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							|  | @ -0,0 +1,491 @@ | ||||||
|  | # Software Freedom Conservancy Conflict of Interest Policy | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | ## Purpose | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | The purpose of this conflict of interest policy ("Policy")  is to protect | ||||||
|  | the Software Freedom Conservancy ("Conservancy") and its Member Projects | ||||||
|  | when Conservancy contemplates entering into a transaction or arrangement | ||||||
|  | that might benefit the private interest of a Director, Officer or Staff | ||||||
|  | Member of Conservancy or a member of a Project Leadership Committee | ||||||
|  | ("PLC"), or might otherwise result in a possible excess benefit | ||||||
|  | transaction. This Policy is intended to supplement but not replace any | ||||||
|  | applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest | ||||||
|  | applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | ## Conservancy Directors, Officers and Staff | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Directors, Officers and Staff Members of Conservancy ("Conservancy | ||||||
|  | Persons") each have a duty to protect Conservancy and its Member Projects | ||||||
|  | from violating New York State and USA federal -- and to avoid any appearance of | ||||||
|  | impropriety. Conservancy Persons serve the public interest and are to have | ||||||
|  | a clear understanding of Conservancy's charitable mission. All decisions | ||||||
|  | made by Conservancy Persons are to be made solely on the basis of a desire | ||||||
|  | to promote the best interests of Conservancy and the public good. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | ### Defining a Conflict of Interest for a Conservancy Person | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | In general, Conservancy Persons should avoid making decisions on matters | ||||||
|  | where their personal interests are at odds with the Conservancy's | ||||||
|  | interests. In particular, the following scenarios are to be identified as | ||||||
|  | conflicts of interest: | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * A Conservancy Person (or his or her family member) is a party to a | ||||||
|  | contract, or involved in a transaction with Conservancy for goods | ||||||
|  | or services. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * A Conservancy Person (or his or her family member) is a director, | ||||||
|  | officer, agent, partner, associate, employee, trustee, personal | ||||||
|  | representative, receiver, guardian, custodian, legal representative or in | ||||||
|  | some other way has a fiduciary duty to an entity involved in a transaction | ||||||
|  | with Conservancy. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * A Conservancy Person (or his or her family member) is engaged in a substantial | ||||||
|  | capacity or has a material financial interest in a for-profit enterprise | ||||||
|  | that competes with Conservancy or a Conservancy Project. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * A Conservancy Person (or his or her family member) has a material | ||||||
|  | financial interest in, or fiduciary duty to an entity Conservancy | ||||||
|  | has engaged in a free software license compliance effort, enforcement | ||||||
|  | effort, or related litigation on behalf of a Conservancy project. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * A Conservancy Person (or his or her family member) has a material | ||||||
|  | financial interest in or fiduciary duty to the competitor of an entity | ||||||
|  | Conservancy has engaged in a free software license compliance effort, | ||||||
|  | enforcement effort, or related litigation on behalf of a Conservancy | ||||||
|  | project. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Conservancy acknowledges that other situations may create the appearance | ||||||
|  | of a conflict, or present a duality of interests. All such circumstances | ||||||
|  | should be disclosed to the Board, as appropriate, and the Board shall make | ||||||
|  | a decision as to what (if any) course of action Conservancy or relevant | ||||||
|  | Conservancy Persons should take so that Conservancy's best interests are | ||||||
|  | not compromised by personal interests. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | ### General Policies for Conservancy Persons | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **No Personal Profit or Gain.** No Conservancy Person (or family | ||||||
|  | member) shall derive any personal profit or gain, directly or indirectly, | ||||||
|  | by reason of his or her participation with Conservancy. Personal profit | ||||||
|  | or gain does not include compensation approved by the Board for paid | ||||||
|  | employees, or reimbursement of legitimate Conservancy expenses. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Disclosure and Abstention when Conflicted.** Each Conservancy | ||||||
|  | Person shall disclose to Conservancy's Board any conflict of interest | ||||||
|  | which he or she may have in any matter pending before Conservancy | ||||||
|  | and shall refrain from participation in any decision on such matter. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Conservancy Conflict Disclosure Form.** Every six months, each | ||||||
|  | Conservancy Person shall complete a Conservancy Conflict Disclosure | ||||||
|  | form attached as Exhibit A and submit it to the Board and to | ||||||
|  | Conservancy's General Counsel. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | ### Conflict Resolution Procedures for Conservancy Persons | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Disclosure of Conflict When Present.** Prior to any Board or | ||||||
|  | Board Committee action on a matter or transaction involving a conflict | ||||||
|  | of interest, a Conservancy Person having a conflict of interest and | ||||||
|  | who is in attendance at the meeting shall disclose all facts material | ||||||
|  | to the conflict. Such disclosure shall be reflected in the minutes | ||||||
|  | of the meeting. If board members are aware that Staff or other volunteers | ||||||
|  | have a conflict of interest, relevant facts should be disclosed by | ||||||
|  | the board member or by the interested person him/herself if invited | ||||||
|  | to the Board meeting as a guest for purposes of disclosure. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Disclosure of Conflict When Absent.** A Conservancy Person | ||||||
|  | who plans not to attend a meeting at which he or she has reason to | ||||||
|  | believe that the Board or Board Committee will act on a matter in | ||||||
|  | which he or she is conflicted shall disclose to the Chair of the meeting | ||||||
|  | all facts material to the conflict of interest. The Chairperson shall | ||||||
|  | report the disclosure at the meeting and the disclosure shall be reflected | ||||||
|  | in the minutes of the meeting. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Participation in Discussions and Votes Regarding Conflicted Matter.** | ||||||
|  | On a matter in which a Conservancy Person has a conflict of interest, the | ||||||
|  | conflicted Conservancy Person must abstain from, and must not hear nor | ||||||
|  | read the pre-vote discussions of the matter by the Board or Board | ||||||
|  | Committee, except to disclose material facts and to respond to | ||||||
|  | questions. The conflicted Conservancy Person shall not attempt to exert | ||||||
|  | his or her personal influence with respect to the matter, either at or | ||||||
|  | outside the meeting.  The Conflicted Person may read minutes and/or | ||||||
|  | logs of the matter's discussion after voting is complete. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Participation in Votes Regarding Conflicted Matter.** A conflicted | ||||||
|  | Conservancy Person may not vote on the Board action with which he | ||||||
|  | or she has a conflict of interest, and shall not be present in the | ||||||
|  | meeting room (or on the conference call) when the vote is taken. His | ||||||
|  | or her ineligibility to vote shall be reflected in the minutes of | ||||||
|  | the meeting. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Conflicted Persons Cannot Establish Quorum.** A conflicted | ||||||
|  | Conservancy Person shall not be determining the presence of a quorum | ||||||
|  | for purposes of a vote on the matter where he or she has a conflict | ||||||
|  | of interest. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Managing an Officer's Conflict of Interest.** If a Conservancy | ||||||
|  | Person is an Officer involved in a decision, matter or transaction | ||||||
|  | in which he or she has a conflict of interest, he or she must immediately | ||||||
|  | disclose all facts material to the conflict to the Chair of the Board | ||||||
|  | (or the Chair's designee). The Board must then approve any future | ||||||
|  | decisions, negotiations, and/or other actions taken by the Officer | ||||||
|  | regarding the conflicted matter, and include the person's disclosure | ||||||
|  | of the conflict and the Board's subsequent actions in the minutes | ||||||
|  | of the next meeting. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Managing a Staff Member's Conflict of Interest.** If a Conservancy | ||||||
|  | Person is a Staff Member who has been assigned duties that involve | ||||||
|  | a decision, matter or transaction in which he or she has a conflict | ||||||
|  | of interest, he or she must immediately disclose all facts material | ||||||
|  | to the conflict to the President (or the President's designee). The | ||||||
|  | President (or designee) must then approve any future decisions, negotiations, | ||||||
|  | and/or other actions taken by the Staff Member regarding the conflicted | ||||||
|  | matter, and file a written report acknowledging the potential conflict. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Confidentiality of Conflict Disclosures.** Each Conservancy | ||||||
|  | Person shall exercise care not to disclose confidential information | ||||||
|  | acquired in connection with disclosures of conflicts of interest or | ||||||
|  | potential conflicts, which might be adverse to Conservancy's interests. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | ## Project Leadership Committees | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | PLCs are comprised of volunteers, academics, and industry professionals | ||||||
|  | that represent a Project's community and make decisions about a Project's | ||||||
|  | technical direction ("PLC Persons"). Conservancy understands and | ||||||
|  | expects that many PLC Persons exploit professional skills relating | ||||||
|  | to their Project as individuals by providing developing, consulting, | ||||||
|  | and/or training services. Nonetheless, each PLC Person has a duty | ||||||
|  | to act in the best interests of his or her Project when making technical | ||||||
|  | decisions about the Project. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | ### Defining a Conflict of Interest for a PLC Person | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | In general, PLC Persons should avoid making technical decisions on | ||||||
|  | matters where his or her personal and/or professional interests are | ||||||
|  | at odds with his or her Project's interests. In particular, the following | ||||||
|  | scenarios are to be identified as conflicts of interest: | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * A PLC Person (or his or her family member) is a party to a contract, | ||||||
|  | or involved in a transaction with Conservancy for goods or services | ||||||
|  | relating to his or her Project. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * A PLC Person (or his or her family member) is an employee, owner, | ||||||
|  | or otherwise has a financial interest in an entity involved in a transaction | ||||||
|  | with Conservancy relating to his or her Project. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * A PLC Person (or his or her family member) is a director, officer, | ||||||
|  | agent, partner, associate, trustee, receiver, guardian, personal representative, | ||||||
|  | custodian, legal representative or in some way has a fiduciary duty | ||||||
|  | to an entity involved in a transaction with Conservancy relating to | ||||||
|  | his or her Project. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * A PLC Person (or his or her family member) is engaged in a substantial capacity | ||||||
|  | or has a material financial interest in a for-profit enterprise that | ||||||
|  | competes with his or her Project. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * A PLC Person (or his or her family member) is the owner of copyrights | ||||||
|  | that are the subject of a Conservancy-led compliance effort, enforcement | ||||||
|  | effort, or related litigation -- and the PLC Person (or a family member) | ||||||
|  | has a material financial interest in or fiduciary duty to an entity | ||||||
|  | adverse to this effort. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Conservancy further notes that a scenario may arise where a PLC Person | ||||||
|  | (or his or her family member) works for, owns, or otherwise has a | ||||||
|  | financial interest in an entity that competes with a second entity | ||||||
|  | involved in a transaction with Conservancy regarding the Project in | ||||||
|  | question. This may or may not result in a conflict of interest, depending | ||||||
|  | on the specific facts. Should this scenario arise, Conservancy requests | ||||||
|  | that the circumstances be disclosed to Conservancy's Executive Director | ||||||
|  | and to the PLC. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Conservancy acknowledges that other situations may create the appearance | ||||||
|  | of a conflict, or present a duality of interests. All such circumstances | ||||||
|  | should be disclosed to Conservancy's Executive Director and to the | ||||||
|  | PLC, as appropriate, and the PLC shall make a decision as to what | ||||||
|  | (if any) course of action the PLC or relevant PLC Persons should take | ||||||
|  | so that the Project's best interests are not compromised by personal | ||||||
|  | interests. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | ### General Policies for PLC Persons | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **No Compensation for PLC Persons.** No PLC Person shall receive any | ||||||
|  | salary or other substantial benefit from Conservancy as compensation for his | ||||||
|  | or her duties as a PLC Person.  Compensation does not include reimbursement | ||||||
|  | of legitimate Project expenses. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Disclosure and Abstention when Conflicted.** Each PLC Person | ||||||
|  | shall disclose to his or her PLC and to Conservancy's Executive Director | ||||||
|  | any conflict of interest which he or she may have in any matter pending | ||||||
|  | before the PLC and shall refrain from participation in any decision | ||||||
|  | on such matter. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Multiple Employees from the same Employer on a PLC.** Conservancy | ||||||
|  | discourages the practice of having multiple employees of the same | ||||||
|  | employer serve on the same PLC. This practice increases the impact | ||||||
|  | of any prospective conflict of interest with the employer on the PLC, | ||||||
|  | and PLCs will have to exercise greater care to avoid the influence | ||||||
|  | of the employer's interests. If this situation is unavoidable, PLCs | ||||||
|  | are encouraged to err on the side of caution in identifying all potential | ||||||
|  | conflicts of interest relating to the employer. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Conservancy is Final Arbiter.** Each PLC Person acknowledges | ||||||
|  | that Conservancy is the final arbiter of any issue relating to potential | ||||||
|  | conflict. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Project Conflict Disclosure Form.** Each PLC Person shall complete | ||||||
|  | a Project Conflict Disclosure form attached as Exhibit B and | ||||||
|  | submit it to the PLC and to Conservancy's Executive Director on an | ||||||
|  | annual basis. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | ### Conflict Resolution Procedures for PLC Persons | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Disclosure of Conflict When Present.** Prior to any PLC or | ||||||
|  | PLC sub-committee action on a matter or transaction involving a conflict | ||||||
|  | of interest, a PLC Person having a conflict of interest and who is | ||||||
|  | in attendance at the meeting shall disclose all facts material to | ||||||
|  | the conflict. Such disclosure shall be reflected in the minutes of | ||||||
|  | the meeting. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Disclosure of Conflict When Absent.** A PLC Person who plans | ||||||
|  | not to attend a meeting at which he or she has reason to believe that | ||||||
|  | the PLC or PLC sub-committee will act on a matter in which he or she | ||||||
|  | is conflicted shall disclose to the Chair of the meeting all facts | ||||||
|  | material to the conflict of interest. The Chair shall report the disclosure | ||||||
|  | at the meeting and the disclosure shall be reflected in the minutes | ||||||
|  | of the meeting. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Participation in Discussions and Votes Regarding Conflicted Matter.** | ||||||
|  | On a matter in which a PLC Person has a conflict of interest, the | ||||||
|  | conflicted PLC Person must abstain from, and must not hear nor | ||||||
|  | read the pre-vote discussions of the matter by the PLC or PLC | ||||||
|  | sub-committee, except to disclose material facts and to respond to | ||||||
|  | questions. The conflicted PLC Person shall not attempt to exert | ||||||
|  | his or her personal influence with respect to the matter, either at or | ||||||
|  | outside the meeting.  The conflicted PLC Person may read minutes and/or | ||||||
|  | logs of the matter's discussion after voting is complete. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Participation in Votes Regarding Conflicted Matter.** A conflicted | ||||||
|  | PLC Person may not vote on the PLC action with which he or she has | ||||||
|  | a conflict of interest, and shall not be present in the meeting room | ||||||
|  | (or on the conference call) when the vote is taken. His or her ineligibility | ||||||
|  | to vote shall be reflected in the minutes of the meeting. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Conflicted Persons Cannot Establish Quorum.** A conflicted | ||||||
|  | PLC Person shall not be determining the presence of a quorum for purposes | ||||||
|  | of a vote on the matter where he or she has a conflict of interest. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | ### Procedures for Conservancy Retaining PLC Person's Services | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Notwithstanding the above, Conservancy acknowledges that many PLC | ||||||
|  | Persons are technical service contractors (e.g., software developers, documentation writers, website developers, etc.) who can provide professional services useful to advance computing and contribute to Conservancy's mission. | ||||||
|  | In many instances, a PLC Person will have the strongest mix of credentials, | ||||||
|  | experience, and interest and availability to fulfill a technical service | ||||||
|  | contract desired by Conservancy and/or a Project. To address those | ||||||
|  | instances, Conservancy requests Projects to follow the following procedures. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Drafting the Technical Service Proposal.** PLCs must draft | ||||||
|  | a written proposal for every technical service project their Project | ||||||
|  | wishes to fund. During the drafting process, if a PLC Person (or his | ||||||
|  | or her family member), a PLC Person's employer and/or a fellow employee | ||||||
|  | of PLC Person's employer wish to be considered a candidate to fulfill | ||||||
|  | the funded technical service contract, that PLC Person has a conflict | ||||||
|  | of interest and must recuse herself or himself from the proposal drafting | ||||||
|  | process, except to disclose material facts and to respond to questions, | ||||||
|  | and must abstain from any vote to approve that proposal.  All other | ||||||
|  | procedures as outlined in [Conflict Resolution Procedures for PLC Persons](#conflict-resolution-procedures-for-plc-persons) shall still apply. The PLC must | ||||||
|  | document the PLC Person's abstention from the proposal drafting process | ||||||
|  | in the minutes of the next PLC meeting. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Selecting a PLC Person to Fulfill a Contract.** Once a PLC | ||||||
|  | has drafted and approved a technical service proposal, the PLC is free to | ||||||
|  | consider qualified candidates to fulfill the funded contract. If the | ||||||
|  | PLC wishes to recommend that Conservancy contract with a PLC Person | ||||||
|  | to carry out the work, the following criteria must be met: | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |   * **Suggested Compensation.** The PLC must provide Conservancy's | ||||||
|  | Executive Director (or designee) with a suggested compensation (converted | ||||||
|  | into an hourly wage) for the technical service contractor to be retained to | ||||||
|  | fulfill the funded contract. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |   * **Independent Assessment of Credentials.** The PLC (or an unaffiliated | ||||||
|  | PLC Person) must provide Conservancy's Executive Director (or designee) | ||||||
|  | with a written assessment as to why the PLC Person is uniquely qualified | ||||||
|  | to fulfill the funded contract. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |   * **Conservancy Retains Right to Request Competitive Bids.** PLCs | ||||||
|  | acknowledge that Conservancy retains the right to ask for bids from | ||||||
|  | technical service contractors in addition to PLC Person to fulfill a given contract. | ||||||
|  | Should that instance arise, Conservancy's Executive Director (or designee) | ||||||
|  | will consult with the PLC to select the candidate best suited to fulfill | ||||||
|  | the contract within the budget allotted. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Conservancy holds Sole Authority to Negotiate and Execute Contracts.** | ||||||
|  | PLCs acknowledge that Conservancy holds sole authority | ||||||
|  | to negotiate and execute contracts on behalf of Member Projects. In | ||||||
|  | turn, Conservancy pledges to negotiate all contracts zealously, putting | ||||||
|  | the best interests of the affected Member Project first. To avoid | ||||||
|  | any conflicts, PLCs must not engage in any pre-negotiation with prospective | ||||||
|  | technical service contractors -- including PLC Persons -- beyond collecting the terms | ||||||
|  | of the technical service contractor(s)' bid. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | ## Project Community Members: Participating Corporations and Volunteers | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | The work accomplished by Conservancy and its Member Projects would | ||||||
|  | not be possible without the generous donation of time, funds, and | ||||||
|  | support Project Community Members -- including participating corporations, | ||||||
|  | sponsors, and volunteers alike. Community members are not traditionally | ||||||
|  | considered to be "interested persons," and all decision-making | ||||||
|  | authority rests with the PLCs and/or Conservancy. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * **Community Members Cannot Direct Funds.** Community Members | ||||||
|  | are free to offer suggestions and engage in open dialogue with PLCs and/or | ||||||
|  | key developers and architects regarding a Project's technical direction. However, | ||||||
|  | each PLC and Conservancy must together maintain sole and final control | ||||||
|  | over that Project's technical direction and charitable mission. Community | ||||||
|  | Members who make financial donations do not receive any additional | ||||||
|  | control over a Project's technical direction beyond what is available | ||||||
|  | to other vocal, active, and contributing community members. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | ## Exhibit A: Conservancy Conflict Disclosure Form | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Directors, Officers and Staff Members of Conservancy each have a duty | ||||||
|  | to protect Conservancy and its Member Projects from violating state | ||||||
|  | and federal laws -- and to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Conservancy | ||||||
|  | Persons serve the public interest and are to have a clear understanding | ||||||
|  | of Conservancy's charitable mission. All decisions made by Conservancy | ||||||
|  | Persons are to be made solely on the basis of a desire to promote | ||||||
|  | the best interests of Conservancy and the public good. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | This Form is to be completed every six months and submitted to the | ||||||
|  | Chairperson of Conservancy's Board and to Conservancy's General Counsel. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Date: `__________________________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Next Form to be completed by (six months from now): | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Name: `__________________________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Date: `__________________________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Position (employee/officer/trustee): `_________________________________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | I affirm the following: | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * I have received a copy of the Software Freedom Conservancy Conflict | ||||||
|  | of Interest Policy. `__________________` (initial) | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * I have read and understand the policy. `_________` (initial) | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * I agree to comply with the policy. `_________` (initial) | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * I understand that Conservancy is a public charity and in order to | ||||||
|  | maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities | ||||||
|  | which accomplish one or more of tax-exempt purposes. `_________` (initial) | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Disclosures: | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Please describe below any relationships, transactions, positions you | ||||||
|  | (or your family member) hold, or any other circumstances that you | ||||||
|  | believe could cause a conflict of interest as defined by the Policy | ||||||
|  | between your duty to Conservancy and your personal interests, financial | ||||||
|  | or otherwise: | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | `________` I have no conflicts to report | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | `________` I have the following conflicts and/or potential conflicts | ||||||
|  | to report: | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |     __________________________________________________________________________ | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |     __________________________________________________________________________ | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |     __________________________________________________________________________ | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |     __________________________________________________________________________ | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |     __________________________________________________________________________ | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | I hereby certify that the information set forth is true and complete | ||||||
|  | to the best of my knowledge. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Signature: `______________________________________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Date: `_________________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | ## Exhibit B: Project Leadership Committee Conflict Disclosure Form | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Each volunteer, academic and/or industry professional that serves | ||||||
|  | on a Conservancy Member Project's Project Leadership Committee (PLC) | ||||||
|  | have a duty to act in the best interests of his or her Project when | ||||||
|  | making decisions about the Project's technical direction. Every committee | ||||||
|  | member must also abide by New York State and USA federal laws associated with non-profit | ||||||
|  | organizational governance. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Committee members must complete this form annually and submit it to | ||||||
|  | his or her PLC and to Conservancy's Executive Director. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Date: `_____________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Next Form to be completed by (one year from now): `___________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Name: `____________________________________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Date: `____________________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Position (if applicable): `________________________________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Employer (if student or self-employed, please indicate): `________________________________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | I affirm the following: | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * I have received a copy of the Software Freedom Conservancy Conflict | ||||||
|  | of Interest Policy. `_________` (initial) | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * I have read and understand the policy, in particular, Section 3 (relating | ||||||
|  | to PLCs). `_________` (initial) | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * I agree to comply with the policy. `_________` (initial) | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | * I understand that Conservancy is a public charity and in order to | ||||||
|  | maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities | ||||||
|  | which accomplish one or more of tax-exempt purposes. `_________` (initial) | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Disclosures: | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Please describe below any relationships, transactions, positions you | ||||||
|  | (or your family member) hold, or any other circumstances that you | ||||||
|  | believe could cause a conflict of interest as defined by the Policy | ||||||
|  | between your duty to your Project and your personal interests, financial | ||||||
|  | or otherwise: | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | `________` I have no conflicts to report | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | `________` I have the following conflicts and/or potential conflicts | ||||||
|  | to report: | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |     __________________________________________________________________________ | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |     __________________________________________________________________________ | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |     __________________________________________________________________________ | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |     __________________________________________________________________________ | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |     __________________________________________________________________________ | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | I hereby certify that the information set forth is true and complete | ||||||
|  | to the best of my knowledge. | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Signature: `________________________________________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | Date: `____________________________________` | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  | @ -1,498 +1,4 @@ | ||||||
| Software Freedom Conservancy Conflict of Interest Policy | The Conservancy Travel Policy is now published at | ||||||
| ======================================================== | <https://sfconservancy.org/projects/policies/conflict-of-interest-policy.html>. | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| == Purpose |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| The purpose of this conflict of interest policy (``Policy'')  is to protect |  | ||||||
| the Software Freedom Conservancy (``Conservancy'') and its Member Projects |  | ||||||
| when Conservancy contemplates entering into a transaction or arrangement |  | ||||||
| that might benefit the private interest of a Director, Officer or Staff |  | ||||||
| Member of Conservancy or a member of a Project Leadership Committee |  | ||||||
| (``PLC''), or might otherwise result in a possible excess benefit |  | ||||||
| transaction. This Policy is intended to supplement but not replace any |  | ||||||
| applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest |  | ||||||
| applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations. |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| == Conservancy Directors, Officers and Staff |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Directors, Officers and Staff Members of Conservancy (``Conservancy |  | ||||||
| Persons'') each have a duty to protect Conservancy and its Member Projects |  | ||||||
| from violating New York State and USA federal -- and to avoid any appearance of |  | ||||||
| impropriety. Conservancy Persons serve the public interest and are to have |  | ||||||
| a clear understanding of Conservancy's charitable mission. All decisions |  | ||||||
| made by Conservancy Persons are to be made solely on the basis of a desire |  | ||||||
| to promote the best interests of Conservancy and the public good. |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| === Defining a Conflict of Interest for a Conservancy Person |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| In general, Conservancy Persons should avoid making decisions on matters |  | ||||||
| where their personal interests are at odds with the Conservancy's |  | ||||||
| interests. In particular, the following scenarios are to be identified as |  | ||||||
| conflicts of interest: |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * A Conservancy Person (or his or her family member) is a party to a |  | ||||||
| contract, or involved in a transaction with Conservancy for goods |  | ||||||
| or services.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * A Conservancy Person (or his or her family member) is a director, |  | ||||||
| officer, agent, partner, associate, employee, trustee, personal |  | ||||||
| representative, receiver, guardian, custodian, legal representative or in |  | ||||||
| some other way has a fiduciary duty to an entity involved in a transaction |  | ||||||
| with Conservancy. |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * A Conservancy Person (or his or her family member) is engaged in a substantial |  | ||||||
| capacity or has a material financial interest in a for-profit enterprise |  | ||||||
| that competes with Conservancy or a Conservancy Project.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * A Conservancy Person (or his or her family member) has a material |  | ||||||
| financial interest in, or fiduciary duty to an entity Conservancy |  | ||||||
| has engaged in a free software license compliance effort, enforcement |  | ||||||
| effort, or related litigation on behalf of a Conservancy project.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * A Conservancy Person (or his or her family member) has a material |  | ||||||
| financial interest in or fiduciary duty to the competitor of an entity |  | ||||||
| Conservancy has engaged in a free software license compliance effort, |  | ||||||
| enforcement effort, or related litigation on behalf of a Conservancy |  | ||||||
| project.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Conservancy acknowledges that other situations may create the appearance |  | ||||||
| of a conflict, or present a duality of interests. All such circumstances |  | ||||||
| should be disclosed to the Board, as appropriate, and the Board shall make |  | ||||||
| a decision as to what (if any) course of action Conservancy or relevant |  | ||||||
| Conservancy Persons should take so that Conservancy's best interests are |  | ||||||
| not compromised by personal interests. |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| === General Policies for Conservancy Persons |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *No Personal Profit or Gain.* No Conservancy Person (or family |  | ||||||
| member) shall derive any personal profit or gain, directly or indirectly, |  | ||||||
| by reason of his or her participation with Conservancy. Personal profit |  | ||||||
| or gain does not include compensation approved by the Board for paid |  | ||||||
| employees, or reimbursement of legitimate Conservancy expenses. |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Disclosure and Abstention when Conflicted.* Each Conservancy |  | ||||||
| Person shall disclose to Conservancy's Board any conflict of interest |  | ||||||
| which he or she may have in any matter pending before Conservancy |  | ||||||
| and shall refrain from participation in any decision on such matter.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Conservancy Conflict Disclosure Form.* Every six months, each |  | ||||||
| Conservancy Person shall complete a Conservancy Conflict Disclosure |  | ||||||
| form <<Exhibit-A,attached as Exhibit A>> and submit it to the Board and to |  | ||||||
| Conservancy's General Counsel.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| === Conflict Resolution Procedures for Conservancy Persons |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Disclosure of Conflict When Present.* Prior to any Board or |  | ||||||
| Board Committee action on a matter or transaction involving a conflict |  | ||||||
| of interest, a Conservancy Person having a conflict of interest and |  | ||||||
| who is in attendance at the meeting shall disclose all facts material |  | ||||||
| to the conflict. Such disclosure shall be reflected in the minutes |  | ||||||
| of the meeting. If board members are aware that Staff or other volunteers |  | ||||||
| have a conflict of interest, relevant facts should be disclosed by |  | ||||||
| the board member or by the interested person him/herself if invited |  | ||||||
| to the Board meeting as a guest for purposes of disclosure.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Disclosure of Conflict When Absent.* A Conservancy Person |  | ||||||
| who plans not to attend a meeting at which he or she has reason to |  | ||||||
| believe that the Board or Board Committee will act on a matter in |  | ||||||
| which he or she is conflicted shall disclose to the Chair of the meeting |  | ||||||
| all facts material to the conflict of interest. The Chairperson shall |  | ||||||
| report the disclosure at the meeting and the disclosure shall be reflected |  | ||||||
| in the minutes of the meeting.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Participation in Discussions and Votes Regarding Conflicted Matter.* |  | ||||||
| On a matter in which a Conservancy Person has a conflict of interest, the |  | ||||||
| conflicted Conservancy Person must abstain from, and must not hear nor |  | ||||||
| read the pre-vote discussions of the matter by the Board or Board |  | ||||||
| Committee, except to disclose material facts and to respond to |  | ||||||
| questions. The conflicted Conservancy Person shall not attempt to exert |  | ||||||
| his or her personal influence with respect to the matter, either at or |  | ||||||
| outside the meeting.  The Conflicted Person may read minutes and/or |  | ||||||
| logs of the matter's discussion after voting is complete. |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Participation in Votes Regarding Conflicted Matter.* A conflicted |  | ||||||
| Conservancy Person may not vote on the Board action with which he |  | ||||||
| or she has a conflict of interest, and shall not be present in the |  | ||||||
| meeting room (or on the conference call) when the vote is taken. His |  | ||||||
| or her ineligibility to vote shall be reflected in the minutes of |  | ||||||
| the meeting.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Conflicted Persons Cannot Establish Quorum.* A conflicted |  | ||||||
| Conservancy Person shall not be determining the presence of a quorum |  | ||||||
| for purposes of a vote on the matter where he or she has a conflict |  | ||||||
| of interest.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Managing an Officer's Conflict of Interest.* If a Conservancy |  | ||||||
| Person is an Officer involved in a decision, matter or transaction |  | ||||||
| in which he or she has a conflict of interest, he or she must immediately |  | ||||||
| disclose all facts material to the conflict to the Chair of the Board |  | ||||||
| (or the Chair's designee). The Board must then approve any future |  | ||||||
| decisions, negotiations, and/or other actions taken by the Officer |  | ||||||
| regarding the conflicted matter, and include the person's disclosure |  | ||||||
| of the conflict and the Board's subsequent actions in the minutes |  | ||||||
| of the next meeting.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Managing a Staff Member's Conflict of Interest.* If a Conservancy |  | ||||||
| Person is a Staff Member who has been assigned duties that involve |  | ||||||
| a decision, matter or transaction in which he or she has a conflict |  | ||||||
| of interest, he or she must immediately disclose all facts material |  | ||||||
| to the conflict to the President (or the President's designee). The |  | ||||||
| President (or designee) must then approve any future decisions, negotiations, |  | ||||||
| and/or other actions taken by the Staff Member regarding the conflicted |  | ||||||
| matter, and file a written report acknowledging the potential conflict.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Confidentiality of Conflict Disclosures.* Each Conservancy |  | ||||||
| Person shall exercise care not to disclose confidential information |  | ||||||
| acquired in connection with disclosures of conflicts of interest or |  | ||||||
| potential conflicts, which might be adverse to Conservancy's interests.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| == Project Leadership Committees |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| PLCs are comprised of volunteers, academics, and industry professionals |  | ||||||
| that represent a Project's community and make decisions about a Project's |  | ||||||
| technical direction (``PLC Persons''). Conservancy understands and |  | ||||||
| expects that many PLC Persons exploit professional skills relating |  | ||||||
| to their Project as individuals by providing developing, consulting, |  | ||||||
| and/or training services. Nonetheless, each PLC Person has a duty |  | ||||||
| to act in the best interests of his or her Project when making technical |  | ||||||
| decisions about the Project. |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| === Defining a Conflict of Interest for a PLC Person |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| In general, PLC Persons should avoid making technical decisions on |  | ||||||
| matters where his or her personal and/or professional interests are |  | ||||||
| at odds with his or her Project's interests. In particular, the following |  | ||||||
| scenarios are to be identified as conflicts of interest:  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * A PLC Person (or his or her family member) is a party to a contract, |  | ||||||
| or involved in a transaction with Conservancy for goods or services |  | ||||||
| relating to his or her Project.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * A PLC Person (or his or her family member) is an employee, owner, |  | ||||||
| or otherwise has a financial interest in an entity involved in a transaction |  | ||||||
| with Conservancy relating to his or her Project.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * A PLC Person (or his or her family member) is a director, officer, |  | ||||||
| agent, partner, associate, trustee, receiver, guardian, personal representative, |  | ||||||
| custodian, legal representative or in some way has a fiduciary duty |  | ||||||
| to an entity involved in a transaction with Conservancy relating to |  | ||||||
| his or her Project.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * A PLC Person (or his or her family member) is engaged in a substantial capacity |  | ||||||
| or has a material financial interest in a for-profit enterprise that |  | ||||||
| competes with his or her Project.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * A PLC Person (or his or her family member) is the owner of copyrights |  | ||||||
| that are the subject of a Conservancy-led compliance effort, enforcement |  | ||||||
| effort, or related litigation -- and the PLC Person (or a family member) |  | ||||||
| has a material financial interest in or fiduciary duty to an entity |  | ||||||
| adverse to this effort.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Conservancy further notes that a scenario may arise where a PLC Person |  | ||||||
| (or his or her family member) works for, owns, or otherwise has a |  | ||||||
| financial interest in an entity that competes with a second entity |  | ||||||
| involved in a transaction with Conservancy regarding the Project in |  | ||||||
| question. This may or may not result in a conflict of interest, depending |  | ||||||
| on the specific facts. Should this scenario arise, Conservancy requests |  | ||||||
| that the circumstances be disclosed to Conservancy's Executive Director |  | ||||||
| and to the PLC.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Conservancy acknowledges that other situations may create the appearance |  | ||||||
| of a conflict, or present a duality of interests. All such circumstances |  | ||||||
| should be disclosed to Conservancy's Executive Director and to the |  | ||||||
| PLC, as appropriate, and the PLC shall make a decision as to what |  | ||||||
| (if any) course of action the PLC or relevant PLC Persons should take |  | ||||||
| so that the Project's best interests are not compromised by personal |  | ||||||
| interests. |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| === General Policies for PLC Persons |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *No Compensation for PLC Persons.* |  | ||||||
| No PLC Person shall receive any salary or other substantial benefit from |  | ||||||
| Conservancy as compensation for his or her duties as a PLC Person. |  | ||||||
| Compensation does not include reimbursement of legitimate Project |  | ||||||
| expenses. |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Disclosure and Abstention when Conflicted.* Each PLC Person |  | ||||||
| shall disclose to his or her PLC and to Conservancy's Executive Director |  | ||||||
| any conflict of interest which he or she may have in any matter pending |  | ||||||
| before the PLC and shall refrain from participation in any decision |  | ||||||
| on such matter.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Multiple Employees from the same Employer on a PLC.* Conservancy |  | ||||||
| discourages the practice of having multiple employees of the same |  | ||||||
| employer serve on the same PLC. This practice increases the impact |  | ||||||
| of any prospective conflict of interest with the employer on the PLC, |  | ||||||
| and PLCs will have to exercise greater care to avoid the influence |  | ||||||
| of the employer's interests. If this situation is unavoidable, PLCs |  | ||||||
| are encouraged to err on the side of caution in identifying all potential |  | ||||||
| conflicts of interest relating to the employer.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Conservancy is Final Arbiter.* Each PLC Person acknowledges |  | ||||||
| that Conservancy is the final arbiter of any issue relating to potential |  | ||||||
| conflict.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Project Conflict Disclosure Form.* Each PLC Person shall complete |  | ||||||
| a Project Conflict Disclosure form <<Exhibit-B,Attached as Exhibit B>> and |  | ||||||
| submit it to the PLC and to Conservancy's Executive Director on an |  | ||||||
| annual basis.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| [[Procedures-PLC-Persons]] |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| === Conflict Resolution Procedures for PLC Persons |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Disclosure of Conflict When Present.* Prior to any PLC or |  | ||||||
| PLC sub-committee action on a matter or transaction involving a conflict |  | ||||||
| of interest, a PLC Person having a conflict of interest and who is |  | ||||||
| in attendance at the meeting shall disclose all facts material to |  | ||||||
| the conflict. Such disclosure shall be reflected in the minutes of |  | ||||||
| the meeting.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Disclosure of Conflict When Absent.* A PLC Person who plans |  | ||||||
| not to attend a meeting at which he or she has reason to believe that |  | ||||||
| the PLC or PLC sub-committee will act on a matter in which he or she |  | ||||||
| is conflicted shall disclose to the Chair of the meeting all facts |  | ||||||
| material to the conflict of interest. The Chair shall report the disclosure |  | ||||||
| at the meeting and the disclosure shall be reflected in the minutes |  | ||||||
| of the meeting.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Participation in Discussions and Votes Regarding Conflicted Matter.* |  | ||||||
| On a matter in which a PLC Person has a conflict of interest, the |  | ||||||
| conflicted PLC Person must abstain from, and must not hear nor |  | ||||||
| read the pre-vote discussions of the matter by the PLC or PLC  |  | ||||||
| sub-committee, except to disclose material facts and to respond to |  | ||||||
| questions. The conflicted PLC Person shall not attempt to exert |  | ||||||
| his or her personal influence with respect to the matter, either at or |  | ||||||
| outside the meeting.  The conflicted PLC Person may read minutes and/or |  | ||||||
| logs of the matter's discussion after voting is complete. |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Participation in Votes Regarding Conflicted Matter.* A conflicted |  | ||||||
| PLC Person may not vote on the PLC action with which he or she has |  | ||||||
| a conflict of interest, and shall not be present in the meeting room |  | ||||||
| (or on the conference call) when the vote is taken. His or her ineligibility |  | ||||||
| to vote shall be reflected in the minutes of the meeting.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Conflicted Persons Cannot Establish Quorum.* A conflicted |  | ||||||
| PLC Person shall not be determining the presence of a quorum for purposes |  | ||||||
| of a vote on the matter where he or she has a conflict of interest.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| === Procedures for Conservancy Retaining PLC Person's Services |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Notwithstanding the above, Conservancy acknowledges that many PLC |  | ||||||
| Persons are technical service contractors (e.g., software developers, documentation writers, website developers, etc.) who can provide professional services useful to advance computing and contribute to Conservancy's mission. |  | ||||||
| In many instances, a PLC Person will have the strongest mix of credentials, |  | ||||||
| experience, and interest and availability to fulfill a technical service |  | ||||||
| contract desired by Conservancy and/or a Project. To address those |  | ||||||
| instances, Conservancy requests Projects to follow the following procedures.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Drafting the Technical Service Proposal.* PLCs must draft |  | ||||||
| a written proposal for every technical service project their Project |  | ||||||
| wishes to fund. During the drafting process, if a PLC Person (or his |  | ||||||
| or her family member), a PLC Person's employer and/or a fellow employee |  | ||||||
| of PLC Person's employer wish to be considered a candidate to fulfill |  | ||||||
| the funded technical service contract, that PLC Person has a conflict |  | ||||||
| of interest and must recuse herself or himself from the proposal drafting |  | ||||||
| process, except to disclose material facts and to respond to questions, |  | ||||||
| and must abstain from any vote to approve that proposal.  All other |  | ||||||
| procedures as outlined in <<Procedures-PLC-Persons,_Conflict Resolution Procedures for PLC Persons_>> shall still apply. The PLC must |  | ||||||
| document the PLC Person's abstention from the proposal drafting process |  | ||||||
| in the minutes of the next PLC meeting.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Selecting a PLC Person to Fulfill a Contract.* Once a PLC |  | ||||||
| has drafted and approved a technical service proposal, the PLC is free to |  | ||||||
| consider qualified candidates to fulfill the funded contract. If the |  | ||||||
| PLC wishes to recommend that Conservancy contract with a PLC Person |  | ||||||
| to carry out the work, the following criteria must be met: |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| ** *Suggested Compensation.* The PLC must provide Conservancy's |  | ||||||
| Executive Director (or designee) with a suggested compensation (converted |  | ||||||
| into an hourly wage) for the technical service contractor to be retained to |  | ||||||
| fulfill the funded contract.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| ** *Independent Assessment of Credentials.* The PLC (or an unaffiliated |  | ||||||
| PLC Person) must provide Conservancy's Executive Director (or designee) |  | ||||||
| with a written assessment as to why the PLC Person is uniquely qualified |  | ||||||
| to fulfill the funded contract.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| ** *Conservancy Retains Right to Request Competitive Bids.* PLCs |  | ||||||
| acknowledge that Conservancy retains the right to ask for bids from |  | ||||||
| technical service contractors in addition to PLC Person to fulfill a given contract. |  | ||||||
| Should that instance arise, Conservancy's Executive Director (or designee) |  | ||||||
| will consult with the PLC to select the candidate best suited to fulfill |  | ||||||
| the contract within the budget allotted.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Conservancy holds Sole Authority to Negotiate and Execute Contracts.* |  | ||||||
| PLCs acknowledge that Conservancy holds sole authority |  | ||||||
| to negotiate and execute contracts on behalf of Member Projects. In |  | ||||||
| turn, Conservancy pledges to negotiate all contracts zealously, putting |  | ||||||
| the best interests of the affected Member Project first. To avoid |  | ||||||
| any conflicts, PLCs must not engage in any pre-negotiation with prospective |  | ||||||
| technical service contractors -- including PLC Persons -- beyond collecting the terms |  | ||||||
| of the technical service contractor(s)' bid.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| == Project Community Members: Participating Corporations and Volunteers |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| The work accomplished by Conservancy and its Member Projects would |  | ||||||
| not be possible without the generous donation of time, funds, and |  | ||||||
| support Project Community Members -- including participating corporations, |  | ||||||
| sponsors, and volunteers alike. Community members are not traditionally |  | ||||||
| considered to be ``interested persons,'' and all decision-making |  | ||||||
| authority rests with the PLCs and/or Conservancy.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * *Community Members Cannot Direct Funds.* Community Members |  | ||||||
| are free to offer suggestions and engage in open dialogue with PLCs and/or |  | ||||||
| key developers and architects regarding a Project's technical direction. However, |  | ||||||
| each PLC and Conservancy must together maintain sole and final control |  | ||||||
| over that Project's technical direction and charitable mission. Community |  | ||||||
| Members who make financial donations do not receive any additional |  | ||||||
| control over a Project's technical direction beyond what is available |  | ||||||
| to other vocal, active, and contributing community members. |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| [[Exhibit-A]] |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| == Exhibit A: Conservancy Conflict Disclosure Form |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Directors, Officers and Staff Members of Conservancy each have a duty |  | ||||||
| to protect Conservancy and its Member Projects from violating state |  | ||||||
| and federal laws -- and to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Conservancy |  | ||||||
| Persons serve the public interest and are to have a clear understanding |  | ||||||
| of Conservancy's charitable mission. All decisions made by Conservancy |  | ||||||
| Persons are to be made solely on the basis of a desire to promote |  | ||||||
| the best interests of Conservancy and the public good. |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| This Form is to be completed every six months and submitted to the |  | ||||||
| Chairperson of Conservancy's Board and to Conservancy's General Counsel.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Date: +++__________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Next Form to be completed by (six months from now):  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Name: +++__________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Date: +++__________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Position (employee/officer/trustee): +++_________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| I affirm the following:  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * I have received a copy of the Software Freedom Conservancy Conflict |  | ||||||
| of Interest Policy. +++__________________+++ (initial)  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * I have read and understand the policy. +++_________+++ (initial)  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * I agree to comply with the policy. +++_________+++ (initial)  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * I understand that Conservancy is a public charity and in order to |  | ||||||
| maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities |  | ||||||
| which accomplish one or more of tax-exempt purposes. +++_________+++ (initial)  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| .Disclosures: |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Please describe below any relationships, transactions, positions you |  | ||||||
| (or your family member) hold, or any other circumstances that you |  | ||||||
| believe could cause a conflict of interest as defined by the Policy |  | ||||||
| between your duty to Conservancy and your personal interests, financial |  | ||||||
| or otherwise:  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++________+++ I have no conflicts to report |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++________+++ I have the following conflicts and/or potential conflicts |  | ||||||
| to report: |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++____________________________________________________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++____________________________________________________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++____________________________________________________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++____________________________________________________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++____________________________________________________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| I hereby certify that the information set forth is true and complete |  | ||||||
| to the best of my knowledge.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Signature: +++______________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| Date: +++_________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| [[Exhibit-B]] |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| == Exhibit B: Project Leadership Committee Conflict Disclosure Form |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Each volunteer, academic and/or industry professional that serves |  | ||||||
| on a Conservancy Member Project's Project Leadership Committee (PLC) |  | ||||||
| have a duty to act in the best interests of his or her Project when |  | ||||||
| making decisions about the Project's technical direction. Every committee |  | ||||||
| member must also abide by New York State and USA federal laws associated with non-profit |  | ||||||
| organizational governance.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Committee members must complete this form annually and submit it to |  | ||||||
| his or her PLC and to Conservancy's Executive Director.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Date: +++_____________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Next Form to be completed by (one year from now): +++___________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Name: +++____________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| Date: +++____________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Position (if applicable): +++________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Employer (if student or self-employed, please indicate): +++________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| I affirm the following:  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * I have received a copy of the Software Freedom Conservancy Conflict |  | ||||||
| of Interest Policy. +++_________+++ (initial)  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * I have read and understand the policy, in particular, Section 3 (relating |  | ||||||
| to PLCs). +++_________+++ (initial)  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * I agree to comply with the policy. +++_________+++ (initial)  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| * I understand that Conservancy is a public charity and in order to |  | ||||||
| maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities |  | ||||||
| which accomplish one or more of tax-exempt purposes. +++_________+++ (initial)  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| .Disclosures:  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Please describe below any relationships, transactions, positions you |  | ||||||
| (or your family member) hold, or any other circumstances that you |  | ||||||
| believe could cause a conflict of interest as defined by the Policy |  | ||||||
| between your duty to your Project and your personal interests, financial |  | ||||||
| or otherwise:  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++________+++ I have no conflicts to report |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++________+++ I have the following conflicts and/or potential conflicts |  | ||||||
| to report: |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++____________________________________________________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++____________________________________________________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++____________________________________________________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++____________________________________________________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| +++____________________________________________________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| I hereby certify that the information set forth is true and complete |  | ||||||
| to the best of my knowledge.  |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Signature: +++________________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 |  | ||||||
| Date: +++____________________________________+++ |  | ||||||
| 
 | 
 | ||||||
|  | The source code is `conflict-of-interest-policy.md` in this directory. | ||||||
|  |  | ||||||
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	 Brett Smith
						Brett Smith