TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Purpose. (i) To ensure that the business of the Association (hereinafter “MCAT BOOK PROJECT”) is con- ducted effectively, objectively, and without improper influence or the appearance of improper influence. Writer/Editors must maintain high standards of honesty, integrity, and impartiality in the performance of their duties; (ii) This Policy is designed to help Writer/Editors identify situations that present potential conflicts of interest and provide the MCAT BOOK PROJECT with a procedure that, if observed, will allow a transaction to be treated as valid and binding even though an Writer/Editor has or may have a conflict of interest with respect to the transaction; (iii) It is the duty of each Writer/Editor to become familiar with, and abide by, all rules and regulations of the MCAT BOOK PROJECT including, but not limited to this Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Policy (hereinafter “Policy”).

Disclaimer: We are a nonprofit domestic organization that is applying for 501c3 designation.  For our first editions, it will be unpaid but hope to offer part-time and full-time paid internships in the future.

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2.Loyalty and Conflicts of Interest

1. For purposes of this Policy, the following circumstances will be deemed to create a poten- tial Conflict of Interest: (i) A contract or transaction between the MCAT BOOK PROJECT and a Writer/Editor; (ii) A contract or transaction between the MCAT BOOK PROJECT and an entity in which an Writer/Editor has a financial interest or of which the Writer/Editor is a director, officer, Writer/Editor, partner, or other representative; (iii) An Writer/Editor competing with the MCAT BOOK PROJECT in the rendering of services or in any other contract with a third party; and (iv) An Writer/Editor having a financial interest in, or serving as a director, officer, Writer/Editor, agent, partner or other representative of, or consultant to, an entity or Person that com- petes with the MCAT BOOK PROJECT in the provision of services or in any other contract with a third party.

2. Writer/Editors of the MCAT BOOK PROJECT owe a duty of loyalty to the MCAT BOOK PROJECT to fulfill conscientiously their responsibilities on behalf of the MCAT BOOK PROJECT. Writer/Editors should disclose and, where appropriate, refrain from engaging in any activity that might conflict, or appear to conflict, with the interests of the MCAT BOOK PROJECT, or that might result in or create the appearance of: (i) Using one’s position as an Writer/Editor at the MCAT BOOK PROJECT for private gain; (ii) Giving preferential treatment to any person; (iii) Impeding the efficiency or economy of the MCAT BOOK PROJECT’s operations; or (iv) Making decisions without impartiality.

3. Writer/Editors may not do indirectly, through family or friends, what they are precluded by this Policy from doing directly. Writer/Editors shall disclose to the Ethics Officer any activities of fam- ily or friends that may violate the provisions of this Policy.

1. General Conduct. No Writer/Editor shall participate in or otherwise aid or abet, directly or indirectly, any form of illegal activities or risk removal from the organization

1. Political Activity. Writer/Editors are prohibited by law from utilizing any MCAT BOOK PROJECT affiliation in connection with the promotion of partisan political activities, religious matters, or from using official authority or influence to interfere with an election or affect its results.

1. Prohibited Personnel Practices. Writer/Editors may not engage in any prohibited personnel practices. Among the practices prohibited by federal law are unwelcomed advances or other unwelcomed verbal or physical conduct. Writer/Editors shall abide by the MCAT BOOK PROJECT’s policy on Harassment.

1. Use of Property, Funds, or Facilities. Writer/Editors have a duty to conduct themselves honestly and responsibly while working in the MCAT BOOK PROJECT. Writer/Editors have a duty to actively protect and conserve MCAT BOOK PROJECT property, including equipment, supplies, and other property issued, entrusted or made available. No Writer/Editor shall use or allow others to use for non-MCAT BOOK PROJECT purposes or for private gain, MCAT BOOK PROJECT funds, resources, facilities or property, including but not limited to, official mail and travel privileges. All materials generated or received by a Writer/Editor within the scope of their work are the property of the MCAT BOOK PROJECT and may not be destroyed or removed from the MCAT BOOK PROJECT except in accordance with established MCAT BOOK PROJECT procedures.

1. Use of Information. Maximum discretion in disseminating information is expected of all Writer/Editors. Press should be referred to the MCAT BOOK PROJECT’s Corporate Communications Department. Other requests for nonpublic information not routinely provided should be referred to the Office of the General Counsel for the MCAT BOOK PROJECT. No Writer/Editor shall, without written consent of the Ethics Officer, make use of or permit others to make use of any information obtained during the course of their work that is not available to the general public for purposes of furthering a private inter- est or for any purpose detrimental to the MCAT BOOK PROJECT.

1. Referrals. Writer/Editors may be called upon to recommend a provider of services, other than the MCAT BOOK PROJECT, to persons outside the MCAT BOOK PROJECT seeking such service. Since such a referral may be construed as an endorsement, or result in charges of personal favoritism, Writer/Editors should make clear that any referral is not endorsed by the MCAT BOOK PROJECT.

1. Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form. Each Writer/Editor must sign and submit to the designated department, a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form, certifying compliance with this Policy and other policies and procedures adopted by the MCAT BOOK PROJECT.

10.Procedures

A. Before any action on a contract or transaction involving a potential Conflict of Interest, an Writer/Editor having a potential Conflict of Interest and who is in attendance at the meeting shall dis- close all facts material to the potential Conflict of Interest to his or her supervisor.

1. An Writer/Editor who elects not to attend a meeting at which he or she has a reason to believe action will be taken on a matter in which the Writer/Editor has a Conflict of Interest shall disclose to his or her supervisor all facts material to the Conflict of Interest.

2. An Writer/Editor who has a Conflict of Interest shall not attempt to exert his or her personal influence with respect to the matter.

3. An Writer/Editor shall disclose all Conflicts of Interest or any potential Conflicts of Interest to their supervisor as soon as such Conflict of Interest is known and the Writer/Editor shall thereafter refrain from any action that may affect the MCAT BOOK PROJECT’s participation in the contract or matter.

4. If a supervisor has reasonable cause to believe that an Writer/Editor has failed to disclose an actual or possible Conflict of Interest, the supervisor shall inform the Writer/Editor of the basis for such belief and afford the Writer/Editor an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose. If after hearing the Writer/Editor’s response and making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the supervisor determines the Writer/Editor has failed to disclose an actual or possible Conflict of Interest, the supervisor shall notify the Ethics Officer in order for the Ethics Officer to take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action. The disciplinary action may take the form of admonishment, written reprimand, reassignment, suspension, removal, or such other action as deemed appropriate.

1. The type of disciplinary action to be taken must be determined in relation to the specific violation. Those responsible for recommending and taking disciplinary action must apply judgment to each case, considering the general objectives for meeting any requirement within this Policy, deterrence of similar offenses by other Writer/Editors, and maintenance of a high standard of conduct and public confidence. No disciplinary action will be taken against an Writer/Editor who has received written approval from the Ethics Officer for the activity alleged to be in violation.