The Potato Association of AmericaAboutCode of Conduct

​​Code of Conduct

I. Introduction

The Potato Association of America (PAA) is a professional membership organization of professionals working in all areas of potato research, biology, and utilization. This Code of Conduct rests on values important to PAA and the scientific profession and sets forth director, officer, chair of volunteer groups, and member responsibilities to PAA, other PAA members, the public, and others. Affiliation with PAA includes an obligation of self-discipline in complying with this Code of Conduct.

This Code is effective March 21, 2025,  and replaces any earlier professional or other codes of conduct issued by PAA (other than any separate written code of conduct or conduct standards for PAA directors, officers, chairs of volunteer groups, and members which are supplementary to this Code). This Code may be modified at any time by PAA as its leaders determine to be in the best interests of PAA.

II. Scope

This Code sets forth conduct expectations for PAA directors, officers, chairs of volunteer groups, and members, (collectively, “PAA Affiliates”). By accepting a directorship, officer or chair position or membership with PAA, each Affiliate agrees to comply with this Code of Conduct in its current form or as it may be amended in the future.

III. Member Principles

PAA Members are expected to adhere to the following principles.

  1. Members accept the obligation to serve the public interest, honor the public trust, enhance the welfare of humanity, encourage environmental stewardship, and demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and legal and ethical compliance.
  2. Members perform all professional responsibilities with the highest sense of integrity and maintain objectivity and freedom from conflicts of interest in discharging their responsibilities.
  3. Members strive continually to improve their competence and the quality of their work and to discharge all professional responsibilities to the best of their ability.
  4. Members treat others with civility and professionalism, refraining from harassment and discrimination and behavior that is threatening, intolerant, abusive or violent.
  5. Members uphold the highest standards of truthfulness and honesty in all scientific and professional endeavors.
  6. Members evaluate the work of colleagues fairly—with open-mindedness, courtesy, and respect.
  7. Members recognize past and present contributors to science and do not claim undeserved credit for the accomplishments of others.
  8. Members encourage and promote climates where multiple scientific and professional perspectives may be freely expressed.

IV. Conduct Expectations for all PAA Members

PAA values high-quality research, education, professional practice, and service, combined with highly professional, ethical, nondiscriminatory, and collaborative conduct. These values are fundamental to excellence and integrity within PAA and the scientific and academic communities in which PAA members and affiliates operate. PAA directors, officers, chairs of volunteer groups, and members are expected to comply with the following conduct standards:

  • Nondiscrimination and Harassment: PAA is dedicated to providing an environment free of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, ethnicity, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, physical ability, and other legally protected characteristics. In addition, PAA expects all PAA members to refrain from discriminatory or harassing behavior and from sexual misconduct. All communications and interactions should be professional and respectful. Sexual language and imagery and unwelcome sexual overtures or contact are forbidden.
  • Integrity, Courtesy and Respect: PAA members are expected to conduct themselves with integrity, courtesy and respect for others and maintain a high level of professionalism in all PAA interactions. These interactions include, but are not limited to, email or other written communication, phone communication, video interactions, in-person interactions, and PAA events. Members are expected to work and act in a strict spirit of truth and fairness, personal helpfulness and collegiality. In addition, threatening, malicious, abusive and violent conduct is prohibited.
  • Responsible Alcohol Use: Within the conduct of PAA events, PAA members may share and enjoy alcoholic beverages. Members are responsible to ensure that their consumption of alcohol does not cause them to engage in conduct inconsistent with this Code or other PAA policies. PAA directors, officers, employees, members, and others representing the organization are responsible for protecting the image of both PAA and our professional community by taking steps to assure that no PAA member, to include themselves, breaks any laws in the process of purchase, sharing, or consumption of alcoholic beverages in association with PAA sponsored events.
  • Compliance with the Law and Ethics: PAA expects members to comply with laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to their profession and where PAA does business and has events. Members are expected to uphold the dignity and honor of their profession, expose illegal or unethical conduct in the profession, and comply with all applicable ethical standards. Without limiting the foregoing, local laws and ethics related to recreational drugs must also be followed and PAA Affiliates should not be under the influence of recreational drugs or illegal drugs while participating in PAA activities.
  • Prohibition on Scientific and Academic Misconduct: PAA members strive to increase the integrity of the profession by sharing the results of their research through PAA, academic forums, commercial forums, public service, PAA and other journals, and/or other means. PAA members and other Affiliates shall not commit scientific, academic, or other professional misconduct, such as, but not limited to, fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism. Inadvertent scientific error or incorrect interpretation of research data that may occur as part of the normal scientific process does not constitute scientific misconduct.

Without limiting the foregoing:

  • Members must not allow the use of their names, reports, or other technical materials by any enterprise known to be illegal, fraudulent, of questionable character, or contrary to the welfare of the public or the environment.
  • Members must neither seek employment, grants, or personal gain, nor attempt to injure the reputation or opportunities for employment of other scientists by false or undocumented claims or accusations, or by offers of gifts or favors.
  • Members must be accurate in reporting observations made by themselves and others and recognize contributions of others whenever appropriate.
  • Conflicts: PAA members are expected to endeavor to recognize and avoid conflicts of interest and to avoid the abuse of privileged positions or circumstances, including, but not limited to, in connection with the following:
    • review and evaluation of manuscripts;
    • establishment of Association directions and responsibilities;
    • service in PAA or other leadership positions;
  • Non-Retaliation: PAA members must not retaliate against any person(s) who raises a conduct concern under this Code or any other PAA policy or who participates in PAA processes to address such concerns.

V. Reporting Concerns

If you observe behavior that you believe is inconsistent with this Code and you feel it is safe to intervene and feel comfortable doing so, you might intervene by pointing out, respectfully, the conduct that is concerning and should stop. This is not required, but safe bystander intervention can sometimes safely bring problematic behavior to an end. Whether or not bystander intervention occurs, PAA encourages that reports of conduct that may violate this Code be made to PAA as set forth below.

PAA strongly encourages anyone who suspects or knows of conduct in violation of this Code to come forward at the earliest possible point. PAA does not want individuals to wait until a problem becomes overwhelming, extreme, severe, or pervasive. We are committed to stopping misconduct even if the conduct has not risen to the level of a violation of law. Anyone who has a concern that this Code has been violated is encouraged to notify PAA by reporting their concerns to PAA CEO or the PAA VP of Operations.  

If the suspected violation occurs at a PAA event or meeting, including in-person and virtual meetings, the volunteer leaders at the meeting and/or PAA staff in charge of the meeting should be notified. In addition, the online reporting system and toll-free number may also be used.

Some individuals associated with PAA have heightened reporting responsibilities. The following individuals are expected to promptly report any known or potential violations of this policy to PAA CEO leadership or to any member of PAA Council, PAA officers, and PAA management level employees.

VI. PAA’s Response to Possible Code Violations

Upon receipt of a report of a potential Code violation, PAA will investigate the concerns to determine if a violation occurred and to determine what responsive action is appropriate to take. The process is summarized in PAA’s Summary of Response Process for Possible Code of Conduct Violations.

The PAA Council will typically appoint an ad hoc team of three or more PAA members, including one member of the presidential lineage, to investigate a potential violation of the Code, weigh the evidence gathered in the investigation, and make recommendations to the PAA Council as to whether or not to find a conduct violation and, in the case of a recommended finding of a violation, on proposed sanctions. The PAA Council also may decide, rather than appointing an ad hoc team, to engage one or more outside investigator(s) when it feels appropriate to carry out the tasks that would otherwise normally be done by an ad hoc team. PAA will ensure that any appointed investigator(s) are conflict-free. The PAA Council will have the investigator(s) prepare written report to document the investigation process, key evidence, and recommended findings and, if applicable, sanctions. This report will be submitted to a closed session of the PAA Council for review and for determination, by majority vote, as to whether or not to accept recommended findings and, if applicable, sanctions.

While PAA is engaged in its response process, it may take a variety of interim measures to preserve the status quo, protect the integrity of its response process, and ensure a professional, nondiscriminatory and harassment-free environment. Such measures might include, but are not limited to, the following measures for PAA directors, members and/or others: loss of PAA membership; loss of PAA awards or honorifics and removal of member from PAA websites; restricting access to PAA property and/or events; temporary suspension or restriction of member, director, or other roles.

PAA is committed to handling reports of potential violations of this policy as quickly and as discretely as possible, subject to its need to look into and respond to concerns and subject to applicable law.

In addition, PAA prohibits retaliation based on a good faith report or participation in PAA’s response process or any legal proceeding. If an individual protected by this Code believes that they or another person has experienced retaliation, they should report their concerns as set forth above in the reporting section of this Code. Mandatory reporters listed above must promptly report any knowledge or other notice of potential retaliation. Members and Affiliates are expected to be truthful in any investigations conducted by PAA. Failure to be truthful can also be considered a violation of the Code.

VII. Consequences for Code Violations

Affiliation with PAA requires acknowledgement of and compliance with this Code of Conduct. Violations of this Code or other PAA policy will lead to consequences as determined to be appropriate by PAA. Such consequences may include but are not limited to removal of an individual from attendance or other participation in an event without prior warning or refund; revocation of, or removal of PAA awards and award statements from PAA websites; future attendance or participation limits, restrictions or conditions, and/or suspension or expulsion from membership or other participation in PAA. Any course of action decided upon by PAA is final.