Policy05 conflictofinterestpolicy

Policy05 conflictofinterestpolicy

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  Mohawk Towpath ScenicByway Coalition, Inc. - Conflict of Interest Policy - Page !1 M E M O R A N D U M TO: Officers, Directors and Members FROM: Eric J. Hamilton, Executive Director SUBJECT: Conflict of Interest Policy (Policy Memo 5) DATE: January 19, 2017 To be compliant with New York State Not-for-Profit Corporation Law the following will be the Conflict of Interest Policy of the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition, Inc. (the Coalition). Purpose: The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect the Coalition’s interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Coalition or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations. Definitions: Interested Person - Any director, principal officer, or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person. Financial Interest - A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family: a. An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Coalition has a transaction or arrangement, b. A compensation arrangement with the Coalition or with any entity or individual with which The Coalition has a transaction or arrangement, or c. A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the Coalition is negotiating a transaction or arrangement. Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial. A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. Under the following procedures, a person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists. Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition, Inc. P O Box 90 Clifton Park, N Y 12065-0090
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  Mohawk Towpath ScenicByway Coalition, Inc. - Conflict of Interest Policy - Page !2 Procedures: Duty to Disclose In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement. Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists. Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest a. An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest. b. The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement. c. After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the Coalition can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest. d. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the Coalition’s best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement. Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy a. If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or b. If, after hearing the member’s response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action. Records of Proceedings: The minutes of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain: a. The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the governing board’s or committee’s decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed. b. The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.
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  Mohawk Towpath ScenicByway Coalition, Inc. - Conflict of Interest Policy - Page !3 Compensation: a. A voting member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Coalition for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation. b. A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Coalition for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation. c. No voting member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Coalition, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation. Annual Statements Each director, principal officer and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person: a. Has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy, b. Has read and understands the policy, c. Has agreed to comply with the policy, and d. Understands the Coalition is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes. Periodic Reviews To ensure the Coalition operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects: a. Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information and the result of arm’s length bargaining. b. Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations conform to the Coalition’s written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes and do not result in inurement, impermissible private benefit or in an excess benefit transaction. Use of Outside Experts When conducting the periodic reviews as provided above, the Coalition may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the governing board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted. Certification I certify that the above is a full and true copy of the Coalition’s Conflict of Interest Policy as adopted by the majority of members present at a regular meeting of the Coalition on January 15, 2015. Name Date January 19, 2017 Executive Director

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  Mohawk Towpath ScenicByway Coalition, Inc. - Conflict of Interest Policy - Page !4 Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition, Inc. Conflict of Interest Policy By signing below I signify that I have read, understood, and agree to comply with the MTSBC Conflict of Interest Policy =================================================================== For the year 2017 Print Name Signature Date ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————— ————————————— ———————————— ———————————