Greater California Livery Association Code of Standards and Ethics

I agree to follow the GCLA Code of Standards and Ethics for Members of the GCLA, and further agree I will abide by the decisions of the GCLA Board of Directors, concerning matters I may bring to the GCLA Board/ Ombudsman’s Committee’s attention for review. I further agree to follow these standards in my personal and business practices for the advancement of myself, my company and employees, and the industry in which I serve as a model for others. I affirm that I am a legally licensed business in the State of California, or state where I do business, and have all the relevant PUC licenses in place, and agree to keep these in good standing.

  1. Member agrees to properly license their business(es).

  2. Member agrees to carry the legal amount of business insurance including vehicles and workers compensation plans according to law.

  3. Member agrees to carry the legal amount of insurance coverage for all outsourced/insourced work performed.

  4. Member agrees to carry and maintain proper permits and licensing for the state in which you operate.

  5. Member agrees to honoring all insourced/outsourced work agreements with fellow association members, including timely payments.

  6. Member agrees to handle all member-to-member disputes arising from any misunderstandings quickly and through the GCLA ombudsman’s committee.

  7. Member agrees to refrain from unfair badmouthing or denigrating the GCLA brand or its members or board including the mal-purposed use of Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media platforms.

  8. Member agrees to disclose any conflict of interest to the GCLA/Ombudsman Committee at the time the conflict is known.

  9. Member agrees not to use vulgar language, bully, intimidate, threaten or physically (including legally or monetarily) abuse another member(s).

  10. Member agrees to keep current with association financial commitments.

The Greater California Livery Association’s Code of Standards and Ethics embody our collective goals for guiding our interactions with one another as businesses, and with the greater public we serve. While these standards are not easily measured, we believe providing examples, definitions and goals do go a long way in helping all of us achieve a higher standard of awareness of our thinking process and the related behaviors that are the result. In addition to the aspirational ethic concepts outlined below, the Four Pillars of Standards and Ethics are:

The Maxim RRFH

Respect (for yourself and others as individuals and businesses)- A high regard for yourself and others, and the resources entrusted to them, are the key things to be aware of in your daily operations and conduct. An environment of respect builds trust, confidence and mutual cooperation.

Responsibility (for your actions and recognizing the actions of others)- Taking ownership for the decisions you make, or fail to make, and the consequences that follow- is a key element of trust. Others notice this and are more likely to follow your lead in an environment of honesty, solution-finding, and forgiveness.

Fairness (the rules should be followed because adherence or violation affects/effects everyone)- Making decisions that are balanced, unbiased, non-favored, and aligned with the truth of matters and facts.

Honesty (certain truths DO exist, can be discovered, and should be protected)- Accepting the call to be truthful and act in a truthful manner, in both communication and conduct. It takes bravery to be honest, sometimes. These are the times that count.

When it comes to the Standards & Ethics of the GCLA,
what does this mean to follow the guidelines provided by RRFH?

The GCLA Standard The Ethics behind the Standard
1. Members agree to properly license their businesses. The licenses required to operate according to law are known, and are your responsibility to know. This requires RRFH.
2. Member agrees to carry the legal amount of business insurance including vehicles and workers compensation plans according to law. The required vehicle and worker compensation plans you are required to have is also known and can be verified. If you don’t know, it is your responsibility to find out or ask for help to find out.
3. Member agrees to carry the legal amount of insurance coverage for all outsourced/insourced work performed. This is part of the checklist of things you must know as a business owner. Following RRFH rule, requires this to be done in good faith.
4. Member agrees to carry and maintain proper permits and licensing for the state in which you operate. This means you are prepared to take control of your future and the future of your company and employees seriously. Following the law assures you do not put into jeopardy the hard work you and others have put in to make your success a reality.
5. Member agrees to honoring all insourced/outsourced work agreements with fellow association members, including timely payments. Honoring your agreements with words and monetary commitments makes you a person/business others can trust. When times are hard or confusing, these relationships built on trust will be invaluable.
6. Member agrees to handling all member-to-member disputes arising from any misunderstandings quickly and through the GCLA ombudsman’s committee. The GCLA Board is the elected body trusted to review and decide the best way to resolve disputes and grievances. They are YOUR elected representatives and deserve to be trusted to make fair decisions. The Ombudsman Committee is charged with fact-finding for the Board and fair advocacy for the members to be heard. This is designed to make resolutions more informed and efficient for all concerned.
7. Member agrees to refrain from unfair bad-mouthing or denigrating the GCLA brand or its members or board including the mal-purposed use of Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media platforms. No one can know all sides of every story. Badmouthing falsely assumes you know all and are the authority about all sides of a disagreement, misunderstanding, or some other event. Let the process be observed. Allow the GCLA to manage our own affairs without outside interference that makes it harder to find resolutions for all involved. Business is hard enough out there, lets try to protect our organization from within, by having more patience with ourselves and others. Calm heads prevail, and prevailing is good for us, our employees, and our business.
8. Member agrees to disclose any conflict of interest to the GCLA/Ombudsman Committee at the time the conflict is known. This principle helps us- help you. It helps to protect you as early as soon as possible to stop or mitigate further damage that might come from the conflict of interest. You do get credit and a good reputation from bringing these issues forward. No one can see or know all things upfront. We are very busy, and the details slip by sometimes. But once a conflict is known, it should be corrected immediately. The GCLA and its Ombudsman Committee is dedicated to finding successful ways forward to resolve any matter you have before you. We want your success and we are on your side.
9. Member agrees not to use vulgar language, bully, intimidate, threaten or physically (including legally or monetarily) abuse another member(s). Aggressive language and behavior makes everyone shut down. When people are shut down from one another- businesses are shut down from one another. This hurts our businesses and reputations. The GCLA encourages you to speak and act in ways that build up people and businesses- especially yours. Let the GCLA help you resolve disagreements or disputes. This is our job and we take it seriously.
10. Member agrees to keep current with association financial commitments. Following the RRFH, it is an act of respect, responsibility, fairness, and honesty to keep current with your membership dues with the GCLA. We are here for you and we ask that you’re here for us. With teamwork we will be successful in guiding you in making good decisions for your business. The GCLA is not about us- it’s about you.