• Our purpose is to help our applicant AP’s create better AP’s and, through that process, help their applicants create better websites.
• In keeping with that stated purpose, we agree that all assessments and critiques will be constructive in nature.
• We strive to foster goodwill and enhance the quality of the AP’s.
• We desire to foster continued goodwill between the various Indexes while striving to set the highest possible level of rating standards within APIRS itself.
• We agree to allow eligibility to all applicants who meet the SET (posted online, written = set) criteria displayed within APIRS.
• We agree to clearly post and be uniform in our Criterion and will fairly assess any AP in accordance with our then posted criteria.
• We agree that proposed time frames for changes will be posted for two (2) weeks prior to the final publishing of it with notices posted on this site, so all potential applicants and APIRS members may view and understand the changes and impact of them.
• We agree to assess an AP under the criteria that was in place at the time of their application. If changes are made to the APIRS criteria after an application is received, the submitted AP will be assessed using the criterion that was in effect on the date the application was received.
• We agree, as soon as reasonably possible, to inform any applicant by email at the email address placed on their application of a 'Refrain to Assess' if it is found that a conflict of interest would occur in APIRS carrying out an evaluation of their AP. Under such circumstances, we will provide the services of an APIRS alternative evaluator or evaluators.
• We agree not to discriminate on grounds of race, gender, nation of origin, religion, profession, age, mental or physical handicap, or any other reason that is not generally viewed as evil or an illegal trait or manner of conduct.
• We agree to maintain a professional behaviour in any correspondence and/or communication held with any applicant.
• We agree to evaluate all submitted AP’s within six (6) weeks of receipt of application. If our deadlines cannot be met, we agree to suspend assessments until we can again work within our timeframe.
• We agree not to divulge personal information about applicants, members or staff to persons, groups, or agencies not directly connected to APIRS and only then for the sole purpose of AP assessments, applications and notification of achievements. All information received from applicants via e-mail applications or application forms will be deemed private.
• We agree to encourage and promote the use of original material for any AP’s criteria and overall evaluation processes. * * * Please note: The AP evaluation processes in use at APIRS are protected by copyright and written authorization is required for their use, which generally will not be given.
• We agree to assist any person, through our forum, requesting advice concerning ethical evaluation for the disbursement of awards.
• We agree to maintain any owned individual web sites that include AP’s to a standard that meets the criteria of the awards given. In the case of any awards offered that are outside the main subject of our web sites any such web sites will be maintained to a high standard of integrity in all their main areas.
• We agree to maximum dimensions of rating, certification and membership badges issued. The maximum size dimensions for any badge offered from this program will be no more than 120 pixels height and 120 pixels width with a maximum weight of 15 KB.
• We agree that there will be only one obligation for being a Certified Member of and/or rated with APIRS and that is AP’s must meet our basic criteria, which includes not having any of our disqualification items within the AP.
• It is not, and never will be, a requirement at this website to sign a guest book, to join a mailing list, use the VSDA software/hosting package and/or join our forums.
• It is a requirement that any certification or rating badge issued by APIRS must be linked back to this website URL in accordance with the Certification or Rating Level notification.
• We agree that we will not accept favours of any sort from potential members in exchange for preferential treatment during assessments.
• We agree that we will take all necessary measures to maintain the honor and integrity of APIRS, its officers and applicant AP’s.

Submitted and posted May 15th, 2005.

This is a Public Domain document and not covered by Copyright.

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