PURPOSE

CSEM Council Directors must at all times act in the best interest of CSEM. Directors must be independent and impartial, acting with integrity and conducting themselves in a manner consistent with CSEM’s mandate and bylaws to maintain the confidence of our members in the conduct of CSEM’s business.

CSEM, as the National Specialty Society representing endocrinology and metabolism and an accredited continuing professional development provider of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, must ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its continuing professional development activities.

This policy provides guidelines for Directors.

POLICY

CSEM Council Directors will declare actual or apparent conflicts of interest before discussions or decisions about any matters in which they could directly or indirectly benefit or where such a benefit could be perceived.

PROCEDURES

CSEM Council Directors will complete a Conflict of Interest Form at the start of each Council term.

CSEM Council Directors will declare any conflicts prior to the start of any Council meeting upon review of the agenda.

If a Council Director is unsure if a conflict of interest exists or not, the matter may be discussed with the CSEM President and Executive for guidance.

If there is some question as to whether or not a real or perceived conflict exists, Council will determine by majority vote if a conflict exists. The Director in question will abstain from the discussion and vote.

Where such a conflict of interest exists, the Council Director will provide additional information as requested by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will determine the appropriate course of action which may include the Director in question refraining from personally influencing the outcome and voting, and/or being recused from the discussion altogether.

The disclosure and decision will be recorded in the minutes, along with abstention and recusal if they occurred.

If CSEM’s Conflict of Interest Policy is contravened, Council Directors may be asked to resign or may be removed from Council, in accordance with CSEM’s bylaws, if the conflict cannot be resolved to Council’s satisfaction.