WHEREAS the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania stands for the highest principles in promoting the self-organization of the blind; and,
WHEREAS officers and directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania (NFBPA Board members) occupy positions of trust within the Federation and, therefore, understand their need to place the interests of the Federation ahead of other personal interests in conducting Federation business; and,
WHEREAS the officers and directors desire to continue to lead by example in adherence to high ethical standards as Federation leaders and to establish an orderly disclosure and review process for resolving individual questions; and
WHEREAS the officers and directors seek to avoid even the appearance of any conflict between their personal interests and those of the Federation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the officers and directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania (the NFBPA Board) that the NFBPA Board adopt the following policies:
Section 1. Each NFBPA Board member is expected to take appropriate responsibility to protect the Federation from misappropriation or mismanagement of Federation funds (including funds of an affiliate, chapter, or division in which the Board member assumes a leadership role).
Section 2. Each NFBPA Board member is expected to disclose the existence of any potentially conflicting personal financial interest or relationship to the full NFBPA Board and seek its review and approval, as specified below. For example:
A. A Board member must seek Board review and approval of his or her receipt of salary or compensation of any kind from the Federation (including an affiliate, chapter, or division).
B. A Board member must seek Board review and approval of receipt by his or her spouse, parent, child, sibling, or other close relative of salary or compensation of any kind from the Federation (including an affiliate, chapter, or division).
C. A Board member must seek Board review and approval of any ownership interest exceeding five percent in; or of any salary, compensation, commission, or significant tangible gift from any commercial venture doing business or seeking to do business with the Federation (including an affiliate, chapter, or division). This process will also apply to the review of such interests involving spouses, parents, children, siblings, or other close relatives.
D. In reviewing matters brought pursuant to this section, the Board member seeking Board review and approval will refrain from voting.
Section 3. Each NFBPA Board member shall take appropriate steps to avoid unauthorized or inaccurate appearances or official endorsement by the Federation (including an affiliate, chapter, or division) of any product, service, or activity that has not been so endorsed. For example, since the Federation never endorses political parties or candidates for elected office, any Board member participating in the political process must take care to avoid creating an appearance of official Federation endorsement.
