Whistleblower Protection Policy
Arts Out Loud requires directors, officers and employees to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. As employees and representatives of Arts Out Loud we must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling our responsibilities and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Reporting Responsibility
This Whistleblower Policy is intended to encourage and enable employees and others to raise serious concerns internally so that Arts Out Loud can address and correct inappropriate conduct and actions. It is the responsibility of all board members, officers, employees and volunteers to report concerns about violations of Arts Out Loud’s code of ethics or suspected violations of law or regulations that govern Arts Out Loud’s operations.
No Retaliation
It is contrary to the values of Arts Out Loud for anyone to retaliate against any board member, officer, and employee 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 Arts Out Loud. 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.
Reporting Procedure
Arts Out Loud has an open door policy and suggests that employees share their questions, concerns, suggestions or complaints with their supervisor. If you are not comfortable speaking with your supervisor or you are not satisfied with your supervisor’s response, you are encouraged to speak with the Compliance Officer/President.
Supervisors and managers are required to report complaints or concerns about suspected ethical and legal violations in writing to the Arts Out Loud Compliance Officer/President, who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints.
Employees with concerns or complaints may also submit their concerns in writing directly to their supervisor or the Compliance Officer/President.
Compliance Officer (President of organization)
The Arts Out Loud Compliance Officer/President is responsible for ensuring that all complaints about unethical or illegal conduct are investigated and resolved. The Compliance Officer will advise the Board of Directors of 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.
Accounting and Auditing Matters
The Arts Out Loud Compliance Officer/President 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.
Acting in Good Faith
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.
Confidentiality
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.
Handling of Reported Violations
The Arts Out Loud Compliance Officer/President 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.
This form must be completed by all members of the board of directors, standing committee members, as well as staff, interns and volunteers upon joining the organization.
The undersigned, by their affixed signature, accept and agree to abide by the Whistleblower Protection policy.