The First Covenant Foundation
Conflict of Interest Statement for Directors, Employees and Officers
Conflict of Interest Defined:
A conflict of interest is defined as an actual or perceived interest by a staff member, officer, or board member, in an action that results in, or has the appearance of resulting in, personal, organizational, or professional gain. A conflict of interest occurs when a director, employee, or officer has a direct or fiduciary interest in another relationship. A conflict of interest could include:
- Ownership with a member of the Board of Directors/Trustees or an employee where one or the other has supervisory authority over the other or with a client who receives services.
- Employment of or by a member of the Board of Directors/Trustees or an employee where one or the other has supervisory authority over the other or with a client who receives services.
- Contractual relationship with a member of the Board of Directors/Trustees or an employee where one or the other has supervisory authority over the other or with a client who receives services.
- Creditor or debtor to a member of the Board of Directors/Trustees or an employee where one or the other has supervisory authority over the other or with a client who receives services.
- Consultative or consumer relationship with a member of the Board of Directors/Trustees or an employee where one or the other has supervisory authority over the other or with a client who receives services.
The definition of conflict of interest includes any bias or the appearance of bias in a decision-making process that would reflect a dual role played by a member of the organization or group. An example might involve a person who is an employee and a Board member, or a person who is an employee who hires family members as consultants.
Employee Responsibilities:
It is in the interest of the organization, individual staff, and Board members to strengthen trust and confidence in each other, to expedite resolution of problems, to mitigate the effect and to minimize organizational and individual stress that can be caused by a conflict of interest.
Employees are to avoid any conflict of interest, even the appearance of a conflict of interest. This organization serves the Holy One of Israel and His people, Mankind, not some individual or a small collection of individuals or special interest group. The appearance of a conflict of interest can cause embarrassment to the organization and jeopardize the credibility of the organization. Any conflict of interest, potential conflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict of interest is to be reported to your supervisor or another senior person immediately. Employees are to maintain independence and objectivity with clients, the community, and organization. Employees are called to maintain a sense of fairness, civility, ethics and personal integrity even if law, regulation, or custom does not require them.
Acceptance of Gifts:
Employees, members of employees’ immediate family, officers and members of the Board are prohibited from accepting gifts, money or gratuities from the following:
- Persons receiving benefits or services from the organization;
- Any person or organization performing or seeking to perform services under contract with the organization; and
- Persons who are otherwise in a position to benefit from the actions of any employee of the organization.
Employees may, with prior written of their supervisor, receive honoraria for lectures and other such activities while on personal days, compensatory time, annual leave, or leave without pay. If the employee is acting in any official capacity, honoraria received by an employee in connection with activities relating to employment with the organization are to be paid to the organization.
