Officers and directors of not-for-profit corporations have fiduciary obligations to the organization and its members under not-for-profit and general corporate law. These may be defined as a duty of care and a duty of loyalty.

The duty of loyalty requires the avoidance of advancing personal interests in ways that inure or take advantage of the organization. Strict standards of honesty and good faith are expected so that actions are taken in the best interests of the organization. The duty of care requires the association's officers and directors to apply reasonable skill and judgement in managing the organization's affairs, to exercise reasonable business judgement, and to pay attention to the activities and finances of the organization.

MBA members also expect the same duties of care and loyalty from those representing the organization in many other capacities, not just officers and directors. They expect those representing the organization, be it staff, officers or directors, committee or task force members, speakers, authors, or others, to put individual interests aside when they are representing or acting in the name of the MBA. For example, a speaker or author is presented by MBA for the educational benefit of its members so they may improve their own skills, not for the marketing benefit of the speaker. Likewise, committee and task force members should always put the membership's interests first in the selection of programs and services.

Committees, task forces, appointment powers, and vendor selections all offer commercial opportunities both overt and covert. MBA expects and requires that those provided the opportunity to manage and represent the organization in any capacity will adhere to these basic obligations of loyalty and care, and not advance their own personal advantage ahead of MBA and its members.

Any member who believes another MBA member or employee is not fulfilling the intent of this statement should address their concerns to the President and Executive Director for a confidential review.