About the Internet Society 

Board of Trustees

Conflict of Interest Information

Appendix I: ISOC Conflict of Interest Policy for Trustees, Institutional Officers and Senior Staff

1. Scope. The following statement of policy applies to each member of the Board of Trustees of the Internet Society, to all officers of the Internet Society and to all members of Senior Management. The policy is also intended to serve as guidance for all staff at ISOC.
2. Fiduciary Responsibilities. Members of the Board, officers, and employees of ISOC serve the public trust and have a clear obligation to fulfill their responsibilities in a manner consistent with this fact. All decisions of the Board and officers of the administration and faculty are to be made solely on the basis of a desire to promote the best interests of the institution and the public good. ISOC's integrity must be protected and advanced at all times.

   Men and women of substance inevitably are involved in the affairs of other institutions and organizations. An effective board, administration, and faculty cannot consist of individuals entirely free from at least perceived conflicts of interest. Although most such potential conflicts are and will be deemed to be inconsequential, it is everyone's responsibility to ensure that the Board is made aware of situations that involve personal, familial, or business relationships that could be troublesome for ISOC. Thus, the Board requires each trustee, officer and key members of staff annually (1) to review this policy; (2) to disclose any possible personal, familial, or business relationships that reasonably could give rise to a conflict of interest involving ISOC; and (3) to acknowledge by his or her signature that he or she is in accordance with the letter and spirit of this policy.

3. Disclosure. All trustees and officers are requested to list on this form all Business Relationships that such trustee or his/her family members have with ISOC. [The form appears on separate page.] In the event you are uncertain as to the appropriateness of listing a particular relationship, the Chair of the Board of Trustees and or the President should be consulted. They, in turn, may elect to consult with legal counsel, the Executive Committee, or the Board of Trustees, in executive session. Such information, including information provided on this form, shall be held in confidence except when, after consultation with you, the institution's best interests would be served by disclosure.
4. Restraint on Participation. Trustees or officers who have declared or been found to have a conflict of interest shall refrain from participating in consideration of proposed transactions, unless for special reasons the Board or administration requests information or interpretation. Persons with conflicts shall not vote, participate in discussion, nor be present at the time of vote.

Appendix II: ISOC Conflict of Interest Policy- DEFINITIONS

Business Relationship: One in which a trustee, officer, staff member or a member of his or her family (as defined below) serves as an officer, director, employee, partner, trustee or controlling stockholder of an organization, or derives a substantial benefit from an organization, in each case that provides goods or services to ISOC or otherwise does business with ISOC.

Family Member: A spouse, parents, siblings, children, or any other relative if the latter resides in the same household as the trustee or officer.

Substantial Benefit: When you or a member of your family (1) are the actual or beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of the voting stock or controlling interest of an organization or (2) have other direct or indirect dealings with such an organization from which you or a member of your family benefits directly, indirectly, or potentially from cash or property receipts totaling $10,000 or more annually.