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| Path: Main Street : Resources & Library : Research Articles : Feature Article |
Can our board members donate to other causes?
By Mel Gill, President of Synergy Associates
September 25, 2006
I recently received this query from someone who read my article, Confused About Conflict of Interest?
Dear Mel,
I came upon your article in CharityVillage and wonder if you might have some input into the following situation.I am employed by a performing arts nonprofit. I recently signed up for a marathon event to support a national charity devoted to a rare health disorder. I will be fundraising for this group as I train for the marathon.
I would like to ask my employer’s board of directors, most of whom know me, for a donation to the national charity. I first asked my executive director if this would be okay. He thought it over and said no, he does not want to set a precedent for others to go and do the same thing. I want to believe that my asking would not affect the working relationship and would only reflect positively on the organization.
What is the objective perspective?
Dear Reader,
There is no objective perspective on this, at least not one that counts. There are two opposing perspectives that do count, each supported by legitimate reasoning - one manifested in your logic; the other reflected by your executive director's thoughtful decision. And he's the boss!I don't think that this quite falls in the realm of conflict of interest, as it's typically defined...'when you or someone close to you stands to make a personal financial gain or other benefit'. While solicitation of a board member in this situation might generate some internal emotional tug-of-war for him or her, it's certainly not a 'conflict of interest' for the board member.
It's more appropriately characterized as a competition for scarce dollars...and a donor choice dilemma.
Many organizations that have their own fundraising programs are lukewarm to in-house appeals on behalf of another organization. I can't speak knowledgeably to your circumstances without knowing more about the size and culture of your organization and its current fundraising program. However, most arts organizations are in a perennial, some might say chronic, quest for financial support.
You haven't indicated whether your executive director's decision was to just prohibit your solicitation to board members or to all your colleagues. I'd likely make a distinction between the two. He certainly has authority to establish rules of conduct within the workplace, but your interaction with peers outside of work is protected by the freedom of association clause in the Canadian Charter of Rights. However, I personally would not inject such a polarizing issue into a workplace situation that demands a high degree of teamwork and interpersonal sensitivity.
A situation like this requires some flexibility on both sides of the issue. But this flexibility must take into account the greater impact of such tensions on a small, tight-knit work group versus an organization with hundreds of employees.
Hope this helps! Regards, Mel
P.S. Good luck with your marathon and the support pledges...whomever you solicit.
Mel Gill is president of Synergy Associates, Consultants in Governance and Organizational Development, and the author of Governing for Results: A Director's Guide to Good Governance. Contact him at mel.gill@synergyassociates.ca.
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