Three Cups of Tea Scandal Offers Lessons for Charities & Trustees

Three Cups

Teaching moment?  Read our opinion piece in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Three Cups of Tea Scandal Offers Lessons for Charities and Trustees.  Here’s a teaser:

  • Consider public expectations in every report and publication.
  • View the informational tax return as a public-disclosure document, not just an IRS form.
  • Watch for potential conflicts of interests involving top executives and board members.
  • Prevent sweetheart deals that benefit a charity’s officials or board members.
  • Structure the board to engender public trust.
  • Conduct independent audits regularly to avoid trouble.
  • Adopt clear and fair travel policies.
  • Draft an emergency-response plan long before any problems arise.