Whistleblower Policy
Purpose
RAHA requires board members to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities and for all to comply with all applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
Reporting Responsibility
RAHA seeks to have an “Open Door Policy” and encourages board members to share their questions, concerns, suggestions or complaints regarding the organization and its operations with someone who can address them properly. In most cases, a board member should present his or her concerns to the RAHA President. The RAHA President is generally in the best position to address an employee’s area of concern. However, if a board member is not comfortable with the RAHA President’s response, or if an employee is not comfortable speaking with the RAHA President, the board member or employee is encouraged to speak with anyone on the Board whom the employee is comfortable in approaching or to directly contact an outside legal counsel.
No Retaliation
No board member who in good faith reports a violation of a law or regulation requirement shall suffer harassment, retaliation or adverse employment consequence. An employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment. This Whistleblower Policy is intended to encourage and enable persons to raise concerns within the organization prior to seeking resolution outside the organization.
Compliance Officer
The RAHA President will act as the RAHA Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer is responsible for investigating and resolving all employee complaints and allegations concerning violations of the Principles. The RAHA Vice President will take on the Compliance Officer role if the complaint involves the RAHA President. If the complaint involves both the RAHA President and RAHA Vice President, outside legal counsel will carry out the functions of the Compliance Officer.
Accounting and Auditing Matters
The Finance Committee of the Board of Directors, which shall include the President, Vice President, and Treasurer shall address all reported concerns or complaints regarding corporate accounting practices, internal controls or auditing. The Compliance Officer shall immediately notify the Finance Committee of any such complaint and work with the committee until the matter is resolved.
Requirement of Good Faith
Anyone filing a complaint concerning a violation or suspected violation of the law or regulation requirements must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.
Confidentiality
Violations or suspected violations may be submitted on a confidential basis by the complainant or may be submitted anonymously. Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation.
Handling of Reported Violations
The Compliance Officer or person responsible for carrying out the Compliance Officer’s role with respect to a reported or suspected violation will acknowledge receipt of the reported violation or suspected violation by writing a letter (or email) to the complainant within five business days. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted by the investigation.