CODE OF ETHICS

[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]The primary mission of the matchmakers’ profession is to provide quality introductions to singles. Matchmakers seek to enhance the capacity of people to address their personal and social needs.

This mission is rooted in a set of core values. These core values, embraced by Certified Matchmakers™ throughout the Matchmaking Institute’s history, are the foundation of Certified Matchmakers’ unique purpose and perspective:[/text_block]

• Customer Service
• Dignity of the person
• Importance of human relationships
• Integrity
• Competence

[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]This constellation of core values reflects what is unique to the matchmaking profession.[/text_block]

[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” font_color=”%234419c8″ bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]Purpose of the Code of Ethics[/text_block]

[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]Professional ethics are at the core of Professional Matchmakers. The profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. The Matchmaking Institute’s Code of Ethics sets forth these values, principles, and standards to guide Professional Matchmakers’ conduct. The Code is relevant to all matchmakers who are a Member of the Professional Matchmakers Association, regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work, or the populations they serve[/text_block]

[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” font_color=”%234419c8″ bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]This Code of Ethics serves six purposes[/text_block]

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1. The Code identifies core values that all Professional Matchmakers should share.
2. The Code summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the profession’s core values and establishes a set of specific ethical standards that should be used to guide matchmaker practice.
3. The Code is designed to help matchmakers identify relevant considerations when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise.
4. The Code provides ethical standards to which the general public can hold the Matchmaking Profession accountable.
5. The Code addresses matchmakers new to the field having them adhere to their mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards.
6. The Code articulates standards that the matchmaking profession itself can use to assess whether Professional Matchmakers have engaged in unethical conduct and thereby revoke their certification.

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[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” font_color=”%234419c8″ bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]Ethical Principles[/text_block]

[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]Ethical principles are based on Matchmakers core values of service, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These principles set forth ideals to which all matchmakers should aspire.
Matchmakers’ primary goals: to help people gain quality introductions; elevate service to others above self-interest; draw on their knowledge, values, and skills to help people achieve their goal; act as professionals and aim to establish societal status as a
matchmaker.[/text_block]

[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” font_color=”%234419c8″ bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]Ethical Standards[/text_block]

[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]The following ethical standards are relevant to the professional activities of all matchmakers. These standards concern (1) matchmakers’ ethical responsibilities to clients, (2) matchmakers’ ethical responsibilities to colleagues, (3) matchmakers’ ethical responsibilities in practice settings, (4) matchmakers’ ethical responsibilities as professionals, (5) matchmakers’ ethical responsibilities to the Matchmaking Profession. (6) matchmakers’ ethical responsibilities to the public[/text_block]

[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” font_color=”%234419c8″ bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]Code of Practice[/text_block]

[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]Approved Members of the Professional Matchmakers Association shall:

1. Adhere to the highest quality standards in the industry;
2. Be dedicated to a client’s right to a personal, supportive and professional service
   at all times;
3. Maintain a strict confidentiality of all client accounts and not divulge, discuss or
   otherwise exploit any restricted material related to client profile, status or record
   of activity; All information supplied by the client shall not be divulged, without the
   prior consent of the client, to any other person or party except those of your
   clients who have agreed beforehand to have their details given to other
4. Take the utmost care to deliver the highest standard of service for total customer
   satisfaction and be subject to evaluations correlating to client assessments;
5. Do their best to ensure that every client receives the attention and respect they
   deserve, respond to inquiries in a timely manner and offer complete and clear
   answers;
6. Be diligent when qualifying all potential matches on behalf of your clients with a
   personalized approach from beginning to end; matchmakers are to respect each
   other when collaboration is required to find a match for your client;
7. Be subject to mandatory professional review for biennial re-approval, in
   accordance with the Matchmaking Institute’s guidelines; attend Conferences and
   seminars for your personal development, continuously seek professional
   advancement to keep up with the latest developments in the dating industry;
8. Have a complaint response policy in place to address any and all consumer
   complaints and concerns; agree cooperate with the dispute resolution process
   and service offered through the Matchmaking Institute;
9. Diligently adhere to all applicable Federal, State and Local laws relating to the
   industry.
   • Matchmakers must not engage in high pressure selling.
   • Be clear, fair and specific about their refund policy.
   • Make truthful and accurate representation, displaying the agency’s policies
     and procedures while providing clear pricing and payment terms.
   • Ensure privacy and information security in order to maintain the
     confidentiality and security of personal information relating to clients.

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[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” font_color=”%234419c8″ bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]Code of Practice in Ads and Marketing[/text_block]

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• Keeping in mind where and what media affects the image of the industry;
• Avoid inaccurate, ambiguous, exaggerated or liable to be misconstrued when advertising. Engage in truthful advertising and promotions, and the requirements to comply with existing legislation and regulation.
• Advertisements must not contain the words ‘guarantee’ or ‘guaranteed’ unless the full terms of such undertakings as well as the remedial action open to a client are either clearly set out in the advertisement or are available to the client in writing before any monies are paid.
• State the nature of your business clearly; honesty helps bring the clients. Provide name, address, and contact information in public. Have a listed telephone number which the public can, during normal working hours, use to speak to someone. Disclose the terms and conditions of the service, making truthful and accurate representation, displaying the agency’s policy and refund policy, and providing clear pricing and payment terms.

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[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” font_color=”%234419c8″ bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]Enforcement[/text_block]

[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]Any certified matchmakers, dating or matchmaking agencies that display our seal with 3 or more violations and/or unresolved disputes will have their certification revoked. In some cases, depending on the violation, the certification may be revoked immediately upon the first violation.[/text_block]

[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” font_color=”%234419c8″ bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]Code of Ethics Review and Update[/text_block]

[text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”20″ font_font=”Raleway” bottom_padding=”20″ line_height=”36″]The Matchmaking Institute’s Code of Ethics document will be reviewed, updated as needed, posted on our website and distributed on an annual basis to all relevant parties.[/text_block]

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