Conflict of interest and disclosure policies are standard practices in associations. They help ensure objectivity in decision making. At its October 2008 Board meeting, the CHLA/ABSC Board of Directors adopted a conflict of interest and disclosure policy that asks:

• Members of the Board of Directors
• Committee chairs and chair-designates
• Liaisons to other organizations
• Authors writing for CHLA publications, instructors and presenters at CHLA/ABSC sponsored events and activities

to disclose any significant conflict or appearance of having an opportunity to derive, directly or indirectly, for self or another, financial or non-financial, benefit from decisions or actions being considered or taken by the Association.

The intent of this Policy is not to prevent people with a significant financial or other relationship from serving in official capacities, writing, or presenting, but to provide decision-makers and participants with the information to form their own judgments in regard to exposition or conclusions reached in presentations, courses, publications, etc. There is nothing inherently wrong with a conflict of interest. It should be disclosed.

JCHLA authors are covered by the JCHLA author copyright agreement.

The policy and disclosure form is on the web (pdf). Disclosure forms are to be sent to the secretary@chla-absc.ca. These will be kept on file only as long as the individual remains in the conflict of interest situation.