations, along with polices, practices and procedures set out by an establishment (i.e., all business establishments including, but not limited to coliseums, charters, etc.).

DEFINITIONS

ETHICAL - relating to morality of behavior, conforming with an accepted standard of good behavior. The moral principles which determine the rightness/wrongness of particular acts or activities.

INTEGRITY - Firm adherence to code of standard values.

HARASS - To annoy or torment repeatedly and persistently.

MORAL - Of or concerned with the principles of right and wrong in relation to human action and character.

THE GOLDEN RULE

First and foremost follow the Golden Rule -- do unto others, as you would have them do unto you!

PERSONAL CONDUCT

Personal integrity and the assumption of responsibility for one's actions are always presupposed.

The Following areas, while not all inclusive, are significant areas that affect us all.

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR

Consider the legal implications of your actions,

Believe you have a responsibility for your own actions

Solution-focused rather than self-focused

(You want team results more than individual attention or recognition)

Readily admit when you don't know something and are ready and willing to take on the risk and challenge of venturing into unfamiliar territory

Honestly and openly assess problems and issues; deal with reality

Avoids misunderstandings by attempting to clearly explaining concepts and procedures to others

Accept responsibility for your self.

Create good long-term relationships and results; you believe everyone can add value

Open -- you help create an environment where suggestions flow freely

Go well beyond what is necessary or expected in order to achieve successful customs

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Act without regard to the law or without thinking though the results

Believe you are "owed" something

Poor team member - you tend to want to do things your way, are disruptive or overly passive and compliant and resist sharing credits with others

Come across as glib, pretend to know more than you really do, lack awareness of limits of your knowledge

Cover up problems when possible; make excuses; PURSUE A PERSONAL, SELF PROMOTING AGENDA

Become overly impatient and frustrated when trying to explain concepts to others

Makes excuses, rationalize behavior and appearance that you are never wrong; always a victim of someone else's action or of circumstances -- no personal responsibility for actions

"Tear people down" and perform poorly in the long-term because you lack faith in others

Attempt to stifle the flow of ideas

Put in enough effort to get by, but appear unwilling to put in an extra effort to achieve outstanding results

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR

Act with principal and consider the ethical implications of your actions

Do the right things even when there are no rules or policies to guide your behavior

Truthful, trustworthy and forthright -- you do not fool your self or others

Understand your limits and accept failures as well as successes

Create good long-term relationships and results; you believe everyone can add value

Willingly change ideas when presented with valid arguments from others

Treat people in a professional manner

Sensitive to other people's needs

Understand and value other people's unique knowledge

Appreciate help from others

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Insensitive to or don't take the time to understand that your actions may be viewed as unethical

Get ahead any way you can -- might break rules or policies in the process

Try to deceive others by making them think things are better than they are

Focus on successes and overestimate your contributions

"Tear people down" and perform poorly in the long-term because you lack faith in others

Appear to think you are always right and others have nothing of value

Walk all over people because you are in for only yourself

Only consider you own selfish needs; try to outdo others

Don't value other people's knowledge -- you believe your own knowledge is the most valuable

Get defensive when others try to help or offer suggestions

GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP

Booster club members are expected o conduct themselves, at ALL NAHL AND BOOSTER CLUB FUNCTIONS and in the presence of ALL NAHL employees and booster club members, lawfully and with integrity. Members, at all levels. Are counted upon to obey the law and they MUST as a member observe and comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and the Code of Ethics

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR

Highly committed to the club's purpose

Instill enthusiasm and commitment in others for achieving important goals

Solution-focused rather that self-focused (you want team results more than individual attention or recognition)

Understand your limit and accept failures as well as successes

Recognize that change is constant and brings with it opportunity for improvement

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Lacks interest or desire to gain an understanding of the club's purpose

Makes no effort to show or generate enthusiasm

Poor team member - you tend to want to do things your way, are disruptive or overly passive and compliant and resist sharing credit with others

Focus on successes and overestimate you contribution

Resist change because it is new uncomfortable and unfamiliar and you have a strong dislike for uncertainty

HARASSMENT (Personal, Sexual, Etc.)

Harassment against a booster club member or NAHL employee is violation of the respect due all persons. It is against booster club policy and is prohibited by law.

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR

Respect the difference in all that you come in contact with at a booster club event or in the presence of NAHL employees. Respectfully cease any offensive behavior that is brought to your attention be the offended or duly authorized representative

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Can include, but is not limited to unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Verbal abuse including, but not limited to slurs, threats, hostile acts, written or graphic materials/pictures that ridicule or show aversion.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

*Any employee, paid or unpaid of the NAHL cannot serve on the executive board of the booster club and cannot serve a committee chair of the booster club.

*Personal gain cannot be made at the expense of the club.

*All concerns regarding conflict of interests will be presented to the Executive Board. A decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

12/03/01