Which statement best describes how conflicts of interest should be treated in decision-making?

• A. You must disclose the conflict and recuse yourself from the related decision.
• B. You should share the conflict only in private messages.
• C. You may ignore the conflict if it seems minor.
• D. You should resign from the club immediately.

Answer: (A)

Conflicts of interest can bias judgment, so the best approach is to disclose the conflict and recuse yourself from the related decision. Disclosure makes the situation transparent and allows others to assess any potential bias. Recusal removes you from participating in the decision, preserving fairness and the integrity of the process. Sharing the conflict only in private messages doesn’t inform the group or remove your influence on the outcome, and ignoring the conflict can undermine trust. Resigning is an extreme step not usually required; many conflicts are effectively managed through disclosure and recusal, sometimes with additional independent review if needed.