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First
Trade Registry™ CODE OF ETHICS
PART
ONE
PREAMBLE
The
following may be considered either a "CODE OF ETHICS" or a
"CODE OF CONDUCT" or both. No prior "Model" for
First Trade Registry™ exists. FTR is not a corporation and does not
completely resemble any other known business model and is, therefore,
unique.
First
Trade Registry™ is a Global Marketer, a professional networking
services association of independent Partner/Members conducting
business within an entrepreneurial, IT communications environment
including
1.
Mobile World Direct Marketing 2.
For sale By Owner Advocate™ 3.
Women On The Job.com™ 4.
Men On The Job.com™ 5. Work at Home - Go Ahead, Ask™
The
“CODE OF ETHICS” applies in precisely the same way to each of the
above First Trade Registry™ businesses and will do so for all future
businesses that may be added.
What
follows is the formulation of a code of ethics and conduct that
relates to traditional business practices combined with many that are
unique only to First Trade Registry™ Partner/Members and Businesses.
First
Trade Registry™ Partner/ Members and Associates (FTRPMA) conduct
their businesses with integrity, credibility and the desire to succeed
without misleading the consumer. They are committed to providing a
positive, constructive and action-oriented environment that supports
diversity in individuals and their talents, thoughts, and
perspectives.
First Trade Registry’s foundation is built on PERSONAL LOYALTY and is paramount to forming new "life-long" successful mutually beneficial business relationships with members of our community! Loyalty and Teamwork are crucially important to our continued success, along with you making a personal commitment to follow this code – both in letter and in spirit. If you’re not loyal please, do not seek membership. This is not a job, but a journey - WE WORK TOGETHER, SURVIVE, AND FINANCIALLY PROSPER! Loyalty Rules!!
Where
the words First Trade Registry™ are used in this Code and Preamble,
it shall be deemed to include First Trade Registry™ Partner/Members
& Associates (FTRPMA) regardless of the name of the business es
they operate. While our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
establishes obligations that may be higher than those mandated by law,
in any instance where the Code and the law conflict, the obligations
of the law must take precedence.
First
Trade Registry’s Code of Ethics cannot describe every business
practice or principle related to honest and ethical conduct.
It provides a framework to FTR Partner/ Members and others who may be
associated with a Partner/Member or Members. Since each Partner/Member
is an independent operator of his/her own home-based business or
businesses, it is the Partner/Member’s sole responsibility to
conduct business as an FTR Partner/Member with honesty, integrity and
lawfully and stand committed to sound ethical business practices
through self regulation.
First
Trade Registry's (FTR) most valuable assets are its Membership of
Independent Partner/Members and Associates. Also it’s intellectual
property, trade secrets, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, and
it's confidential information that is vital to the success of FTR.
"Confidential information" is business, technical
information, both oral and written about FTR, its Partner/Members,
products, clients, or customers that is classified as proprietary,
secret, or confidential, or not known to the public or our competitors
and which provides FTR with a competitive advantage.
The
title “First Trade Registry™” connotes:
1."First"
meaning First Trade Registry™; is #1, preceding all others in rank,
dignity, excellence, quality of merchandise and service. The first of its kind, a visionary
business like no other.
2."Trade"
meaning skilled profession, business, craft,
clientele-customers-business of exchanging
commodities and services
for a fee, all persons engaged in the same line of
business, to barter, to traffic, to carry on a trade or
business for the purpose of buying, selling, or swapping.
3."Registry"
meaning "Information system", FTR’s official record,
FTR’s trademarked name, an official listing
containing the products and records of diverse information.
"FTRPMA"
is synonymous with competency, fairness and high integrity resulting
from adherence to the ageless standard expressed by THE GOLDEN RULE;
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
"FTRPMA"
abide by the FTR "Honor System”, the Cornerstone of First Trade
Registry™. Mature judgment and personal integrity are qualities all
Partner/Members & Associates must possess and employ. An Honor
Council has been appointed to deal with issues arising when the
conduct of a Partner/Member/Associate is questioned. Inappropriate
conduct is never tolerated and can result in termination of an FTRPMA
Membership.
By
sharing the following with the reader, it is FTR’s hope that the
nature of the relationship between FTR and the FTRPMA can only be
understood as completely interdependent and inseparable.
PART
TWO
STATEMENT
OF POLICY AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
First
Trade Registry's Code of Ethics sets forth a comprehensive overview of
our business philosophy and practices and is presented on our Web Site
as a statement of policy for the public at large. However, contained
herein are policies and practices, terms and definitions that
specifically pertain to the daily conduct of Partner/Members. The
policies and terms presented below are standards which must be
maintained by all who are associated with First Trade Registry™.
THE
HONOR SYSTEM “The Cornerstone of First Trade Registry™
The
honor system is the highest expression of trust. FTR’s success
depends upon each Partner/Member’s willingness to uphold the ideals
that bind First Trade Registry™ business builders together and makes
unique, the global “Membership” to which they belong.
Mature
judgment and personal integrity are qualities all Partner/Members must
possess and employ. The nature of the extraordinary freedom, granted
to a Partner/Member by FTR, to operate an independent, home based
business, should not be misinterpreted as permission to operate
outside the guidelines set forth by First Trade Registry™.
Partner/Members must view the guidelines as a formula for success
rather than a list of restrictive rules.
The
honor system, when respected, earns and maintains the respect of the
public and, most importantly, those with whom FTRPMA conduct business.
THE
HONOR COUNCIL
On
behalf of First Trade Registry Partner/Members an Honor Council has
been appointed to deal with issues arising when the conduct of a
Partner/Member is questioned. The Honor Council will be responsible
for interpreting said questionable conduct and recommending
appropriate action, if needed. The Honor Council consists of five (5)
Partner/Members in good standing. Misconduct by a Partner/Member is
defined as a deliberate or irresponsible action or deed relating to
any and all aspects of said Partner/Member’s function as a First
Trade Registry Partner/Member. Misconduct as defined above falls into
two broad categories;
I.
CONDUCT RELATING TO THE INTERACTION OF PARTNER/MEMBERS WITH CLIENTS
AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.
Proper
conduct toward First Trade Registry Partner/Members’ clients is
easily defined as the observance of good business practices. The
principles of courtesy, fairness, honesty and integrity apply in all
respects. Exceptions can never be justified and will not be tolerated.
Because Partner/Members provide services, the reputation and the good
will of the community are paramount to the success of Partner/Members
and to FTR. As far as most buyers and sellers are concerned, The
Partner/Member is First Trade Registry.
Partner/Members
who demonstrate a disregard for these principles will be warned by the
Honor Council. If misconduct, as defined by First Trade Registry,
persists, the Honor Council may place a Partner/Member on probation,
or revoke his/her membership.
II.
CONDUCT RELATING TO THE DISCHARGE OF DUTIES TO FIRST TRADE REGISTRY
AND OTHER PARTNER MEMBERS.
It
is inconceivable that a Partner/Member’s conduct to his/her fellow
Partner/Members needs to be defined. "The Golden Rule"
should suffice as the only directive a Partner/Member should require.
Let it be simply stated then, that respectful and responsible behavior
toward other Partner/Members is expected.
ETHICAL
SALES PRACTICES First
Trade Registry Partners/Members shall:
A.
Conduct themselves in a professional, courteous and considerate
manner;
B.
Represent First Trade Registry products and services in a sincere and
honest manner and honor First Trade Registry's Code of Ethics.
C.
Represent First Trade Registry's' Compensation Plan in an honest
manner;
D.
Become familiar with and utilize First Trade Registry's marketing
techniques, compensation plan and statement of policies and other
materials as prescribed by First Trade Registry.
E.
Present First Trade Registry Independent Business Ownership
Partnership/Membership, Associate Advertising Membership in a manner
which is consistent with First trade registry's material and provide
training, motivation and
support to First Trade Registry Partner/Members in their support line.
F.
Not engage in any deceptive, unlawful, or unethical business or
recruiting practices, high pressure selling or marketing illegal
merchandise of any kind.
G.
Refrain from engaging in any deceptive, unlawful, or unethical
business or recruiting practices such as engaging
in any high pressure selling or recruiting practices enrolling
minors or persons who are not capable of making an informed decision
with respect to entering into a business relationship with First Trade
Registry.
H.
Seek in any way to violate or circumvent First Trade Registry's
policies or code of ethics. First Trade Registry Partner/Members are
restricted from marketing any item that would and could be marketed by
and through First Trade Registry for the purpose of circumventing
First Trade Registry and avoid paying rightful commissions and fees to
First Trade Registry and/or said Partner/Members' support line.
Violation of this policy will result in immediate revocation of the
offenders' First Trade Registry membership.
I.
Transactions in progress will be assigned to and completed by another
Partner/Member and all monies resulting from the successful completion
of those transactions will be distributed to the appropriate
Partner/Members and First Trade Registry.
J.
Partner/Member applicants who own businesses marketing items or
services duplicating those marketed by First Trade Registry may be
approved for membership if the relationship is seen to be advantageous
to both parties. In that
case questions regarding violation of any policy set forth herein may
be brought before the Honor Council for adjudication.
OBLIGATIONS
OF PARTNER/MEMBERS, As
an Independent Business Owner, it is FTRPMA responsibility to:
A.
Abide by any and all federal, state, provincial, county, and local
laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the acquisition, marketing,
selling, locating, distributing, or advertising of First Trade
Registry products and services and the promotion of the `First Trade
Registry™ partner/membership and or Associate Advertising
Membership.
B.
At the Partners/Members, Associate Advertising Members own expense,
make, execute or file all such reports and obtain such licenses as
required by law or public authority with respect to his/her
Independent Business Ownership and/or receipt, holding, selling,
marketing or promoting of First Trade Registry products and services.
C.
Be solely responsible for declaration and payment of all local, state,
provincial, federal and general sales taxes and fees as may accrue
because of the Partner/Member,. Associate
Advertising Member activities in conjunction with his/or her own
Business Ownership.
D.
Supply all of his/her own equipment and tools for operating his/her
business such as computer, telephone, transportation, office
equipment, office supplies and professional services and
E.
Provide his/her own place of business and determine his/her own work
hours.
INHERITANCE
OF BUSINESS Any
First Trade Registry's Partners business which is defined, as his or
her support line, and all the monies derived from this business, may
be inherited by a single person or a trust. It must comply with FTR
guidelines pursuant to a valid will or other appropriate document, or
in accordance with intestacy laws of the state, province, or country
in which the partner resides.
SALE
OR TRANSFER OF BUSINESS A.
Any First Trade Registry partner/member can sell or transfer his/her
business, which is defined, as his/her support line, and all monies
derived. (B) The sale or transfer of a First Trade Registry
partner’s business must be approved in writing by First Trade
Registry as being in the best interest of all parties involved.
ONE
BUSINESS PER PERSON OR MARRIED COUPLE A
Partner may not own, or operate or have a financial interest in more
than one Independent First Trade Registry business. Married couples
are treated as a single partner for the purpose of this policy.
AMENDMENTS
TO COMPENSATION PLAN, STATEMENT OF POLICIES, AND /OR USER AGREEMENT Upon
notification to Partners/Members, Associate Advertisers, First Trade
Registry may, at its sole discretion, amend the Compensation Plan,
Statement of Policies & Definitions of Terms, and/or User
Agreement. Please review Terms of Use - User Agreement:
http://www.firsttraderegistry.com/legal/terms_of_use.htm
INCOME
CLAIMS
Partners/Members
are prohibited from making false, misleading or inaccurate claims
about their or other persons' compensation received under the First
Trade Registry Compensation Plan.
First
Trade Registry’s Statement of Policies and Definition of Terms will
be updated periodically. Partner/Members will be notified when changes
are made.
PART
THREE
FTRPMA
BUSINESSES; Alike yet Different
FTRPMA
businesses have much in common with each other, yet are distinctly
different in terms of their products, services and markets. One may market
collectible and antique cars while another may engage in wholesale
catalog marketing products directly to consumers. Another may market
only consulting services, or build websites for other businesses. They
are alike because all FTRPMA have their First Trade Registry
Partner/Member/Associate memberships in common. In many cases, this
code of ethics/conduct bridges or combines “Business” ethics,
relating to the ethical responsibilities of one entity, FTR, with the
personal ethics and conduct of the individual, an FTRPMA. FTR, the
entity, deals with the consumer, not directly, but through the
activities of the body of members, the FTRPMA. Since it is the FTRPMA
who deal with consumers, FTR must fulfill IT'S ethical
responsibilities by PROVIDING TEACHING AND TRAINING MATERIALS AND
MAKING CERTAIN ADVERTISING AND MARKETING TOOLS AVAILABLE TO FTRPMA.
FTRPMA ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING TO TRAIN AND PREPARE NEW FTRPMA TO
CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FTR CODE OF ETHICS/CONDUCT.
FTR strives, in this way, to assure the integrity of all FTRPMA.
It
is hoped that readers of this code of ethics will understand that the
following can only be understood completely by realizing that FTR,
“Mobile World Direct Marketing”, “Women On the Job™”, “Men
On The Job.com™”, For Sale By Owner Advocate™ and FTRPMA are
one.
There
is no need to address the similarities and differences of each and
every FTRPMA Business. The only purpose here is to make it clear that,
regardless of the name or nature of each Business, the FTR code of
ethics/conduct uniformly promotes the highest ethical conduct by all
FTRPMA.
Code Of Ethics adopted 1998. Last updated and Amended: January 2012
© Copyright First Trade Registry™, 1998 -2012
All
rights reserved
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