Board Members-Code of Conduct

Board Policy 106

The Board expects ethical conduct by itself and its members. This includes proper use of authority and appropriate decorum when acting as Board members.

1. Board members must maintain unconflicted loyalty to the interests of the citizens and the community college district. The accountability supersedes any conflicting loyalty such as that to advocacy or interest groups and memberships on other boards or staffs. This accountability supersedes the personal interest of any Board member acting as an individual consumer of college services.
2. Board members must avoid any conflict of interest with respect to their fiduciary responsibility.
1. There must be no self-dealing or any conduct of private business or personal services between any Board member and the Institution except as procedurally controlled to assure openness, competitive opportunity and equal access to "inside information.
2. Board members must not use their positions to obtain employment by the Institution or the furnishing of services or goods to the Institution for or by themselves, family members, friends or associates.
3. Board members may not attempt to exercise individual authority over the organization except as explicitly set forth in Board policies.
1. Board members' interaction with the President or with staff must recognize the lack of authority in any individual Board member or group of Board members except as noted above.
2. Board members' interaction with the public, press or other entities must recognize the same limitation with the similar inability of any Board member or Board members to speak for the Board.
3. Board members will make no judgments of the President's or staff performance except as that performance is assessed against explicit Board policies.
4. Board members will participate in educational activities, including state, regional and national meetings, to enhance their ability to serve effectively as members of the Institution's governing Board.
5. Board members will not permit themselves to be used to circumvent established lines of authority or interfere in the normal procedures for the processing of complaints or grievances.
6. Board members will not violate confidentiality including discussions which occur at legally held closed meetings of the Board.
7. A meeting of the Board shall not occur without the presence of the President or the President's successor as designated pursuant to BP 203.
8. Board members will not present an item for action or discussion at a Board meeting which is not on the agenda.
9. Except as otherwise approved by the Board of Trustees, no Board member may engage in lobbying activities on behalf of the Institution.
10. Board members shall annually complete a conflict of interest disclosure statement and a code of conduct form attesting to their compliance with this policy and shall promptly disclose potential conflicts should circumstances change during the ensuing year.