Approval Date:
Updated Date:
March 7, 2024
March 7, 2024
Purpose: The purpose of this Whistleblower Policy is to encourage and enable employees, volunteers, board members, and other stakeholders to raise serious concerns internally so that The Mini Mountain Farm Sanctuary Inc. can address and correct inappropriate conduct and actions at an early stage. It is the intention of The Mini Mountain Farm Sanctuary Inc. to adhere to all laws and regulations that apply to the organization and the underlying purpose of this policy is to support the organization's goal of legal compliance.
It is the responsibility of all directors, officers, employees, and volunteers to report concerns about violations of law or regulations that govern the organization's operations, as well as suspicions of fraud, unethical behavior, or any other wrongful conduct.
This policy is intended to encourage and enable individuals to raise serious concerns within the organization rather than seeking resolution outside the organization. The Mini Mountain Farm Sanctuary Inc. prohibits retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, reports unethical or illegal conduct, or participates in an investigation concerning such conduct. The protection from retaliation is lifelong and includes termination, demotion, suspension, threats, harassment, or any other form of retaliation.
The Mini Mountain Farm Sanctuary Inc. has an open-door policy and suggests that employees share their questions, concerns, suggestions, or complaints with someone who can address them properly. In most cases, an employee’s supervisor is in the best position to address an area of concern. However, if you are not comfortable speaking with your supervisor or you are not satisfied with your supervisor's response, you are encouraged to speak with someone in the Human Resources department or anyone in management whom you are comfortable in approaching. Supervisors and managers are required to report complaints or concerns about suspected ethical and legal violations in writing to the organization's Compliance Officer, who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints.
The Mini Mountain Farm Sanctuary Inc. is responsible for ensuring that all complaints about unethical or illegal conduct are investigated and resolved. The President will act as Compliance Officer and will advise the Board of Directors of all complaints and their resolution and will report at least annually to the Board of Directors on compliance activity relating to accounting or alleged financial improprieties.
The Audit Committee of the board of directors shall address all reported concerns or complaints regarding corporate accounting practices, internal controls, or auditing. The Compliance Officer shall immediately notify the Audit Committee of any such complaint and work with the committee until the matter is resolved.
Anyone filing a complaint concerning a violation or suspected violation 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.
Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation.
This policy will be distributed to all directors, officers, employees, and volunteers who provide substantial services to the organization.
This policy was adopted as of March 7th, 2024 by Board Consent.