Our Foundation
CHAIRS Global is a professional community of accomplished current, past and future board chairs and senior directors. This network gathers to share insights, discuss governance challenges, and support one another on a range of issues from problem-solving through to professional development. Our strength lies in mutual trust, confidentiality, professional discretion, and respect.
This Code of Conduct establishes the ethical framework and behavioural standards for all members. By accepting and maintaining membership, you acknowledge having read, understood, and agreed to abide by this Code.
Core Principles
1. Confidentiality
All discussions, presentations, intelligence and materials shared within CHAIRS Global meetings, forums, and communications are strictly confidential unless explicitly designated otherwise.
This confidentiality extends to:
- Insights, opinions, and perspectives shared by members
- Business issues, challenges, and strategies discussed
- Personal matters shared in confidence
- Financial and organizational information
- Member identities and organizational affiliations (unless public knowledge)
- All proprietary intellectual property created by CHAIRS Global
CHAIRStrust Sessions
Information discussed in CHAIRStrust meetings is absolutely confidential and may not be referenced or discussed outside the meeting with anyone who was not present.
Non-Attribution
You may apply insights and learnings to your own work, but you must not attribute specific statements, positions, or information to individual members or CHAIRS Global without explicit written permission.
Outside Interactions
When you interact with fellow members outside CHAIRS Global activities, you remain bound by confidentiality obligations regarding any information originally shared within the membership context.
2. Contribution
You commit to:
- Attend meetings and participate meaningfully and respectfully
- Prepare adequately for scheduled discussions
- Share your expertise and experience generously
- Support fellow members' learning and problem-solving
- Contribute to CHAIRS Global's intellectual property to advance collective learning
- Respond to fellow members within a reasonable time as a matter of professional respect
Intellectual Honesty
Share experiences and insights honestly while acknowledging the limitations of your knowledge and perspective. Ask thoughtful questions and challenge assumptions respectfully.
3. Respect
CHAIRS Global is a safe professional environment where members feel valued and can speak candidly without fear of judgment.
You commit to:
- Treat all members with dignity and respect
- Listen actively and considerately to diverse perspectives
- Engage constructively, even during disagreements
- Avoid interrupting, dominating conversations, or dismissing others' contributions
- Foster an inclusive environment regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic
Zero Tolerance
Harassment, discrimination, bullying, or behavior inconsistent with professional standards will not be tolerated and may result in immediate membership termination.
Professional Boundaries
Members are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and not use CHAIRS Global relationships for improper personal gain. The platform must not be used for unsolicited business development, client solicitation, investment promotion, recruiting, or other commercial outreach without appropriate context and permission.
4. Integrity
Conflicts of Interest
Members are responsible for promptly disclosing and managing any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest, including:
- Direct or indirect business relationships with other members' organizations
- Competitive business interests
- Personal relationships that might influence objectivity
When appropriate, recuse yourself from discussions where conflicts cannot be adequately managed.
Legal Compliance
Conduct yourself in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, including:
- Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and Australian Consumer Law
- Securities regulations
- Data protection and privacy laws
- Anti-corruption and anti-bribery statutes
Prohibited Conduct
Do not engage in discussions or activities that could violate securities or antitrust laws, including, agreements on pricing, market allocation, or other anti-competitive practices.
5. Member Platform Conduct
The CHAIRS Global digital platform is a confidential professional environment. The standards outlined in this Code apply equally to all online interactions.
Members agree to:
- Communicate professionally and constructively in all digital spaces
- Respect the confidentiality of discussions, documents, and member contributions
- Refrain from posting content that is defamatory, discriminatory, harassing, misleading, or unlawful
Protection of Member Content
Members must not screenshot, record, copy, download, scrape, photograph, or otherwise capture platform content without prior written consent from CHAIRS Global.
Use of Generative AI Tools
Members may not upload, input, or share CHAIRS Global discussions, materials, or member information into any generative AI platforms or external knowledge tools without explicit authorization.
Account Responsibility
Membership access is strictly personal. Login credentials may not be shared, delegated, or used by assistants, colleagues, or third parties.
Moderation
CHAIRS Global reserves the right to monitor platform activity and to remove content, restrict access, suspend privileges, or close discussions where necessary to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism of the community.
Information Security and Data Protection
Digital Security
- Use secure channels for sharing confidential information
- Do not discuss confidential matters in public or unsecured digital spaces
- Protect your login credentials and devices against unauthorized access
Proprietary Information
Do not download, copy, duplicate, transfer, send, republish, or distribute any proprietary information published by CHAIRS Global without express written consent.