Define conflict of interest and give an example relevant to club membership.

• A. A legal term with fines.
• B. A situation where personal interests could influence professional decisions; example: a board member awarding a contract to a business they own.
• C. A disagreement about club objectives.
• D. A situation where a member is absent.

Answer: (B)

A conflict of interest is a situation where personal interests could influence professional decisions. In a club, this shows up when someone in a leadership or decision-making role has a personal stake that could sway their judgment. For example, a board member who owns a business that could win a club contract might be tempted to steer the award toward their own company. This creates a risk that decisions aren’t made in the club’s best interests or with fair consideration for all members, which can damage trust and integrity. The appropriate remedy is to disclose the potential conflict and recuse the person from the decision process so others can handle it impartially. This isn’t about a legal term with fines, nor is it simply a disagreement about objectives, and it isn’t about a member being absent.