Governance Policies
Conflict of Interest Policy for Shenandoah School of Hope
A conflict of interest is defined as an actual or perceived interest by a staff or Board member in an action that results in, or has the appearance of resulting in, personal, organizational, or professional gain.
Officers and members are obligated to always act in the best interest of the organization. This obligation requires that any officer or member, in the performance of organization duties, seek only the furtherance of the organization mission. At all times, officers and board members are prohibited from using their job title or the organization’s name or property, for private profit or benefit.
A. The officers and members of the organization should neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from contractors/vendors. This is not intended to preclude bona-fide organization fund raising-activities.
B. No officer, or member of the organization shall participate in the selection, award, or administration of a purchase or contract with a vendor where, to his knowledge, any of the following has a financial interest in that purchase or contract:
1. The officer or member;
2. Any member of their immediate family;
3. Their partner;
4. An organization in which any of the above is an officer, director or employee;
5. A person or organization with whom any of the above individuals is negotiating or has an arrangement concerning prospective employment.
C. Disclosure–Any possible conflict of interest shall be disclosed by the person or persons concerned.
D. Board Action–When a conflict of interest is relevant to a matter requiring action by the Board, the interested person(s) shall call it to the attention of the Board and said person(s) shall not vote on the matter. In addition, the person(s) shall not participate in the final decision or related deliberation regarding the matter under consideration. When there is a doubt as to whether a conflict exists, the matter shall be resolved by vote of the Board of Directors, excluding the person(s) concerning whose situation the doubt has arisen.
E. Record of Conflict–The official minutes of the Board shall reflect that the conflict of interest was disclosed and the interested person(s) did not participate in the final discussion or vote and did not vote on the matter.
Shenandoah School of Hope, Inc. Whistleblower Policy
Shenandoah School of Hope, Inc. prides itself on its adherence to federal, state, and local laws and/or regulations, including business ethics policies. As such, even though it is not obligated to do so, the Organization has decided to voluntarily adopt a whistleblower protection policy. Pursuant to this policy, any employee who becomes aware of any violation of federal, state, or local law or regulation, including any financial wrong doing, should immediately report the violation to the President to allow the organization to investigate and, if applicable, correct the situation or condition.
If the President is involved or is believed to be involved in the matter being reported, employees may, in the alternative, make a report to a member of the Board of Directors or the Organization’s legal counsel. The legal counsel or Board Member will conduct an investigation and take appropriate action within a reasonable period of time. Such complaints will be held in confidence to the extent the needs of the investigation permit.
“Financial wrongdoing” may include, but is not limited to:
- Questionable accounting practices;
- Fraud or deliberate error in financial statements or record keeping;
- Deficiencies of internal accounting controls;
- Misrepresentations to company officers or the accounting department (including deviation from full reporting of financial conditions).
If any employee reports in good faith what the employee believes to be a violation of the law and/or financial wrongdoing to the Organization, the President, a Board Member or the Organization’s legal counsel, or to a federal, state, or local agency or assists in an investigation concerning financial wrongdoing, it is the Organization’s policy that there will be no retaliation taken against the volunteer/employee.
Volunteers/employees are reminded of the importance of keeping financial matters confidential. Volunteers/employees with questions concerning the confidentiality or appropriateness of disclosure of particular information should contact the President.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The Shenandoah School of Hope admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin in admission of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Shenandoah School of Hope, Inc. will select for employment qualified applicants for each position without improper discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnic background, age, or disability. Persons with disabilities who can perform the essential functions of an assignment with or without reasonable accommodation shall be considered qualified applicants. The Shenandoah School of Hope, Inc. shall take affirmative action in the recruitment, appointment, assignment and advancement of personnel to accomplish the goals of equal employment opportunity. In keeping with the law, the Shenandoah School of Hope, Inc. shall consider the veteran status of applicants.