Global H2O Policies

It is our policy to maintain the highest level of ethical behavior. This section outlines our policies— adopted from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In order to achieve and maintain 501 C3 status as a non-profit charitable organisation, we find it of utmost importance that trust is instilled between donors and the charity.

Therefore we will constantly work to create, review and amend policy to make sure that you, the donor, can feel certain that you are dealing with the most ethical and efficient non-profit.

Please feel free to comment or suggest anything you like. We love to hear your thoughts on how we can improve.

Ethics at Global H2O

The foundation is committed to lawful and ethical behavior in all of its activities and requires its employees and volunteers to conduct themselves in a manner that complies with all applicable laws and regulations. If at any time a concern exists regarding the propriety or legality of any action contemplated to be taken or that has been taken by any foundation employee, volunteer, or grantee, contractor, vendor, as the action relates to foundation activities, or if an action needs to be taken in order for the foundation to be in compliance with law or appropriate ethical standards, you can address the issue directly by going to your manager or to the next level of management as needed until matters are satisfactorily resolved. Alternatively, if you are not comfortable speaking to a manager or do not feel your issue has been properly addressed, you may contact the Managing Director. If you do not believe that these channels of communication can/should be used to express their concerns, you may utilize the anonymous hotline service the foundation has established with EthicsPoint. Under this policy (sometimes referred to as a “whistleblower policy”), those who report illegal or improper activity will be protected. Efforts will be made to treat a report of unethical or illegal conduct as confidential, consistent with the need to investigate and prevent or correct the action.

The individual making the report will not be discharged, threatened, harassed, or discriminated against for reporting in good faith what they perceive to be wrongdoing, violations of law, or unethical conduct.

Conflict of Interest

The foundation’s Conflict of Interest Policy requires employees to disclose relationships with a potential vendor and provides guidance on managing conflicts.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance in identifying and handling potential and actual conflicts of interest involving the foundation. In most instances, conflicts of interest can be avoided simply by continuing to exercise good judgment and, indeed, the foundation relies on the sound judgment of its employees to prevent many such conflict situations. The foundation is committed to the highest levels of integrity. Employees of the foundation are expected to conduct their relationships with each other, the foundation, and outside organizations with objectivity and honesty. The general rule is that: foundation employees or volunteers are obligated to avoid and disclose ethical, legal, financial, or other conflicts of interest involving the foundation, and remove themselves from a position of decision-making authority with respect to any conflict situation involving the foundation.

Travel Policy

The foundation’s Staff Travel and Expense Policy requires employees to steward our resources by following guidelines on making and reporting travel and other business-related expenses.

The purpose of this policy is threefold:

• To ensure our policies support employees in performing at their best in the office and while traveling on business.

• To mitigate the impacts of travel on our employees, and support them in integrating and managing their work and personal life.

• To ensure that our policies are appropriate relative to the geographies in which we work.

The foundation assumes that employees will use their best judgment when traveling or spending money in support of foundation-related business.This policy provides specific guidelines on employees’ reporting responsibilities, air and ground travel, lodging, meals, tipping, visas and passports, combining business and personal travel, non-reimbursable expenses, insurance, and other business-related expenses, such as team building and employee recognition.