04-27-1995 ' SOUTHLAKE PROGRAM FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS
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Code of Conduct
Preamble
The purpose of the Southlake Program for the Involvement of Neighborhoods (SPIN) is to foster two-way
communication between the City and its citizens. Broad based participation in neighborhood issues and
projects is an important element of the SPIN program.
SPIN Standing Committee members have been chosen by neighborhood residents and sanctioned by the
Southlake City Council to serve as representatives of the SPIN program, in addition to serving as leaders in
their respective neighborhoods. Standing Committee representatives are responsible for directing and
promoting the SPIN program. The role of the Standing Committee representative includes, but is not limited to,
assisting the neighborhood by facilitating communication between City officials and the neighborhood,
clarifying issues, and encouraging participation in the local government process.
It is a privilege to serve the City of Southlake as a SPIN Standing Committee representative and each should
make every effort to fulfill the obligations of the selection. The highest standards of integrity, impartiality, and
professional competence are expected from Standing Committee representatives.
The importance of neutrality cannot be overemphasized in regard to maintaining credibility as a Standing
Committee representative for the neighborhood. As such, SPIN Standing Committee representatives have a
continuing duty to disclose anything that may affect, or might appear to affect their ability to be an impartial
leader of their SPIN neighborhood. Standing Committee representatives should be committed to representing
all parties as necessary.
The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to define the high standards expected of Standing Committee
representatives. These standards will ensure public confidence in the SPIN program. The guidelines represent
a standard of behavior for SPIN leaders, and it is expected that this Code shall also help to guide the official
behavior of other Neighborhood Council members. This Code is not intended to address every situation which
may arise in the conduct of the SPIN program business, rather, it is envisioned that SPIN participants will rely
on the ideals embodied in this Code to lead them through issues concerning conflicts of interest and ethical
behavior.
1. Process
1.1. Standing Committee representatives shall ensure that their respective Neighborhood Councils
are open to all individuals and organizations within the defined boundaries of the
neighborhood and not be limited by age, race, creed, color, gender, national origin, income,
or home ownership.
Any form of discrimination by a SPIN member against any party on the basis of
characteristic, condition, preference, belief or status of such party conflicts with the purpose
SPIN, and shall not be practiced, condoned, or facilitated by Standing Committee
representatives.
1.2. The Standing Committee representative, in his or her role as Neighborhood Council Chair,
shall create an environment conducive to the expression of ideas by any neighbor wishing to
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be involved in the Program. It is hoped that SPIN will be a forum for encouraging open and
honest discussion of issues, which would include differing viewpoints.
1.3. Standing Committee representatives should conduct neighborhood meetings in sufficient
frequency to provide an opportunity for neighbors to be well informed of events, issues, and
activities. Standing Committee representatives shall make sure that minutes of all meetings
are maintained in accordance with City Ordinance 598.
In addition to neighborhood meetings, Standing Committee representatives should make
diligent effort to ensure that their neighbors are made aware of SPIN activities and projects.
1.4. Standing Committee representatives shall transmit both recommendations and dissenting
views proposed by particular neighborhoods on given issues to City officials. It is important
that all viewpoints be considered on a particular issue.
1.5. Standing Committee representatives should participate in Standing Committee activities.
1.6. Should a Standing Committee representative be found in violation of this Code and refuse to
accept the decision of the majority of Committee members reviewing the violation, by either
withdrawing from the Standing Committee or correcting said violation, the case shall then be
referred to the City Council for action.
2. Professionalism
2.1. To effectively serve, Standing Committee representatives should take every opportunity to
educate themselves about the operations of the municipal organization and current events
within the City so that they may provide accurate information to their neighborhood.
2.2. Standing Committee representatives should promote mutual respect among all parties
involved in the program, including, but not limited to, other Standing Committee
representatives, Neighborhood Council representatives, City staff, and elected officials.
Standing Committee representatives and other SPIN participants should always exercise
decorum, discretion, patience, restraint, and consideration of others time during Standing
Committee and Neighborhood Council meetings.
2.3. Standing Committee representatives shall represent facts or circumstances as accurately as
possible in the course of either providing information from the City to their neighborhoods,
or in reporting information from their neighborhoods to the City.
2.4. Standing Committee representatives shall not use their influence as SPIN representatives to
influence the electoral process. A SPIN Standing Committee representative shall never
coerce, make a decision for, or impose his or her own judgment on neighbors.
Although Standing Committee representatives may, as individuals and citizens of the City of
Southlake, exercise their right to support or oppose candidates, it is inappropriate to use their
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position with SPIN as a political tool. Standing Committee representatives must maintain
electoral neutrality and remain nonpartisan in regard to candidates running for public office
or ballot issues when performing functions in their official role.
2.5. When serving in an official capacity, Standing Committee representatives shall not offer any
type of personal or professional opinions as an official representative of SPIN.
2.6. Standing Committee representatives should withdraw from the Standing Committee if they
feel that they can no longer maintain the impartiality needed to effectively serve as
representatives of their neighborhoods.
2.7. Standing Committee representatives shall not accept any type of financial remuneration,
direct or indirect, as an incentive to promote or support a particular political or commercial
issue.
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