Northern Village Code of Ethics

This document outlines guiding principles of ethical conduct that inform the decision making and daily practices of Northern Village. Although our guiding principles cannot address every issue or provide answers to every dilemma, they can define the spirit in which we intend to do business.

 

The first set of principles guiding Northern Village, are stated in the B Corp Declaration of Interdependence, which reads as follows:

 

B Corp Declaration of Interdependence

We envision a global economy that uses business as a force for good.

This economy is comprised of a new type of corporation - the B Corporation -
Which is purpose-driven and creates benefit for all stakeholders, not just shareholders.

As B Corporations and leaders of this emerging economy, we believe:

  • That we must be the change we seek in the world.
  • That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place mattered.
  • That, through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all.
  • To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations.

Source: https://bcorporation.net/about-b-corps

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement

As a B Corp, we are in business as a force for good. This includes creating sustainable employment, above a livable wage, for creative and flexible workers who share our interest in using technology to benefit our social and natural environments.

We value diversity, equity, and inclusion (JEDI) within our team, and among our clients and partners. We encourage applicants from historically marginalized identities, and we strive to respect, support, and accommodate the holistic needs, experiences, and aspirations of our team

J.E.D.I. Commitments

We recognize that myriad forms of injustice, inequity, homogeneity, and exclusion characterize the social and environmental spheres in which we live and work. We strive to counter these conditions by demonstrating a high degree of respect for the land, resources, and life forms with which we relate. We do that by letting the following commitments determine our decision making and daily conduct:

  1. Recognizing that technology is not always used for the betterment of society as a whole, we commit to using technology for positive ends, with respect for privacy, the dignity of the individual, and the power of people in solidarity. We do this by enabling people to have control over their tools and information, and to connect with the wider world.
  2. We acknowledge that there is more than one way to do or understand anything. We strive to remain receptive to the diverse knowledges, approaches, and perspectives that others offer us in collaboration. We regard our differences as opportunities for learning, agility, and innovation.
  3. We practice kind, professional, and receptive communication, by listening and speaking in ways that demonstrate reverence for all.
  4. We strive to enfranchise the disenfranchised when deciding who we work with and invest in, be they team members, clients, or suppliers.
  5. We honour our team members by providing a better than living wage, flexibility in the hours and conditions of work, training to help them develop their personal and professional capacities, and credit for their efforts and ideas. We do this so that they can experience satisfaction, growth, and purpose in their daily lives because we value them holistically as human beings.
  6. We expect that our team members will consistently develop a thorough understanding of the needs of clients and colleagues, and deliver on their obligations and responsibilities to the best of their abilities.
  7. We recognize that our clients’ stakeholders are our indirect stakeholders, and many of them do not have an immediate voice in the work that we do. For this reason, we will seek ways of informing, guiding, and evaluating our work with input from project beneficiaries, especially those most marginalized within the digital economy.
  8. We minimize our environmental footprint and are mindful about our use of resources. Our Environmental Policy outlines how we will demonstrate that we take seriously our role as environmental stewards.
  9. We work in solidarity with our suppliers to develop a more just digital economy. For this reason, we value reliable long-term relationships with suppliers whose principles align with our own. We examine our suppliers’ policies and ethical practices, and we prioritize working with B Corps, and Canadian ownership. (See how we evaluate our suppliers using our Supplier Questionnaire.)
  10. Our marketing is about nurturing relationships, promoting our clients, and advancing their causes. As such, we will not use our marketing platforms to make unsubstantiated claims or disparage others. We will also ensure we have the clear and complete consent of others before mentioning them in our marketing material.

Anti-Racism Solidarity Statement

We are committed, at all levels of the organization, to ongoing learning and discussion about racism and its harm. This will help us see more clearly the deliberate policies and actions we must take to dismantle any systemic and structural racism embedded in our company. We are committed to consistently improving and developing the cultural competency of every employee through ongoing training, discussion, and resources.

Commitment to Excellence

At times, we are all faced with decisions we would rather not have to make and issues we would prefer to avoid. Sometimes, we hope that if we avoid confronting a problem, it will simply go away. At Northern Village, we must have the courage to tackle tough topics and make difficult choices, secure in the knowledge that are committed to doing the right thing. At times this will mean doing more than what is minimally expected or required of us. This is how we define excellence.

Digital Responsibility

Northern Village believes that it's our responsibility to be aware of the impact that technology has on our health, environment, and society at-large. We are committed to using digital products, services, and practices responsibly, to help advance social and environmental good. We aim to enable people to have control over their tools and information, so they can connect with the wider world.

We wish to see and support the development of an internet that:

  • includes all the peoples of the earth — where a person’s demographic or physical characteristics do not determine their online access, opportunities, or quality of experience.
  • elevates critical thinking, reasoned argument, shared knowledge, and verifiable facts.
  • catalyzes collaboration among diverse communities working together for the common good.

(Bullets are adapted from the Mozilla Pledge for a Healthy Internet.)

Corporate Recordkeeping

All corporate records must be true, accurate and complete, and company data must be promptly and accurately entered in our books in accordance with Northern Village’s and other applicable accounting principles.

We must not improperly influence, manipulate, or mislead any unauthorized audit, nor interfere with any auditor engaged to perform an internal independent audit of Northern Village books, records, processes, or internal controls.