Photos by Summy Lam, Club COO; and Alive! editor John Burnes
The Club and partner representatives from Aflac and Employer’s First Choice sign the landmark Code of Conduct and Ethics – a vow of service excellence for Club Members.
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our assurance of exemplary Club Service has just taken another leap forward.
On May 29 in the Club’s renovated headquarters in downtown Los Angeles, the Club and two of its main vendors cemented their pledge of Member service excellence by signing the Code of Conduct and Ethics. The Club has always delivered outstanding service to its Members. With this signing, Club service has reached another level.
The inaugural vendors who also signed the Code include insurance partner Aflac and insurance and service partner Employer’s First Choice. Together, the Club and these two partners cover all of California.
“This is a significant occasion,” commented Association and Club President and CEO Robert Larios. “We are not just celebrating a milestone, but defining the principles that guide us forward as an organization and partners. Our greatest strength lies not just in what we achieve, but in how we achieve it – integrity, trust, collaboration are the cornerstones of everything we do, and we’re taking a bold step in reaffirming those values.”
Copies of the Code are available for Club vendors to display in their places of work.
The Code is open to adding more signatories in the years to come.
Background
The Code of Conduct and Ethics has been several years in the making.
Formation of the document’s content began in 2023, with Club CEO Robert Larios reaching out to Club partners about developing a code that would guide all those who serve Club Members with uniformity and purpose. Partners representing Employer’s First Choice and Aflac accepted. Major meetings took place last fall to firm the verbiage, with final touches added earlier this year.
An Ongoing Commitment
“Let’s remember that ethical leadership isn’t a one-time act, it’s a daily practice,” CEO Robert Larios concluded. “Together we will nurture this commitment, ensuring it grows into something extraordinary for the communities we serve.
“Let’s commemorate this moment with a celebration of all that we stand for.” •
‘Today we are pledging trust, purpose and a shared commitment of excellence to those we serve.’
— Robert Larios
The Code’s Promise to Members
The Code’s signatories promise:
- Professionalism
- Integrity
- Compliance
- Confidentiality
- Respect
- Fairness
- Customer focus
- Teamwork and harmony amongst Club partners
- Focus on improvement
- Accountability, and
- Consistent, accurate and positive marketing pieces
For more detailed information, please see the entire code here.
Words of Commitment
‘Creating the Code of Conduct and Ethics is both a proud and humbling milestone. I feel honored to have helped shape a document that doesn’t just outline expectations but also reinforces the values we already practice every day.’
— Noelle Kauffman Club Director of Sales
‘This Code lets public service employees know they are working with people who are truly there for them through good times and bad.’
— Dante Willerton Club Partner, Employer’s First Choice
‘By adhering to these principles, all Club Representatives aim to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and customer service while representing the Club.’
— Robert Larios President and CEO, Los Angeles City Employees, Inc. (the Club)
‘The values of our Board, management, staff, vendors and all the stakeholders we represent must see our values in what we do, not merely in what we say.’
— Rita Robinson-Kane Retired, LADOT; Club Board Member
‘The Club’s Code of Conduct and Ethics puts into words our core values—trust, integrity and putting our Members first. It ensures that every relationship we build continues to serve our Members.’
— Guadalupe Lira Club Director of Retail and Ecommerce
‘This document strengthens our partnership by continuing to build on our strong ethical foundation, helping make the partnership more resilient. It also makes us better equipped to navigate challenges, fostering an environment that best serves all Club members.’
— Alex Mattis Club Partner, Employer’s First Choice
Document Preparation
The Club and its partners have been crafting the Code of Conduct and Ethics for more than two years.
‘This document is vital. It will serve as the moral compass that will drive the way the Board makes decisions; the way our Executive team will lead the organization; and the way the Club staff will serve our Members.’
— Andrew Virzi III LADWP; Club Board President
— Andrew Virzi Jr. Retired, LADWP Club Board Member, Past President
At the Signing
At the gathering celebrating the signing of the Code of Conduct and Ethics. The event was the culmination of two years of planning and creation.
Pictured Left: Steven Hanson, Aflac independent agent, signs the Code of Conduct and Ethics.
Pictured Left: Dante Willerton, Employer’s First Choice, signs the Code of Conduct and Ethics.
‘I am pleased to see our Club staff and associated vendors commit to a Code of Conduct and Ethics. It is not a commitment to perfection, rather a commitment to boundaries of professional conduct.’
— Rita Robinson-Kane Retired, LADOT; Club Board Member
‘In today’s environment where trust, accountability and alignment matter more than ever, having a clearly defined Code of Conduct and Ethics is critical. With our expanding partnership and growing member base, it is essential that all parties operate from a shared foundation of ethical principles. This document ensures consistency in conduct, especially as we navigate more complex collaborations and serve a diverse Membership.’
— Noelle Kauffman, Club Director of Sales
| BEHIND THE SCENES
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Club COO Summy Lam
