The Policy Governance Model has as its starting point the principle that a governing Board exists on behalf of the larger group - NCFR Members - who legally own the organization. The governing Board is accountable for the organization it governs.
The NCFR is a nonprofit educational and charitable organization, recognized as exempt from taxation under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. NCFR's mission is to: provide a forum for family researchers, educators, and practitioners to share in the development and dissemination of knowledge about families and family relationships, establish professional standards, and work to promote family well-being.
These Ethical Principles and Guidelines for Family Scientists were drafted by the Family Science Section of NCFR and adopted by the NCFR Board of Directors in 1998. The approach of providing general principles with illustrative guidelines was implemented because the guidelines are meant to be educational and sensitizing rather than a legalistic code with enforcement potential.
