Back in 2011, the SEMpdx Board of Directors voted to hold itself to a newly created Board Code of Ethics. This year we have decided that SEMpdx members should all share the same code of ethics. After allowing for a month of member feedback, we are now expanding the code of ethics to the entire organization. It is extremely similar to the Code of Ethics that we, as a board, have held ourselves to over the last 4+ years. The Board Code of Ethics and the new Member Code of Ethics are largely the same, but now include the addition of the adherence to Google’s Webmaster Quality Guidelines.
The SEMpdx Member Code of Ethics will be effective as of January 1, 2016. All SEMpdx members, including the Board of Directors and Advisory Board, will be subject to conform with the Member Code of Ethics beginning that date. All new and existing SEMpdx members will be automatically opted-in to the Member Code of Ethics beginning Jan. 1, 2016. Any current member who disagrees with the Member Code of Ethics can choose to no longer be a member of SEMpdx and receive a prorated refund of their membership dues based on a dated, written request.
It’s our hope to strengthen and safeguard the reputation of our organization and our industry by holding ourselves and members to a reasonable standard of ethics that helps to protect those who pay for digital marketing services, those who deliver such services to clients, and in-house marketers and the companies they serve.
In order for the Member Code of Ethics have significant meaning, we’ve decided that enforcement must be a part of its implementation. Beginning January 1, 2016, if someone believes that an SEMpdx member has violated our code of ethics, they can submit a complaint by using the Code of Ethics Violation Complaint form. The Ethics Committee, as appointed by the SEMpdx Board of Directors, will investigate any claims. Only claims relevant to the items explicitly included in the SEMpdx Member Code of Ethics will qualify to be reviewed. We will also only investigate claims against current SEMpdx Members.
If the Committee finds there has been a violation, it will ask the Member to stop and/or correct any such action. If corrective action is taken by the Member to the Committee’s satisfaction, the violation will be considered resolved. If the Committee determines that the violating Member does not in good faith seek to remedy the problem to the Committee’s satisfaction, the Committee may choose to terminate the membership.
Alan has worked as the Marketing Manager at Columbia Steel Casting Co., Inc. since 1998. He’s also on the Board of Directors or SEMpdx since 2010, and is currently Past President.