In one New York–based nonprofit support group, attorneys are permitted to be on the board of governors as legal advisors, but they are not allowed to hold highly visible positions as chapter presidents. In Pennsylvania, a doctor may sit on the board of a medical nonprofit organization but may not do canvassing for donors. Different organizations view conflicts of interest in their own way.

The general theme of such a conflict is that an individual's job or title puts her in a position to gain at a personal level while working for the organization. The question is, where do you draw the line? Can someone in a profession donate her time in a situation in which she could stand to gain business without taking advantage of the situation?

While people do make professional contacts during their work for non-profits, a clear line must be drawn regarding how they deal with their personal business and the nonprofit business. If a potential conflict arises, it is up to the individual to step forward and present the situation to the board. Usually, the member knows if something he is doing professionally or personally is a potential conflict with the group. Don't let your organization get into a position where any members (or potential donors) may suspect one of the leaders is doing something for his personal gain rather than for the good of the organization.