Conflict of Interest and Self-Dealing Teleconference Series

This teleconference series features John Edie of PricewaterhouseCoopers discussing critical issues pertaining to conflict of interest and self-dealing rules. The first session will cover the basics of conflict of interest, including definitions, types of conflicts, and best practices. The second session will focus on self-dealing and intermediate sanction rules, focusing on basic rules, transactions, disqualified persons, penalties, and exceptions. The third session will examine common problem areas and use real scenarios to explain how the self-dealing rule is applied in different cases.

There is a $25 registration fee for one call, a $45 fee for two calls, and a $60 fee for the whole series.  Please contact Courtney Moore with any questions about the series.

Session One: Introduction to Conflict of Interest
March 25, 2008
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Recording now available (MP3, 32MB)

What is a conflict of interest? There are all kinds of conflicts that cover a wide spectrum from criminal to insignificant. Some conflicts are legal in nature, while others involve ethical questions. In this session we review the different types of conflicts and discuss best practices for dealing with them.

Session Two: Basic Self-Dealing & Intermediate Sanction Rules
April 1, 2008
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Recording now available (MP3, 16MB)

Recent media stories have put the topic of self-dealing on the radar of many policymakers and grantmakers. In this session we discuss the basic rule and concepts related to self-dealing as it affects private foundations, the types of transactions that are affected by the rule, the definition of disqualified persons, the penalties for violation, and the exceptions to the rule. For public charities subject to the intermediate sanction rules, we will define excess benefit transactions and disqualified persons and discuss reasonable compensation other financial transactions and the rebuttable presumption.

Session Three: Common Self-Dealing Issues and Scenarios
April 8, 2008
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Recording now available (MP3, 14MB)

This session begins with a quick review of self-dealing basics, including financial transactions, disqualified persons, penalties, and exceptions. We then examine common problem areas and use real scenarios to explain how the rule is applied in different cases, such as spouse travel, fundraising events, shared office space, and overlapping board members. We conclude with recommended steps for private foundations to take to avoid self-dealing problems.