RSNA Policy on Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality
For Volunteer Leaders – Board Members and Committee Chairs
I.	CONFLICT OF INTEREST
	Purpose
	The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) is organized for the express purpose of promoting and developing the highest standards of radiology and related sciences through education and research. The integrity of its Board of Directors, Board of Trustees of the Research and Education Foundation, and committee chairs is essential to achieving this purpose. It is critical to the integrity of RSNA that those serving in elected or appointed positions avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest. All decisions and actions must be made solely for the benefit of RSNA, without regard to personal considerations. Concern is raised when financial or other personal consideration may compromise, or have the appearance of compromising, an individual’s professional judgment. The purpose of this statement is to guide RSNA and its leadership in the management of potential conflicts primarily through disclosure of all financial or other interests which might be construed as resulting in an actual, potential, or apparent conflict in regard to decisions that may arise from recommendations, assessments, or opinions, given individually or as part of a group. Nothing in this policy statement should be regarded as creating a presumption of impropriety in the existence of financial interests or other relationships of a commercial nature, or in service to another organization in a leadership capacity. Instead, the statement represents recognition of the many factors which can influence judgments and a desire to make as much information as possible available to the Society.
	What is a Conflict of Interest?
	A conflict of interest may occur whenever an individual or member of that individual’s immediate family (including spouse, dependent children or other financially dependent family members) has a direct or indirect interest or relationship, financial or otherwise, that may influence the individual’s ability to exercise independent judgment in any action affecting RSNA or its members. A conflict of interest may exist in those instances where the actions or activities of an individual on behalf of RSNA would (a) result in personal gain or advantage, (b) have an adverse effect on RSNA’s interests, or (c) obtain a gain or advantage for a third party. A conflict of interest does not necessarily make an individual ineligible to serve, but may limit the individual’s ability to participate in certain activities or discussions.
	Reporting a Conflict of Interest
	Attached to this Conflict of Interest Policy is a Disclosure Statement for members of the Board of Directors, Research and Education Foundation Board of Trustees, and committee chairs to utilize in disclosing beneficial interests that may give rise to a conflict between an RSNA position or responsibility and another professional, business, or volunteer position or responsibility. If an individual has a potential conflict relating to business before the RSNA Board of Directors or one of its committees, that individual should immediately report the potential conflict to the Chair of the Board.
	Situations that should be disclosed are:
	1.	A director, officer, committee chair or member, consultant or advisor, or employee of any person or entity having contractual relations or business dealings with RSNA or engaging in activities that could be reasonably construed to affect RSNA or its members. Only persons or entities with contractual relations or business dealings resulting in income or in-kind remuneration of over $5,000 in any one year or in excess of $10,000 over a three-year period shall be required to be disclosed pursuant to this paragraph.
	2.	An investor, directly or indirectly, in any company or other entity that could be considered a conflict of interest pursuant to the attached policy. Any equity interest exceeding $25,000 (except when invested in a diversified publicly traded fund not controlled by the covered individual) in a commercial entity must be disclosed if the company is an entity having an investment, licensing, or other commercial interest potentially related to RSNA.
	3.	A member of an advisory board, review panel or consultant service, or an officer or board member of an entity (including a professional association) that may have conflicting priorities or competing interests with RSNA.
	4.	In a position to supervise or otherwise exercise authority over research or other work that is being conducted pursuant to a grant or agreement with a commercial entity.
	5.	Serving another professional organization in a fundraising capacity.
	Determination of Conflict of Interest
	The Disclosure Statement, to be filed annually by members of the Board of Directors, R&E Foundation Board of Trustees, and committee chairs will be used to determine any actual, potential or apparent conflicts of interest in matters before any RSNA committees or Board of Directors. The determination of a conflict and the action to be taken will be the responsibility of the Chairman of the Board. If the potential conflict involves the Chairman, the RSNA President will make the determination.
	Resolution of Conflicts
	When an actual conflict of interest is determined to exist, the conflict will be disclosed to the appropriate Board or Committee, and the disclosure will be recorded in the minutes. In the case of a more serious conflict, the individual will be requested to recuse himself or herself from consideration of any matter giving rise to concern. This includes withdrawing from the meeting or activity so as not to participate in any discussion or vote on the matter. For continued serious conflicts that cannot be remedied by disclosure and recusal, the individual will be requested to either divest the outside interest or voluntarily withdraw from the position held in RSNA. Failure to do so may result in involuntary removal from the RSNA activity in question.
II.	CONFIDENTIALITY
	It is important that confidential Society information disclosed in the context of Society activities is not disclosed or used outside that context. Therefore, the members of the Board of Directors, R&E Foundation Board of Trustees, and committee chairs are required to acknowledge in writing, the need for maintaining such confidentiality. Each such person shall keep confidential and shall not disclose, either during or after the person’s period of service to the Society, all confidential or proprietary information of the Society, such as: nonpublic financial information, information about employees of the Society, nonpublic information relating to plans and strategies of the Society, information relating to membership applications, matters discussed in executive session, and any other information which common sense and good judgment suggest should be kept confidential.
III.	USE OF RSNA NAME
	Acknowledgement
	I acknowledge and agree that (i) I have read and understand the conflict of interest policy of RSNA, (ii) I understand the requirements for reporting any potential conflict during my tenure as a member of the RSNA Board of Directors, member of the Research and Education Foundation Board of Trustees, or as chair of an RSNA committee, (iii) to the best of my knowledge, information and belief I have disclosed all beneficial interests that may create a conflict of interest on the attached form; and (iv) I shall report any additional conflicts to the Board of Directors as they rise. I further state that I will abide by the confidentiality provisions of this policy and will not use, or permit the use of my position with the Society or the Society’s name to imply a Society endorsement of any product or service or to imply Society support of an opinion or activity of mine.
	Signature:
	Name:
	Date: Adopted June 2006
	Note: The interests of the spouse, dependent children or other financially dependent family members of an individual subject to this disclosure must be aggregated with the financial interests of such individual when determining whether any disclosure pursuant to the above thresholds is required.