Conflict of interest policy

ARTICLE I - PURPOSE

1. Purpose. The purpose of this Conflict of Interest Policy (the "Policy") is to protect the interests of Wikimedia District of Columbia (the "Corporation") when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an Officer or Director of the Corporation or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction.

2. Relationship to Laws. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.

ARTICLE II - DEFINITIONS

1. Interested Person. Any Director or Officer who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined herein, is an interested person.

2. Financial Interest. A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:

(a) An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Corporation has a transaction or arrangement;

(b) A compensation arrangement with the Corporation or with any entity or individual with which the Corporation has a transaction or arrangement; or

(c) A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the Corporation is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.

3. Compensation. Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial.

4. Conflict of Interest. A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. A person who has a financial interest shall be deemed to have a conflict of interest only if the Board of Directors decides that a conflict of interest exists.

ARTICLE III - PROCEDURES

1. Duty to Disclose. In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the Directors considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.

2. Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists. After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, they shall leave the Board of Directors meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining Directors shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.

3. Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest.

(a) An interested person may make a presentation at a Board of Directors meeting. After the presentation, they shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.

(b) The presiding officer of the Board of Directors shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.

(c) After exercising due diligence, the Board of Directors shall determine whether the Corporation can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.

(d) If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the Board of Directors shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested Directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the Corporations's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.

4. Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy.

(a) If the Board of Directors has reasonable cause to believe a person has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform said person of the basis for such belief and afford him or her an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.

(b) If, after hearing said person's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the Board of Directors determines the person has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.

ARTICLE IV - RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS

1. Minutes. The Minutes of the Board of Directors shall contain:

(a) The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the Board's decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed; and

(b) The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.

ARTICLE V - COMPENSATION

1. Compensation. A voting member of the Board of Directors who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Corporation for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's compensation.

ARTICLE VI - ANNUAL STATEMENTS

1. Annual Statement. Each Director and Officer shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person:

(a) Has received a copy of the Conflict of Interest Policy;

(b) Has read and understands the Policy;

(c) Has agreed to comply with the Policy; and

(d) Understands the Corporation is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.

ARTICLE VII - PERIODIC REVIEWS

1. Periodic Reviews. To ensure the Corporation operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted.

2. Content of Reviews. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects:

(a) Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information, and the result of arm's length bargaining; and

(b) Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations conform to the Corporation's written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes and do not result in inurement, impermissible private benefit or in an excess benefit transaction.

3. Use of Outside Experts. When conducting periodic reviews, the Corporation may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the Board of Directors of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.