Foundation for Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award
Code of Conduct Statement

The following is the Code of Conduct developed by the Governance Committee of the Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, “Baldrige Foundation”.

The Baldrige Foundation Code of Conduct outlines expected behavior for all members of the Board of Directors (voting and non-voting members) and employees. The Baldrige Foundation will conduct its business fairly, impartially, in an ethical and proper manner, and in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. In conducting its business, the Baldrige Foundation will operate with integrity in all of its relationships, including those with its customers, suppliers, trustees, employees, and the Baldrige community. The highest standards of ethical business conduct are required of Baldrige Foundation directors and employees in the performance of their responsibilities. Directors and employees will not engage in conduct or activities that could raise questions as to the Foundation’s honesty or impartiality, or could harm its reputation.

Directors and employees will sign the Code of Conduct annually to ensure that:

• They do not engage in any activity that might create a conflict of interest for the Foundation or for themselves individually; 
  
  
• They do not take advantage of their position in the Baldrige Foundation to seek personal gain through inappropriate use of the Baldrige Foundation or non-public information or abuse their role on the Board of Directors or position with the Baldrige Foundation; 
  
  
• They follow all restrictions on use and disclosure of information, including all requirements for protecting Baldrige Foundation information and ensuring that non-Foundation proprietary information is used and disclosed only as authorized by the owner of the information or as otherwise permitted by law; 
  
  
• They observe that fair dealing is the basis for all transactions and interactions; 
  
  
• They will protect all Baldrige Foundation, trustee, and supplier assets and use them only for appropriate Baldrige Foundation approved activities; 
  
  
• Without exception, they will comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations; 
  
  
• They will promptly report any illegal or unethical conduct to the Chair of the Foundation and/or the Lead of the Governance Committee, or Executive Director of the Foundation; and 
  
  
• They will not engage in any activity that might cause harm to the Baldrige Foundation and the Baldrige Award Program for a period of three years after service on the Board of Directors or as an employee of the Baldrige Foundation.