CONTANGO ORE, INC.
CORPORATE CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
(Adopted as of December 11, 2020)
The Board of Directors (the “Board”)
of Contango ORE, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) has adopted this Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
(this “Code”), which provides basic principles and guidelines to assist directors, officers and other employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries in complying with the legal and ethical requirements governing the Company’s business conduct. This Code covers a wide range of business practices and procedures but does not cover every issue that may arise.
The Company reserves the right to add to, modify and rescind this Code or any portion of it at any time. This Code governs in the event of any conflict
or inconsistency between this Code and any other materials distributed by the Company. If a law conflicts with a policy in this Code, you must comply with the law.
You should read this Code carefully, ask questions of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer or such other officer designated by the Board (as applicable,
the “Compliance Officer”) and promptly sign and return the certification attached as Annex A acknowledging receipt of this Code to:
Contango ORE, Inc.
3700 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 925
Houston, Texas 77098
Attention: Compliance Officer
The Company’s Compliance Officer is responsible for ensuring that all of the Company’s directors, officers and other appropriate employees (as set forth
herein) promptly sign and return the attached certification acknowledging receipt of this Code.
I. |
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES |
The Company’s fundamental policy is to conduct its business with honesty and integrity in accordance with the highest legal and
ethical standards. The Company and its directors, officers and other employees must comply with all applicable legal requirements of the United States and each other country in which the Company conducts business.
B. |
Individual Responsibility and Compliance |
This Code provides guidance for specific situations that may arise. However, each director, officer and other employee has the
responsibility to exercise good judgment so as to act in a manner that will reflect favorably upon the Company and the individual.
The Company’s directors, officers and other employees must comply with the spirit as well as the letter of this Code. Directors,
officers and other employees must not attempt to achieve indirectly, through the use of agents or other intermediaries, what is prohibited directly by this Code.
Employees will not be penalized for good faith reporting of violations or suspected violations of this Code or for cooperating with
any Company investigation. Retaliation and threats of retaliation against any employee who complains about, reports, participates or assists in an investigation of a suspected violation are prohibited, and disciplinary action, including dismissal
of any officer or other employee where warranted, will be taken if the Board determines that any such retaliation or threat of retaliation has taken place.
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Code is to be interpreted or applied in any way that prohibits, restricts or interferes
with an employee’s (a) exercise of rights provided under, or participation in, “whistleblower” programs of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or any other applicable regulatory agency or governmental entity (each, a “Government Body”),
or (b) good faith reporting of possible violations of applicable law to any Government Body, including cooperating with a Government Body in any governmental investigation regarding possible violations of applicable law.
A. |
Condition of Employment |
Each employee must become familiar with and agree to comply with this Code as a condition of such employee’s employment. All officers
and other employees, regardless of level, must be provided with a copy of this Code at the time their employment commences with the Company; provided,
however, that individuals already employed by the Company at the time of the adoption of this Code must be provided with a copy of this Code
shortly after its adoption.
B. |
Condition of Director Appointment/Election |
Each director must become familiar with and agree to comply with this Code. All directors must be provided with a copy of this Code at
the time of their appointment or election to serve on the Board.
C. |
Compliance Certificate |
The following persons must execute compliance certificates substantially in the form of Annex A to this Code (the “Compliance Certificate”):
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Directors, officers and other employees of the Company in managerial or supervisory positions; |
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Employees who, in the ordinary conduct of their duties, have regular or significant contact with government(s) or any department, agency, instrumentality or |
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Facility managers or other employees who are in charge of a significant sales office or other significant facility; |
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Employees whose regular responsibilities include the selection of contractors for the provision of significant goods or services to the Company; |
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Employees whose regular responsibilities include the review, approval or payment of invoices for significant goods and services supplied to the Company; and |
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Any other employees requested by any officer of the Company to give a Compliance Certificate. |
As provided above, each officer and other employee must become familiar with and agree to comply with this Code as a condition of such
person’s employment. Therefore, each new officer and other employee must execute the Compliance Certificate upon employment. In addition, each newly elected director must execute the Compliance Certificate upon election or appointment to serve on
the Board as set forth above.
The Company’s Compliance Officer is responsible for ensuring that all directors, officers and other appropriate employees of the
Company execute and return the Compliance Certificate to the Company’s General Counsel or Compliance Officer, as applicable, or another officer designated by the Company’s General Counsel or Compliance Officer, as applicable.
D. |
Association with Unaffiliated Enterprises |
The Company’s employees associated with enterprises not controlled by the Company (including vendors, suppliers, contractors, lawyers
and accountants) must be guided in their conduct by this Code’s provisions. Such persons must attempt to influence those enterprises to conduct their activities in conformity with all applicable laws and this Code and must report violations of this
Code to the Company’s General Counsel or Compliance Officer, as applicable.
E. |
Interpretation Questions |
Directors, officers or other employees who have questions on how to proceed or interpret this Code should consult their supervisor,
the Company’s General Counsel or Compliance Officer, as applicable, or any other person(s) designated by the Board to supervise the application of this Code. In addition, please see Annex B for a listing of compliance procedures.
Compliance with this Code is essential. Violations will result in disciplinary action, including dismissal of any officer or other
employee where warranted.
III. |
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST |
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s private interest interferes in any way with the interests of the Company as a
whole. This situation can arise when a director, officer or other employee takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest also arise when a director, officer
or other employee, or a member of such person’s family or household, receives improper personal benefits as a result of the director’s, officer’s or other employee’s position with the Company. A conflict of interest is deemed to exist whenever, as
a result of the nature or responsibilities of his or her relationship with the Company, a director, officer or other employee is in a position to further any personal financial interest or the financial interest of any member of such person’s
family.
No director, officer or other employee, regardless of level, is permitted to engage in any business or conduct or enter into any
agreement or arrangement that would give rise to actual or potential conflicts of interest. Directors, officers and other employees should not permit themselves to be placed in a position that might give rise to the appearance that a conflict of
interest has arisen.
While it is not possible to describe all circumstances where a conflict of interest involving a director, officer or employee exists
or may exist, the following situations may involve actual or potential conflicts of interest:
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An officer’s or employee’s interest in, or position with, any supplier, customer or competitor of the Company (except for an investment in |
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The acceptance of gifts or favors of more than nominal value by a director, officer or employee (or a member of such person’s immediate family) |
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The disclosure or use of confidential information gained by reason of employment with the Company (or, in the case of a director, election or |
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Competition with the Company in the acquisition or disposition of rights or property. |
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The following situations should not be considered conflicts of interest:
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Ownership of publicly traded securities of a supplier, customer or competitor of the Company that do not confer upon the holder any ability to |
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A transaction with one of the Company’s banks, where the transaction is customary and conducted on standard commercially available terms (such |
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A transaction or relationship disclosed in accordance with this Code and determined by outside legal counsel not to be a prohibited conflict of |
These examples are given only to guide directors, officers and other employees in making judgments about conflicts of interest. If any
director, officer or employee finds himself or herself in a situation where a conflict of interest exists or may exist, he or she should immediately report the matter as provided below.
B. |
Reporting Conflicts of Interest Involving Non-Officer Employees |
Actual or potential conflicts of interest involving a non-officer employee, or a member of such person’s immediate family, must be
reported in writing by the affected person (or by others having knowledge of the existence of the actual or potential conflicts of interest) to the employee’s immediate supervisor, who shall consult with the Company’s General Counsel or Compliance
Officer, as applicable, to determine whether a conflict of interest actually exists and to recommend measures to be taken to neutralize the adverse effect of the conflict of interest reported, if such measures are available or appropriate under the
circumstances. This procedure will be applied so as to minimize its effect on the personal affairs of employees consistent with the protection of the Company’s interests. The matter may also be referred to the Board for its approval or rejection.
C. |
Reporting Conflicts of Interest Involving Directors or Officers |
An actual or potential conflict of interest involving a director or officer, or a member of such person’s immediate family, must be
reported by the affected person (or by others having knowledge of the existence of the actual or potential conflict of interest) to the Company’s General Counsel or Compliance Officer, as applicable, who shall promptly disclose the possible
conflict of interest to the Board at the earliest time practicable under the circumstances. The possible conflict of interest will be made a matter of record, and the Board will determine whether the possible conflict of interest indeed constitutes
a conflict of interest. The Board’s approval will be required prior to the consummation of any proposed transaction or arrangement that is determined by the Board to constitute a conflict of interest.
Any member of the Board or any officer having a possible conflict of interest in any proposed transaction or arrangement is not
permitted to vote (in the case of a member of the Board) or use his or her personal influence on the matter being considered by the Board.
Any member of the Board having a possible conflict of interest is not counted in determining the quorum for consideration and vote on
the particular matter. Finally, any member of the Board or any officer having a possible conflict of interest must be excused from any meeting of the Board during discussion (subject to the exception set forth in the paragraph below) and vote on
the particular matter (in the case of an interested director).
The minutes of the Board meeting should reflect the disclosure, the absence from the meeting of the interested director or officer,
the abstention from voting (in the case of an interested director) and the presence of a quorum. The proposed transaction or arrangement is considered approved if it receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested members of the
Board (even though the disinterested members are less than a quorum).
The foregoing requirements do not prohibit the interested director or officer from briefly stating his or her position on the matter
or from answering pertinent questions of the disinterested members of the Board, as the interested director’s knowledge may be of assistance to the other Board members in their consideration of the matter.
A. |
Company Books and Records |
1. |
Books and Records. The Company requires |
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No false or deliberately inaccurate entries (such as overbilling or advance billing) are permitted. Discounts, rebates, credits and allowances |
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No payment shall be made with the intention or understanding that all or any part of it is to be used for any person other than that described |
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No undisclosed, unrecorded or “off-book” funds or assets are permitted. |
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No false or misleading statements, written or oral, shall be intentionally made to any internal accountant or auditor or the Company’s |
2. |
Internal Accounting Controls. The |
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Transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; |
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Transactions are recorded as necessary to: (a) permit the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting |
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Access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and |
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The recorded accountability of assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect |
3. |
Employee Conduct. No director, officer |
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Falsify, or cause to be falsified, any book, record or account of the Company; |
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Make, or cause to be made, any materially false or misleading statement or omit to state, or cause another person to omit to state, any |
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Take any action to fraudulently influence, coerce, manipulate or mislead the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. |
Directors, officers and other employees must exercise reasonable due diligence in order to avoid the events described above. Each
director, officer and employee must cooperate fully with the Company’s accounting and internal audit departments, as well as the Company’s independent public accountants and counsel.
B. |
Payments of Amounts Due to Customers, Agents or Distributors |
1. |
Payments for Third-Party Services. All |
2. |
Manner of Payment. All payments for |
3. |
Payments Outside the United States. When |
4. |
Accounting Records. All payments or |
The Company and its directors, officers and other employees must comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which
makes it illegal for U.S. companies to win, retain or direct business by offering, paying or approving payments to foreign government workers, political parties or their officials.
V. |
USE OF COMPANY PROPERTY AND RESOURCES |
A. |
Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets |
The use of any Company funds or assets for any unlawful or improper purpose is prohibited. All employees should endeavor to protect
the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability. Any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be reported immediately for investigation. Company equipment
should not be used for non-business related purposes, though incidental personal use may be permitted (such as occasional use of the Company’s stationery, supplies, copying facilities or telephone when the cost to the Company is insignificant).
The obligation of employees to protect the Company’s assets includes an obligation to protect the Company’s proprietary information.
Proprietary information includes intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks and copyrights, as well as business, marketing and service plans, databases, records, salary information and any unpublished financial data and
reports. Unauthorized use or distribution of this information violates Company policy and could also be illegal and result in civil or criminal penalties.
B. |
Questionable or Improper Payments and Gifts |
1. |
Payments or Gifts Made. No payments or |
2. |
Payments or Gifts Received. Directors, |
3. |
Gifts to Government Personnel. In the |
4. |
Proper Documentation. All arrangements |
5. |
Extension of Credit by the Company. No |
6. |
Corporate Opportunities. Without the |
VI. |
BUSINESS AND TRADE PRACTICES |
A. |
Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations (Including Insider Trading Laws) |
1. |
Compliance with Laws. Obeying the law, |
2. |
Insider Trading. Purchasing or selling, |
3. |
Section 16 Reporting. Pursuant to |
Directors, officers and other employees should endeavor to deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, partners, service
providers, competitors, employees and anyone else with whom he or she has contact in the course of performing his or her job. No director, officer or other employee should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of
privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other practice involving unfair dealing.
Directors, officers and other employees shall maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by the Company or its
customers, suppliers or partners, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. Confidential information includes all non-public information that, if disclosed, might be of use to competitors or harmful to the Company or its business
interests. Confidential information also includes written material provided and information discussed at all meetings of the Board or any committee thereof and all information that is learned about the Company’s suppliers and other business
partners that is not in the public domain. The obligation to preserve confidential information continues even after employment or agency with the Company ends. Any documents, papers, records or other tangible items that contain trade secrets or
proprietary information are the Company’s property.
D. |
Health, Safety and Environmental Policy |
The Company is committed to conducting its business in compliance with applicable health, safety and environmental laws, rules and
regulations in a manner that has the highest regard for the health and safety of human life and the environment. Each employee has the responsibility for maintaining a healthy, safe and environmentally friendly workplace by following health, safety
and environmental laws, rules and regulations and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe equipment, practices or conditions.
Directors, officers and other employees should be aware that health and safety laws may provide for significant civil and criminal
penalties against individuals and the Company for the failure to comply with applicable requirements. Accordingly, each director, officer and other employee must comply with all applicable safety and health laws, rules and regulations, including
occupational safety and health standards.
Directors, officers and other employees should be aware that environmental laws may provide for significant civil and criminal
penalties against individuals and/or the Company for failure to comply with applicable requirements. Accordingly, each director, officer and other employee must comply with all applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations.
Employees should report to work in a condition allowing them to perform their duties free from the influence of drugs, alcohol or
other controlled substances. The use of illegal drugs in the workplace will not be tolerated.
Violence and threatening behavior are not permitted.
E. |
Retention of Documents and Records |
It is the Company’s policy to cooperate with all governmental investigative authorities. Each director, officer and other employee
shall retain any record, document or tangible object of the Company that is known to be the subject of an investigation or litigation.
It is a violation of this Code for any director, officer or other employee to knowingly alter, destroy, mutilate, conceal, cover up,
falsify or make a false entry in any record, document or tangible object with the intent to impede, obstruct or influence the investigation or proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of any state, federal department or agency or
any bankruptcy, or in relation to or contemplation of any such matter or case.
VII. |
PREPARATION AND CERTIFICATION OF 1934 ACT REPORTS |
A. |
Internal Control Report |
The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K shall contain an internal control report that (1) states the responsibility of management for
establishing and maintaining an adequate internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting; (2) contains an assessment, as of the end of the Company’s most recent fiscal year, of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control
structure and procedures for financial reporting; (3) if applicable, includes a statement that the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued a report on the Company’s internal controls and procedures for financial
reporting; (4) if applicable, includes the report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm; and (5) otherwise complies with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder by the SEC.
It is the Company’s policy to promote full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the
Company files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Company.
The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer shall make the certifications required by Section 302 and
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the text of which are set forth in Item 601(b)(31) and (32) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.
VIII. |
EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AND WORK ENVIRONMENT |
All directors, officers and other employees, regardless of position, shall do their best to work together to meet the following
objectives:
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Respect each employee, worker and representative of suppliers, contractors and other business partners as an individual, showing courtesy and |
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Make a commitment to and demonstrate equal treatment of all employees, workers, customers, suppliers, contractors and other business partners |
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Provide a workplace free of harassment of any kind, including on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, national origin, citizenship |
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Provide and maintain a safe, healthy and orderly workplace; and |
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Assure uniformly fair compensation and benefit practices that will attract, reward and retain quality employees. |
In addition to the objectives set forth above, members of the management team are expected to:
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Use good judgment and exercise appropriate use of their influence and authority in their interactions with employees, customers, suppliers, |
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Keep other employees generally informed of the Company’s policies, plans and progress through regular communications. |
B. |
Non-Discrimination Policy |
The Company values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing an equal opportunity in all aspects of employment to
all employees without regard to race, color, gender, religion, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service or reserve or veteran status, sexual orientation or disability. Directors, officers and other employees should use reasonable
efforts to seek business partners for the Company that do not discriminate in hiring or in their employment practices, and who make decisions about hiring, salary, benefits, training opportunities, work assignments, advancement, discipline,
termination and retirement solely on the basis of a person’s ability to perform the tasks required by their position.
C. |
Freedom of Association |
The Company recognizes and respects the right of employees to exercise their lawful rights of free association, including joining or
electing not to join any association. The Company expects its business partners to also adhere to these principles.
D. |
Disciplinary Practices |
The Company will not condone any type of harassment, abuse or punishment, whether corporal, mental or physical, of an employee by a
director, officer or other employee or any supplier or other business partner of the Company.
The Company proactively promotes ethical behavior.
Directors, officers and other employees should report violations of applicable laws, rules and regulations (including, without limitation, the listing
requirements of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), this Code or any other code, policy or procedure of the Company to
appropriate personnel. Actions prohibited by this Code involving directors or executive officers must be reported to the Audit Committee of the Board, another independent committee of the Board or the full Board. Actions prohibited by this Code
involving anyone other than a director or executive officer must be reported to the reporting person’s supervisor or the Company’s Compliance Officer or General Counsel
Directors, officers and other employees are expected to cooperate in internal investigations of misconduct.
Any waiver of a provision of this Code may be made only by the Board or a committee thereof. Any waiver for directors or executive officers will be disclosed, within four business days, by the distribution of a press release, website disclosure or by the filing of a current report on Form 8-K
with the SEC, and, if applicable, as otherwise required by law or the listing standards. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else in this Code to the contrary, in no event will entry into or amendment of any transaction or relationship
specifically permitted under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, in each case, as amended from time to time, be deemed an amendment, violation or waiver of this Code.
XI. |
AMENDMENTS TO THIS CODE |
Any amendment to this Code shall be made only by the Board. If an amendment to this Code is made, appropriate disclosure will be made within two business
days after the amendment has been made in accordance with legal requirements and the listing requirements of the NYSE.
The Company shall post this Code on the Company’s website as required by applicable rules and regulations. In addition, the Company shall disclose in its
proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders or, if the Company does not file a proxy statement, in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, that a copy of this Code is available both in print to any stockholder who requests it and on the
Company’s website, which address the Company shall provide.
* * * * *
This document states a policy of Contango ORE, Inc. and is not intended to be regarded as the rendering of legal advice.
CORPORATE CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND
ETHICS CERTIFICATION
I have read and understand the Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) of Contango ORE, Inc. (the “Company”). I agree that I will
comply with the policies and procedures set forth in the Code. I understand and agree that, if I am an employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries or other affiliates, my failure to comply in all respects with the Company’s policies,
including the Code, is a basis for termination for cause of my employment with the Company and any subsidiary or other affiliate to which my employment now relates or may in the future relate.
In addition, I agree to promptly submit a written report to the Company’s General Counsel or Compliance Officer, as applicable, describing any
circumstances in which:
1. |
I have reasonable basis for belief that a violation of the Code by any person has occurred; |
2. |
I have, or any member of my family has, or may have engaged in any activity that violates the letter or the spirit of the Code; |
3. |
I have, or any member of my family has, or may have an interest that violates the letter or the spirit of the Code; and |
4. |
I or any member of my family may be contemplating an activity or acquisition that could be in violation of the Code. |
I am unaware of any violations or suspected violations of the Code by any employee except as described below or on the attached sheet of paper. (If no
exceptions are noted, please check the space provided below.)
____________ No exceptions
To the best of my knowledge and belief, neither I nor any member of my family has any interest or affiliation or has engaged in any activity that might
conflict with the Company’s interest, except as described below or on the attached sheet of paper. (If no exceptions are noted, please check the space provided below.)
____________ No exceptions
I am aware that this signed Certification will be filed with my personal records of the Company.
______________________________________
Signature
_____________________________________
Type or Print Name
Date
CORPORATE CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND
ETHICS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES
Directors, officers and other employees must work together to ensure prompt and consistent action against violations of the Code. However, a director,
officer or other employee may encounter a situation in which it is difficult to determine how to proceed while also complying with the Code. Since not every situation that will arise can be anticipated, it is important to have a way to approach a
new question or problem. When considering these situations, a director, officer or other employee should:
1. |
Make sure to have all the facts. In order |
2. |
Consider what he or she specifically is being |
3. |
Understand his or her individual responsibility |
4. |
Discuss the problem with a supervisor. In |
5. |
Seek help from Company resources. In the |
6. |
Report ethical violations in confidence and |
7. |
Always ask first, act later. When unsure of |