Reporting of a Violation of Code of Ethics and Policies (“Whistleblower Policy”)
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide all board members, committee members, staff and those we serve (Hereafter: “Guild member”) with guidelines for the reporting of unethical or illegal behavior by Guild for the Blind board members, committee members, staff, volunteers, vendors, professional service providers or affiliated organizations.
Policy
The Guild for the Blind is committed to lawful and ethical behavior in all of its activities and requires its board members, committee members, staff and volunteers to conduct themselves in a manner that complies with all applicable laws, regulations and Guild policies.
Reporting Procedure
A Guild member who has a concern regarding the propriety or legality of any action contemplated to be taken or that has been taken by the Guild for the Blind or any other Guild member, or believes that an action needs to be taken for the Guild for the Blind to be in compliance with law or appropriate ethical standards, should promptly alert the executive director in writing. The Guild member should endeavor to provide as much information as possible including the name(s) of the person(s) concerned.
If the executive director is the subject of the concern, the Guild member should promptly advise the president of the board of directors. The president will share any finance-related reports with the members of the Audit/Finance/Investment Committee.
The executive director or president shall review the notice within ten (10) days of receiving it. Every effort will be made to investigate a report by a Guild member as discreetly as possible. Because of the need to investigate the report, correct a problem or prevent future problems, the Guild for the Blind cannot, however, promise complete confidentiality.
Within fifteen (15) days of receiving notice, there shall be a meeting between the Guild member and the executive director or president of the board of directors. Participants in the initial meeting shall attempt to resolve the issue. If there is no resolution at the initial meeting, the Guild member may present his or her written grievance to the full board of directors at their next regular meeting or at a special meeting called by the president. The board of directors' decision shall be final. If the member remains unsatisfied with the board’s decision, the executive director or president may, at his or her discretion, refer the member to the proper authorities or mediation services.
No Guild member will be discharged threatened or discriminated against in any manner for reporting in good faith what he or she perceives to be wrongdoing, violations of law or unethical conduct.
The executive director shall maintain a log of all complaints or grievances that records the Guild members who registered the complaint/grievance; the subject of the complaint/grievance; investigation steps and results; dates, participants and results of initial meeting; and date, participants and results of board meeting (if necessary). The executive director shall distribute this log to the board of directors in executive session.
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