SCStewardship & CommunityShared purpose. Careful planning.

Accountability and continuity

Make a Potential Conflict Visible

A personal connection can affect a decision’s context.

Independent educational journal · October 7, 2026

Blank planning cards, a wooden house token and a sage notebook; a fictional editorial illustration.

A useful distinction

A committee member may know a supplier or have another interest related to a proposal. That connection does not explain every decision, but hiding it can prevent the group from applying its normal review process.

Put it into practice

Use the organisation’s conflict policy and disclose the relevant relationship to the authorised people. Record how the decision was handled without publicising unnecessary personal details. This article does not decide whether a particular person can vote or whether a legal conflict exists.

Sources and further reading