Members must accept and comply with the following standards:
1. Each member shall conduct an annual independent audit and be prepared to make available such audit to the public and Forum.
2. In Bible translations, each member agrees that they must express the meaning of the original text as faithfully and accurately as possible and communicate that meaning in a natural and understandable form, using a style of language and a medium that is appropriate and acceptable to the intended audience.
3. In Bible publication and distribution/engagement, each member agrees to follow the UBS designation of Scripture products (Bible, New Testament, Portion, Selection) in all media and to use the UBS annual statistics for these products, thus eliminating all duplication in the reporting of Bible distribution statistics. As for the identification of the languages of the earth, each member agrees to use the SIL Ethnologue as well as its
accompanying statistics regarding the number of languages.
4. Each member shall give priority focus to the end user in translation and distribution plans and activities.
5. Each member shall pursue and maintain excellent relationships with other members. As part of this, (a) all publications of, or other references to, other members shall be courteous, positive and accurate; (b) when working in the same country, all attempts will be made to hold each other in the highest regard; (c) long range and annual plans shall be shared in writing, especially as they relate to entering into new regions, new countries or new programs of ministry; and (d) any member proactively recruiting a person from another Forum member is expected to consult with the leadership of such agency before entering into serious negotiations.
6. Each member subscribes unreservedly to the Forum Bylaws, values and policies.
7. Each member maintains a reputation for integrity and stability in all its operations, practices high ethical standards, and avoids all conflicts of interest.
8. Each member shall make its best efforts to conduct a thorough survey before undertaking a new translation, publication and/or distribution/engagement ministry in respect to a new language group or geographic area. Before starting the ministry, consultation is held with other Forum members working in the area or respective language group.
9. Each member agrees that, in the event of a dispute with any other member, it will promptly inform the Forum Board of Directors of the respective dispute and seek to settle the dispute in accordance with procedures acceptable to Forum.
10. Others as determined by the Board from time to time.
