Building an Ethical Organization Part 1
Kay Wehner
HSM/230
July 13, 2014
Kimberly Cowburn

Building an Ethical Organization Part 1
Who are we? As the director of MWDDD (Mid-West Division of the Developmentally Disabled), a mental health service that is focused on the developmentally disabled, the main strategy as the director of this organization is to design, implement, and improve the quality and outcomes for the mental health and the social services within the organization. First it is important for the organization to incorporate different activities in order to improve the effectiveness of the organization, which will entail producing organizational practices, as well as the tools needed in order to not only identify, but address the barriers within the organization such as the ineffectiveness of treatments for instance. Secondly, it sets the essential ground rules for organizational effectiveness in order to direct the improvement endeavors within the organization. Last but not least, the organization will shape and refine the different decision making, and problem solving efforts so as not to hamper the improvements within the organization. It is important that the organization be successful in creating an increase of positive organizational morale, cultures, and climates, while reducing turnover with staff, improving the mental and health services available for each individual, and putting into effect a practice that is evidence-based.
Our purpose and clientele: The MWDDD organization for the mental health services supports and protects individuals who are developmentally disabled, and intellectually disabled, as well as their families with the efforts from our public policies. The organization for the developmentally disabled supports the rights of these individuals, as well as their families, and it is important to provide these individuals and their families with a voice when it comes to the local and state legislative levels. The different chapters within the organization are observant, and attentive when meeting the needs of our consumer’s. The MWDDD is one of the largest community-based organizations throughout the mid-west that not only advocate’s but also serves individuals who are intellectually and developmentally disabled, along with the individual’s families. This organization also encompasses individuals of all ages, races, nationalities, religions, genders, ethnicities, etc. from those with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Down syndrome, Autism, along with other various developmental and intellectual disabilities. Our organization is a firm believer that these individuals are entitled to the same rights and privileges that everyone else has, along with demanding to be inclusive, have the right to participate, as well as being accepted into their communities as full members. All of the chapters within our organization plays a huge and important role in providing the support and services that are required to achieve all goals such as: * Providing consumers and their families with information and referral services; * Addressing and advocating each individual in regards to health care services, education, employment, and other issues or concerns they may have; * Initiatives; * Residential and community support and services; * Support for family; * Programs and services for employment opportunities; * Programs for recreational and leisure activities

For Profit or Non-Profit Organization? “When starting up a business, it is for the financial benefit of its owners and/or shareholders. Profit is the goal and the business pays taxes on that profit. A nonprofit entity has a mission that benefits the greater good of the community, society, or the world. It does not pay taxes, but it also cannot use its funds for anything other than the mission for which it was formed,” (Fritz, J. 2014). The MWDDD is a nonprofit organization that continually works for all individuals with disabilities. As a NPO, our organization has members in control known as the “board of directors.” Our organization has numerous staff that are paid; this does include management and executives as well. Even though we are a nonprofit organization, this does not mean that our organization does not plan on making a profit, however, the profits are to benefit and support those who are intellectually and developmentally disabled within the community, rather than benefit the owners.
MWDDD Mission Statement: The Mid-West Division of the Developmentally Disabled supports, protects, and promotes the human rights of the developmental and intellectual disabled. Our organization will provide effective management and leadership to develop and disburse of standardized outcomes, specific individualized services, programs, and support for those who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our mission is to support and service their rights, needs, strengths, health and welfare, individual talents and gifts, accessibilities, longer life-span, inclusion, as well an ensuring their safety, progress, and their quality of life. Our mission statement promotes and supports the ethical system because it adheres to all the needs of our clientele and their families. Our purpose is to guide and support our clientele, as well as focus on our professional, and organizational actions, and behaviors. Our goals purpose, and decisions need to be focused on increasing, and improving the lives of our clientele, along with providing each individual with compassion and outstanding. The message that we are trying to send out to our community, is that our organization is there to help each individual with the basic services that is required in order for our consumers to continue an inclusive, healthy, and safe lifestyle that does not include any prejudice, and/or judgment.
MWDDD CORE VALUES:
Put People First: The MWDDD values, and believes that every individual with developmental and intellectual disabilities all encompass certain abilities, talents, strengths and values, as well as being treated equally when it comes to our laws, along with being treated with respect, integrity, and dignity. Our values support, represent, and act on each individual aw well as their families no matter what level of disability the individual may be. We believe in empowering each individual by promoting, and supporting their needs in order to assist them when making informed decisions and choices.
Democracy
Our organization will take a democratic stance on involving all members as a team process, as well as utilizing our different chapters in order to take important stances when it comes to our policies programs, and the important issues that may arise.
Visionary Leadership: Our organizational leadership will promote our mission, values, and position statements. We incorporate communication, trust, honesty, integrity, and accountability within our organizational leadership. It is our goal to work and collaborate effectively and adequately with everyone involved. It is important that our organization provide respective and mutual support for each of our valued staff, management, and volunteers.
Participation Within the community: It is important that our organization believe in the community, as well as encompass the basic morals, including their god given rights to live, learn, worship, work, and play within a safe and healthy community. Our main concern and responsibility is to make sure that our clientele, staff, and management are safe and focus on their health and wellness.
Diversity within the Organization: The MWDDD emphasizes on incorporating diversity within our organizational leadership as well as with our membership. Our organization does not limit diverse groups; in fact we welcome anyone no matter what their level of disability, race, age, religion, gender, ethnicity, nationality, and so on.
MWDDD Integrity and Excellence:
The Mid-West Division of the Developmentally Disabled conducts our work, and business with integrity, along with reflecting not only excellence, but quality in all of our work. “Within an organization, ethical culture building is a key component of compliance, risk
Management, and overall business strategy. The attitudes, choices, and actions of business leaders’ play a primary role in the creation of an organization’s ethical culture and climate. A leader’s ability to consistently promote ethical conduct in an organization is critical to ensuring that employees understand how to make doing what is right a priority,” (Ethics & Compliance Officer Association FOUNDATION, n.d).

References

Ethics & Compliance Officer Association FOUNDATION. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ethics.org/files/u5/ECOA-Report-FINAL.pdf

Fritz, J. (2014) How Is a Nonprofit Different from a For-Profit Business? About.com: Nonprofit Charitable Orgs. Retrieved at http://nonprofit.about.com/od/qathebasics/f/nopvspro.htm