I, Vance Elderkin, owner of the Internet Beacon Awards program held at the Internet Beacon web site, do hereby declare on behalf of myself and any other evaluators who may be contracted at any time by the Internet Beacon to evaluate for any Internet Beacon-sponsored award program, that I agree to adhere to this Declaration of Ethics in order to ensure fairness to all applicants and to maintain the honor and integrity of applicants, evaluators and awards.

I will refrain from criticism unless specifically requested by an applicant, and in such instances, will remain positive where possible in an effort to promote good will and advance the level of quality among Internet sites.

I agree to allow eligibility to all applicants who meet the eligibility requirements of the Internet Beacon Awards.  I agree to be uniform in my eligibility requirements and criteria and will fairly evaluate all sites meeting my criteria which are submitted by any applicant.  I further agree to clearly post these criteria.

I agree to not discriminate on grounds of race, sex, nation of origin, profession, mental or physical handicap, age (except as necessary to comply with COPPA regulations and Internet Beacon viewing guidelines) or any other reason which is not globally viewed as an illegal trait or manner of conduct.

I agree to set forth awards criteria and to adhere to same.  Proposed changes in criteria will be posted for two (2) weeks prior to the final publishing of same with notices posted on site so all potential applicants can view and understand the proposed changes.

I agree to evaluate web sites under the criteria which was in place at the time of any and/or all application(s).  If changes are made to criteria after application(s) is/are received, the submitted site(s) will be evaluated using the criteria that was in effect when applicant(s) initially submitted the site(s).

I agree to immediately inform any criteria-compliant applicant, in writing, of a "refrain to evaluate" if it is found that a conflict of interest would occur in evaluating their web site.  (For example, this may occur upon being requested to evaluate the web site of a good friend.)  I will offer such applicant a choice of evaluator(s) selected by me from the Award Sites! or WebsAwards membership listing or, at my option, by another evaluator acceptable to both me and the applicant.

I agree to maintain a professional, friendly and positive manner in any and/or all correspondence and/or communication held with any applicant(s).

I agree to evaluate all submitted sites within three (3) months of receipt of submission.  If this deadline cannot be met, I agree to suspend submissions until I can again work within this time frame.

I agree not to divulge any information about any applicant to persons, groups, or agencies not directly connected to the Internet Beacon Awards program, and only then for the purpose of evaluating submissions and notifying winners.  All information received from applicants via e-mail submissions or submission forms will be deemed private.

I agree to encourage and promote the use of original material for awards programs criteria and evaluation processes.  I agree to assist any person requesting advice concerning ethical evaluation for and disbursement of awards.  Please note: the awards evaluation processes in use at the Internet Beacon are copyrighted material and written authorization is required for their use.

I agree to maintain the Internet Beacon web site to a standard that meets the criteria of the Internet Beacon Awards.

I agree to maximum dimensions of awards given in courtesy of web sites that will use them.  (Maximum size dimensions offered from this web site are: no more than 93 pixels height and 143 pixels width.  Winners are permitted to make the graphic smaller at their discretion.)

I agree that there will be no obligation for winning awards from the Internet Beacon web site beyond meeting the criteria.  It is not, and never will be, mandatory at the Internet Beacon web site to sign a guest book, join a mailing list, display the Internet Beacon Award graphic, or link back to the Internet Beacon web site.

I agree that I will not grant awards to, or in any other manner endorse or promote, any web site that endorses, promotes or contains content which is considered globally to be illegal or discriminatory.

I agree that I will not accept favors of any sort in exchange for preferential treatment of submissions.  I will at all times maintain a high standard of honesty and integrity.

I agree that I will take all measures necessary to maintain the honor and integrity of the Internet Beacon Awards.

D. Vance Elderkin
Webmaster/Owner
The Internet Beacon

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