[Evergreen-governance-l] Conflict of Interest Guidelines.

[Steve Wills]

2. Followup from last month's meeting

  2c. Conflict of Interest Guidelines

Just a few thoughts in the interest of efficiency.


Since our last meeting I have been studying the topic of ethics and conflicts in non-profits.

I wanted to get a feeling for current thought about the subject and I am not finished with
that effort.  In general, my reading centers around a debate over having a practical case 
approach vs. a statement of philosophy coupled with general guidelines.

Personally, I find myself leaning toward a statement of philosophy as an approach to the issue.
We have the spine of this already.

I want to recognize that conflicts arise from time to time and need to be dealth with.  That the
topic can be uncomfortable since it implies a feeling of distrust.  I like the idea of a statement
that this is ok and can lend to greater diversity as long as conflicts are disclosed and
members recuse themselves as necessary.

In general my reading is supporting the idea that the greater the transparency of management, the
less the risks of conflict are.

I would like another month to continue this study before being proposed language changes, if any,
to the board.

Respectfully,
Steve Wills