FRATERNAL ORDER OFCONTINENTAL SENTINELS
NATIONAL CODE OF ETHICS & CONDUCT
LIBERTY • BROTHERHOOD • SERVICE
Standards of Honor, Integrity, Constitutional Fidelity, Fellowship, and Public Service
Edition 1.0 — Official National Policy
Preamble
Membership in the Fraternal Order of Continental Sentinels is a position of trust. Every Sentinel represents the values of the Order through personal conduct, public service, fellowship, and respect for the Constitutional Republic of the United States.
This Code establishes the minimum ethical and behavioral standards expected of every member, officer, Minuteman, State Command, Company, committee, and authorized representative of the Order. Membership, rank, office, insignia, or veteran recognition never places a person above the law or above these standards.
Article I — Constitutional Fidelity
A Sentinel shall support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitutional Republic established under it. Members shall pursue the Order's mission only through lawful, peaceful, constitutional, and civic means.
Respect constitutional rights even when exercised by people with whom the member strongly disagrees.
Reject political violence, vigilantism, insurrection, terrorism, intimidation, and unlawful attempts to exercise governmental authority.
Never claim that membership creates police, military, governmental, judicial, or emergency authority.
Place constitutional principles above partisan loyalty when acting in the name of the Order.
Article II — Honor and Integrity
A Sentinel shall act truthfully and honorably in dealings with the Order, fellow members, public officials, community partners, and the public.
Do not knowingly lie, falsify records, conceal material facts, or submit fraudulent documents.
Do not falsely claim military service, decorations, professional credentials, membership rank, office, awards, or authority.
Keep commitments made on behalf of the Order or promptly disclose when they cannot be fulfilled.
Accept responsibility for mistakes and take reasonable steps to correct them.
Article III — Respect and Fellowship
The Order is a fraternity open to eligible men and women. Brotherhood is understood as a fraternal bond among all members.
Treat members and the public with dignity, fairness, and respect.
Do not engage in unlawful discrimination, harassment, hazing, bullying, stalking, threats, or retaliation.
Disagreement shall not be treated as disloyalty merely because another member holds a different lawful political, religious, or personal view.
Resolve internal disputes through established procedures rather than public retaliation, intimidation, or personal attacks.
Protect the dignity of members during discipline, illness, hardship, and memorial observances.
Article IV — Religious Liberty and Conscience
The Order requires belief in God, a Supreme Being, or universal Creator but does not prescribe a denomination or specific religious doctrine. Members shall respect the lawful religious liberty and conscience of others.
No member may use the Order to promote hostility toward a person because of religion or lack of membership in a particular faith tradition.
Chaplain and ceremonial observances should be reverent and inclusive within the Order's stated belief requirement.
No member shall be compelled to violate lawful conscience as a condition of ordinary fraternity.
Article V — Nonpartisanship and Civic Conduct
The Order is officially nonpartisan. Members retain their individual political rights, but the name, marks, funds, meetings, and official channels of the Order shall not be used for unauthorized partisan activity.
Do not endorse or oppose political candidates or political parties in the name of the Order.
Clearly distinguish personal political opinions from official Order positions.
Constitutional education and civic discussion should emphasize facts, history, principles, and respectful debate.
Do not pressure members to support a candidate, party, campaign, or political contribution as a condition of membership or advancement.
Article VI — Service Before Self
A Sentinel should seek useful service rather than status, recognition, or personal power.
Support veterans, constitutional and civic education, community service, first responders, animal welfare, disaster relief, historic preservation, youth programs, firearm safety education, and outdoor programs consistent with Order policy.
Do not exploit charitable activities for personal financial gain.
Do not obstruct public-safety personnel or self-deploy into restricted areas during emergencies.
Protect vulnerable persons and respect the dignity of those receiving assistance.
Article VII — Firearms and Responsible Conduct
The Order recognizes lawful firearm ownership, carry, training, and safety. These rights carry serious responsibilities.
Follow all applicable federal, state, and local laws and lawful venue or property rules.
Never use a firearm, tactical apparel, insignia, or group presence to intimidate others or imply governmental authority.
No armed patrols, vigilante operations, or self-appointed enforcement activities shall be conducted in the Order's name.
Never handle firearms while impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs, or any condition that makes handling unsafe.
Range and educational activities shall follow approved safety procedures and qualified supervision.
Loaded firearms shall not be handled as ceremonial props.
Article VIII — Minuteman Conduct
Minuteman recognition honors qualifying military service. It does not create a paramilitary role within the Order.
Minutemen shall wear authorized tactical-style uniforms and insignia only in a manner consistent with National policy.
Uniforms must remain clearly fraternal and must not impersonate active military, law enforcement, security, or emergency personnel.
Minutemen shall exemplify discipline, restraint, service, and responsible citizenship.
Minuteman status shall never be used to command ordinary members outside authority granted by the governing documents.
Article IX — Officer Ethics
Officers hold positions of trust and owe duties of loyalty, care, fairness, confidentiality, and financial stewardship to the Order.
Exercise authority only within the Charter, Constitution and Bylaws, National policy, and lawful resolutions.
Disclose material conflicts of interest and abstain when required.
Do not retaliate against members for good-faith complaints or protected reporting.
Do not use office to obtain improper personal, political, business, or financial benefit.
Protect organizational passwords, records, funds, property, seals, and insignia.
Promptly transfer all Order property and access credentials when leaving office.
Article X — Financial Ethics
Never commingle organizational and personal funds.
Never steal, borrow, conceal, divert, or misuse Order funds or property.
Maintain accurate receipts, deposits, reports, reimbursements, and supporting records.
Do not accept kickbacks, secret commissions, or undisclosed financial benefits.
Restricted donations and program funds shall be used only for their authorized lawful purposes.
Cooperate with authorized audits, reviews, and financial investigations.
Article XI — Confidentiality and Privacy
Members may learn private information through applications, background screening, discipline, financial administration, youth programs, veteran verification, or member assistance.
Access confidential information only for legitimate organizational purposes.
Do not disclose background-check information, home addresses, private contact information, family information, disciplinary records, or other protected records without authorization or lawful necessity.
Do not use confidential information for retaliation, personal advantage, political activity, or public embarrassment.
Protect electronic and physical records from unauthorized access.
Article XII — Public Communications and Social Media
Only authorized representatives may issue official National, State Command, or Company statements.
Members speaking personally should avoid creating a false impression that they speak for the Order.
Do not publish confidential internal documents or private member information.
Do not use Order branding for threats, unlawful conduct, unauthorized commercial activity, or unauthorized political endorsements.
Members should remember that public conduct associated with Order insignia can affect the reputation of every Sentinel.
Article XIII — Alcohol, Drugs, and Impairment
Alcohol is prohibited during formal initiations and formal ceremonial proceedings.
Where alcohol is permitted at a regular meeting or social event, members shall consume responsibly and lawfully.
No impaired person shall handle firearms, drive on Order business, supervise youth, perform safety-sensitive duties, or participate in disaster-response activities.
Illegal drug activity shall not be conducted or tolerated in the Order's name or at Order-controlled activities.
Article XIV — Youth and Vulnerable Persons
Members involved with minors or vulnerable persons shall observe heightened standards of care.
Follow required background checks, clearances, parental permissions, supervision rules, and mandated-reporting laws.
Avoid inappropriate isolated one-on-one contact with unrelated minors.
Never use hazing, sexualized conduct, alcohol, intimidation, or adult initiation practices in youth programming.
Report suspected abuse or neglect as required by law and National safeguarding policy.
Article XV — Safety and Stewardship
Plan activities with reasonable regard for foreseeable risk.
Follow event, range, outdoor, vehicle, animal-handling, and disaster-relief safety requirements.
Respect private property and obtain required permission before using property or facilities.
Protect historic sites, public lands, wildlife, equipment, and community resources.
Immediately address dangerous conduct rather than allowing loyalty or rank to override safety.
Article XVI — Prohibited Conduct
The following conduct is fundamentally inconsistent with membership and may result in discipline up to expulsion:
Serious criminal conduct connected to the Order or materially affecting fitness for membership.
Political violence, terrorism, vigilantism, or unlawful paramilitary activity.
Threats, harassment, stalking, hazing, or violence against members or the public.
Fraud, theft, embezzlement, falsification of records, or misuse of organizational assets.
Knowingly false claims of military service, awards, credentials, office, or authority.
Unlawful discrimination or targeted abuse.
Retaliation against a person for a good-faith safety, financial, safeguarding, or misconduct report.
Misuse of firearms or weapons at Order activities.
Impersonation of law enforcement, military, government, security, or emergency personnel.
Serious or repeated violations of the Charter, Constitution and Bylaws, this Code, or duly adopted National policy.
Article XVII — Duty to Report
Members should promptly report credible serious misconduct involving threats to safety, abuse of minors, financial wrongdoing, theft of Order property, significant violations of law, or conduct likely to cause substantial harm to the Order or public.
Reports should be made through the established Company, State, or National process. Immediate danger should be reported to appropriate emergency or law-enforcement authorities. Members shall not conduct amateur criminal enforcement or interfere with official investigations.
Article XVIII — Fair Discipline and Due Process
Ethical enforcement must itself be ethical. Accused members are entitled to fair treatment under the governing documents.
Allegations should be documented and reviewed impartially.
Interim restrictions may be used for immediate safety or integrity concerns but are not findings of guilt.
A member should receive reasonable notice of material allegations and a reasonable opportunity to respond.
Sanctions should be proportionate to the conduct and circumstances.
Appeal rights shall be provided when authorized by the governing documents.
Confidential disciplinary information should be disclosed only as reasonably necessary.
Article XIX — The Sentinel Standard
A Sentinel shall strive to:
Know the Constitution before claiming to defend it.
Exercise rights responsibly.
Respect lawful disagreement.
Speak truthfully.
Keep promises.
Serve without demanding recognition.
Protect the vulnerable.
Honor legitimate public service.
Preserve history accurately.
Place duty above ego.
Leave the Company, Order, and community stronger through service.
Article XX — Personal Pledge of Conduct
By accepting membership, I recognize that the reputation of the Fraternal Order of Continental Sentinels depends upon the conduct of its members. I pledge to uphold the Constitution, obey the law, act with honor, respect the rights and dignity of others, safeguard the trust placed in me, and conduct myself according to the principles of Liberty, Brotherhood, and Service.
I understand that membership is a privilege governed by the National Charter, Constitution and Bylaws, this Code of Ethics & Conduct, and duly adopted policies of the Order.
Member Acknowledgment
Member Name
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Membership Number
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Company / State
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Member Signature
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Date
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Adoption
This Code of Ethics & Conduct becomes effective upon adoption by the authorized National governing body and remains in force until amended or superseded in accordance with the National governing documents.
Adopted By
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Effective Date
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National Commander
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National Adjutant / Secretary
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PEOPLE • PRINCIPLES • PURPOSEDEFEND • PRESERVE • SERVE