While it is impossible to list in this Policy every circumstance which may suggest a conflict of interest, the following criteria should serve as guidelines when deciding whether a particular situation may give rise to a conflict. Members should avoid any actions which might result in or create the appearance of:
• using association with the MSRC for private gain;
• granting by the MSRC of unwarranted preferential treatment to any person or organization;
• misusing the MSRC’s confidential information for financial or personal gain;
• losing or jeopardizing the MSRC’s independence or impartiality;
• adversely affecting public confidence in the integrity or the reputation of the MSRC.
No Member shall act in any manner which causes him or her to have a direct or indirect interest in or relationship with any outside organization or person that might affect (or that might reasonably be perceived by others as affecting) the ability to carry out the duties and responsibilities he or she has in connection with the MSRC. For purposes of this Policy, "outside organization" shall not include the United States Soccer Federation, any member organization, constituent, or affiliated member entities of the MSRC.
Due to the volunteer nature of many positions within the MSRC and United States Soccer Federation structure, it is expected that some potential conflicts will become unavoidable. In those cases any such conflict must be disclosed to the Officers of the MSRC before taking part in any activity or completing any transaction associated with the conflicting entity. Such disclosure must include the nature and extent of the Member's involvement, position, interest or benefit, and all other facts within the Member's knowledge that would pertain to the conflicting activity. Further, Members shall abstain from voting, participating in the deliberations, or influencing the decision of any such matter.