Member Code Of Conduct Sample Scenarios

Everyday decisions and interactions during AFP-related activities—whether during conferences, online webinars, chapter meetings, or committee service — can present ethical and behavioral challenges. These may include how we handle inappropriate actions or speech that conflict with the AFP Member Code of Conduct.

To support ethical decision-making in these contexts, the AFP Member Code of Committee has developed real-world case studies that apply to common situations encountered during AFP events and engagements.

Explore case examples focused on:

• Discriminatory Commentary
• Sexual Harassment
• Intimidation
• Inappropriate Imagery
• Persistent Harassment
• Event Disruption
• Unwelcome Physical Contact
• Cultural Insensitivity
• LGBTQ+ Discrimination

These case studies are designed to reinforce your commitment to integrity, accountability, and professionalism in all AFP-related activities.

Through its Member Code of Conduct, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) strives to create an environment where its members can interact with professionalism, appropriateness, and inclusivity. While it is the hope that members will easily understand and uphold these standards, what follows are scenarios and questions for discussion where principles of the AFP Member Code of Conduct could potentially be informative and provide added clarity. These scenarios represent examples of potential situations where the AFP Member Code of Conduct could be applicable. This list is illustrative of possible violations of the Code but should not be interpreted as exhaustive.

A brief list of resources for further reading, study, and guidance on these and other conduct issues is included at the conclusion of the document.

Discriminatory Commentary

During a fundraising conference panel presented by a local chapter of AFP, a speaker systematically undermines nonprofit leadership from specific ethnic minorities. The speaker claims these groups lack the cultural capital, professional networks, and fundraising acumen to effectively lead organizations seeking donations from predominantly white philanthropic circles. 

Questions for discussion:

• Is this behavior governed by the AFP Member Code of Conduct?
• How might this type of rhetoric impact the broader fundraising ecosystem and perpetuate systemic barriers in philanthropy?
• What aspects of the speaker’s comments constitute discriminatory or demeaning speech?
• What specific actions can conference organizers and attendees take to effectively counter discriminatory narratives when they arise?
• How can professional associations better support and amplify diverse leadership voices in fundraising?

Goal: to prevent or correct deeply offensive stereotypes that create a discriminatory narrative that marginalizes diverse leadership potential.

Sexual Harassment 

At an AFP networking event, a member strategically positions themselves to "coincidentally" encounter a specific attendee multiple times. Initially using seemingly innocuous compliments, the member gradually escalates to increasingly inappropriate personal comments. Despite clear verbal and nonverbal signals of discomfort—including direct requests to stop—the member persists.

Questions for discussion:

• What organizational policies and enforcement mechanisms should be in place to address harassment at professional events?
• At what point did the member’s behavior cross into a violation of the AFP Member Code of Conduct?
• How can, or should, bystanders effectively intervene while maintaining both personal safety and professional relationships?
• What role should event organizers play in preventing and responding to patterns of predatory networking behavior?

Goal: to prevent or correct a calculated pattern of unwelcome sexual attention that exploits professional networking spaces.

Intimidation 

During an AFP ICON workshop on ethical fundraising, a participant becomes increasingly aggressive when challenged about systemic inequities in nonprofit funding. As the presenter provides nuanced, research-based insights into diversity challenges, the participant responds with escalating verbal aggression—yelling, interrupting, and making threatening gestures.

Questions for discussion:

• How does intimidating behavior impact the ability to have necessary conversations about equity in fundraising?
• Is the content of the aggressive comments (e.g., the topic of inequity) determinative of whether the conduct violates the AFP Member Code of Conduct?
• What de-escalation strategies can presenters and organizers employ while ensuring participant safety?
• How can professional development spaces be structured to encourage constructive dialogue about challenging topics?

Goal: to prevent or correct conduct that creates a palpable atmosphere of fear, effectively silencing constructive dialogue and making other attendees feel unsafe.

Inappropriate Imagery 

In a virtual AFP online seminar ostensibly about donor engagement strategies, the presenter includes a series of sexually explicit slides. Some images are described as "illustrative examples," while others appear gratuitous and unrelated to the professional content. 

Questions for discussion:

• When does the inclusion of potentially provocative images become a violation of the AFP Member Code of Conduct?
• What vetting processes should be implemented for virtual presentation content?
• How can organizations balance addressing inappropriate content while minimizing additional exposure to harmful material?
• What immediate and long-term responses are appropriate when professional boundaries are violated in virtual spaces?

Goal: to prevent or correct use of inappropriate visuals that create an uncomfortable and unprofessional environment, potentially constituting sexual harassment.

Persistent Harassment 

After being explicitly told to cease communication, a member of AFP continues sending increasingly personal and inappropriate emails and AFP Connect messages to a colleague. The communications range from passive-aggressive professional critiques to overtly threatening language.

Questions for discussion:

• How can professional networks better protect members from escalating patterns of harassment?
• Does this constitute a violation of the AFP Member Code of Conduct, given that it happened on the online platform, AFP Connect, not at an in-person AFP event or in connection with an AFP role?
• What documentation and reporting protocols should be in place for digital harassment?
• When should organizations involve legal authorities in addressing threatening behavior?

Goal: to prevent and correct conduct that reflects a calculated pattern of professional and personal boundary violations.

Event Disruption 

At the international AFP ICON conference, a participant systematically undermines multiple workshop sessions. Their disruptive behavior includes loud, unsolicited commentary, deliberate interruptions of presenters, and creating an environment of tension and unprofessionalism. 

Questions for discussion:

• How can conferences balance inclusive participation with maintaining a productive learning environment?
• Is this behavior governed by the AFP Member Code of Conduct?
• What escalation procedures should be in place for addressing systematic disruption?
• How might organizers proactively create community guidelines that address disruptive behavior while maintaining professionalism?

Goal: to prevent or correct conduct that interferes with meaningful knowledge exchange, they compromise the educational integrity of the event.

Unwelcome Physical Contact 

At a fundraising gala supporting an AFP chapter, an intoxicated member repeatedly violates personal boundaries by forcefully hugging and touching attendees without consent. Their behavior is not directed at attendees of a particular gender.

Questions for discussion:

• What role should alcohol service play at professional fundraising events? What controls should the presenting organization put in place to avoid difficulties?
• How can organizations better prepare staff and volunteers to intervene in situations involving physical boundary violations?
• Is this behavior governed by the AFP Code of Ethical Standards or the AFP Member Code of Conduct – and does it matter whether AFP has a connection to the fundraising gala?
• What policies should be in place regarding members whose behavior creates safety concerns?

Goal:  to prevent and correct attendee conduct that shows disregard for professional conduct and personal autonomy and that create an environment of potential physical and psychological threat.

Cultural Insensitivity 

During an AFP regional conference, several members repeatedly make disparaging comments about attendees wearing religious and cultural attire, including hijab, keffiyeh, and yarmulke. When addressed by conference organizers, they defend their comments as "legitimate concerns about professional appearance," suggesting these traditional garments are "too ethnic" for fundraising meetings with major donors. Despite education about religious freedom and cultural expression, they continue making uncomfortable remarks and advocating for a "more conventional dress code.".

Questions for discussion:

• How does the suggestion that traditional religious and cultural attire is "too ethnic" for donor meetings reflect deeper biases about wealth, philanthropy, and cultural identity? What assumptions about donors does this perspective reveal?
• In what way would these comments violate the Member Code of Conduct?
• What are the professional and ethical implications of equating "conventional" dress codes with Western business attire? How might this impact the fundraising profession's ability to engage with diverse communities authentically?
• In what ways does pressure to conform to "conventional" dress standards create barriers for fundraising professionals from different religious and cultural backgrounds? How might this affect recruitment, retention, and advancement in the profession?
• When members justify discriminatory comments as "legitimate concerns about professional appearance," how should AFP leadership respond in a way that both educates and upholds organizational values?

Goal: to prevent and correct behavior that creates an exclusionary environment that undermines the organization's commitment to diversity and religious respect

LGBTQ+ Discrimination 

During an AFP regional conference panel on family services fundraising, a member publicly objects to a panelist, citing their visible LGBTQ+ identity. The member claims that having an openly queer fundraiser will "confuse donors" when representing organizations serving children. When the moderator emphasizes AFP's commitment to inclusion, the member distinguishes their objection as "just my personal values position" while continuing to make targeted and increasingly specific comments about the panelist's "lifestyle choices" and "agenda." 

Questions for discussion:

• Is this behavior governed by the AFP Member Code of Conduct?
• How can AFP distinguish between a member's right to hold personal values versus conduct that creates a hostile professional environment?
• What responsibilities do moderators and organizers have when member speech crosses from protected expression into harassment or discrimination?
• How should AFP balance respect for diverse viewpoints while ensuring conferences remain safe and inclusive for all members?

Goal: to prevent and correct harassing behavior based on gender identity or sexual orientation, in violation of the AFP Member Code of Conduct.

Resources for further reading, study, and reflection

In development. Please check back for updates to this section.