Conflict of Interest Statements

WHEREAS, The proper governance of the American Psychological Association Practice
Organization depends on officers, including President, chief staff officer; Recording Secretary,
Treasurer, and nominees thereto (hereafter "officers") and on members of the Board of Directors;
and

WHEREAS, The giving of this service, because of the varied interests and backgrounds of the
officers and board members, may result in situations ·involving a dual interest which might be
interpreted as conflict of interest; and,

WHEREAS, This service should not be rendered impossible solely by reason of duality of
interest or possible conflict of interest; and

WHEREAS, This service nevertheless carries with it a requirement of loyalty and fidelity to the
institution served, it being the responsibility of the officers and members of the board to govern
the institution's affairs honestly and economically, exercising their best care, skill, and judgment
for the benefit of the institution; and,

WHEREAS, The matter of any duality of interest or possible conflict of interest can best be
handled through full disclosure of any such interest, together with noninvolvement in any vote
wherein the interest is involved;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the following policy of duality and conflict of 
interest is hereby adopted:

1. All members of the Board of Directors and all officers shall exercise the utmost good faith
   in all transactions touching upon their duties to the institution and its property. In their
   dealings with and on behalf of the institution, they shall be held to a strict rule of honest and
   fair dealing between themselves and the institution. They shall not use their position, or
   knowledge gained therefrom, so that a conflict might arise between the interest of the
   institution and that of the individual. 

2. All acts of such persons shall be for the best interest of the institution.

3. Any duality of interest or possible conflict of interest on the part of any officer or
   governing board member should be disclosed to the other members of the board and made a
   matter of record when the interest becomes a matter of action by the board, by a committee of
   the board, or by an operating board of the association to which that director serves as liaison.
   Where, in the sole judgment of the individual director or officer, the situation involves sensitive
   or confidential information, disclosure may be limited initially to the President or chairperson
   of the operating board involved, who will then decide whether further disclosure is required.

4. Any governing board member having a duality of interest or possible conflict of interest
   on any matter should not vote or use his or her personal influence on the matter, and he/she
   should not be counted in determining the quorum for the board or committee meeting, even
   where permitted by law. The minutes of that meeting should reflect that a disclosure was
   made, the abstention from voting, and the quorum situation. 

5. The foregoing requirements should not be construed as preventing the governing board
   member from briefly stating his or her position in the matter, nor from answering pertinent
   questions of other board members since his/her knowledge may be of great assistance.
   

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this policy be reviewed annually for the information and
guidance of officers and governing board members, and that all new members or officers be
advised of the policy upon entering on the duties of their office.