CONDUCTS AND ETHICS

Section 1.

No member shall at any time use his affiliation with this Corporation for the purpose of promoting schemes, ideas or objects for the purpose of personal or collective gain.

Section 2.

If any member shall hereafter be charged with conduct unbecoming a member of the Corporation or conduct in the opinion of the Board of Trustees likely or calculated to injure or discredit the character or interests of the Corporation or its members, and information of such conduct be filed with the Secretary, notice of the filing of such information shall be given to the person concerned, and the opportunity to be heard in reply. The Board of Trustees shall hold a formal hearing on the charge and the reply, if any. Such testimony shall be taken at the hearing as the Board of Trustees shall deem pertinent and material. In the event that any information of supposed improper conduct shall come to the attention of the Board of Trustees or member thereof, said Board of Trustees may, upon its own motion prepare and file charges with the Secretary.

Section 3.

If, after hearing, in the judgment of the Board of Trustees the conduct in question is cause for loss of membership, notice of the Board of Trustees decision will be given to the member concerned. Appeal may be taken from the decision of the Board of Trustees to the next regular meeting of the Corporation where hearing shall be held upon transcripts, documents, evidence and testimony. The act of dismissal after appeal will be by majority vote by secret ballot of a quorum (51 %) of the members present.

ARTICLE XI
INDEMNITATION

The Association shall indemnify any and all persons who may serve or have served at any time as officers or directors, and their respective heirs, paid administrators, successors and assigns, against any and all expenses, including amounts paid upon judgments, counsel fees and amounts paid in settlement (before or after suit is commenced), actually necessarily incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement or any claim, action suit or proceeding in which they, or any of them are made parties, or a party, or which may be asserted against them or any of them, by reason of being, or having been, an officer or director of this Association, except in relation to matters as to which any such officer or director, or former officer or director, shall be adjudges in any action, suit or proceeding to be liable for those acts and omissions arising out of his or her willful misfeasance. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled including such immunities under any law, bylaw agreement, or otherwise.

ARTICLE XII
DISOLUTION

In the event of the dissolution of the Association, after all liabilities and responsibilities have been met, its assets shall be distributed in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code concerning its exempt status or in accordance with State law. The decision of distribution shall be made by the Board of Trustees.

CODE OF ETHICS

The revised Code of Ethics of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America was adopted by the Board of Directors at its fall meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, held November 1-2, 1996. GCSAA's Bylaws, Article III, Sections 2 and 3, authorize the Board of Directors to enforce this Code by procedures established through standing rules for the conduct of such proceedings.

This Code is established to promote and maintain the highest professional standards of service and conduct among the membership of GCSAA. Steadfastly maintaining these principles will accrue to the Membership a level of justly deserved recognition and respect from those who come into contact with any member. Through high regard for, and strong enforcement of, the Code, membership in this Association will he deemed a significant indicator of individual responsibility, character and professionalism. As a professional courtesy, a member should always contact a fellow superintendent before visiting that superintendent's golf course. As a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, I accept and fully agree to abide by this Code and pledge myself to:

1. Recognize and discharge all of my responsibilities and duties in such a fashion as to be a credit to this Association and my profession.
2. Practice and insist upon sound business and turf management principles in exercising the responsibilities of my position. Utilize every practicable opportunity to expand my professional knowledge, thereby improving myself and my profession.
3. Maintain the highest standards of personal conduct to reflect positively upon and add to the stature of the profession of golf course management and refrain from any act tending to promote my own interest at the expense of the dignity and integri 385 ty of the profession of golf course management, this Association or a fellow superintendent.
4. Base endorsements, whether written, verbal or through any other medium, strictly upon satisfactory personal experiences with the product, item or service endorsed.
5. Refrain from encouraging or accepting considerations of any value without the express understanding of all parties that said consideration is available to all persons in similar circumstances, and that no conduct or favorable consideration shall be forthcoming as a result of acceptance.
6. Recognize and observe the highest standards of integrity in my relationships with fellow golf course superintendents and others associated with this profession and industry
7. Assist my fellow superintendents in all ways consistent with my abilities.
8. Abstain from making false or untrue statements concerning another superintendent or causing public embarrassment to another superintendent.
9. Lend my support to, and actively participate in, the efforts of my local chapter and National Association to improve public understanding and recognition of the profession of golf course management.
10. Promptly report all known or suspected violations of the Code of Ethics and voluntarily participate as a witness and present information in all proceedings to determine the possibility of a violation of this Code of Ethics.
11. Abstain from applying for or otherwise seeking employment in an unprofessional manner. For the purpose of this section of the Code, a member seeks employment in an unprofessional manner if he or she does one or more of the following in connection with the prospective employment:
    • (a) Provides false or misleading information to a prospective employer;
    • (b) Makes slanderous or defamatory statements concerning a fellow superintendent;
    • (c) Attempts to undermine or improperly influence the staff of a fellow superintendent;
    • (d) Attempts to deceive, mislead or misinform a fellow superintendent's employer, supervisor or fellow employees;
    • (e) Makes misleading, deceptive or false statements or claims about his or her professional qualifications,424 experience or performance; or (f) Makes misleading, deceptive or false statements or claims about a member superintendent/s professional qualifications, experience or performance.
12. Refrain from accepting employment as a consultant in an unprofessional manner. For the purposes of this section of the Code, a consultant accepts employment in an unprofessional manner if he or she does one or more of the following in connection with such consulting:
    • (a) Provides false or misleading information to a prospective employer;
    • (b) Makes slanderous or defamatory statements concerning a fellow superintendent;
    • (c) Attempts to undermine or improperly influence the staff of a fellow superintendent
    • (d) Attempts to deceive, mislead or misinform 439 a fellow superintendent's employer, supervisor or fellow employees;
    • (e) Makes misleading, deceptive or false statements or claims about his or her professional qualifications, experience or performance; or
    • (f) Makes misleading, deceptive or false statements or claims about a fellow superintendent's professional qualifications, experience or performance.
13. Abstain from conduct constituting a crime under federal, state or local law, the penalty for which is, or may be, imprisonment, including but not limited to crimes of moral turpitude and dishonesty. A member's conviction of a crime will be considered conclusive evidence that the member committed that crime for the purposes of this Code.
14. Abstain from knowingly making false statements or knowingly failing to disclose a material fact requested in connection with application or renewal for GCSAA membership or for membership in an affiliated chapter.
15. Express professional opinions on technical subjects publicly only when that opinion is founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts and competence in the subject matter.