Whistleblower Policy

COOPERATIVE OF THE INTERFAITH MISSION SERVICE

GENERAL:
Interfaith Mission Services’ (IMS) Code of Ethics and Conduct (Code) requires directors, officers, employees and volunteers to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities.  As employees and representatives of IMS, we must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling our responsibilities and comply with all applicable laws and regulations

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITY

It is the responsibility of all directors, officers, employees and volunteers to comply with the Code and to report violations or suspected violations in accordance with this Whistleblower Policy.

NO RETALIATION

No director, officer, employee or volunteer who in good faith reports a violation of the Code shall suffer harassment, retaliation or adverse employment consequences.  An employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.  This Whistleblower Policy is intended to encourage and enable employees and other to raise serious concerns within the IMS organization prior to seeking resolution outside the organization.

REPORTING VIOLATIONS

Employees and volunteers are expected to share their questions, concerns, suggestions or complaints with someone who can address them properly.  In most cases, a supervisor is in the best position to address an area of concern.  However, if you are not comfortable speaking with your supervisor or if you are not satisfied with your supervisor’s response, you are encouraged to speak with anyone in management whom you are comfortable in approaching.  Supervisors and managers are required to report suspected violations of the Code of Conduct to the Vice President of the Board of Directors who serves as the Compliance Officer and has specific and exclusive responsibility to investigate all reported violations.  For suspected fraud, or when you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following the process of talking with your supervisor or member of management, you may contact the Compliance Officer directly.

COMPLIANCE OFFICER

The IMS Compliance Officer is responsible for investigating and resolving all reported complaints and allegations concerning violations of the Code and, at his/her discretion, shall advise the President of the Board of Directors.  The Compliance Officer has direct access to the President of the Board and is required to report to the President at least annually on compliance activity.

ACCOUNTING AND AUDIT MATTERS

The Treasurer of the IMS, in conjunction with Compliance Officer, shall address all reported concerns or complaints regarding accounting practices, internal controls or auditing.  The Compliance officer shall notify the President of the Board of any unresolved complaints or concerns and work to resolution of the complaints or concerns.

ACTING IN GOOD FAITH

Anyone filing a complaint concerning a violation or suspected violation must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation of the Code.  Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Violations or suspected violations may be submitted on a confidential basis by the complainant or may be submitted anonymously.  Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct and adequate investigation.

HANDLING OF REPORTED VIOLATIONS

The Compliance Officer will notify the sender and acknowledge receipt of the reported violation within five business days.  All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted by the investigation

Current Vice President/Compliance Officer: Todd Noren-Hentz [toddnorenhentz at graceumchsv dot org]

2/07/2007    Source: National Council of Nonprofit Organizations, www.ncna.org