Code of Ethics FAQ's and Scenarios

Q:

Can I use contacts made at SCORE activities as a source of new clients for my own business or a business in my household?

A:

No. This is soliciting business.

Q:

My spouse owns an office supply store. Can I ask my clients to get their office supplies there?

A:

No. This is soliciting business.

Q:

I am a CPA (or other professional) volunteering as a Mentor or Subject Matter Expert. My SCORE client who I have mentored and/or advised is having trouble finding an accountant (or other professional). Can I offer my services or accept them as a client if they ask me to?

A:

No, not for hire. You may, however, help them pro-bono as a SCORE Mentor or SME. Only in extreme cases may a variance be granted and only if the variance request process is followed.

Q:

Can a SCORE volunteer be included on a professional services reference list given to clients?

A:

Yes, but at no point can the volunteer have engaged in mentoring the client in question, as a mentor or SME. The reference list given to the client must contain at least three names. No more than one reference may be a SCORE volunteer and the volunteer should not be identified as a volunteer. If the volunteer's name is included, be very careful to avoid the appearance or reality of impropriety.

Q:

I came upon an ethical situation that I am unsure about. What should I do?

A:

Contact the Chapter Chair to discuss the situation. Additionally, the SCORE District Director, Regional Vice President or SCORE staff can assist.

Q:

I witnessed another mentor engaging in or talking about what appeared to be an ethical conflict. What should I do?

A:

The best approach is to first gently remind them of the Code of Ethics. If you are uncomfortable, or did not receive a satisfactory outcome, alert the Chapter Chair and let him/her handle the situation. If at all possible, any issues at the chapter level should be resolved locally. If a complaint is of a serious nature (sexual harassment, abusive behavior, etc.), it should immediately be escalated to the VP, Field Operations. 

Q:

My client is in a desperate situation that I am confident my business can solve and I know of no one else that can. What do I do?

A:

If the Code of Ethics works towards the substantial detriment of the client, a variance can be requested. The procedure for this is in the Variance section below. Please note that a little better price on a product or service is not likely to trigger substantial detriment. Also note that many SCORE clients are in difficult situations. As the variance process is not intended to be used regularly, it is, by design, a detailed process.

Q:

I have been asked to mentor / advise a new client as a Mentor or Subject Matter Expert, but they are a business that I have been or am planning to market. What should I do?

A:

You should decline the offer and advise your Chapter Leadership / Administrator that you will not accept the assignment and explain why not.

NOTE: A SME should not join SCORE in the hopes that he/she will receive paying clients. It is the expectation by serving as an SME that their skills and expertise will be brought into mentoring situations. If this relationship is established, the SCORE SME cannot take on the SCORE client as a business client.

Q:

Does becoming a SCORE member preclude me from taking business from a SCORE client?

A:

No, but if a SCORE member has engaged with a client on behalf of SCORE in any capacity (e.g. as mentor or SME), they cannot take business from that client.

NOTE: If a volunteer has not engaged with a client on behalf of SCORE i within the last three years, and the volunteer has not solicited the client, a past client can do business with a SCORE volunteer.

If the volunteer’s business is public in nature, a business relationship can occur. Examples include the volunteer owning a restaurant at which a client may dine, the volunteer publicly lists real estate and a client (represented by an independent agent) purchases or leases property, or the volunteer owns a car dealership and an unsolicited client purchases a vehicle.

Q:

I am delivering workshops on my professional business subjects. How do I present myself at SCORE sponsored workshops?

A:

You present yourself as a SCORE member. You and your presentation must follow the “Workshop Presenter Guidelines for SCORE Volunteers” – specifically, you cannot solicit clients in the workshop, your content must meet SCORE brand guidelines, and you cannot use the attendee list for marketing purposes for your business.  Workshop Presenters who present are allowed to leave their business cards at the back of the room and a signup sheet for attendees to ‘opt in’ to future communications from you.

Q:

I am delivering workshops on my professional business subjects. After a recent workshop, an attendee at the workshop wants to hire me. Is that allowed?

A:

Workshop Presenters and Subject Matter Experts who present are allowed to work with attendees for pay AS LONG AS there has been no mentoring relationship as a mentor or SME with a client. Mentoring is the firewall.

Q:

I want to present workshops for SCORE as a SCORE member. What additional steps must I take?

A:

Agree to and sign the following Workshop Presenter Guidelines that reinforce the concept that SCORE members do not solicit business and are neutral in the presentation of our information and counsel.

Q:

How do I get a an exception to the Code of Ethics?

A:

In rare cases where an exception is warranted, you may request a variance by following the Variance Process.

Q:

What are the guidelines regarding mentors accepting a gift card or a lunch from a client?

A:

While it is a nice gesture, Volunteers should never accept a gift card or paid meal from a client. This would conflict with SCORE's Code of Ethics. They should always politely decline whenever offered.

Q:

A volunteer uses proprietary materials when mentoring clients.  Does that impact the ownership of the materials? (Eg, become SCORE property, relinquish ability to enforce rights, etc).

A:

Volunteers may use propriety materials at their own risk/discretion. The only information/data that SCORE "owns" is any data included in Engage, but even that information is kept confidential unless SCORE is legally compelled to provide that data. If you can share a more specific example I may be better able to help address this question.

Q:

Can a Volunteer be an arbiter or other legally responsible role for their mentee's organization because of their unique relationship and understanding of the client's business?

A:

No, a Volunteer may not work with any client for whom they have mentored or co-mentored in either a paid capacity or in a paid or unpaid position that has an oversight or policy decision making role such as a Board of Directors position.