1/19/2023
I. General
The Deep Creek Watershed Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”) is committed to lawful and ethical behavior in all of its activities and requires directors, officers and employees to act in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and policies and to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. As employees and representatives of the Organization, we must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling our responsibilities.
II. Reporting
The Foundation encourages its directors, officers, and employees to share their questions, concerns, suggestions, or complaints with someone who can address them properly. Any employee, officer, or director who reasonably believes that some policy, practice, or activity of the Foundation is in violation of law or Foundation policy should file a complaint with the President or the Chairman of the Board of Directors. If the wrongful conduct implicates one or both of the President or the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or if the reporting individual is not comfortable speaking with or not satisfied with the response of the foregoing individuals, the issue may be reported to any member of the Board of Directors. 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 an adequate investigation.
III. No Retaliation
No director, officer or employee who makes a good faith report under this Whistleblower Policy or who cooperates in inquiries or investigations shall suffer harassment, retaliation, or adverse employment consequence. An employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to 1/19/2023 discipline up to and including termination of employment. This Whistleblower Policy is intended to encourage and enable employees, officers, and directors and others to raise serious concerns within the Foundation prior to seeking resolution outside the Foundation. Any director, officer or employee who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of retaliation as a result of making a good faith report under this Whistleblower Policy should immediately report the retaliation to the President or the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
IV. Investigation
The President, Chairman of the Board of Directors, or a representative of the Board of Directors will notify the sender and acknowledge receipt of the reported violation or suspected violation within five business days. All reports will be promptly investigated in a manner intended to protect confidentiality, consistent with a full and fair investigation, and appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted by the investigation. A summary of the investigation will be presented to the Board of Directors.
V. Accounting and Auditing Matters
The Board of Directors shall address all reported concerns or complaints regarding corporate accounting practices, internal controls, or auditing. The President or the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall immediately notify the Board of Directors of any such complaint and work with the Board until the matter is resolved.
VI. Acting in Good Faith
Anyone making a complaint concerning a violation or suspected violation of some policy, practice or activity of the Foundation must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation of a policy, practice, or activity of the Foundation. 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.