BECOMING BETTER
With a shared focus on becoming Better Investors, Better Leaders, and Better Global Citizens, AFIRE members hold themselves to five core House Rules that foster candor, thoughtfulness, and constructive conversation.
ALL DISCUSSIONS ARE PROTECTED
Anything said within an AFIRE discussion or debate shall not be taken out of context or misrepresented as someone’s final word on a subject. Participants are encouraged to use the insights they receive and share them with their colleagues, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, shall be revealed.
AFIRE meetings are closed to the media. Any attributed words spoken at meetings and included in published reports are fully vetted with the speaker, who has the right to adjust, amend, or delete their comments entirely.
AFIRE member company names and/or branding are never used for association marketing purposes. AFIRE member companies are protected and their names shall not be shared with the public for promotional purposes, unless so agreed in the form of underwriting, sponsorship, or other promotional agreement.
RESPECT EACH OTHER
Members come together in order to learn from each other. This requires mutual respect – even in disagreement. It also requires us to listen to each other with an open mind. As such, AFIRE does not tolerate any language or behavior that discriminates against, disparages, intimidates, or harasses anyone based on sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, mental or physical disability, or medical condition.
AFIRE prohibits discrimination, harassment, and bullying in any form—verbal, physical, or visual. Members are alert and ready to take responsibility for disrespectful behavior expressed by themselves and others, and always take steps to amend any harm caused by a careless joke or misunderstanding. If you believe that you have been bullied or harassed by anyone at AFIRE, you are strongly encouraged to immediately report the incident to a member of the Executive Committee who will promptly and thoroughly investigate and take appropriate action.
NO PITCHING BUSINESS
AFIRE meetings are not for pitching business. The moment a member makes a sales pitch is the moment they become less valuable to other members. Members are expected to ask questions, contribute expertise, and fully engage in a positive way with their fellow colleagues.
RESPECT AND SUPPORT FAIR COMPETITION
Although many members may compete with each other for business, we must always do so fairly and within the constraints of antitrust, competition, or unfair competition laws. These laws prohibit discussions with competitors that restrain trade or unfairly disadvantage competition. AFIRE members do not discuss fees, make agreements regarding the allocation of customers or markets, or discuss a strategy that has the sole purpose of harming a competitor.
BE WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE
If someone is at an AFIRE meeting, they are part of the fellowship of global institutional investors and are therefore welcome in all discussions. Members are expected to reach out to anyone they don’t yet know, engage them in the conversation, and listen carefully.
