Code of ethics of the association

Document: POK-ETK-20260617-001 – Code of ethics of the association · Revision: rev02 · Brno, 23 June 2026

Purpose of the document

This code of ethics sets out the core values and principles of conduct for members, volunteers and collaborators of Power of Kindness z. s.

The code serves to protect the trust of donors, aid recipients, partner organisations, the good name of the association and the purposeful use of donations.

The code does not replace the articles of association, internal directives, contracts or decisions of the association's bodies. Those documents are interpreted and applied in line with the values of this code.

1. Mission and public-benefit activity

The association carries out public-benefit activity in accordance with its articles of association and mission.

The association's activity is focused in particular on supporting animals in distress, persons and entities that care for them, and related humanitarian, veterinary, material, technical, logistical and organisational aid.

The association acts so that the aid provided is purposeful, proportionate, verifiable and in line with its capacity and mission.

2. Priority of animal care and truthful designation of aid

The association's main priority is help for animals in distress and support for their care.

The association truthfully distinguishes to whom and for what purpose aid is provided. If aid has several benefits at once, its purpose is assessed and described according to the actual meaning and main reason for providing the aid.

The purpose of aid must not be concealed, embellished or retrospectively presented as a different purpose in internal records, reports or public communication.

A secondary benefit for another person or group of recipients is permissible if it is proportionate, materially related and truthfully described.

3. Truthfulness, responsibility and dignity in communication

The association communicates truthfully, factually, clearly and proportionately to the circumstances.

Members, volunteers and collaborators must not knowingly spread false, misleading, manipulative or unverified information that could damage the trust of donors, partners, aid recipients or the public.

The association's public communication should be dignified, courteous, responsible and based on facts.

4. Purposeful and honest handling of resources

The association handles entrusted resources economically, purposefully and honestly.

Donations and other resources are used for the purpose for which they were obtained, or for a purpose corresponding to the association's mission.

The association's resources must not be misused for personal enrichment, private benefit or a purpose contrary to the association's mission.

The use of resources should be reasonably documented and explainable in retrospect.

5. Transparency

The association maintains appropriate and understandable transparency of its activity.

Transparency is ensured in particular by publishing information on activity, aid reports, annual reports, financial statements and other appropriate supporting materials.

The association strives to enable donors, partners and the public to reasonably verify how aid was provided and how entrusted resources were used.

Transparency does not mean an obligation to publish information whose disclosure could endanger the safety of persons, animals, partners, aid recipients, property or the association's legitimate interests.

6. Protection of privacy, security and confidential information

The association protects the privacy, security and dignity of donors, members, volunteers, partners, aid recipients and other affected persons.

Personal, contact, security-related, partnership, accounting and other non-public data are handled carefully, proportionately and only for a legitimate purpose.

When creating, storing and publishing photographs, videos, reports and other materials, the association acts so as not to endanger persons, animals, partners, aid recipients or the association's legitimate interests.

When operating in a risky or crisis environment, the association exercises heightened caution, discretion and security. Visual, audio and other materials are created and published only to a proportionate extent and in a way that does not endanger persons, animals, aid locations, partners or further related activity.

7. Non-discrimination and respect

The association acts with respect for the dignity of persons, diversity, equal opportunities and the protection of vulnerable persons and animals.

The association does not permit discrimination prohibited by law or conduct based on humiliation, hatred or exploitation of vulnerability.

Factual, territorial or capacity-related focus of aid is not discrimination if it follows from the association's mission, available options and the ability to provide aid safely and purposefully.

8. Political neutrality

The association does not take part in political campaigns and does not support political parties, political movements or individual candidates.

The private political views of members, volunteers or collaborators must not be presented as the association's position.

The association's communication focuses on aid, facts, recipients' needs and the results of its activity.

9. Conflict of interest

Members, volunteers and collaborators act to prevent conflicts of interest and to protect the trust of donors, partners, the public and the association.

A significant personal, family, property, employment, organisational or other link that could influence decision-making or raise doubts about impartiality must be disclosed appropriately.

A disclosed conflict of interest is assessed according to the circumstances of the specific matter. The solution adopted should be proportionate to the nature of the conflict, the significance of the decision and the protection of trust in the association.

10. Responsibility when acting on behalf of the association

Persons acting on behalf of the association act honestly, responsibly and in a way that does not harm the association's good name.

No one may create the impression of authority they do not have, bind the association without authorisation, promise support without authority or use the association for personal, commercial, political or other unrelated presentation.

The association's name, logo, communication channels, entrusted resources and other tools are used only for purposes related to the association's activity and with due care.

11. Breach of the code

Suspected breach of the code may be reported by a member, volunteer, donor, partner, aid recipient or another person.

Reports are handled factually, proportionately, discreetly and without undue delay.

A breach of the code may, depending on severity, lead to a warning, restriction of authority, termination of cooperation, a proposal to end membership or other appropriate steps.

Final provisions

This code is an internal governance document of Power of Kindness z. s.

The code is not part of the articles of association. It serves as a values and interpretive framework for the association's conduct and for persons acting on its behalf.

The code may be updated according to the association's needs, the development of its activity, legal requirements and practical experience. Amendments to the code should preserve its core values, in particular truthfulness, transparency, protection of donors' trust, purposeful use of donations, security, responsibility and appropriate resolution of conflicts of interest.

The code takes effect on the date of approval unless otherwise stated.