Draft Code of Ethics from Karl's "Nine Pillars" document - July 2021 We encourage all members (and non-members) to follow and post to your web site some version this Code of Ethics. As a professional IT service provider, we pledge to: Be Competent IT Service Providers will work to stay educated and capable in all areas for which they represent themselves to be competent. They will not knowingly claim competence that they do not possess. Be Honest In presenting themselves to prospects, and in all engagements with clients, IT Service Providers will provide honest information about products, services, pricing, and related matters. This includes the accurate representation of work performed and the products and services offered for sale. Be Forthright with Clients This includes registering client hardware, software, and services in the client's name and not the IT Service Provider's. It also includes providing the client with a reasonably useful copy of their network documentation. Implicit in this requirement is the fact that the client has paid for all of these things and that ownership or licensing should be in the client's name/possession. This also includes disclosing any possible conflict of interest between the IT Service Provider and the client. Be Legal in All Activities IT Service Providers will follow applicable laws with regard to business operations, sales, data protection, privacy, and all other manners. Be Fair IT Service Providers will treat everyone (clients, employees, suppliers, vendors, etc.) impartially without regard to ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, language, religious beliefs, or political beliefs. Be Discreet IT Service Providers will sign non-disclosure agreements with all clients and employees, and work earnestly to protect client confidentiality and intellectual property. Be Professional IT Service Providers will sign contracts with clients that are reasonable in nature and not intended to give an unreasonable or undue advantage to the IT Service Provider. IT Service Providers will conduct all business with the highest standard of ethics. ###