Our Mission: to enhance the learning experience and professional recognition
of women martial arts instructors by actively promoting and encouraging
instructor excellence through teacher training, school and organizational
development, ethical standards, and rank recognition and promotion

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AWMAI Professional Code of Ethics

AWMAI Professional Code of Ethics [AWMAI Terms of Membership]

We believe that women play an important role in the preservation and the
progression of martial arts training. We also subscribe to the belief in
the importance of the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, and the value
and dignity of every human being. Essential to these goals is the protection
of freedom to learn and to teach in an environment of acceptance and security.

The Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors adopts the following
Code of Ethics to promote the highest ethical and moral standards of professional
conduct in the field of martial arts instruction. Each Board, committee member or representative of the AWMAI agrees to abide by this Code of Ethics. The AWMAI intends that this Code of Ethics be interpreted and enforced reasonably, fairly, and objectively.

Board members/committee members/representatives who fail to comply with these standards are usually subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal or resignation.

Responsibilities at Large:

1. Board/committee members shall maintain the highest standard of moral
conduct, professional conduct and personal integrity.

2. Compliance with all Organizational Rules, Bylaws and Policies
Responsibility to provide accurate and truthful representations concerning all information directly or indirectly related to all aspects of AWMAI rules, bylaws and policies. In addition, responsibility to disclose significant circumstances that could be construed as a conflict of interest or an appearance of impropriety.

3. Board/committee members hold each other and other members in great respect
and honor the tremendous efforts and skills represented by the membership and accept as worthy the diverse talents of the membership.

4. Confidentiality and respect of sensitive information
Confidential information that Board Members / Committee Members receive through their reign should not be divulged to anyone other than persons who are authorized to receive the information. Caution and discretion in handling confidential information extends to disclosure made inside and outside of the organization (AWMAI) and should continue to apply after the ‘term relationship’ ceases. Confidential information that Board Members / Committee Members receive through their position must not be used by a board / committee member for the purpose of furthering any private interest, or as a means of making personal gains.

5. Board/Committee members shall participate as fully as possible in activities
of the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors.

6. Board/Committee members shall provide professional assistance to one another
when such assistance is requested within a reasonable manner and to a reasonable magnitude.

7. Board/Committee members shall respect and value colleagues. Members will not injure maliciously the professional reputation or practice of another member.

8. Board/Committee members shall avoid conflict, working to resolve any
differences professionally, peacefully and fully

9. All Board /Committee members have a responsibility to recognize and respect intellectual property developed or owned by AWMAI, and to otherwise act in an accurate, truthful and complete manner, including all activities related to professional work and research.

10. Board Members / Committee Members are free to participate in political activities including belonging to a political party, supporting a candidate for elected office and actively seeking elected office. However, Board Members / Committee Members’ political activities should be clearly separated from activities related to their term on the AWMAI board. If engaging in political activities, Board Members / Committee Members must be able to retain the perception of impartiality in relation to their duties and responsibilities. Even if a person has particular political beliefs this should not interfere with their duties and position as assigned by the organization.

11. Organizational Behavior
The conduct and language of Board Members / Committee Members within the organization (AWMAI) must meet acceptable social standards and must contribute to a positive work environment. Board Members / Committee Members conduct must not compromise the integrity of the organization’s (AWMAI’s) service. There should be an expectation that Board Members / Committee Members are to treat everyone within and outside of the organization with respect and dignity and must not engage in discrimination or harassment based on any of the prohibited grounds covered by the Constitution. These prohibited grounds include race, color, ancestry, place of origin, religion, family status, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, illness, sex, sexual orientation, age, and political belief.

Administration of the AWMAI Code of Professional Conduct
By becoming a AWMAI Board /Committee member, you have agreed to abide by this Code of Professional Conduct. AWMAI reserves the right to suspend any Board / committee member who is determined to have committed a violation of this Code of Professional Code or otherwise failed to adhere to the tenets of this Code of Professional Conduct.