a. A member of the Federation is expected to uphold the dignity and honor of his vocation.

b. A member of the Federation is expected to conduct himself in a manner which will enhance the stature of the profession and its abilities to serve the public.

c. A member of the Federation is expected to conduct himself in a manner which will encourage cooperation and good relations among members of the profession.

d. A member of the Federation has an obligation to share his experience and knowledge with his colleagues and with serious students.

e. A member of the Federation has a responsibility to teach and train apprentices In the highest standards of his skill within the limits of his expert knowledge and ability and the technical facilities available.

f. A member of the Federation will not volunteer criticism of the procedures and qualifications of another member. Such comments or insinuations tend to lower the confidence of the client in the Federation, and works against the interests of the clients, the profession and the critic.

g. A member of the Federation shall not attempt to use, patent, copyright or otherwise seek financial gain from an idea, design or product of others engaged in the profession.

h. A member of the Federation shall not undertake to solicit, encourage or hire an individual who is retained by or in the employ of another member. An individual can only be considered for employment after having given formal notice to quit to his current employer.

a. A member of the Federation shall serve his clients with a professional concern for their best interests consistent with his obligation to the public at large.

b. A member of the Federation is required to hold in strict confidence all information concerning client's affairs that may have developed from a working relationship.

c. A member of the Federation will be frank and straight forward with clients. A client should never be in doubt about the professional opinion or stature advised by a member.

d. Members of the Federation shall be constantly alert to guard the public against fraud or unethical conduct of any kind and to report such suspicions to the Board of Governors.

e. Members of the Federation shall be alert to the status of stolen or lost objects and make every possible attempt to return the objects to their rightful owners. Acceptance of reward or gratuity for the return of lost or stolen property is considered unethical.

f. A member of the Federation will assume responsibility for the ultimate quality of his services and advice, and will not engage in activities beyond his professional competence and experience.

g. A member of the Federation shall be sensitive to questions of punctuality and will make every attempt to both estimate and deliver services or objects with reasonable promptness.

a. A member of the Federation shall be always mindful of the great value and historical significance of objects entrusted to his care.

b. A member of the Federation shall take all precautions possible to protect objects in his care from the risks of fire and theft.

c. A member of the Federation is required to be conscious of the danger of environmental hazards such as unsuitable levels of relative humidity, temperature, light and atmospheric pollutants.

d. A member of the Federation will maintain objects in areas of storage suitable for safe care and protection from accidental damage.

e. A member of the Federation will always be mindful of the physical integrity of instruments and bows. He shall at all times be guided by the "principle of reversibility" in the conservation and restoration of objects.

a. A member of the Federation will not make statements or present opinions in the name of the Federation as an individual member without expressed written permission from the Board of Governors.

b. A member of the Federation will not engage in any advertising, public or private, that uses statements or claims likely to exaggerate favorable results or expectations of the skills or expertise of the member.

c. A member of the Federation will not engage in any form of public or private advertising that implies his skills to be superior to those of other member professionals.

d. A member of the Federation will not make statements or claims likely to cause confusion or misunderstanding to the average person.

a. Fees shall be determined by a member exercising his independent judgment and being always mindful of his professional responsibilities.

b. A member of the Federation shall avoid charges for services which underestimate the value of a completed task. Indeed, a professional person who cannot maintain a respectable standard of living is not likely to inspire confidence or to enjoy sufficient peace of mind to do his best work. However, a client's ability to pay cannot justify a charge in excess of the value of the service. Therefore, estimates for services should not be misleading by being substantially lower or higher than is consistent with reasonable cost for the performance of the task.

c. A member of the Federation shall not collaborate with clients to artificially inflate costs in cases of insurance compensation. Any collusion to falsify insurance claims is unethical and forbidden.

d. A member of the Federation shall not offer manufactured products or accessories at cost or near cost except under unusual circumstances to reduce inventory or promote advertising. The continual sale of products far below market price shall be considered unfair competition.

a. A member of the Federation shall expose without fear, incompetent or corrupt, dishonest or unethical conduct on the part of members of the profession. Conduct in violation of the American Federation of Violin & Bow Makers, Inc., CODE OF ETHICS or PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT can lead to expulsion of a member from the Federation.

b. A complaint against a member shall be investigated by a special committee of not less than five members appointed by the President. The special committee shall submit its report and recommendations to the Board of Governors. A two-thirds vote of the Board of Governors after a formal complaint and hearing shall be cause for expulsion, suspension or other disciplinary action.

a. Proposed amendments to the CODE OF ETHICS and PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT shall be submitted to the Board of Governors.

b. If the amendment is approved by the Board, it is mailed to the membership for consideration no less than fifteen days before tile next AFVBM Annual Meeting. The amendment is adopted if approved by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at that meeting.