The Board expects ethical conduct by itself and its members.  This includes proper use of authority and appropriate decorum in both group and individual behavior when acting as Board members.

1. Board members must maintain unconflicted 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.
2. Board members must avoid any conflict of interest with respect to their fiduciary responsibility.
   1. There must be no self-dealing or any conduct of private business or personal services between any Board member and the College except as allowed by Chapter 52 RCW.
   2. Board members must not use their positions to obtain employment by the College for themselves, family members, friends, or associates.
   3. Board members shall abstain from votes upon which they have an appearance of a conflict of interest.
3. The Board speaks with one voice, and Board members may not attempt to exercise individual authority over the organization except as explicitly set forth in Board policies.
   1. 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.
   2. Board members' interaction with the public, press, or other entities must recognize the same limitation and the similar inability of any Board member(s) to speak for the Board except for those duties reserved to the Chair.
   3. Board members will make no judgments of the President or staff performance except as that performance is assessed against explicit Board policies.
4. 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.
5. Board members will not permit themselves to be used to circumvent established lines of authority or interfere in the normal procedures for the processing of complaints or grievances.
6. Board members will not violate confidentiality including discussions that occur at legally held executive sessions of the Board.
7. Board members will use the approved process to introduce a Board meeting agenda change.

 

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Historic Information

• Reviewed: October 18, 2023
• Reviewed: 2005-2009
• Revised: August 25, 2004
• Reviewed: December 18, 2002