Committee Expectations

Re: Ethics Committee Members’ Expectations

These expectations exist to assist in promoting best practices for the various committees within USA Track & Field (“USATF”). Individuals who contribute time, expertise, and knowledge with integrity can have a tremendous positive impact on our sport and USATF. Conversely, Ethics Committee members who neglect their responsibilities or perform or behave poorly can have an adverse effect on both the sport and USATF. 

From an ethics and Conflicts of Interest perspective, it is imperative that Ethics Committee members avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest. Please see the USATF Code of Ethics for any questions regarding the ethical obligations pertaining to Ethics Committee members. 

From a legal perspective, Ethics Committee members should be cognizant of three well established legal standards of conduct and fiduciary obligations when carrying out their committee responsibilities:

• Duty Of Obedience ensures that committee operations are aligned to fulfill the mission of the organization. Decisions made by the committee must support USATF’s mission and relate directly to upholding the “public trust”;
• Duty Of Care requires legal stewardship when making Ethics Committee decisions and taking action;
• Duty Of Loyalty requires sole commitment to the best interests of the organization. For example, Ethics Committee members cannot “self deal” or use their committee position for personal gain. Complying with the Duty of Loyalty also means that a committee member cannot favor the interests of a particular stakeholder group above the overall interests of the organization. For example, a coach who serves as a committee member can and should voice the perspectives of fellow coaches (from their Coaches Advisory Committee constituency) in committee discussions. But when voting, said coach must consider all relevant factors, including other constituent voices, and vote for and act on what is best for the entire organization.

Understanding Ethics Committee member responsibilities is fundamentally important. Understanding how to perform them is equally important. The following standards are listed in no particular order as follows — and serve to guide the general conduct of Ethics Committee members.

1. Understand and execute Ethics Committee member responsibilities, while respecting the authority and responsibility of the Ethics Committee chairperson and USATF leadership.
2. Commit to the best interests of all of USATF, vote and act responsibly for USATF and all its stakeholders, not exclusively for one stakeholder group.
3. Support Ethics Committee decisions once they are made.
4. Honor confidentiality requirements and commitments.
5. Behave ethically, taking care to disclose and act appropriately on any conflicts of interest.
6. Behave courteously; communicate succinctly and respectfully; listen attentively to others; proactively encourage and seek to understand diverse viewpoints.
7. Regularly attend and prepare for Ethics Committee meetings and activities.
8. Serve as an USATF advocate, speak well of USATF and other Ethics Committee members.