Member Code of Conduct

Purpose

The RWA Code of Conduct is a code of professional conduct for RWA members. It is designed to motivate RWA members to exhibit integrity, honesty and other good professional practices, thereby enhancing the romance writing profession.

Please note an updated Code of Conduct is scheduled to be released in 2025.

Definitions

Code: the Code of Conduct, adopted and implemented by the RWA Committee pursuant to the Constitution and as amended or supplemented from time to time

Conflict of Interest: when a member's particular circumstances create an actual or perceived risk that the member's professional judgement or actions will be unduly influenced by a personal interest

Constitution: the RWA Constitution as amended from time to time

Corporate Property: any items owned by RWA including, but not limited to, RWA banners, printers and mobile phones

Corporate Records: any records held by RWA including, but not limited to, any personal information collated and RWA Competition entry forms

Member: a member of RWA pursuant to the Constitution

Plagiarism: the substantive use, without permission, of someone else's creative endeavours using language and ideas, regardless of whether the work is in the public domain, digital or printed or under copyright

RWA: the Romance Writers of Australia Inc.

RWA Committee: the committee of RWA, constituted pursuant to the Constitution

RWA Volunteer: a volunteer, assisting with any matter

Except for those terms specifically defined in this Code of Conduct or in the Constitution, the terms used have their usual meanings.

RWA Policy Statements

RWA has been established to promote excellence in romantic fiction by:

  • helping aspiring writers of romantic fiction become published authors;
  • helping published authors to establish and maintain their careers; and
  • providing continuing support for romance writers, whatever their genre within the romance publishing industry.

The principles of this Code have been expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision making. The statements provide a framework, they cannot and do not dictate conduct to cover particular situations.

Responsibilities of Members:

A member must observe the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. This includes:

  • demonstrating honesty and integrity in all dealings;
  • striving for excellence in the profession of romance writing;
  • acting in such a way that they do not bring RWA or any one or more of its members into disrepute;
  • respecting differences in fellow RWA members, their ideas, opinions; regarless of their age, race, gender;
  • treating others with dignity and respect at all times;
  • refraining from plagiarism, copyright infringement and/or other intellectual property right infringement;
  • showing proper care for and regard for confidential information, Corporate Property and Corporate Records;
  • refraining from making any statement about RWA, or any one or more of its members, that may be, or is, false or misleading where such statements are harmful to RWA, its reputation or its purpose;
  • performing all duties and obligations in such a way as to avoid any Conflict of interest, and must, when engaged in RWA business, act in the interest of RWA;
  • following the protocols outlined in the Constitution should a dispute occur.

A member must also abide by any policies, procedures, and rules of RWA in force and as amended from time to time.

  

Raising Concerns

Members may seek the assistance of RWA in the resolution of disputes as outlined in clause 12 of the Constitution.

Allegations Against Committee Members

If a member has reasonable grounds to believe that another Member has breached this Code, any Member may raise a complaint in accordance with the procedures outlined in clause 13 of the Constitution, and the following condition will apply:

  • Any Committee Member who is a party to a Code of Conduct action will excuse themselves from any committee discussion on the matter.

Other Considerations

Committee Members and RWA Staff members involved in the investigation must hold all information, including the results of an investigation, in strictest confidence.

The RWA Office will keep records of all aspects of investigation, including copies of all Correspondence.

Version Control and Change History:

1 - 01/09/2013: Approved by Nikki Logan, President.

2 - 14/11/2018: Approved by Bree Vreedenburgh - President. Document was simplified and brought in line with National Standards. Added Allegations against Committee Members and Other Considerations Sections.

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