Ethics in Business Award

The History | The Process | Award Criteria | Past Recipients | Sponsorship Opportunities

The History of Ethics in Business

Ethically-based businesses in Lancaster County deserve to be honored and recognized for their contributions to our community.

That’s why in 2007, Samaritan began the Ethics in Business awards program, which highlights businesses, companies, and organizations in Lancaster that are committed to operating ethically.

The Ethics in Business Process

A company is nominated through the nomination form by a member of the community based on the award criteria.
After accepting the nomination, companies undergo an ethics audit that includes the production of documents, an employee survey, and a half-day site visit and interviews.
The culmination of the process is an in-depth report presented to an anonymous selection committee made up of local business leaders. The committee uses these reports — and their professional experience — to select the award recipient based on the five criteria of integrity, fairness and justice, stewardship, life-enhancing, and transparency.
The award recipient is announced at the October event. All Final Nominees are provided with an Ethics In Business Final Nominee logo, the results of the employee survey, and one hour of consulting services from Samaritan Consulting Group.

Nominations for the 2023 event are due by January 15th, 2023.

2023 Event

The 2023 Ethics in Business awards ceremony will retain the familiar process of announcing an award recipient and celebrating local ethical business practices. This year, Samaritan will also partner with Franklin & Marshall College to offer the event for free with nationally recognized speakers in the areas of ethics in business.

Venue: Franklin and Marshall College – Lancaster, PA
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2023
Speakers: Andy Fastow, the former Chief Financial Officer of Enron, and Sherron Watkins, former Vice President of Corporate Development and one of the whistleblowers of the Enron scandal

Program Schedule

Awards program honoring the nominees and announcing the award recipient of the Ethics in Business Awards Program
Keynote from Speaker Andy Fastow, the former Chief Financial Officer of Enron.
One-hour meet-and-greet with the speaker, sponsors, and faculty
Keynote with speaker Sherron Watkins, one of the whistleblowers of the Enron scandal, for F&M’s “Common Hour” program.

Award Criteria

Integrity

To conduct business with a firm adherence to an ethical code including consistency of word, action, honesty and regard for the standards of one’s industry or profession.

Businesses and individuals might demonstrate this principle when they maintain a balanced and realistic sense of self; recognize and celebrate contributions and gifts of others; exemplify and model ethical behavior; ensure that actions are consistent with facts and policies; manifest trustworthiness; act with regard for the common good; and place principles before politics.

Fairness & Justice

To strive for equality and mutuality by treating employees and business relationships justly and with respect.

This principle might be demonstrated through fair pay policies and practices at all levels of the organization; by seeking and maintaining diversity in employees, managers and suppliers; by maintaining consistent equal opportunity policies and practices for hiring and advancement; by promoting open and honest business interactions; and by striving to meet the needs of the underserved.

Stewardship

To be careful and responsible in the management of something entrusted to one’s care.

Organizations may demonstrate this principle if they set in place responsible environmental policies and actions; endorse environmental programs; foster sustainability; exercise strong fiduciary responsibility; practice fair and principled fundraising policies; pursue socially responsible investment policies; coordinate activities, share resources, and take actions to build the capacities of others for the common good; create new economic opportunities to sustain and grow their business; create value; and promote a just economy.

Life-Enhancing

To conduct business in a way that advances life, increases and improves value, quality and desirability, and respects human rights.

This principle may be demonstrated when an organization encourages employee pursuit of enrichment activities outside of work; emphasizes health and health practices; works to give back to the community; strives to produce products and services that are life-enhancing; develops fair employment policies and practices; supports employees experiencing personal crisis; seeks to add and maintain diversity to the workplace; nurtures employees through staff training; promotes job training and skills building; and respects human rights.

Transparency

To be free from pretense, open and inclusive in its communications, responsible and accountable in its dealings, and loyal in its relationships.

This principle is visible when an organization promotes an inclusive strategic planning process; grants employees authority and responsibility to achieve strategic goals; develops mission statement and values that every employee knows, understands and lives by; maintains responsibility to shareholders including timely communication of and adherence to ethical standards, auditing and reporting procedures; maintains loyalty in its relationships to others and the community; and commits to open communication with all stakeholders.

Sponsorships

Businesses and organizations can support the Ethics in Business Award event and process through a variety of sponsorships:

Co-Presenting Sponsor, $7,500
Award Ceremony Sponsor, $5,000
Transportation/Accommodation Sponsor, $2,500
Student Scholarship Sponsor, $2,500
Ethics Story Sponsor, $1,500
Friends of Samaritan, $500

To learn more about the program, sponsorship opportunities, or the nomination process, contact the Samaritan Business Consulting team at ssnyder@samaritanlancaster.org.

Award Recipients

Each year, the award recipient receives a video spotlighting their commitment to ethics from Natural Light Films.

2023: Eurofins
2022: EGStoltzfus
2021: Graham Packaging
2020: RLPS Architects
2019: Lancaster Toyota Mazda
2018: Murray Securus
2017: Simon Lever
2016: Cargas Systems (Medium-Large Business Recipient); Assets (Small Business Recipient)
2015: Bomberger’s
2014: One2One Inc.
2013: Everence
2012: Four Seasons Produce
2011: Nxtbook Media LLC (For-Profit Category); Lancaster General Health ( Not-for-Profit Category)
2009: Two Dudes Painting Company (For-Profit Category); United Disabilities Services (Not-for-Profit Category); Quintin Frey, Turkey Hill Dairy (Individual Category)
2008: The Horst Group (For-Profit Category); St. Joseph Health Ministries (Not-for-Profit Category); J. Gary Langmuir (Individual Category)
2007: Lancaster Laboratories Inc. (For-Profit Category); Lancaster Day Care Center (Not-for-Profit Category); Stephen Powell (2007 Individual Category)