Professional Standards & Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real CED practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Standards & Ethics flashcards as text
An ED discovers that a senior staff member has been falsifying client service records to meet grant targets. The most ethical immediate action is to:
Answer: Investigate, correct the records, notify the funder, and take corrective action
Data falsification in grant reporting requires immediate corrective action, transparent disclosure to the funder, and appropriate personnel consequences.
Which of the following best characterizes the ethical principle of 'informed consent' in nonprofit program delivery?
Answer: Clients are informed about program purposes, risks, and their right to decline participation
Informed consent requires that clients receive clear information about a program and voluntarily agree to participate without coercion.
A nonprofit ED is also running a consulting business on the side. This situation most likely creates which type of concern?
Answer: A conflict of interest requiring board disclosure and management
Outside business activities that could compete with or divert opportunities from the organization must be disclosed to the board and managed through a conflict-of-interest process.
Under NASW and sector-wide nonprofit ethics standards, client confidentiality information may be disclosed without consent in which scenario?
Answer: When disclosure is required to prevent serious and imminent harm
Confidentiality can be ethically breached without consent only when necessary to prevent serious, imminent harm to the client or others.
Which of the following represents a best practice for managing an organization's social media presence from an ethical standpoint?
Answer: Maintaining a written policy governing voice, accuracy, and response protocols
A written social media policy ensures consistent, accurate, and ethical communication that aligns with organizational values and protects stakeholders.
An ED learns that a board member has been making public statements that misrepresent the organization's position on a policy issue. The most appropriate initial response is to:
Answer: Address the issue privately with the board member, then escalate to the board chair if it continues
The professional standard is to address misrepresentation directly and privately first, then escalate through governance channels if the behavior continues.
The ethical concept of 'mission integrity' in nonprofit management means that the ED must:
Answer: Ensure all programs and activities remain aligned with the organization's stated purpose
Mission integrity requires that every program, partnership, and resource allocation decision remains consistent with the organization's core charitable purpose.