MSRC Code of Conduct

OVERVIEW AND DEFINITIONS

It is the policy of the Massachusetts State Referee Committee ("MSRC") to comply with the terms, spirit, and intent of all applicable laws and regulations of government, as well as the Bylaws, Policies and Procedures of the United States Soccer Federation. Furthermore, the MSRC will be run in a business-like and professional manner in such a way that public trust and confidence in the MSRC are enhanced. The MSRC shall expect and require all persons associated with it to conduct its business with integrity and to maintain high ethical standards of personal and professional conduct at all times. The overriding goal of this policy is to ensure that the "brand identity" of the MSRC is maintained, ensuring a positive and professional image in the soccer community.

The MSRC expects its Members to recognize and avoid activities, relationships, and investments which involve, or might appear to involve, a conflict of interest, which might be cause for embarrassment to the MSRC, which might compromise the integrity and quality of decision-making necessary to the MSRC's effective governance, or which might jeopardize the MSRC's public reputation and support.

For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions shall apply:

Member includes its Directors, Officers, Program Managers, Administrators, employees and staff, and those appointed to any Standing, Special, Ad-hoc, or other Committees which may be created from time to time by the MSRC, and its paid or unpaid consultants, agents, and representatives, or anyone receiving compensation directly from the Committee.

Officer is further defined as the State Referee Administrator (SRA), State Youth Referee Administrator (SYRA), State Director of Instruction (SDI), State Director of Assessment (SDA), and State Assignor Coordinator (SAC). Compensation shall include wages, stipends, and expense reimbursements for any activity directly associated with and conducted on behalf of the Massachusetts State Referee Committee.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY

While it is impossible to list in this Policy every circumstance which may suggest a conflict of interest, the following criteria should serve as guidelines when deciding whether a particular situation may give rise to a conflict. Members should avoid any actions which might result in or create the appearance of:

• using association with the MSRC for private gain;
• granting by the MSRC of unwarranted preferential treatment to any person or organization;
• misusing the MSRC’s confidential information for financial or personal gain;
• losing or jeopardizing the MSRC’s independence or impartiality;
• adversely affecting public confidence in the integrity or the reputation of the MSRC.

No Member shall act in any manner which causes him or her to have a direct or indirect interest in or relationship with any outside organization or person that might affect (or that might reasonably be perceived by others as affecting) the ability to carry out the duties and responsibilities he or she has in connection with the MSRC. For purposes of this Policy, "outside organization" shall not include the United States Soccer Federation, any member organization, constituent, or affiliated member entities of the MSRC.

Due to the volunteer nature of many positions within the MSRC and United States Soccer Federation structure, it is expected that some potential conflicts will become unavoidable. In those cases any such conflict must be disclosed to the Officers of the MSRC before taking part in any activity or completing any transaction associated with the conflicting entity. Such disclosure must include the nature and extent of the Member's involvement, position, interest or benefit, and all other facts within the Member's knowledge that would pertain to the conflicting activity. Further, Members shall abstain from voting, participating in the deliberations, or influencing the decision of any such matter.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT POLICY

It is expected that Members of the Massachusetts State Referee Committee adhere to the highest standards of conduct and appearance at all times when performing their duties. This includes but is not limited to the following standards of conduct:

Members shall refrain from making remarks critical of any other Member of the Committee.

Members shall wear identifying MSRC logo apparel when performing duties associated with or on behalf of the Referee Committee. This may be waived when performing a specific function on behalf of another affiliated organization or when there is an event-specific uniform supplied for the Member.

Members shall wear identifying name tags, unless doing so would interfere with the normal duties, or is in some way inappropriate, e.g. when assigned as an assessor in a match.

COMMUNICATIONS POLICY

From time to time it is normal for MSRC Members to communicate to various soccer organizations within Massachusetts. These may include League Presidents, other league officers, employees and staff, and Assignors, among others. In such cases, a copy of the communication should always be sent to the SRA.

Communication to the Presidents of the National State Adult and Youth Associations within Massachusetts shall be from the State Referee Administrator and State Youth Referee Administrator, respectively.

Communication with other soccer organizations outside of the state shall follow USSF approved protocols. As part of their normal business, MSRC Officers may contact other states' referee committees; other National State Associations; affiliate members of US Soccer or USSF staff members and managers. In such cases, a copy of the communication should always be sent to the SRA.

No other official communication shall be undertaken on behalf of the MSRC without first being sent to the appropriate MSRC Officer who will then contact the relevant parties as needed.

Use of MSRC stationery or Massref email identity is required when sending written communication on behalf of the MSRC. Members shall be mindful that they are representing the MSRC at all times when communicating via MSRC stationery or Massref email.

USE OF ASSETS POLICY

All Members shall use their best efforts to prevent the loss, misuse or theft of and damage to property, records, funds, capital equipment or other assets belonging to the MSRC. All such assets of the MSRC, including its facilities, are to be used exclusively for conducting the activities contemplated by its Officers and Directors and in a manner consistent with and in furtherance of the MSRC's intended purposes. All such assets shall not otherwise be sold, given away, used personally or disposed of.

Assets purchased by Members for which the cost has been reimbursed by the MSRC, must be accurately documented and returned to the MSRC on demand. Consumables are excluded from this policy.

Proper use of the funds and resources of the MSRC is a fiduciary responsibility. No Member shall make or accept any illegal or unethical payments (including bribes, kickbacks, graft, unauthorized commissions or unauthorized finder's fees) with respect to transactions involving the MSRC or otherwise with respect to the assets, business, and affairs of the MSRC.

Each MSRC employee shall keep and maintain accurate and complete written records of any act or transaction which directly or indirectly bears upon the business or activities of the MSRC. Each MSRC employee must submit timely accounting of hours worked and supporting documentation in a manner consistent with MSRC principles.