FRIENDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY INC.
Conflict of Interest Policy
FSC “Conflict of Interest Policy” applies to employees, volunteers,
and Directors/Trustees. Employees, volunteers, and Directors are
responsible for the activities of family members.
This policy is intended to emphasize FSC commitment to the highest
standards of integrity, fairness, and conduct. Since this policy
cannot anticipate every conflict that may be a violation of public
trust, employees and Directors are expected to act in the spirit of
the policy and to be guided by good judgment, personal integrity,
honesty, and sound ethical behavior.
Directors/Volunteers:
 Avoid any situation that involves or may involve a conflict
between FSC and their personal interest or provide a
personal gain.
 Make prompt and full disclosures of any situation that may
involve a conflict of interest such as:
 Ownership or financial interest in an outside enterprise that
provides a similar service like FSC.
 Working for a company that is seeking to do business with
FSC
 Family member of personal friend seeking to do business with
FSC
 Directors with conflicts should remove themselves from
negotiations, decisions, votes or deliberations concerning the
conflict of interest. They may supply information to help
clarify the conflict.
Conflict of Interest Policy - 2009
1
FRIENDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY INC.
Employees:
 Employees have an obligation to conduct their work within the
guidelines that prohibit actual or potential conflicts of interest.
 A conflict or potential conflict exists when an employee is in a
position to influence a decision that may result in a personal
gain for that employee or for a relative as result of FSC
business dealings.
 An employee must disclose at once any potential or actual
conflicts to the Executive Director or President of the Board.
 Any type of personal gain is prohibited: kickbacks, bribes,
substantial gifts, etc.
 Employees who participate in such practices will be subject to
disciplinary action, possibly leading to discharge and legal
action.
 Employees may not use FSC facilities or equipment to conduct
non-FSC business without permission from the Executive
Director or President of the Board.
 At a time a person is employed by FSC and annually
thereafter, employees are required to review the Code of
Ethics and agree to abide by the policies as set forth in this
document.
It is the policy and practice of FSC to:
 Service all who need assistance according to our Mission and
Conflict of Interest Policy - 2009
2
FRIENDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY INC.
the availability of funds without regard to race, color, religion,
creed, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, handicap,
or disability.
 Work cooperatively with other agencies and professionals to
provide optimum care for our clients.
 Not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed,
gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or
any characteristic protected by law for membership on the
Board of Directors and volunteers for service in the
organization.
Code of Ethics
FSC recognizes that many daily decisions of our staff, volunteers
and Directors who with clients are a moral or ethical nature. We’ve
developed these standards in keeping with the requirements for
affiliate agencies of the United Way of Delaware.
To the extent appropriate, these principles apply equally to the
Board, staff, and volunteers.
Personal Integrity and professional Excellence
 FSC is committed to ensuring the highest standard of honesty,
fairness, and integrity.
 We believe it is the ethical responsibility of all our employees
to perform their duties to the best of their ability and strive
for excellence.
 We believe a personal commitment to integrity in all
circumstances benefits FSC as well as each individual.
 We ask each employee/volunteer/Director to be truthful, fair,
Conflict of Interest Policy - 2009
3
FRIENDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY INC.
and objective in all professional; matters and set an example
for good ethical behavior in our community.
 We expect our employees to be committed to honor the
privacy of clients, co-workers and contributors.
 We expect professional staff to maintain high standards o
personal conduct, professional integrity, and impartiality in
keeping with the requirements of their profession.
 As an employer, FSC will work to promote professional
excellence and encourage open and honest communication
among all of our employees. We will also strive to create an
atmosphere conductive to personal grown and career
development.
Employees of FSC are expected to:
 Fully understand and promote the agency’s philosophy of
confidentially, quality client care, and drug-free work place;
 Offer suggestions to improve the functioning of the agency
 Have a clear understanding of the goals for their job and
strive to meet performance standards;
 Assume responsibility for helping to achieve the goals of the
agency.
Conflict of Interest Policy - 2009
4
FRIENDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY INC.
Confidentially
Information about clients is confidential. Every employee, volunteer
and Director is expected t protect the clients’ privacy and
confidentially.
Information about a client should not be given to anyone without the
client’s written permission. Only authorized personnel should have
access to client’s records.
Client’s files should be kept in a locked cabinet at all times.
Any employee, volunteer or Director not respecting a client’s
confidentially will be subject to disciplinary actions and possible
termination or removal from the Board.
Conflict of Interest Policy - 2009
5
FRIENDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY INC.
I, ________________________________, confirm that I received a
copy of Friends of Sussex County Inc. “Conflict of Interest” policy
and understand that as an employee, volunteer or Director, I’m
expected to abide by said policy.
_____________________________________
Printed Name
_____________________________________
Signature
________________________________
Date
Conflict of Interest Policy - 2009
6