Even though it has been in operation for decades, Reston Association has not had a formal ethics policy.

That’s why it has been working for two years on implementing a formal code to outline ethics, behaviors and governing policies.

RA has been moving toward improving its system of governance since May 2014. The organization also formed a Code of Ethics Task Force and recently paid Vienna-based Quantum Governance $10,850 to help draft the code of ethics.

Says the intro to the code, from RA CEO Cate Fulkerson and RA Board President and Vice President Ellen Graves and Michael Sanio:

The Code was truly a collective effort and was drafted with substantial input from RA Board Members, Task Force Volunteers, Staff, Members and other key Reston Association stakeholders.

We trust that it will help clarify and reinforce the types of core values and ethical standards our community can be proud of as well as help them to be as effective as possible in carrying out their vital leadership responsibilities.

We also trust that, over time, this Code will continue to evolve and be improved.

The RA Board will further discuss the draft of the new code at its full board meeting on June 23.

The board may vote to finalize the code, or move to obtain member input on the draft through a focus group session facilitated by Quantum Governance (and spend up to $6,000) or move to obtain member input on the draft through an electronic poll and conduct a focus group session facilitated by Quantum Governance (for an additional expense not to exceed $14,000).

Meanwhile, check out the draft below.

DRAFT – RA Code of Ethics Version 1.0 for Public Circulation