MOCU NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS OPERATING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
I. INTRODUCTION
Men Of Color Unite (MOCU) enters into relationships with corporations, other businesses and professional associations to provide meaningful mission-related benefits to its members, entertainment professionals and the general public. Benefits include all phases of production education, information, production grants, advocacy and resources.
MOCU welcomes such direct and in-kind financial support in order to fund programs, and member services. Funders may be entertainment related: distribution studios, production companies, filmmakers, private investors, national financial corporations, other DEIA related businesses or associations that support access within the entertainment industry for multi-cultural communities. MOCU believes it is ethically sound and equitable to engage such support of MOCU’s programs designed to benefit people of color needing access into the entertainment industry, as long as such relationships do not compromise or otherwise inappropriately influence the policies and operations of MOCU.
MOCU is committed to avoiding conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest in all of its relationships, including those with any corporate, other business or professional association funders. Therefore, MOCU’s Board of Directors has determined that accepting such support, as well as MOCU’s relationship to these donors, shall be guided by the principles provided under sections II through IV of these Policies and Procedures.
II. DEFINITION OF ACCEPTABLE BUSINESS SUPPORT RELATIONSHIPS
The following terms help to define the nature of corporate, other business, or professional association relationships and acceptable forms of such relationships:
IIA: SPONSORSHIPS
A “sponsorship” is a corporate, other business or professional association funder that provides unrestricted educational grants of financial or in-kind support for a specific MOCU activity or program that could include filmmaker support, industry education & research, mental health support, apprenticeship, mentorship and fundraising. Typically, a sponsorship provides for recognition of the entity providing the support.
IIB: STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
A “strategic alliance” is an agreed-upon relationship between MOCU and a corporate, other business or professional association sponsor to carry out MOCU’s defined goals. Under no circumstance may the funder implicitly or explicitly use such an alliance as an endorsement of their products or services. (An example would be where MOCU provides a film production message or service that is delivered or supported by a company or association where the purpose is to improve access, shared information, fair treatment, employment and outcomes related to the film/television industry.)
IIC: CAUSE MARKETING
“Cause marketing” is where a corporate, other business or professional association sponsor supports MOCU or a particular cause formally supported by MOCU by providing unrestricted financial donations, in- kind assistance or other resources. The sponsor may gain public recognition for such public support of MOCU, but may not tie this support to any commercial return or other financial benefit to the sponsor.
III. EXCLUDED ACTIVITY
MOCU shall not engage in the following types of relationships with corporate, other business or professional association funders:
IIIA. ENDORSEMENT
MOCU will not endorse, license, certify, or in any way imply support for any sponsor’s product, service or program, including recognizing or certifying the quality or standards of any particular product, service, or program.
IIIB. PRODUCT ASSOCIATION
MOCU’s name and logo may not be associated with specific branded products. References to MOCU’s website, phone number or address for the purposes of referral to MOCU may be permitted with MOCU’s written approval.
IIC. GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR CORPORATE RELATIONSHIPS
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MOCU shall at all times maintain an independent position on issues affecting men of color within the entertainment industry. The potential effect of such positions on the commercial interests of any sponsor shall not be a relevant factor in the MOCU’s decision-making process.
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MOCU will solicit and accept support only for projects and activities that are consistent with its mission.
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MOCU will accept funds for projects relating to the communication of information only when it has final editorial approval over content and distribution.
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MOCU will neither endorse nor accept conditions that allow the perception that MOCU endorses any products, devices, equipment, distributors or services. MOCU may require a disclaimer explicitly stating this policy be included in any publication;
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MOCU will accept support for projects or programs only with assurances that the privacy of men of color and their families will be protected, including requiring specific, prior written permission in order to waive such privacy.
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MOCU will accept support for professional meetings and symposia only when the program content and selection of speakers are approved by MOCU or an independent body designated for that purpose by MOCU.
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MOCU shall, at all times, maintain complete control and sole discretion over all funds received.
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MOCU will ensure that programs for which it accepts funding do not adversely affect MOCU’s nonprofit, tax-exempt status.
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The use of MOCU’s name and logo in any print, electronic or other form not produced by MOCU is not permitted without specific, prior written permission from MOCU.
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Corporate, other business and professional association sponsors, as well as their agents, vendors and trade associations, are expected to
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MOCU retains sole discretion with regard to how the support it receives in the form of educational grants or in-kind gifts from corporate, other business or professional association sponsors will be applied, invested or expended.
IV. AFFIRMATIVE DISCLOSURE
MOCU will, unless otherwise prohibited by law, disclose the sources of financial support it receives from corporations, other businesses and professional associations as listed in the annual filing of IRS Form 990, which will be posted on the MOCU Web site and list is once fully active and updated.