; or (B) a nongovernmental agency or project of which that member, or a relative of that member, of the Commission is an officer, trustee, partner, director, or employee. (c) Contract authority Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Commission may contract with and compensate Federal agencies or persons for the conduct of activities necessary to the discharge of its duties under this title. Any such person shall be hired without interruption or loss of civil service or Foreign Service status or privilege. (d) Gifts (1) In general In order to preserve its independence, the Commission may not accept, use, or dispose of gifts or donations of services or property. An individual Commissioner or employee of the Commission may not, in his or her capacity as a Commissioner or employee, knowingly accept, use, or dispose of gifts or donations of services or property, unless he or she in good faith believes such gifts or donations to have a value of less than $50 and a cumulative value during a calendar year of less than $100. (2) Exceptions This subsection shall not apply to the following: (A) Gifts provided on the basis of a personal friendship with a Commissioner or employee, unless the Commissioner or employee has reason to believe that the gift was provided because of the Commissioner’s position and not because of the personal friendship. (B) Gifts provided on the basis of a family relationship. (C) The acceptance of training, invitations to attend or participate in conferences, or such other events as are related to the conduct of the duties of the Commission, or food or refreshment associated with such activities. (D) Items of nominal value or gifts of estimated value of $10 or less. (E) Gifts provided by a foreign leader or state which would create offense or embarrassment to the United States Government if refused, shall be accepted and turned over to the United States Government in accordance with the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act of 1966. (F) Informational materials such as documents, books,