Conflict of Interest Policy

This Policy has been developed to address the need for West Lincoln Skating Club (herein identified as “WLSC”) to avoid conflicts of interest at all levels of operation, including in the actions of the organization as a whole, in decisions of committees and the Board, and in the work of the coaching staff.

This Policy applies to:

• every member of the Board of Directors (“Board”)
• every member of any committee (which includes sub-committees and task forces)

This Policy applies regardless of whether the director or committee member is an employee, official, coach, athlete, or volunteer.

General Obligations:

The organization requires that its directors and committee members, at all times:

• act honestly and in good faith, in the best interests of the organization
• exercise their powers properly, and their discretion reasonably
• exercise their powers and discretion for the purpose for which they are conferred
• avoid conflict of interest.

“Avoiding” conflict of interest does not mean that a director or committee member will never be in a conflict of interest position - it means that when the person is (or could be) in a conflict of interest position, the situation is recognized and properly handled.

It is important to remember that conflicts of interest arise naturally, and often, in ordinary circumstances. There is nothing inherently wrong or illegal about the mere existence of a conflict of interest involving a director or committee member.

Conflicts of interest only become problematic if the director, committee member or the Board or committee, fail to recognize the conflict of interest, or fail to deal with the situation properly. 

Generally, conflict of interest in this narrow sense arises when the director or committee member (or a person, company, or group associated with the director or committee member) wants to obtain some benefit (financial, professional, personal, or otherwise) from the organization.

For example, a committee member who is a coaching representative is entitled - and expected - to bring the coaching perspective to the table. However, when that member is called upon to make a committee decision, he or she must give priority to the best interests of the organization as a whole, even if that means the decision being made is not in the best interests of the coaching “constituency”.

The corporate and trust laws which govern Skate Canada and other organizations impose certain disclosure obligations on a director or committee member who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in any contract or proposed contract with the organization. Those same laws require the director or committee member to abstain from any discussion, debate and vote related to the contract or proposed contract. 

Any breach of this policy is a disciplinary matter to be dealt with under the WLSC’s Dispute Resolution Process.

Latest Review Date:  August 5, 2024         Scheduled Review Date:  August 2025          Date Created:  August 2024