This is the first in a series of articles written by your ASDP Board of Directors concerning the ASDP Code of Ethics.  You can find the Code of Ethics in its entirety on the ASDP website here.

The ASDP Code of Ethics applies to all categories of membership and is a guide for members in the ethical conduct of business.  ASDP is a trade organization and our reputation depends on every person in the Association.  The code is divided into 4 sections:

• Responsibility to the public
• Responsibility to the client
• Responsibility to other sewing professionals and members
• Responsibility to the profession

Starting with our responsibility to the public the code states: “Members shall comply with all existing laws, regulations and codes governing business practices established by the federal government, state, community or other governing body where they conduct business.”

This means ASDP members must:

• Identify and pay any license fees needed to establish their business.
• Comply with any zoning restrictions and building code requirements.
• Determine tax liabilities. This includes paying quarterly federal Income taxes and state income and sales taxes where applicable.
• All funds collected for services rendered must be reported. No “cash under the table.”

As stated in the official copy of our Code of Ethics, “The Code of Ethics expresses a commonly held set of values that clearly differentiates us from those who do not have the benefits of membership.  In other words, our Code of Ethics is one of our member benefits. 

Written by Linda Stewart, President-Elect