Conflict of Interest Policy

Adopted March 10, 1997

Incorporating recommendations of the Ad Hoc Conflict of Interest Committee and the LCC Attorney Peter Eglick

“Any member of the board of trustees having a potential conflict of interest is obligated to divulge such information to the board. No member should vote on a question in which he/she has a direct personal or pecuniary interest not common to other members of the board.”

-Laurelhurst Community Club Bylaws, Article III, Section 7

No board member or committee member may participate on any committee or in any portion of a meeting when he or she has a financial or other private interest, direct or indirect, personally or through a member of his or her immediate family, that may be seen as competing with the interests or concerns of the Laurelhurst Community Club. This prohibition is absolute, even if the person with the potential conflict believes he or she can be fair, objective and can overcome the conflict.

  1. Definition: A potential conflict of interest may exist under the following circumstances:
    • Where there a parallel and conflict between board responsibilities and private or public employment, and there is an appearance that the board member is advancing his or her personal interests or the personal interests of his or her employer by virtue of his or her position on the board; or
    • Where a board member, or a member of his or her immediate family, has allegiance to another organization or entity and there is an appearance that the interests are competing; or
    • Where there is a financial, private or personal interest, direct or indirect, that is incompatible with the proper discharge of LCC board responsibilities or that would impair independence of judgment.
  2. Procedures: Board members and committee members must carefully weigh all circumstances in which there exists a potential conflict of interest.
    • Any potential conflict must be disclosed to the board, the committee or a committee designated by the board. When there is doubt as to whether a potential conflict exists that is not evident from the definitions above, the matter shall be resolved by a vote of the board, the committee or a committee designated by the board, excluding the person with the potential conflict.
    • The person with the potential conflict may provide written information regarding matters involving the potential conflict, but may not participate in the discussion or final vote. The person with the potential conflict must excuse himself or herself from the room during the discussion and final vote and from participating in any way in executive sessions.
    • The minutes must reflect disclosure of a potential conflict of interest and that the interested person was not present during the discussion and final vote or at the executive session.
    • The conflict of interest policy shall be reviewed at the first meeting of duly elected directors and with each new person appointed to the board of directors.