The Hope Chest Scholarship Foundation (HCSF) requires directors, and officers observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. As representatives of the Hope Chest Scholarship Foundation, we must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling our responsibilities and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
This Whistleblower Policy is intended to encourage and enable Board members and volunteers to raise serious concerns internally so that HCSF can address and correct inappropriate conduct and actions. It is the responsibility of all board members, officers, and volunteers to report concerns about violations of the Hope Chest Scholarship Foundation’s code of ethics or suspected violations of law or regulations that govern HCSFs operations.
It is contrary to the values of the Hope Chest Scholarship Foundation for anyone to retaliate against any board member, officer, or volunteer who in good faith reports an ethics violation, or a suspected violation of law, such as a complaint of discrimination, or suspected fraud, or suspected violation of any regulation governing the operations of the Hope Chest Scholarship Foundation. A Board member who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of Board membership and future association with the organization.
The Hope Chest Scholarship Foundation has an open-door policy and encourages that questions, concerns, suggestions or complaints be shared appropriately. If you are not comfortable speaking with the Chairman or you are not satisfied with the Chairman’s response, you are encouraged to speak with other Executive Board Directors, and or board members. The officers are required to report complaints or concerns about suspected ethical and legal violations in writing to the Hope Chest Scholarship Foundation’s Executive Officers or designated board member, who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints. Concerns or complaints may also be submitted in writing directly to the Executive Board of Directors or the organization’s Compliance Officer or other designated person.
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The Hope Chest Scholarship Foundation Compliance Officer is responsible for ensuring that all complaints about unethical or illegal conduct are investigated and resolved. The Compliance Officer will advise the Executive Board Directors. The Chairman will gather all complaints and their resolution and will report at least annually to the Treasurer/Chair of the Finance Committee/Audit Committee on compliance activity relating to accounting or alleged financial improprieties.
The Hope Chest Scholarship Foundation Compliance Officer shall immediately notify the Audit Committee/Finance Committee of any concerns or complaint regarding corporate accounting practices, internal controls or auditing and work with the committee until the matter is resolved.
Anyone filing a written 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. 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.
Violations or suspected violations may be submitted on a confidential basis by the complainant. Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation.
The Hope Chest Scholarship Foundation’s Compliance Officer will notify the person who submitted a complaint and acknowledge receipt of the reported violation or suspected violation. All reports will be promptly investigated, and appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted by the investigation.
Executive Director Officers
Carey J Hines, HCSF Board Chairman
Carey.hines@hope-chest.org
Policy approved by the Board of Directors on 4/19/24.
