The Spirit of the Code of Ethics.

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For the purposes of this statement the Code of Ethics / Statement of Ethics will be known as the 'Code'. As the 'Code' was created to be adapted for the use of individual Award Programs varying titles may also be used.

The Spirit of the Code of Ethics and the reasoning behind the document being created and then gifted to the awards community was and remains as follows in that -

The Spirit of the 'Code' was and is that individuals, groups and / or organizations worldwide could have freely available a flexible standard format that could be used as the backbone of ethical Award Programs.

No one individual, group and / or organization can or should own such a vehicle, therefore the 'Code', in its entirety, is International Property.

Any individuals, groups and / or organizations believing in and standing behind the 'Code' could legally without restriction offer the 'Code' in the form of a document from their web sites for use by other individuals, groups and / or organizations who may wish to adhere to such a 'Code'.

The 'Code' was to be offered to any individuals, groups and / or organizations without restrictions: this means that mandatory group and / or organization membership could not be part of the overall use of the 'Code.'

The 'Code', although within the environs of web sites protected by Copyright, could not be covered by any Copyright. The 'Code' belongs to all individuals, groups and / or organizations who desire to abide by the spirit and content of the 'Code' for the betterment of the International Awards Community.

The 'Code' would remain a Public Domain document offered for use by all - owned by no one and it could never be displayed under the protection of the copyright, trademark or registration of any web site.

Amendment to the above dated August 15th, 2008: As CEM/CEMA is now closed I, as the prime author of the Code of Ethics ( COE ) have ascertained that the Code of Ethics ( COE ) document was never licensed within the Public Domain by CEM/CEMA as was expected therefore today, I have placed the Code of Ethics ( COE ) document under a Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike United States License and have also gifted the Code of Ethics ( COE ) document to the Award Community News reserving the right to decide the future of the Code of Ethics ( COE ) should the Award Community News prematurely close. Signed: R. Serong.

The Code of Ethics ( COE ) is licensed under a Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike United States License with credit being given to Award Community News   in accordance with the terms of the License.

From the members of CEM / CEMA ( now closed ) to Rhonda -

Quote: “To say we would like to express our gratitude is a bit cliche but in this case, that is exactly what we wish to do. If it were not for your exceptional efforts in writing this Code of Ethics we would surely not have been able to accomplish all we have to date. Please know that we are genuinely grateful and wish for you to accept our heartfelt thanks.” Unquote