BenefitCrashers® believes strongly believes in leveraging its unique position to give back to the community. To crash hardship with hope.   We aim to make a difference in every Benefit we crash -   surrounding through going through hardship with hope. Spreading joy and love throughout our community.  We believe we can make a change in this crazy world, holding each other hands instead of letting the world tear them apart.

I. Mission

II. Board of Directors

III. Chapters

IV. Statement of Values

V. The Code of Ethics

VI. Antitrust Compliance Policy

VII. Conflict of Interest Policy

VIII. Summary

  

I. Mission

BenefitCrashers® is guided by and lives by its mission: 

CRASH HARDSHIP WITH HOPE

BenefitCrashers® brings together people and surrounds those who need it the most. Rallying strangers, friends, family, old, and young to just show up for the event hosted for the family going through hardship and reminding people that their journey is supported & they are never alone. Spreading love one crash at a time.

 

II. Board of Directors

BenefitCrashers® has a governing Board of Directors composed of volunteer members who have full authority and accountability for the association. In accordance with BenefitCrashers® Bylaws the Board of Directors have responsibility for the supervision, control, and direction of the affairs of the organization. They decide association policy, set business goals, approve plans, and monitor their progress. BenefitCrashers®long-term objectives and business priorities guide policy setting and decision-making for the organization. 

 

III. Chapters

Chapters serve BenefitCrashers® members and the public.  Each Chapter is governed independently by volunteer leaders in accordance with the Chapter’s Bylaws. 

 

BenefitCrashers® Minnesota Chapter

• The non-profit Minnesota Chapter of the BenefitCrashers® (also known as BenefitCrashers® of Minnesota”) has been in existence since October 2018.

• BenefitCrashers®Minnesota provides support and information to those who want to spread joy, hope and love in their communities.
• BenefitCrashers® Minnesota offers a business partner membership for businesses that offer complimentary services or products.
• Our chapter is part of the national non-profit organization, BenefitCrashers®, whose website is BenefitCrashers.org

 

IV. Statement of Values

As a matter of fundamental principle, the nonprofit community should adhere to the highest ethical standards because it is the right thing to do. As a matter of pragmatic self-interest, the community should do so because public trust in our performance is the bedrock of our legitimacy. Donors and volunteers support charitable organizations because they trust them to carry out their missions, to be good stewards of their resources, and to uphold rigorous standards of conduct. BenefitCrashers®, like other nonprofit organizations must earn this trust every day and in every possible way. But organizations are, at base, people, and it is up to the people of the nonprofit sector―board members, executive leaders, staff and volunteers― to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the core values of integrity, honesty, fairness, openness, respect, and responsibility. 

 

Adherence to the law is the minimum standard of expected behavior. BenefitCrashers® does more however, than simply obey the law. We embrace the highest standards of integrity. Transparency, openness and responsiveness to public concerns must be integral to our behavior.\

Our code of ethics expresses our BenefitCrashers® values.

Values:

• Integrity: Consistent adherence to a code or standard
• Respect: To esteem. To avoid violation. Applies to the public and colleagues.
• Courtesy: Consideration for the other person
• Positivity:  Attitude toward others and the organization
• Seek out the truth and avoid misrepresentation
• Set an example, as a representative of exceptional non-profit organization for high standards of professionalism
• Honor the right of privacy for all people, including contributors, clients, members, and people attending events.
• Promote public confidence in philanthropic institutions.
• The role of nonprofits in society (including relevance and outcomes)
• Innovation and excellence (including partnership, collaboration, and commitment)
• Diversity and inclusivenessAccountability and transparency (including openness, honesty, trust and integrity)

These values lead directly to the Code of Ethics that follows. The values inform and guide the actions that BenefitCrashers® takes in developing our policies and informing our practices.

 

V. Code of Ethics

In order to ensure we continue to earn the trust of the public, upon whose generosity we depend to carry out our mission, the BenefitCrashers® chapter requires all members, host, board members and volunteers to sign a “Statement of Values, Code of Ethics,Antitrust Compliance Policy,  and Conflict of Interest Policy and to agree to be bound by the BenefitCrashers®  

BenefitCrashers® Code of Ethics is a set of principles that guides our conduct with our community.  Members of BenefitCrashers® pledge to exercise judgment, self-restraint, and conscience in their conduct in order to establish and maintain public confidence in the integrity of  BenefitCrashers® members and to preserve and encourage fair and equitable practices among all who are engaged in our group. Members of BenefitCrashers® are considered anyone participating, volunteering on behalf, joining in with or attending a crash with BenefitCrashers® 

 Personal Integrity

A personal commitment to integrity in all circumstances be benefit each individual and furthers the goals of the organization. Each member of the BenefitCrashers® family pledge to exercise judgment, self-restraint, and conscience in their conduct in order to establish and maintain public confidence in the integrity of BenefitCrashers® member and to preserve and encourage fair and equitable practices among all who are engaged in our group. 

Volunteers

Volunteers who serve BenefitCrashers® through its board of directors, board committees or otherwise are crucial to the success and wellbeing of the organization. It is the responsibility of BenefitCrashers® staff where applicable, to:

• Support volunteers so they can perform to the highest level of their contribution and personal satisfaction.
• Treat all volunteers fairly, equitably, and respectfully, providing appropriate mechanisms for their views and interests to be expressed.
• Involve volunteers at appropriate levels and phases of the decision-making process.
• Set clear standards of performance for volunteers and appropriately recognize their contributions.
• Provide benefits and training to volunteers, which are consistent with the spirit of voluntarism.

 

Responsibility of Volunteers

 

Volunteers represent BenefitCrashers® through their ethical conduct and professionalism. Volunteers should review the BenefitCrashers® Code of Ethics and ensure they adhere to the spirit of the code when making policy, managing the affairs of the organization, working on organizational programs or attending a crash.

• I will seek and maintain an equitable, honorable, and cooperative association with other BenefitCrashers® member and will treat them with respect and courtesy.
• I will respect intellectual property rights (material, titles, thematic creations) from colleges, and other firms and individuals, and will not use proprietary information or methodologies without permission.
• I will act and speak on a high processional level so as not to bring discredit to the organization, my community or the general public.

 

Working Relationships

 

• I will seek and maintain an equitable, honorable, and cooperative association with other BenefitCrasher members and will treat them with respect and courtesy.
• I will act and speak on a high processional level so as not to bring discredit to the organization or public.

 

 

VI. Antitrust Compliance Policy 

BenefitCrashers® has in effect an Antitrust Compliance Policy (“Policy”) It is intended for the guidance of BenefitCrashers®  members, those who wear our shirts and utilize other BenefitCrashers®  logo merchandise, company representatives, officers, directors and staff, when engaged in any activity conducted in the name of, or on behalf of all such persons are expected to be familiar with the Policy and to follow it both in letter and spirit. 

Intellectual Property, Plagiarism & Copyright

Intellectual property is a work or invention that is the result of creativity, such as a manuscript or design. To which one has rights and for which one may apply for a patent, copyright or trademark. BenefitCrashers®, like virtually every entity, has valuable intellectual property including trademarks and copyrights which must be protected to be preserved. There are many who would like to utilize this intellectual property for their own commercial purposes. The appropriate way to do this is through an agreement (such as a license) which permits the use of this intellectual property. Anyone who fails to follow this approach infringes upon the rights of the BenefitCrashers®, which is illegal.

 

 

VII. Conflict of Interest Policy

At a minimum, BenefitCrashers® must refrain from engaging in any activity or practice that conflicts with, can be perceived as conflicting with or giving the appearance of conflicting with, the interests of the BenefitCrashers® such activities and practices include, without limitation, the following: 

• Having a financial interest in an outside concern from which the chapter purchases goods or services;
• Accepting personal gifts with a value in excess of $25, favors or financial remuneration from any outside concern that does, or is seeking to do, business with the chapter;
• Accepting personal gifts, favors or financial remuneration from a volunteer or client, other than a courtesy gift valued at less than $25;
• Using BenefitCrashers® contacts or resources for personal gain or for any purpose not directly related to the activities of the chapter;
• Directly or indirectly disclosing, or otherwise using for personal profit or advantage (or to the chapter’s disadvantage) any confidential information concerning the organization.  Making any decision or taking any action adverse to the chapter’s interests.

Any violations of this Statement of Values, Code of Ethics, Conflict of Interest Policy or Antitrust Compliance Policy will result in disciplinary action.

 

VIII.  Summary

To protect and preserve BenefitCrashers® positive image, reputation and credibility in the perception of the communities we serve, we must maintain the highest ethical standards in our workplace. Even the appearance of impropriety or the hint of a conflict of interest could jeopardize the public trust upon which we rely.

It is impossible to specify each and every situation that would be unethical, or that might result in a conflict of interest and must therefore be avoided. BenefitCrashers® members, host, board members, and volunteers are expected and required to use common sense and the utmost discretion in all such matters. When in doubt, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the action legal? JJWD? Would doing it make me feel uncomfortable? Is it consistent with BenefitCrashers® values and policies? Would I want my spouse, parents, children, etc. to read about it in the newspaper?

If you are still not sure what to do, you should seek guidance and email us with concerns benefitcrashers@gmail.com.

In order to ensure we continue to earn the trust of the public, upon whose generosity we depend to carry out our mission, the BenefitCrashers® chapter requires all members, host, board members and volunteers to sign an “Annual Conflict of Interest and Ethics Assurance Statement” and to agree to be bound by the BenefitCrashers® “Statement of Values, Code of Ethics,Antitrust Compliance Policy and Conflict of Interest Policy.