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Our Mission 

The mission of the Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society, Inc., is to enhance and perpetuate the Hillsborough River State Park and the Fort Foster State Historic Site.

Our goal is simple. To support our park in the fulfillment of its mission. This mission, as set forth by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, is to provide resource based recreation while preserving, interpreting and restoring natural, cultural and historical resources.

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Our CSO Members accepting an award for Swamp Stomp from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for the 2018 Special Event Award for Exceptional Accomplishment in the category of Park Resource-based recreation 

You Can Make A Difference!

The Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society, Inc., is a volunteer nonprofit, citizen-support organization created to generate public awareness, education, and financial support for the preservation and maintenance of Hillsborough River State Park and the Fort Foster State Historic Site.

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As a member, you can help us enhance the various programs and services offered within the park. Financial and volunteer contributions help us implement projects approved by park management in the Master Site Plan. Whatever your level of support, you can take pride that your involvement will help increase the interest in and understanding of the heritage and natural environment of the park.

Our
Code
of
Ethics

  1. It is essential to proper conduct and operation of Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society, Inc (herein “CSO”) that its board members. Officers ,and employees be independent and impartial and that the position not be used for private gain.  Therefore, the Florida Legislature in Section 112.3251, Florida Statute (Fla. Stat.), requires that the law protect against any conflict of interest and establish standards for the conduct of (CSO) board members, officers, and employees in situations where conflicts may exist.

  2. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state that no (CSO) board member, officer, or employee shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or occur any obligation of any nature which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties for the CSO. To implement this policy and strengthen the faith and confidence of the people in Citizen Support Organizations, there is enacted a code of ethics setting forth standards of conduct required of Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society, Inc. members, officers, and employees in the performance of their official duties. STANDARDS: The following standards of conduct are enumerated in Chapter 112, Fla. Stat. and are required by Section 112.3251, Fla. Stat., to be observed by CSO board members, officers, and employees.

  1. Prohibition of Solicitation Acceptance of Gifts, no CSO board member, officer, or employee shall solicit or accept anything of value to the recipient, including a gift, loan, reward, promise of future employment, favor, or service, based upon any understanding that the vote, official action, or judgment of the CSO board member, officer, or employee would be influenced thereby.

  2. Prohibition of Accepting Compensation Given to Influence a Vote No CSO board member, officer, or employee shall accept any compensation, payment, or thing of value when the person knows, or, with reasonable care, should know that it was given to influence a vote or other action in which the CSO board member, officer, or employee was expected to participate in his or her official capacity.

  3. Salary and Expenses.  CSO board member or officer shall be prohibited from voting on a matter affecting his or her salary, expenses, or other compensation as a CSO board member or officer, as provided by law, page 1 of 2.

  4. Prohibition of Misuse of Position. A CSO board member, officer, or employee shall not corruptly use or attempt to use one’s official position or any position or any property or resource which may be within one’s trust, or perform official duties, to secure a special privilege, benefit, or exemption.

  5. Prohibition of Misuse of Privileged Information. No CSO board member, officer, or employee shall disclose or use information not available to members of the general public and gained by reason of one’s official position for one’s own personal gain or benefit or for the personal gain or benefit of any other person or business entity.

  6. Post-Office/Employment Restrictions: A person who has been elected to any CSO board or office or who is employed by a CSO may not personal represent another person or entity for compensation before the governing body of the CSO of which he or she was a board member, officer, or employee for a period of two years after he or she vacates that office or employment position.

  7. Prohibition of Employees Holding Office: No person may be, at one time, both a CSO employee and a CSO board member at the same time.

  8. Requirements to Abstain From Voting: A CSO board member or officer shall not vote in official capacity upon any measure which would affect his of her special private gain or loss, or which he or she knows would affect the special gain or any principal by whom the board member or officer is retained.When abstaining, the CSO board member or officer , prior to the vote being taken, shall make every reasonable effort to disclose the nature of his or her interest as a public record in memorandum filed with the person responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting, who shall incorporate the memorandum  in the minutes.  If it is not possible for th CSO board member of officer to file a memorandum before the vote, the memorandum must be filed with the person responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting no later than 15 days after the vote.

  9. Failure to Observe CSO Code of Ethics: Failure of a CSO board member, officer, or employee to observe the Code of Ethics may result in the removal of that person from their position. Further , failure of the CSO to observe the Code of Ethics may result in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection terminating its Agreement with the CSO.

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