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PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR ACN MEMBERS
The Association of Consultants to Nonprofits (ACN) promotes the expertise of its professional members to serve the needs of the nonprofit community. To support the organization’s vision that ACN be the primary resource nonprofits use when seeking a consultant, ACN members dutifully comply with the following standards for the profession.
Commitment to the Public and the Profession - Members of the Association of Consultants to Nonprofits agree to:
- Act with integrity in all matters, being honest with their clients and true to themselves.
- Strive for increased self-knowledge and personal growth on a continual basis.
- Endeavor to achieve and maintain a professional level of competence through continuing education, evaluation, and active involvement with the Association of Consultants to Nonprofits and other professional bodies.
- Adhere to all applicable laws and regulations in their respective fields of practice
- Work in ways that brings credit to the consulting profession in the field of not-for-profit organizations, with due respect and regard for colleagues in other professions and fields.
- Perform duties with sensitivity to the fact that their recommendations and actions may alter the lives and well being of staff, volunteers, and the population served by their clients and the larger systems within which they operate.
- Be aware, at all times, of the cultural filters that may affect their view of the world, respect cultures different from their own, and be sensitive to cross-cultural and multi-cultural differences and their implications.
- Advocate for ethical practices by individuals and organizations engaged in consultation to not-for-profit organizations.
Commitment to Clients - Members of the Association of Consultants to Nonprofits agree to:
- Serve clients with integrity, competence, independence, objectivity, and professionalism
- Render services as advertised and make accurate and factual public statements, avoiding exaggerated claims in promotion or advertising.
- Ensure that, prior to accepting any engagement, there is mutual
(i.e., consultant : client) understanding of the objectives, scope, work plan, and payment arrangements - Agree in advance with a client on the basis for fees and expenses and charge fees that are reasonable and commensurate with the services delivered and the responsibility accepted.
- Disclose all relationships that might constitute, or appear to constitute, conflicts of interest
- Offer to withdraw from a consulting assignment when objectivity or integrity may be impaired.
- Work through conflicts encountered within client relationships in a constructive manner.
- Be timely in responding to requests for consultation and in clarifying the role, responsibility, and development of a work agreement with clients.
- Practice within the limits of their competence and experience in providing technical assistance service and in using various techniques.
- Serve the long-term interest of their clients, even when the work to be done has a short term focus.
- Protect the confidentiality of information given in the professional consultant : client relationship.
- Decline acceptance of commissions, remuneration, or other benefits from a third party in connection with the recommendations to a client without that client's prior knowledge and consent, and disclose in advance any financial interests in goods or services that form part of such recommendations.
- Refrain from inviting an employee of an active or inactive client to consider alternative employment without prior discussion with the client
- Avoid personal, sexual, or other inappropriate relationships with client board, staff, or volunteers while they are actively serving with them.
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