ISMA Board of Trustees has formally adopted a comprehensive new Code of Conduct, reinforcing its commitment to creating a respectful, inclusive, and professional environment across all organizational activities.

“The code is intended to make sure everyone has a voice at our meetings and events,” BOT Chairman Teresa Lovins, MD, said. “The ISMA respects that not everyone has the same opinion about topics, but we can share those opinions without arguments in order to have a more robust discussion of the topics.”

The newly approved Code of Conduct for ISMA Organizational Activities applies to a broad spectrum of ISMA engagements, including House of Delegates meetings, Board of Trustees sessions, commissions, committees, task forces, district meetings, and other association forums, both in-person and virtual, such as ISMA-hosted webinars and online platforms like ISMA Pulse.

The code outlines six guiding principles: Respect, Congeniality, Impartiality, Civility, Inclusivity, and Accountability. These standards emphasize professional courtesy, zero tolerance for harassment and discrimination, and the promotion of diverse, safe, and welcoming spaces for all ISMA members and participants.

"ISMA’s mission depends on open, constructive dialogue and the meaningful exchange of ideas," Executive Vice President Julie Reed, JD, said. "This new code is a step forward in making sure all participants feel safe and supported in those conversations."

The policy encourages individuals to report any behavior inconsistent with the outlined principles to ISMA officers or the association’s Executive Vice President. While the Code is designed as a set of behavioral guidelines, it also complements and reinforces existing ISMA Bylaws and Constitution provisions. In cases where conduct may constitute a formal violation, disciplinary processes outlined in Sections 5.0606 and 5.0611 of the ISMA Bylaws will apply.