2024 Board Conflict of Interest Policy

The Board Directors of the Alliance are the trusted Stewards and Fiduciaries of the Alliance and the perpetual and benevolent gifts of others. As such, the Board Directors should seek to meticulously carry out the stated purposes of its donors; and in addition seek out and endeavor to meet what they determine to be the arts community’s most critical needs and adhere to the mission and vision of the Alliance.

In carrying out this mission, each Board Director should approach each decision made with the best knowledge available, with wisdom, thoughtful consideration, compassion and with objectivity. Decisions should never be made on the basis of personal interest or benefit to the Board Director.

Realizing the responsibilities that the Board Directors have assumed, they should always avoid, not only specific “conflict of interest” situations, but in addition, those situations which may have the appearance or perception to others of a conflict of interest or decision made for personal interest or personal gain.

In all events each Board Director should seek to do “the right and honorable thing” in each circumstance, and if in doubt about a conflict or perceived conflict of interest in a particular manner, should err on the side of caution and abstain from the voting process on any such Board or Committee matter. And, in such circumstances, the Board Director should advise the Board Directors, Committee, or Staff, as seems appropriate, of his or her conflict or perceived conflict of interest in the matter. This should not, however, prevent the Board Director from giving to the appropriate person or persons his or her insight or knowledge of the particular situation which might be of value in the making of a decision.

Conflict of Interest Policy

This statement is directed not only to Board Directors, officers and staff, but also to all employees and volunteers including those persons who may serve on an Alliance Committee but do not serve on the Board of Directors.

It is essential that the work of the Alliance not be compromised by any conflict of interest or the appearance of conflict of interest. Conflict of interest means any financial or other interest that conflict with mission and vision of the Alliance which could (1) impair the individual’s objectivity; or (2) create an unfair advantage for any person or organization.

1. Full Disclosure. Annually each Board Director, committee member, staff member, employee or volunteer of the Alliance shall provide to the Executive Director a list of formal affiliations with other nonprofit organizations and for-profit organizations which are, or could be, supporting the Alliance, be doing business with the Alliance or be supported by the Alliance. This list will be considered a matter of public record and be available for review upon request by the public.

2. Abstention. Upon consideration of any situation with which a Board Director, committee member, staff member, employee or volunteer has a disqualifying relationship, that relationship shall be disclosed to the Alliance. Any Board Director, committee member, staff member, employee or volunteer so related shall abstain from voting or otherwise attempting to influence the decision on an item on which there is such a conflict. This will not, however, prevent an individual with a disqualifying relationship from providing the appropriate person or persons with relevant information for their consideration prior to the vote.

3. Disclosure in Minutes. The minutes of any meeting shall show that the person having a duality conflict of interest, or the appearance or perception to others of a conflict of interest, disclosed the same and that he or she abstained from voting on the matter.

4. Dissemination of Information. A copy of this policy shall be furnished to any person who is or becomes a member of the Board of Directors, a committee member, or a member of the staff, employee or volunteer of the Alliance or its affiliates.

5. Definitions:

(1) “Disqualifying relationship” means formal affiliation or relationship as a spouse of or by a significant long-term relationship to a person formally affiliated with an individual, a nonprofit organizations or for-profit organizations that may benefit from approval or decisions made by the Alliance or its Board of Directors. Furthermore, as outlined in the “General Statement as to Conflict of Interest”, a disqualifying relationship refers to situations which may have the appearance of a conflict of interest.

(2) “Formal affiliation” means employment by, an ownership interest in, or service on the governance board or as an officer of an organization.

In the event that any matter, comes before the Board of Board Directors (or Committee), which involves any entity in which I have an interest, which might be or is a conflicting interest, I will notify the Board of the existence of such duality conflict of interest and will refrain from voting and from using my personal influence thereon. I will, of course, make available to the other Board Directors or Directors any pertinent factual information in my possession with respect to such matters.