CODE OF CONDUCT

Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality

SPSS is dedicated to perform and act in the best interest of the organization, and to the best of its ability, maintain confidentiality and trust with our volunteers, partners and grantors. SPSS recognizes that Board Directors and volunteer stewards have diverse professional and financial interests and relationships, and that certain relationships could lead to actual, perceived, or apparent conflicts or dualities of interest. All persons must disclose to the Board any relationship which may influence the way SPSS performs its responsibilities.

All data collected during the course of our projects belongs to SPSS and/or it’s partner organizations and is not to be sold or distributed without written permission by SPSS. Site information shall not be shared with anyone outside SPSS, nor shall site location information be posted on the Internet.

Discrimination and Harassment

The SPSS will not condone or tolerate incidents or circumstances of discrimination, harassment, or sexual harassment. This policy is applicable to SPSS’s volunteer staff; governing board; independent contractors and any persons served by or interacting with SPSS. Definitions for this section include:

Discrimination: the unfair or unequal treatment of a person or group (either intentional or unintentional) based on race, color, age, national origin, religion, sex, or disability.
Harassment: conduct that involves a pervasive atmosphere or severe or unwelcome working conditions that have the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
Sexual Harassment: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct directed at an individual. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

Volunteer Service

SPSS is composed entirely of volunteer Board, staff, and site stewards who work in collaboration with public land agencies and private land owners to monitor, protect, and report on the condition of heritage resources. SPSS volunteers and independent contractors shall comply with all Federal, State and local antiquity laws and regulations. The dedication and extensive standard of performance has earned the trust of peers and partners. Individuals under the age of 18 or those convicted of a major crime, including any violent crime, crime against a person, crime involving the use of a weapon, or any other felony, are prohibited from participating in SPSS volunteer service.

Each volunteer will perform his/her duties in accordance with the procedures published in the Site Steward Manual. Volunteer site stewards are to participate actively in the program by attending training and educational sessions, perform site visit activities, submit accurate time and mileage records spent monitoring sites in the field, and other assigned functions commensurate with time and availability. A site steward is expected to make a minimum of four site visits a year to be considered active. Additionally, there are other opportunities for volunteer service, apart from monitoring activities,that are important to the mission.

Safety

The safety of SPSS volunteers and independent consultants is of primary importance. In the conduct of our business, every attempt will be made to prevent accidents from occurring. All members participating in site visits equally share the responsibility for recognizing potential hazards and promoting safe participation. Site visits will be conducted in accordance with the procedures published in the Site Steward Handbook and Guidelines.

The illegal use, possession, abuse, transaction or sale of prescription medication, narcotic, alcohol, drug or controlled substance by a volunteer or contractor while participating in SPSS activities, is prohibited.
Carrying and/or using firearms while conducting site steward duties is prohibited.
All incidents and safety concerns must be reported in writing to the Board.

Violations

The Board has the right and responsibility to counsel volunteers and independent contractors on any inappropriate behavior or violation of the code of conduct and take appropriate action. The action may include an oral or written warning, or the discontinuance of volunteer or independent contractor service.