Applications being accepted for business ethics award

Nominations for the fourth annual Business Ethics Award of the Uncommon Friends Foundation are being accepted through Feb. 28. The award will be presented in recognition of the critical importance of ethical leadership in today's businesses and organizations during the Uncommon Evening event on Thursday, June 4, at Harborside Events Center, Fort Myers. The award will be presented to a Southwest Florida business that exemplifies the highest standards of ethical behavior. Business, political, community, and religious leaders from the five-county Southwest Florida area may nominate companies and organizations that consistently demonstrate a system-wide commitment to business ethics. Companies and organizations may also self nominate. The applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of ethics experts from across the country. This panel will also decide the winner.

Applications and nomination forms for the award are currently available at www.uncommonfriends. org.

"We have enlisted the support of a team of nationally respected ethics professions to select this year's honoree," said Arlene Roth, executive director of the Uncommon Friends Foundation.

The purpose of the award is to encourage more organizations to embrace a culture that applauds and supports the highest standard of ethical behavior at all levels of the company.

Past recipients of the Business Ethics Award are HomeBanc Mortgage Corp., WilsonMiller, Inc., and Bonita Bay Group. The presenting sponsors for the award are Oswald Trippe and Company and Travelers.

Additional information about the foundation may be obtained by calling 337- 9505 or checking the Web site at www. uncommonfriends.org