Conflict of Interest Policy

REACH — Real Educational Answers for Community Hope requires all board members, staff, and volunteers to act in the organization’s best interest and to avoid situations where personal or financial interests could conflict with their duties.

Purpose

This policy safeguards REACH’s integrity and public trust by preventing private interests from influencing decisions or creating the appearance of impropriety.

Definition

  • A conflict exists when personal, professional, or financial relationships could interfere with organizational duties.
  • Examples include vendor contracts involving relatives, self-dealing, or decisions that financially benefit insiders.
  • Perceived conflicts must be disclosed even if no improper action occurs.

Disclosure and Review

  • Board and key staff file annual conflict disclosure statements.
  • Members must promptly disclose any new potential conflicts to the Board Chair.
  • Those involved abstain from related discussions or votes until reviewed.

Review Procedure

The Board or designated Ethics Committee reviews each disclosure to determine whether a conflict exists and how to manage it. Actions and resolutions are documented in official meeting minutes.

Violations

Failure to disclose or resolve a conflict may result in disciplinary measures, including removal from the board, termination of employment, or revocation of volunteer status.

Annual Acknowledgment

Each board and key staff member signs an acknowledgment annually confirming review of this policy and agreement to disclose any conflicts during the year.

Questions or Reporting

Contact REACH leadership with questions or disclosures regarding potential conflicts:

Policy last updated: November 2025.