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Responsibility to the Community The most effective historic preservation takes place locally, and all preservation commissioners and staff should remember that it is their duty, as public servants, to advance the greater good of the community. 1. Commissioners and Staff should be advocates for the community's heritage resources, striv- ing to protect their integrity while recognizing the rights of citizens, individually and collec- tively, to their beneficial use and enjoyment. 2. Commissioners and Staff should promote public awareness, appreciation, access and sup- port for the preservation of heritage resources. 3. Commissioners and Staff should develop standards and guidelines that are appropriate for the resources and protect the community's unique character, environment and quality of life. 4. Commissioners and Staff should respect the diversity of heritage resources that may hold different meanings for various groups and communities. 5. Commissioners and Staff should respect the public's right to know by providing full, clear and accurate information and observing both the letter and spirit of open meetings and open re- cords laws. 6. Commissioners and Staff should provide opportunities for meaningful public participation in the work of the commission. 7. Commissioners and Staff should make timely, fair, informed and impartial decisions that guarantee citizens' rights to due process and equal protection under the law. 8. Commissioners and Staff should be sensitive to the interrelatedness of their decisions and the long-term implications for the resources and the community. 9. Commissioners and Staff should seek compromises or search for alternatives where neces- sary to achieve overall preservation goals and provide substantial justice for citizens. 10. Commissioners and Staff should recognize that the historic built environment changes over time and encourage new development that respects the historic character and fabric that pre- ceded it. 11. Commissioners and Staff should continually evaluate and update their plans, ordinances, standards, guidelines and procedures to ensure they -meet the community's current and future needs. 12. Commissioners and Staff should always strive to make decisions that are in the best interest of the community. Responsibility to the Profession Preservation commissioners and staff are drawn from many disciplines and backgrounds. The common thread that joins them is their interest and commitment to preserve heritage resources in their communities. A multi -disciplinary profession has developed over the years from the historic preservation movement, and commissioners and staff have an obligation to advance the best interests of this profession in the context of their commission work. 1. Commissioners and Staff should be mindful that they are representatives of the greater lo- cal, state, and national preservation community and conduct themselves in a way that brings credit to their commission and the profession. 2. Commissioners and Staff should share their knowledge and experience and contribute to the