Georgia Life Sciences Code of Conduct
Georgia Life Sciences is committed to maintaining a professional, respectful, and collaborative community. View the GLS Code of Conduct to learn more about our expectations for members and participants.
Georgia Life Sciences Code of Conduct
Purpose
Georgia Life Sciences (“GLS”) is committed to fostering a professional, inclusive, collaborative, and trusted environment in which members and partners can work together to strengthen Georgia’s life sciences ecosystem.
This Code of Conduct establishes the standards of behavior expected of GLS members, directors, officers, committee and council participants, volunteers, staff, speakers, sponsors, and other individuals participating in GLS activities or representing GLS.
The Code is intended to support the mission and reputation of Georgia Life Sciences and to promote integrity, respect, transparency, lawful competition, and responsible stewardship of the organization and the life sciences community it serves.
1. Professional and Respectful Conduct
Individuals participating in GLS activities are expected to:
- Treat others with professionalism, courtesy, respect, and good faith.
- Foster an environment where diverse perspectives and constructive disagreement are welcomed.
- Communicate honestly and respectfully, including when addressing differences of opinion.
- Refrain from harassment, discrimination, intimidation, threats, or abusive behavior.
- Conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on Georgia Life Sciences.
2. Integrity and Ethical Conduct
GLS participants are expected to:
- Act honestly and ethically in their interactions with GLS and its members.
- Provide accurate and truthful information when acting on behalf of GLS.
- Avoid deceptive, fraudulent, or misleading conduct.
- Honor commitments made to GLS and to other participants in GLS programs and activities.
- Comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
3. Antitrust and Fair Competition
Georgia Life Sciences is committed to promoting collaboration while preserving fair and lawful competition among its members.
Members and participants shall not use GLS meetings, councils, committees, events, communications, or other activities to:
- Fix, establish, coordinate, or discuss prices, fees, discounts, margins, costs, or other competitively sensitive terms;
- Allocate customers, suppliers, territories, markets, products, or services;
- Coordinate bids, proposals, purchasing decisions, or business opportunities;
- Agree to boycott or refuse to deal with a particular company, supplier, customer, or other party;
- Exchange non-public, competitively sensitive information, including current or future pricing, costs, output, capacity, strategic plans, customer-specific information, or other confidential competitive information;
- Coordinate decisions regarding hiring, employee compensation, recruiting, or solicitation of employees; or
- Engage in any other conduct that could unlawfully restrain competition.
Participants should limit discussions at GLS activities to the legitimate purpose of the meeting or event. If a discussion raises a potential antitrust concern, participants should immediately stop the discussion and notify GLS leadership.
GLS may establish additional antitrust compliance procedures and training for members, directors, council members, staff, and other participants as appropriate.
4. Confidentiality and Responsible Information Sharing
Participants shall respect confidential, proprietary, and non-public information shared through GLS activities.
Individuals should not disclose or use confidential information obtained through GLS for personal or organizational advantage without authorization.
GLS participants should exercise particular care when discussing information that could affect another organization's competitive position, including research and development plans, business strategies, financial information, intellectual property, customer information, personnel information, or other proprietary information.
Nothing in this provision prevents individuals from making disclosures required by law or exercising legally protected rights.
5. Conflicts of Interest
Individuals serving in leadership, governance, advisory, council, or volunteer roles should disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest that could affect their ability to act objectively on behalf of GLS.
A conflict does not necessarily prohibit participation. GLS may determine that disclosure, recusal, or other appropriate measures are sufficient to address the conflict.
6. Use of GLS Resources and Information
GLS resources, facilities, information, branding, membership lists, event platforms, and other organizational assets shall be used responsibly and for authorized purposes.
Participants may not represent themselves as speaking on behalf of Georgia Life Sciences unless authorized to do so.
GLS branding, name, logo, and other intellectual property may not be used in a manner that implies endorsement, sponsorship, or official representation without authorization.
7. Appropriate Use of GLS Events and Councils
GLS events, councils, committees, and other convenings are intended to facilitate meaningful industry engagement, education, collaboration, and ecosystem development.
Participants are expected to:
- Come prepared and contribute constructively;
- Respect the purpose and agenda of the meeting;
- Allow others an opportunity to participate;
- Keep discussions focused on the stated objectives;
- Respect confidential or sensitive information shared by other participants; and
- Avoid using GLS convenings primarily for inappropriate solicitation, disruption, or conduct inconsistent with the purpose of the organization.
Nothing in this section is intended to restrict legitimate business development, networking, recruitment, or member engagement that is consistent with the purpose of a particular GLS event or activity.
8. Communications and Public Representation
Individuals representing GLS publicly shall communicate accurately and professionally.
Participants should distinguish between:
- Their personal or organizational views;
- Positions formally adopted by Georgia Life Sciences; and
- Statements made on behalf of Georgia Life Sciences.
Only authorized representatives may speak for GLS or communicate an official GLS position.
9. Compliance with This Code
Participation in GLS membership activities, councils, committees, events, or other programs may be subject to compliance with this Code.
GLS may respond to conduct that violates this Code in a manner appropriate to the circumstances, which may include:
- Informal counseling or clarification;
- Request for corrective action;
- Removal from a meeting, event, council, or committee;
- Suspension or termination of participation in a GLS program or activity;
- Referral to the Board of Directors; or
- Suspension or termination of membership, consistent with the Bylaws and applicable policies.
Nothing in this Code limits GLS's ability to take immediate action when necessary to protect individuals, the organization, or the integrity of a GLS activity.
10. Reporting Concerns
Individuals who believe that this Code has been violated are encouraged to report the concern to the President & CEO, Executive Vice President, Board Chair, or another designated representative of Georgia Life Sciences.
Reports should be made in good faith and should include sufficient information for GLS to understand and evaluate the concern.
GLS will handle reports as appropriately and confidentially as practicable, recognizing that confidentiality cannot always be guaranteed.
Retaliation against an individual who makes a good-faith report or participates in a review of a concern is prohibited.
11. No Waiver of Legal or Other Rights
This Code establishes standards for participation in Georgia Life Sciences activities but does not create or modify any legal rights or obligations beyond those otherwise applicable.
Nothing in this Code is intended to restrict lawful competition, protected speech, legally protected activity, or any rights provided by applicable law.
