FOCAL POINT
Winter 2006 Vol. 9 Issue 1
Friends of the Year Award Winner
Superconference
programs for Friends
PRAIRIES AND NORTHWEST TERRITORIES ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004
Regional workshop Ajax, Ontario
Regional workshop Smithers British Columbia
Price guide to books- Mississauga
Forum
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY -
U.S.A. - MID-WINTER MEETING
Lahring Tribe and Random House at CLA
Funding cut protest - - - letter to the editor
FOCAL mailbox – conflict of interest
Random House of Canada Friends of the Year Award Winner
Friends of the Lindsay Branch of the City of Kawartha Lakes Public Library
The Friends of the Lindsay Branch of the City of Kawartha Lakes Public Library are winners of the Random House of Canada Friends of the Year Award 2004. In a submission that reflected outstanding community or volunteer involvement, the Friends conducted a yearlong schedule of diverse activities and programs.
Not only did the Lindsay Friends deliver a regular set of programs relating to fundraising, reading and arts and culture, but added to that were some initiatives such as Canada Reads and the Chesley Challenge, Doors Open Ontario and the Lieutenant Governor’s Book Program. Their 100th Anniversary of their Carnegie Library was an excellent opportunity to showcase the library’s long-standing role in the community.
Honourable Mention - Friends of the St. Marys Public Library
Their submission reflected innovative efforts in community service and
fundraising, designed to raise the profile of the library in the community and
enhance service.
Support and volunteer efforts on the part of the Friends have touched many sectors of their community. From the Newcomers Welcome Program, through special Centennial projects, the writer-in-residence program, volunteer tutoring, hosting the appreciation tea for volunteers, support of horticulture projects indoors and outdoors, historical research and writing, summer reading program, and providing library tours their hard work and enthusiasm is evident.
Random House of Canada Friends
of the Year Award 2004
Friends of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library –
Lindsay Branch
Presentation: Rodger Smith. Eileen Andersen, Lois Magahay and Denham Dingle.
Superconference programs for Friends
. . . meet FOLUSA’s Sally Reed . . . reenergize . . . share successes and
challenges
Friday February 3, 2006
9:05-10:20
YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND: NURTURING YOUR FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Dorothy Macnaughton, President, Friends of the Library Sault Ste. Marie Public Library; Wilhelm Eisenbichler, Chief Executive Officer Sault Ste. Marie Public Library
Learn practical tips on working with Friends and fundraising ideas. Sault Ste. Marie will share their experience that has their group donating 4200 volunteer hours and has raised over $250,000 in just fifteen years. They will provide keys to their success and relationship with the Board and Library Management.
Friday February 3, 2006 2:10-3:25
CREATING AND REENERGIZING YOUR FRIENDS GROUPS
Sally Reed, Executive Director, Friends of Libraries, U.S.A
An interactive program designed to provide ideas for the formation of Friends groups and for revitalising existing Friends groups. Such topics as increasing the number of active members, fundraising, membership drives and organizational effectiveness will be discussed. Bring your concerns and your successes to share with others.
Friday February 3, 2006 3:45-5:00
SPOTLIGHT: MAKING THE CASE FOR YOUR LIBRARY
Sally Reed, Executive Director, Friends of Libraries, U.S.A
Nobody can advocate for libraries better than the people who use them. Learn how Friends and Trustees can work successfully together to ensure that library budgets stay strong and capital projects get funded.
Friday February 3, 2006 5:15-6:00
Friends' Reception for Sally Reed
Come meet Sally Reed, Executive Director of Friends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA). This is a rare opportunity to meet one of the worlds most sought after Friends' authorities and leaders. Your last chance. Don't miss out.
Saturday February 4, 2006 9:05-10:20
PLAYING POLITICS: FRIENDS AS ADVOCATES
Michael Fay, Chair, Friends
of the Haliburton County Public Library
Playing Politics will show you how to set indicators, strategies, and targets for your Friends group to advocate with local municipal councils to bring your library closer to provincial standards. Use provincial statistics to set indicators of success.
Saturday February 4, 2006 10:40-11:55
FRIENDS' SHOWCASE: SHARING SUCCESSES AND
CHALLENGES
Michael Fay, Chair, Friends
of the Haliburton County Public Library
Showcase will bring together Friends willing to share fundraising, advocacy and volunteer management tactics in an interactive session designed to inspire and inform! If your friends group has a great idea to share, contact focal@friendsoflibraries.ca to arrange your participation.
Ontario Library Association.
Attention : Registration, 100 Lombard Street, Suite 303, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada, M5C 1M3. Telephone: 416-363-3388 or 1-866-873-9867. Fax: 416-941-9581 or
1-800-387-1181
Use the registration form found on FOCAL’s website - http://www.friendsoflibraries.ca/Confe.html
Registration fees – for members
of Friends groups who do not work in libraries:
Friends’ Day Saturday Feb. 4, 2006 $40.00; Friday Feb. 3, 2006 $20.00
FRIENDS OF CANADIAN LIBRARIES
PRAIRIES AND NORTHWEST TERRITORIES ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004
REPORT BY NICHOLAS SPILLIOS, FOCAL DIRECTOR
Activities in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba by Friends groups continued along several fronts.
In Alberta, the St. Albert Friends were excited with the progress made in reinvigorating the group. Among the activities resulting in this progress included book sales; participating in the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Public Library; fundraising; and hosting a "Just Desserts" social event in which 33 individuals/groups provided desserts. Activities resulted in a donation of $10,000 to the French language collections.
In Edmonton, the Friends co-sponsored two special evenings - an evening of tributes to the late Monica Hughes, local science fiction writer, and "Harmony in Words" dedicated to reminiscences by Edmontonians on the occasion of the Edmonton Centennial. They also sponsored the holding of a casino, which should result in acquiring close to $75,000 for library collections. No Friends group is organized within the Calgary Public Library. In Lethbridge, the Annual Book Sale raised approximately $12,000.The Special Antiquarian Book Sale raised as much as the two book sales combined and continues to be a popular event. The Banff Mountain Festival sponsored by the Friends garnered a sell-out crowd. In Red Deer, the Annual Book Sale raised $10,000, of which $9,000 was donated by the Friends to the Children's Library.
The Regina Public Library Friends were active in petitioning the City and the Province to prevent the closing of three public branch libraries. City Council is now reconsidering this action. The Friends are now lobbying the Province to amend library laws to make trustees elected officials rather than appointees. This group is unique in the three provinces as the group is independent and works apart from the Board and the administration.
In Winnipeg, programs of the Friends included the establishment of book reading groups; a writers' event was held to give an opportunity to Manitoba authors to share their personal experiences with local authors; planning the operation of a Gift Shop in the Public Library; and the sale of book bags. The reestablishment of the group's contribution to the Writer-In-Residence position will be pursued.
Volunteers needed:
Membership secretary
Newsletter Committee members
Director – Ontario region
Regional workshop in Ajax, Ontario and Smithers British Columbia
. . . Sharing successes and challenges
Regional Friends gathered this Fall in Ajax, Ontario and Smithers, British Columbia. Each workshop provides an opportunity for neighbouring Friends groups to talk, share resources and ideas, and come away with new energy.
The Ajax Workshop included 21 delegates from six communities. This is the second annual Fall meeting. Last year the event was hosted in Lindsay, and Oshawa will host the 2006 regional meeting.
Please look to the FOCAL website photographs depicting many of the ideas and exhibits described in this newsletter - http://www.friendsoflibraries.ca/regional-meetings.htm#Ajax
In this issue we will highlight the successes from the Ajax meeting, and in the next issue highlight some challenges faces by the different Friends groups.
Jim Osborne listed fundraising and program successes. He gave credit to an idea picked up at a library conference and now raises $2,000 a year from books sold from a book cart near the circulation desk in the library.
· Annual booksale revenue is $12,000 - $15,000
· Partner with a community choir organizing a golf tournament, and distributed coupons worth $2 off the Friends booksale
· During Durham’s Cinefest 250 volunteers distributed bookmarks to promote the booksale.
· Rhapsody in Bloom program of garden tours, lunch in gallery café, regency home tour and also a bonsai display. Tickets are a good value at $30 tickets and we sell 250.
· Easter baskets raffle
· November house decorating and making holiday wreaths – partner with local church – includes luncheon
· Helped sell 200-300 tickets for local symphony orchestra – got half of value – $1500 fund-raiser
· New members package – contains Library Board members , Friend’s Executive list, constitution, calendar of events and newsletter, and Friend’s committees
· Advertise in choir newsletter (5 issues)
· We have our own logo – becoming familiar
· Party to celebrate success – Dec. or Nov. at someone’s home – volunteers are invited
Lindsay – Eileen Anderson
The Lindsay Friends described a very exciting year. They won the Random House Award of the Year award, and gave credit to a wonderful group of volunteers who did do a lot during 2004.
During 2005 the Friends celebrated The Year of the Veteran. They have 13 local Royal Canadian Legions in Kawartha Lakes area, and there will be special events during library week
Noreen described their monthly booksales that are “quite profitable”, the record to date being $703.07 for a one day sale. They do not have a set price except for books on genealogy, and sales are by donation only. They have found people are very generous. They also have an outdoor booksale (library near farmers’ market) and sales have been going up every year. They do have a storage area so books can be on shelves all year
Their Friend’s book bags are selling extremely well, and a new design was introduced. They are made in Lindsay by a local entrepreneur. They also sell in bulk quantities to other Friend’s groups, and Winnipeg has purchased over 1500 in the past two years.
See the FOCAL Market website for new designs, prices and sizes - http://www.friendsoflibraries.ca/market.html
Mississauga – Bill Crawford
Spending
·
local author
working on history of nine original
communities that make up Mississauga –Friends helping with graphics/layout/
production – hope to break even
Question – Historical books
- cost? - $47.50 price for historical books
- Suggestion - Ontario genealogical society and Canadian Historical Society – if you advertise their members would be very anxious to get copies
· 4 new library branches – $50,000 to each branch to help with capital expenses – fireplaces, seating area, children’s activity areas
·
Wish list – try to
budget to meet them all – we
can’t consistently – try to help out each of
branches as best we can
· 17 branches to look after
· donating books to various areas of the world – Africa, Philippines – give to local organization who ship container loads or arrange their own transportation
Revenue
· Corporate sponsor $25,000 contributed to Cooksville publication – hoping to get other corporate sponsors
· Hope to set up a new system for corporate donations – head offices – used to get $5-10,000 a year
· Main source of revenue is book sales – year round – each local branch has small area – cart
· Central library has elaborate set up – runs year round as long as library is open - $96,000 last year – hope to go over $100,000 this year
·
Area devoted to
withdrawn library books - $1 or $2 each (hardcover $2, softcover $1) and divided
by subject
(See comprehensive price guide, page 8)
Mississauga - Book Sales
· 75-90 % of revenue from four carts in main entranceway
· Filled with only best quality books
· All donated, really good quality
· Individually priced $3 to $5
· Staff at circulation desk take payment and it is entered into our account – takes a bit of time to organize
· we have price guides to our books
Questions – honour system – works o.k.
Having unionized staff do your work – not an issue
Branch rivalry – in branch with best sales staff get a lunch – might do every six months
Special sales – Buyers can use a form to make a request and check off areas of interest. They run a special sale every three months, and have 8 pages of names to be contacted, preferably by e-mail, and give them advance notice of a special sale. They make $1000-1500 at each special sale and $1590 on the recent textbook sale.
Teachers only book sale – Teachers are invited to a special sale where over 2000 books sell for $1 each or 3 for $2. They sell out and make $1000-1200 during the two-hour sale. They use school board’s interoffice mail and use e-mail to send out to school boards, so that promotion doesn’t cost anything.
Questions:
After cleaning up from the flood, flood insurance was used to purchase 8-10 tables and four book trucks. Additional insurance money spent on flats or platforms to store books.
Partnered in art with the high schools, by asking the high school students to design a mural. The end result is a beautiful mural for boys and girls department The school will receive $200 and students will get hours of community service .
Highlights of year
· Going to Council to pay next $100,000 instalment of $1 million pledge. One last instalment to make next year will complete our pledge to the town
· February Valentines Tea: pianist played Love Songs
· Chocaholics – taste testing – discussion about chocolate
· Appreciation lunch to library staff will become an annual event
Premier event was Children of the War Years – tied into 50th anniversary, a legacy project of interest to our members many who have lived in Ajax for a good number of years. Children of the War Years captured memories of those who grew up in Ajax during the war, and an oral history was the end result.
· Local freelance author interviewed kids and videographer put together a short video documentary – premiered in May
· 50 anniversary event was held May 29th
– teamed up with local authors and launched
their book – timed two events together
· Article on children of war years published later this fall in Senior’s magazine
To see more photos visit www.friendsoflibraries.ca/regional-meetings.htm#Ajax
. . . Smithers British Columbia
Lorraine Doiron,
Chairperson, Friends of the Smithers Public Library
Over refreshments we
congratulated ourselves on a great parade. The Kitimat group was thanked
profusely for coming. Granisle Library had a car in the parade, driven by the
Granisle Mayor, and we gave him much thanks during the parade.
Smithers handed out 500 bookmarks from the Friends, along with some generic
Library ones brought by the Kitimat people. We also handed out candy.
Packages that contained information on Friends groups (how to start and maintain
a group) were handed out and appreciated. A lot of useful information was
received from FOCAL and these packages will be sent to various Friends groups
who were unable to attend. Several are trying to start up or restart a group and
I think the information contained in the packages along with the various web
sites noted will be a big help.
There was a short discussion about the difficulty of maintaining members and
interest. This seems to be a problem for every group. We also spoke briefly
about some fund raising ideas, one of them being a CD that was put together by
well known singers with songs based on various books.
This whole idea of meeting, at least once a year, all the libraries along the highway from Prince Rupert to Prince George, was determined to be a great idea and we will work on a meeting for next year.
Although we did not have a big turnout, I know that big things come from small beginnings so I am eagerly awaiting next year!
Pictures from the
parade in Smithers . . .
Price guide to books sold by the Friend’s in Mississauga.
Thanks to Bill Crawford for sharing this document with us.
Friends of the Cranbrook Public Library, partnered with the Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club, held their annual Book Sale at the Tamarack Mall, Sept 29th to Oct. 1st.
This year’s sale set a record for sales with a net profit of $12,288, split between the 2 organizations. Previous year’s sales netted $8,000 to $9,000. The Friends $6,144 will be turned over to the Cranbook Public Library to buy new books and processing materials.
Marilyn Forbes, Friends vice president and co-chairperson of the sale, said this year’s success was due to a larger area being available (vacant store) for holding the sale, which allowed customers to browse, and additional advertising which brought in not only a bigger supply of donated books, but more customers.
Friends of the Orillia Public Library were awarded a $1000 grant form Casino Rama Community Wellness Committee to be used for volunteer recognition and speakers. Local funeral homes in the Orillia area make a Memorial Form available to anyone who would like to donate to the Friends of the Library.
Their Fall newsletter reported a $980.00 grant from the Community Foundation of Orillia which was used to purchase Columbia Granger’s Book of Poetry Online. Saving grocery tapes netted revenue of $649.15 from A&P and $860 from Zehers for $860.
Friends of the Vancouver Public Library helped build support and persuade city council to fund a new literacy program “Ready to Read”. The new program will send special librarians to introduce the world of books and reading children who might never be exposed until they go to school.
In the September issue of their newsletter the Vancouver Friends enclosed a $5 coupon for Friends to redeem at the next booksale. The newsletter also contained a 25% off coupon for Friends to use in purchasing regularly priced merchandise during a pre-Christmas sale at “the bookmark”, their library store.
Vancouver celebrated the 10th anniversary of their central library. In June the Friends were recognized for close to $250,000 in contributions made to the system since 1995. The central library and 21 branches have received materials not covered by the regular library budget.
The Friends in Vancouver have organized a committee to work with community organizations that want a new library branch for Downtown Eastside/Strathcona. The city is urged to allocate the $13 million required to build a full service library.
The Friends raised $16,000 at their annual “Stay at Home and Read a Book Ball” in November 2004. The fundraising gala is conducted by a mail campaign and between 1998 and 2004 raised $120,000 to support the library collections and programs.
Partners in art – Friends of the Lindsay Branch of Kawartha Lakes Public Library conducted an art contest, and work began on a 42” x 72” canvas to be hung in the Boys and Girls Department.
Book sales are booming in Lindsay. A fourth-month profit of $1864.54 was reported in their summer newsletter. Many people work to make this possible – donors, sorters, shelvers, carriers, telephoners, sellers and buyers.
The Friends in Winnipeg report growing numbers of members – numbering 131 at the beginning of 2005. Friends renewing receive the McNally Robinson Readers Reward Card for $10 rather than $25, and can use the card for a 10% discount on regularly priced books, CDs, gifts and restaurant services.
A “Books and Brunch” event in April had the theme “Books that I Love and Why”, featuring speakers including a local lawyer, arts commentator and CBC radio host. It was a sell-out event, with delightfully entertaining speakers
The March newsletter of Friends in Belleville reported many activities, promotions and programs – Canada Reads, new library groundbreaking, volunteer appreciation tea, book discussion group, ticket sales for Rapunzel, honour with books program, book bag sales and their grocery tape collection
The Spring-Summer newsletter of the Friends of the Oshawa Public Library reported $16,000 in funding over the last year. The money funded picture books, DVDs, display cases for local history, an Environic project and an original painting and framing. In addition their Lara Ellis Memorial Fund in support of the children’s library is at $35,000.
The Winter/Spring issue of Friends of Libraries Australia (FOLA) newsletter included a feature article on the Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library. It was reported during the 2003-2004 fiscal year that the Friends contributed $4.8 million and in direct financial and program support. The group is one of the largest library support groups in the United States and has twice received the Award of Excellence from Friends of Libraries USA for the best large Friends group in America.
Visit their website http://www.friendsofmpl.org/friends_store.html to learn more about this group containing 3,5000 members.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY - U.S.A. - MID-WINTER MEETING,
Jan. 9, 2004, San Diego, CA
by Nicholas Spillios
FOLUSA conferences follow a standard format which has proven successful in the past - begin with a NUTS & BOLTS session, follow it up with an author brunch and awards ceremony and include an informative session on a general topic.
At the N&B session, an afternoon of roundtable discussions by Friends and trustees provided a range of information. About one hundred Friends were in attendance. Tables were organized around specific themes including strategic planning, fundraising, membership, advocacy and public relations. Advocacy initiatives included the documenting of specific and touching stories by library patrons and publishing them. Fundraising initiatives included campaigning for buying a book by the inch or shelf. Increasing membership projects mentioned included noting membership application on the back of notices for book sales; offering a 10% discount at sales and in the Library shop or cooperating book stores; and offering members first choice at the sale. Public relations covered a multitude of ideas including the establishment of a personal relationship with local columnists; and organizing a book festival with authors and panels.
Advocacy covered sending a library card to honourary members, writing letters to the editor; include items on decision makers/politicians; monitor local issues; know the message of the library - what, when, where supported by facts; and keeping well informed on literacy issues. The following items were covered under strategic planning - make a plan (review the library's mission, vision, carry out a board evaluation survey); gather information (assess previous experiences, successes and failures); conducting a planning process (what should be the mission, clarify the purpose, what fundraising will best support the mission); and how do you communicate to the library board.
A special presentation was made on the designation of a literary landmark. Here Friends apply for a literary Landmark for any special location in the community that is tied to a deceased literary figure, author or his/her work. FOLUSA can provide information on hosting a landmark even and in promoting the site by preparing a press release as well as in cooperation with other groups to establish the site. A charge of $500.00 is made to FOLUSA to cover expenses.
The conference program was balanced with an author brunch in honour of poet Nikki Giovanni and Lynn Cox, author of "Swimming to Antarctica". A special session, "Using Books to Inspire Young Readers" was also held under FOLUSA’s sponsorship.
Lahring Tribe, Random House of Canada and Colleen O’Neill, Canadian Publishers Council at the Random House of Canada booth in Calgary, June 2005.
Attending: Ajax: Val Marshall, Cheryl Braz, Marion Brown, Alisa Fleming,
Mary Peterson, Barry Butler, Denise Butler, Doreen Pratt, Soraya Yaghini, Joy
Graham, Valerie Mandanaro; Mississauga: William Crawford; Lindsay:
Lois Magahay, Noreen Braiser, Eileen Anderson, Trudee Vine, Margaret Moreau;
Peterborough: Dorothy Macnaughton, Ann Tibodeau, Jo Gibbon, Lynn Gibbon;
Oshawa: Jim Osbourne; Sudbury: Jami van Haaften
Funding cut protest - - - letter to the editor
From: Michael Fay
To: Toronto Star Editor
Date: June 27, 2005 2:59 PM
Re: Ontario slashes library funding $1.2M June 27
I live and work as a consultant and writer in Haliburton County. I was able to re-locate to this beautiful part of Ontario partly because the Haliburton County Public Library was an electronic wonder, connecting me to books across the province, delivered to my local branch within days of ordering them on line. I really felt that government was paying attention to the needs of small business people in all parts of the province, not just in the big cities. I was a three-hour drive from the large reference libraries in Toronto, but I had access to the same resources as my friends and colleagues in the city.
This simple fact made me a great supporter of our local library and led me to found a local chapter of Friends of the Library. We began to work with library board members to create a new strategic plan, with the dream of even greater access, supported by professionals at the Southern Ontario Library Service.
I was absolutely shocked to read that the government cut $1.2 million from the very budget that gave me that access to books from across the province and support from the consultants at the Southern Ontario Library Service. And, having been a civil servant for twenty years, I somewhat cynically realize that $1.2 million isn't even considered "small change" in a multi-billion dollar global budget.
Why did it happen? Why take away the very part of the budget that gave me, as a resident of rural Ontario, access to the whole system? Minister Meilleur
claimed that she cut that part of the budget that "would have the least impact on the day to day lives of citizens who use the library system." Living in Ottawa and Toronto, that's certainly true for Madame Minister.
We really do have a two tier system when it comes to libraries, don't we?
Michael Fay, Minden, ON (fay.m@sympatico.ca)
This question came into the FOCAL mailbox. We turned to the membership for helpful advice:
Answer:
Chesley Friends do not 'allow' any staff of the library to be on the Friends board but of course they can be members of the Friends... staff are part of the meetings in an advisory capacity [e.g. what books are desired etc.]
Another conflict of interest issue occurs when a board member is related to a staff member. I think no relatives etc. of staff can be on the board! (Suzan Fawcett)
Answer:
The Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association does not have a policy, but we have two relevant clauses in the By-law - attached. I would be interested to see any policy statements that you receive. (Donna Medved)
Quoted: Conflict of Interest, Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association, By-law
5. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
5.17. No Director shall be disqualified by his or her office from contracting with the Corporation, nor shall any contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Corporation, with any Director or in which any Director is in any way interested, be liable to be avoided nor, subject to the provisions of the Act, shall any Director so contacting or being so interested be liable to the Corporation or any of its members for any profit realized by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or the fiduciary relationship thereby established.
5.18. It shall be the duty of every Director of the Corporation who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or arrangement or proposed contract or proposed arrangement with the Corporation, to declare such interest to the extent, in the manner and at the time required by the Act and to refrain from voting in respect of the contract or arrangement or proposed contract or proposed arrangement if and when prohibited by the Act.
** The reference to ‘The Act” is the Ontario Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990 - the governing legislation for incorporating.
More text from a variety of sources -
COMMUNITY SUPPORT OF LIBRARIES
Friends groups have often served
as the training ground for future library trustees because enthusiastic
volunteers become well acquainted with and support the library's mission and
goals. Current library trustees and library staff ought not to be officers in
the Friends group in order to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
(www.secstate.wa.gov/library/libraries/libDev/
downloads/trustee/21-communitysupport.pdf)
Conflict of Interest - In addition, trustees should avoid situations in which personal gain or personal interest prevails at the expense of library patrons, staff, or the institution as a whole. Trustees should always excuse themselves from voting whenever a conflict of interest exists and should acknowledge the formal position of the board even if they personally disagree. (www.state.tn.us/sos/statelib/p&d/trustee.pdf)
Directors' Liability: A Discussion Paper on Legal Liability, Risk Management and the Role of Directors in Non-Profit Organizations
5.2 Duty of loyalty
Directors are required to put the interests of the organization first. These interests will always take precedence over any other interest, including a director's personal interests. . . . . Loyal directors will avoid putting themselves in a situation of a conflict of interest. When this is unavoidable, they will act properly in disclosing the conflict and ensure that they play no part in discussing, influencing or making decisions relating to that conflict.
(www.volunteer.ca/volunteer/pdf/LiabilityEng.pdf)
