NAVTA CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
(Reviewed and accepted with no changes March 19, 2024)
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) is dedicated to representing and promoting the profession of veterinary technology and providing direction, education, support and coordination for its members and works with other allied professional organizations for the competent care and humane treatment of animals. The integrity of NAVTA, and the activities it undertakes, depends on the avoidance of conflicts of interest, or even the appearance of such conflicts, by the individuals involved in those activities.
At the same time, NAVTA recognizes that its leaders and members have significant professional, business and personal interests and relationships. Therefore, NAVTA has determined that the most appropriate manner in which to address actual, potential or apparent conflicts of interest is initially through liberal disclosure of any relationship or interest which might be construed as resulting in such a conflict. Disclosure under this Policy should not be construed as creating a presumption of impropriety or as automatically precluding someone from participating in an NAVTA activity or decision-making process. Rather, it reflects NAVTA’s recognition of the many factors that can influence one’s judgment and a desire to make as much information as possible available to other participants in NAVTA-related matters.
Any individual involved in NAVTA activity or decision-making process has an obligation to disclose any conflicting or potentially conflicting personal, professional or business interest he or she may have, directly or indirectly, with the affected activity or decision. Potentially conflicting interests may relate to NAVTA’s programs and services (e.g., advocacy activities) or its operations (e.g., contracts with third parties).
In particular, participants in NAVTA-related activities are obligated to disclose the positions they hold with other organizations or entities that may conflict, directly or indirectly, with their NAVTA activities. They also have an obligation to disclose any significant financial interest in, or other relationship with, an entity having a “commercial interest” in the activity. A commercial interest may exist not only where the entity’s products or services are under consideration by NAVTA, but also where the entity’s products or services are in competition or potential competition with those under consideration. By the disclosure of such interests, other participants will have the opportunity to take potential biases into consideration. In addition, the Board of Directors will be in a better position to determine whether the participant may have an interest in conflict with the interests of NAVTA.
Although NAVTA primarily is concerned with potential conflicts of interest involving those individuals participating directly in NAVTA-related activities, potential conflicts of interest also may arise if an individual with whom the participant directly shares income has an interest in the activity or matter under consideration. As a result, participants should disclose not only their own interests or relationships but also those of their spouse or minor children, as well as interests or relationships held by others that may affect their decision-making.
Integral to the implementation of the Conflict of Interest Policy is the NAVTA Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form, which is considered a part of the Conflict of Interest Policy and must be submitted and updated annually. Individuals remain under a continuing obligation, however, to report actual, potential or apparent conflicts as they arise, including those that were not reported on the Disclosure Form, but which later become relevant to an NAVTA activity in which they are involved.
Individuals should err on the side of disclosure if in doubt as to whether it is required under the Policy. It is the responsibility of the disinterested members of the Board (or of the affected decision-making body in question with guidance from the Board) to interpret and apply the Policy. Specifically, subject to the procedures set forth herein, the Board may require any action they deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Disclosure of the interest to the other participants in the decision- or policy-making body (e.g., board or committee).
(2) Written and, in some cases, oral disclosure of the interest (e.g., to an audience at an educational session).
(3) Recusal from voting on a matter and limitation of the individual’s participation only to the provision of factual information of benefit to the group discussion.
(4) Complete recusal from consideration of the subject matter, including, but not limited to, not participating in that portion of a meeting in which the subject matter is to be discussed.
(5) Replacement of the individual in the affected position or activity.
In most instances, disclosure of the conflicting or potentially conflicting interest will suffice to protect NAVTA’s interests. In situations where such disclosure does not adequately deal with actual or potential problems, however, additional action, including denial of participation in the affected activity or consideration of the matter, may be necessary.
The NAVTA President is the designated “Conflicts Administrator” for purposes of facilitating implementation of this Policy.
Please answer the following questions or provide substantially the same information in some other form (e.g. by attaching a vita). Only report those relationships or interests that reasonably involve the interests of NAVTA or the profession. If you have no information to list in response to a specific question, answer "None"