Policy Type: Governance Process
Policy Title: Board Members' Code of Conduct
The Board expects ethical conduct by itself and its members. This includes proper use of authority and appropriate decorum in group and individual behavior when acting as Board members.
- Board members must maintain loyalty to the interests of the citizens and the College district. This accountability supersedes any conflicting loyalty such as that to advocacy or interest groups and membership on other boards or staffs. This accountability supersedes the personal interest of any Board member acting as an individual consumer of College services.
- Board members must avoid any conflict of interest with respect to their fiduciary responsibility.
- A. There must be no self-dealing or any conduct of private business or personal services between any Board member and the College except as procedurally controlled to assure openness, competitive opportunity, and equal access to “inside” information.
- B. Board members must not use their positions to obtain employment by the College or the furnishing of services or goods to the College for or by themselves, family members, friends, or associates.
- C. Board members will not qualify for employment by the College until six months after termination of duties as a Trustee.
- Board members may not attempt to exercise individual authority over the organization except as explicitly set forth in Board policies.
- A. 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.
- B. Board members’ interaction with the public, press or other entities must recognize the same limitation and the similar inability of any Board member or Board members to speak for the Board. The Board, on matters of policy, shall speak with one voice (Chair). On matters of opinion, any individual expressing such opinion shall state clearly that it is that Trustee’s opinion or comment, and not the Board of Trustees’ opinion or comment.
- C. Board members will make no judgments of the President’s or staff performance except as that performance is assessed against explicit Board policies.
- Board members will participate in educational activities, including state, regional, and national meetings to enhance their ability to serve effectively as members of the College’s governing Board.