Board Members' Code of Conduct, GOV #2e

The Board commits itself and its members to ethical, businesslike, and lawful conduct, including proper use of authority and appropriate decorum when acting as Board members.

1. Members must have loyalty to the Manson community, un-conflicted by loyalties to staff, other organizations, and any personal interest as a consumer.

2. Members must avoid conflict of interest with respect to their fiduciary responsibility.

A. There will be no self-dealing or business by a member with the District. Members will annually disclose their involvements with other organizations, with vendors, or any associations which might be or might reasonably be seen as being a conflict.

B. When the Board is to decide upon an issue, about which a member has an unavoidable conflict of interest, that member shall absent her or himself without comment from not only the vote, but also from the deliberation.

C. Board members will not use their Board position to obtain employment in the organization for themselves, family members, or close associates. Should a Board member apply for employment, then he or she must first resign from the Board.

3. Board members may not attempt to exercise individual authority over the organization.

A. Members' interaction with the Superintendent or with staff must recognize the lack of authority vested in individuals except when explicitly Board authorized.

B. Members' interaction with public, press or other entities must recognize the same limitation and the inability of any Board member to speak for the Board except to repeat explicitly stated Board decisions.

C. Except for participation in Board deliberation, Board members will not express individual judgments of performance of the Superintendent's or the Superintendent's employees.

4. Members will respect the confidentiality appropriate to issues of a sensitive nature.

Members will be properly prepared for Board deliberation.