GOVERNANCE

The America First Academy of Arts & Sciences™ (AFAAS™) is governed as an independent, academy-led institution.

Governance authority resides with the Academy and its designated stewards, 

who are responsible for:

• Establishing institutional standards and eligibility criteria
• Preserving the independence and credibility of Academy programs
• Ensuring consistency across sanctioned recognitions and publications
• Safeguarding the long-term mission and legacy of the institution
   

Programs are developed and introduced deliberately, with governance structures established prior to public expansion.

The Academy does not engage in political advocacy.

Its role is institutional stewardship, standards-setting, and the recognition of enduring contribution intended to endure beyond any individual, generation, or event.

A Founder & Executive Steward reference profile is available at afaas.us/leadership.

For Academy-related inquiries, select CONTACT in the top of page menu above.

 Its standards are designed to endure beyond any individual, event, or moment. 

 The following governance principles reflect the policies and institutional standards established by the America First Academy of Arts & Sciences™ (AFAAS™) 

 WHO MAY SUPPORT THE ACADEMY:

ACADEMY INDEPENDENCE & NATIONAL INTEREST POLICY 

The Academy does not accept gifts, contributions, sponsorships, or other financial support from foreign governments. In addition, the Academy will not accept support from any individual or entity owned or controlled by, directed by, materially financed by, or acting on behalf of a country  designated by the United States as a foreign adversary under 15 CFR § 791.4, as amended. The Academy reserves the right to decline any gift, contribution, sponsorship, or other support that could compromise, or reasonably create the appearance of compromising, its independence, institutional integrity, governance, reputation, or alignment with the national interest. 

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 HOW GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION WORKS:

CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS COMPLIANCE POLICY 

 The Academy intends to plan and conduct award programs in a manner consistent with applicable federal ethics laws, regulations, and guidance  governing the participation of Members of Congress, congressional staff, executive branch officials, and other public officials, including, where applicable, the widely attended event provisions of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate ethics rules. All invitations and participation by government officials remain subject to the ethics requirements and approvals applicable to their respective offices. Nothing in this policy is intended to supersede or modify the ethics obligations applicable to any invited public official or employee. 

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WHO MAY INVITE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS:
GOVERNMENT INVITATIONS & PROTOCOL POLICY

The Academy maintains exclusive authority to issue or authorize invitations to Members of Congress, congressional staff, executive branch officials, military leaders, and other government representatives for academy programs.  Founding Support Partners, participants, vendors, and other third parties may not independently extend invitations on behalf of the Academy award programs. All government participation remains subject to the ethics requirements, review procedures, and approvals applicable to the invited individual’s office or agency.

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INSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE & ETHICS COMPLIANCE:
AFAAS™ is an independent, non-partisan, academy-governed entity.  Corporate Founding Support Partners and sponsors play no role in award selection, judging, or recipient determination, thereby preserving the Academy's independence and avoiding commercial endorsement or conflict-of-interest concerns.