GPER Corporate Relations Guidelines
The below guidelines outline GPER’s principles related to its relationships with corporate partners and reflect GPER’s commitment to the highest standards of organizational integrity.
The following principles were adopted by the GPER Board of Directors on March 18, 2022.
The principles are based on the premise that in certain circumstances, GPER should participate in arrangements with third parties such as corporations which (when the principles are met) can further GPER’s core purpose, retain GPER’s independence, avoid conflicts of interest, and guard our organizational values.
The principles should serve as a starting point for anyone reviewing or developing GPER’s relationships with outside groups, businesses and organizations.
1. GPER’s mission statement, vision and values should provide guidance for externally funded relationships and proposed activities. GPER’s vision and values ultimately must determine whether a proposed relationship is appropriate for GPER.
GPER’s mission is to improve quality of life and reduce suffering for children with moderate to severe eczema and their families. GPER’s vision is a world where children no longer suffer from eczema. GPER’s values are: inclusivity, patient centeredness, collaboration, impartiality, innovation, urgency and research-based.
The third-party should demonstrate a high degree of integrity, a positive reputation and a track record of ethical business practices, as evidenced by its compliance with all applicable laws and codes of ethics. GPER may, in its sole discretion, approve or reject any proposal for collaboration or application from a potential third-party organization, and may refrain from comment or explanation regarding the reason for the rejection. GPER should not have relationships with organizations or industries whose principles, policies, or actions obviously conflict with GPER’s vision and values.
2. The relationship must preserve or promote trust in GPER. To be effective, GPER requires the public’s trust. Relationships that undermine the public’s trust in GPER are not acceptable. For example, no relationship should raise questions about the scientific content of GPER’s communications, advocacy, or the truthfulness of its public statements.
3. The relationship must maintain GPER’s objectivity with respect to health issues. GPER accepts funds from external organizations only if acceptance does not pose a conflict of interest and in no way impacts the objectivity of GPER, its members, activities, programs, or employees. GPER has sole discretion in choosing its sponsors and program partners.
4. The activity must ultimately benefit children impacted by eczema and their families.
5. The relationship must preserve GPER’s control over any projects and products bearing GPER’s name or logo. GPER retains editorial control over any information produced as part of an externally funded arrangement.
When a GPER program or publication receives external financial support, GPER must remain in control of its name, logo, and content and must approve all marketing materials to ensure that the message is congruent with GPER’s vision and values. All materials in print, broadcast, or electronic media prepared by the third-party supporter, including ad copy and artwork, must be submitted to GPER for pre-approval prior to release. Third parties that fund GPER are not to have editorial control over any materials produced by GPER and are not permitted to preview GPER’s materials prior to their publication.
6. Relationships must not permit or encourage influence by the corporate partner on GPER. A corporate relationship must not permit influence by the partner on GPER’s policies, priorities, or actions.
7. All third-party supporter agreements shall be structured, fulfilled, and documented in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including any voluntary codes of conduct and/or policies set by the government or industry.
8. GPER does not directly endorse a third-party’s products or services. Participation in a sponsorship program does not imply GPER’s endorsement of an entity or its policies. Participation in sponsorship of a GPER program does not imply GPER’s approval of that third party’s general policies, nor does it imply that GPER will exert any influence to advance the third party’s interests outside the substance of the arrangement itself.
9. GPER’s public communications will be transparent regarding the purpose and activities of corporate or third-party sponsorships.
10. GPER retains the right to terminate a third-party supporter relationship with 30 days’ written notice based on actions taken by the third-party that GPER deems have the potential to damage GPER’s image and/or public trust.
When GPER enters into a sponsorship or other agreement with a party both entities will be required to sign a written agreement indicating that the above guiding principles and policies are understood. The written agreement will also clarify the terms and conditions of any cooperative program.
GPER values the support it receives from corporate and organization partners to further GPER’s mission through research, policy and family support.