| Article I |
| Purpose |
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The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect Community Mennonite Church’s interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer of the church or might 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. |
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Article II |
| Definitions |
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1. Interested Person |
| Any member of pastoral team, church staff, or Church Council, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person. |
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2. Financial Interest |
A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:
| a. An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the church has a transaction or arrangement, |
| b. A compensation arrangement with the church or with any entity or individual with which the church has a transaction or arrangement, or |
| c. A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the church is negotiating a transaction or arrangement. |
Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial.
A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. Under Article III, Section 2, a person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists. |
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Article III |
| Procedures |
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1. Duty to Disclose
In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to Church Council. |
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2. Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists
After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the council or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists. Committees must bring conflicts of interest to Church Council, especially where substantial financial transactions are concerned. |
3. Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest
| a. An interested person may make a presentation at a council meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest. |
| b. The chairperson of Church Council shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement. |
| c. After exercising due diligence, Church Council shall determine whether the church can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest. |
| d. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, Church Council shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested members whether the transaction or arrangement is in the church's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement. |
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4. Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy
| a. If Church Council has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose. |
| b. If, after hearing the member's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, Church Council determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate corrective action. |
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Article IV |
| Records of Proceedings |
The minutes of Church Council shall contain:
| a. The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and Church Council's decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed. |
| b. The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings. |
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Article V |
| Compensation |
| a. A voting member of Church Council who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the church for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's compensation. |
| b. A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the church for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's compensation. |
| c. No voting member of Church Council or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the church, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation. |
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| Article VI |
| Annual Statements |
Each member of Church Council shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person:
| a. Has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy, |
| b. Has read and understands the policy, |
| c. Has agreed to comply with the policy, and |
| d. Understands the Organization is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes. |
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| Article VII |
| Periodic Reviews |
To ensure the Organization operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects:
| a. Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information, and the result of arm's length bargaining. |
| b. Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations conform to the Organization's written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes and do not result in inurement, impermissible private benefit or in an excess benefit transaction. |
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