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Adopted 2-21 12; Amended 8-21-12; Amended 11-8-12 <br /> <br /> <br />2. All voting will be conducted in open meetings, except when in closed session where <br />such closed session is permitted by North Carolina law. <br />3. No issues can be voted upon unless a quorum is present. <br />4. Only appointed members can vote at advisory board meetings. <br />5. Appointed members shall not delegate their vote to another member. <br />6. The Chair of the advisory board may participate and vote on all issues. <br />7. Voting by proxy is not authorized and shall not be allowed. <br />8. Members may not abstain from voting but where a member has a conflict of <br />interest the member may be excused by majority vote of the advisory board. <br />9. Members of advisory boards must be physically present to vote. <br />10. Individuals appointed as ex officio members of the advisory board are not <br />authorized to vote on any issue before the advisory board. <br /> <br />SECTION IX. ETHICS <br /> <br />A. Conflict of Interest <br />1. During advisory board meetings, a member shall immediately disclose any potential <br />conflict of interest and request to be excused from voting when he or she has a <br />conflict of interest. <br />2. During appeal proceedings, the applicant has the right to question the interest of <br />any voting member. The advisory board chair should consult with the County <br />Attorney or staff attorney on any potential conflict of interest in appeal matters. <br />3. In determining from existing facts and circumstances whether a conflict of interest <br />exists the determining party shall consider the facts and circumstances as would an <br />ordinary and reasonable person exercising prudence, discretion, intelligence, and <br />due care. <br /> <br />B. Gifts <br />1. An advisory board member shall not directly or indirectly ask, accept, demand, <br />exact, solicit, seek, assign, receive, or agree to receive any gift or honorarium for the <br />advisory board member, or for another person, in return for being influenced in the <br />discharge of the advisory board member’s official responsibilities. <br />2. This section shall not apply to gifts or awards authorized by Orange County Policies, <br />Resolutions, or Ordinances. <br /> <br />C. Code of Ethics <br />1. Advisory board members should act with integrity and with independence from <br />improper influence as they exercise the functions of their offices. Characteristics <br />and behaviors that are consistent with this standard are: <br />a. Adhering firmly to a code of sound values. <br />b. Behaving consistently and with respect towards everyone with whom they <br />interact. <br />c. Exhibiting trustworthiness. <br />d. Living as if they are on duty as appointed officials regardless of where they <br />are or what they are doing. <br />e. Using their best independent judgment to pursue the common good as they <br />see it, presenting their opinions to all in a reasonable, forthright, consistent <br />manner.