Leahy Center for Lake Champlain Inc.

“The finance committee of the leahy center for lake champlain performs a detailed review of a draft of the 990 with the preparer, and then makes a recommendation to the full board to accept the draft and move forward with filing. In addition, the 990 is made available for all board members to review prior to filing.”

“The conflict of interest policy is given to each new responsible person and is required to acknowledge in writing that he or she has received a copy of this policy. Each responsible person must annually complete an information form regarding the conflict of interest policy. The policy shall be reviewed annually and any changes to the policy must be communicated to all responsible persons.”

“The compensation of echo's executive director is defined in a contractual agreement between the leahy center for lake champlain, inc. And the executive director. The compensation is negotiated and reflects what the board perceives is the necessary and appropriate compensation to obtain and retain a qualified executive director in the burlington market. Any bonus compensation for the executive director is goal based. Annual goals are mutually established and the executive director's success in meeting these annual goals is assessed by the board. The board of directors reviews the executive director's performance each fiscal year and determines whether bonus compensation is appropriate.”

“Directors are brought in at around 60,000 with a typical 3% cpi anually depending on cash flow. If there are financial contraints during the year, in lieu of permanent salary adjustments, smaller bonuses may be paid.”

“Copies are made available upon request.”

“Echo, leahy center for lake champlain”

“The public face of the leahy center for lake champlain inc. (dba echo, leahy center for lake champlain or echo) is an innovative science and nature center. Hands-on science is how we engage our visitors every day. Since 1995, we have taught more than 2.5 million visitors about the role of science in our culture and lives. Echo annually welcomes more than 170,000 visitors into a 34,500-square foot, award-winning leed-certified facility. Through more than 100 interactive exhibits; 70 species of fish, reptiles, and amphibians; major changing exhibits; a 2,500-square foot early learning interactive space; echo encourages visitors to view the natural environment as part of their neighborhood and to explore, learn about, and consider opportunities for stewardship. This work is delivered by a dedicated team of 28 staff, 200 volunteers and 75 interns who serve more than 16,000 volunteer hours per year, and more than 70 community partners. Echo is home to a consortium of organizations working for public and academic engagement in science: the lake champlain basin program; the university of vermont rubenstein ecosystem science laboratory and research vessel; us sea grant watershed alliance; and the lake champlain navy memorial located in hoehl park. The nonprofit is governed by a 20 member board of directors, who retain responsibility for defining echo's overall direction and functions necessary to ensure the organization remains on track and achieves its goals. The primary responsibilities of the echo board fall in the areas of finance, fundraising, strategy, and policy. As a general matter, board members are not directly involved in echo's daily operations, as these duties are the responsibility of management. Board members sit on one of four committees that meet four times annually: policy and governance, planning and finance, stewardship, and audit and ethics. The entire board meets quarterly within the fiscal year, including a two-day strategy and appreciative board advance. Echo at a glance: early childhood initiatives: increasing access to early science learning is a major goal of the strategic plan 2023. -pre-k outreach: echo distributes stem kits to 82 classrooms, addressing the needs of 1,500 early learners and 328 preschool educators by creating curricula, hands-on materials, continuing education credits, and professional development training to support science literacy across vt. To reach further, echo is collaborating with vermont pbs to deliver our high- quality curriculum to preschoolers through an emmy nominated children's show. As two trusted brands in vermont, together we will carry science education beyond the classroom and enrich after-school time in homes. -k-6th grade outreach: echo is committed to addressing geographic equity by partnering with isolated and low-resource schools that lack science specialists, libraries, and social service agencies in rural communities across vermont. Over the next two years, echo will engage: -500 teachers in classrooms across the state with workshops, professional development training, continuing education credits, and classroom coaching support -3,000 students with new curriculum and kit-based materials -regional libraries and social service agencies to support 3,000+ families members with community stem nights in celebration of science excellence -echo early learning (eel): echo is engaging the new american, refugee, and under-served populations to prepare children for transition to formal preschool or kindergarten. This free, weekly, informal care program for birth-five children, supports play-based learning for child and caregiver together; reading-readiness; and caregiver learning and resources to foster safe, supportive, and enriching learning environments for children at home. -summer & vacation camps: echo offers a dozen camps for k-5 youth in a diversity of science topics throughout the year. -e-team: our year-long teen leadership program inspires 9th-10th grade highly di”