People and Animal Learning Services (PALS) Conflict Policy

The PALS Board of Directors and Staff operate under a self-policing framework with broad representation of interests and concerns. A conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest could tarnish the reputation of PALS and undermine the public’s trust. To avoid potential conflicts of interest, PALS Board of Directors and Staff will:

• Avoid any activity or outside interest which conflicts or appears to conflict with the best interest of PALS.
• Ensure that outside employment and other activities do not adversely affect the performance of their PALS’ duties or achieving PALS’ mission.
• Ensure that travel, entertainment, and related expenses are incurred on a basis consistent with the mission of PALS and not for personal gain or interests.
• Decline any gift, gratuity, or favor in the performance of PALS duties except for promotional items of nominal value ($100 or less) or any food, transportation, lodging or entertainment unless directly related to PALS business.
• Refrain from influencing the selection or hiring of staff, consultants or vendors who are relatives, personal friends, or affiliated with, employ, or are employed by a PALS Board member or Staff person.
• Refrain from taking any action, or making any statement, intended to influence the conduct of PALS that would confer any financial benefit on themselves, their family members, or another organization to which they have a fiduciary duty.
• Disclose all known conflicts of interest in matters under consideration of the Board of Directors.
• Communicate conflicts of interests to the Executive Director or a PALS Board member in writing where conflicts are anticipated or verbally when urgent issues arise.

This Policy is general in nature. As specific situations arise, PALS relies on staff, volunteers and representatives to use good judgment to avoid actual or potential conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgment and declaration:

A conflict of interest may occur when there is personal interest in a business decision. Personal interest may include, but is not limited to, (i) significant gain, potential as well as actual, for the member or family member* as a result of action by PALS and (ii) significant and direct benefit, financial or otherwise, to an organization to which the member or family member has a fiduciary duty such as the member’s employer, or another nonprofit organization in which the member has a significant interest as a stakeholder, director or officer.

[* family member includes the member’s spouse, registered domestic partner, child, brother, sister, parent, parent of spouse, the parent or child of a registered domestic partner, grandparents, grandchildren, the employee’s in-law relatives, or other step equivalents.]