MEDA CODE OF ETHICS
As of August 1, 2005

Membership in MEDA carries with it an obligation to abide by generally accepted standards of professional conduct consistent with the State of Montana's "Code of Ethics" (MCA 2.2) as applied to economic development activities in Montana and with the following ethical practices of MEDA.

MEDA members are committed to conducting their professional activities in accordance with the highest standards of integrity. Most deviations from this could occur in conflict of interest situations. An actual conflict of interest, or a potential conflict of interest, may occur when there is a divergence between a MEDA member's private interests and the Member's professional obligations, such that an independent observer might reasonably question whether the MEDA member's professional actions or decisions are determined by considerations of personal gain - financial, professional, or otherwise.

In general, perceptions of non-ethical activities can be mitigated or eliminated by full advance and public disclosure of professional activities and/or abstinence from participating in votes, certain decision making, and other activities in which there may be any question of an ethical violation.

In addition MEDA will strive to:

• Respect the ownership and confidentiality of information received during the course of our duties, realizing that proprietary information may be disclosed only with the express permission of the owner of the information, and should never be used for personal gain.
  
  
• Accept individual responsibility to advance MEDA and the economic development profession by improving our skills and supporting efforts to improve the skills of others involved in economic development.
  
  
• To continue to acquire knowledge of economic development, cooperate in exchanging information and ideas reflecting related best practices, procedures, trends, and policies in support of the mission, programs, and bylaws of MEDA so as to further proficiency in this field.