Code of Ethics

MISSION

Kids’ Chance of Massachusetts, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. The mission is to provide educational scholarships to the children of Massachusetts workers who have been catastrophically or fatally injured as a result of a workers’ compensation injury. It is composed of a cross section of the workers’ compensation community including the Massachusetts Industrial Commission, attorneys, insurers, employers, and medical and rehabilitation professionals whose goals are to fund and award these scholarships. Kids’ Chance of Massachusetts, Inc. has no paid employees, only volunteers.

I – Personal and Professional Integrity 

Kids’ Chance of Massachusetts, Inc. through its Board of Directors, volunteers, and member organizations shall act with honesty, integrity, and openness in all their dealings as representatives of the organization.

II – Governance 

Kids’ Chance of Massachusetts, Inc. shall maintain an active Board of Directors dedicated to the organization’s mission. The Board of Directors shall oversee the finances, operations, and policies of the organization pursuant to its adopted bylaws.

Further the Board of Directors shall insure that the policies of Kids’ Chance of Massachusetts, Inc. are placed in writing and clearly articulated and that the finances of Kids’ Chance of Massachusetts, Inc. are responsibly and prudently managed to insure that its programs may be carried out effectively.

III – Legal Compliance 

Kids’ Chance of Massachusetts, Inc. shall remain knowledgeable of and shall comply with all laws, regulations, and applicable rules pertaining to its status as a non-profit corporation.

IV – Openness and Disclosure 

Kids’ Chance of Massachusetts, Inc. shall provide comprehensive and timely information to the public, the media, and all volunteers and participating organizations in a timely manner to a reasonable request for that information.

V – Inclusiveness and Diversity 

Kids’ Chance of Massachusetts, Inc. shall maintain a policy of promoting inclusiveness and its Board of Directors, member organizations, and volunteers will reflect diversity in order to enrich its effectiveness.

VI – Fundraising 

Kids’ Chance of Massachusetts, Inc. shall utilize truthful solicitation materials, will respect the privacy concerns of donors, and expend donor funds consistent with donor intent. All donors have the right to be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s Board of Directors and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities. All donors have the right to have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements and to receive prompt, truthful, and forthright answers to inquiries.

VII – Awarding of Scholarships 

The Board of Directors shall faithfully adhere to scholarship eligibility criteria in awarding scholarships and carefully observe those criteria in conjunction with the availability of funds.

VIII – Conflict of Interest Policy 

Our basic principle and policy is to avoid “conflicts of interest” between the objectives and needs of the charitable purpose and operation of Kids’ Chance of Massachusetts, Inc. and the personal, business or other needs of the individual directors of the organization or officers or employees of other organizations and volunteers with which they may be affiliated in an official, policy making or profit making capacity. A “conflict of interest” is a direct or indirect relationship or obligation, either business or voluntary, which may impair the independence of judgment of a director of Kids’ Chance of Massachusetts, Inc., or the individual director or officer of a supporting organization or volunteer in the exercise of duties or judgment relating to Kids’ Chance of Massachusetts, Inc. or its affairs. These are not limited to financial interests or legal obligations, but also extend to duties of loyalty or trust. Disclosure of such a conflict of interest, either actual or potential, shall be declared in writing on the written record of a meeting or by an appropriate written disclosure statement by the individual or individuals involved or by the organization involved as soon as such real or potential conflict becomes reasonably apparent to said individual or organization.

Adopted this the 28th day of January 2009.