Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Inc.

“The tax return was prepared by the outside accountants and reviewed by senior management. The draft 990 was provided to the audit committee for review and comment. A final copy of 990 was sent to the entire board for review and approval before it was filed with irs.”

“Each director, principal officer and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers annually signs a statement which affirms such person: a. Has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy, b. Has read and understands the policy, c. Has agreed to comply with the policy, and d. Understands the organization is charitable and that, in order to maintain its federal tax exemption, it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes. Procedures for addressing the conflict of interest: a. An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she leaves the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest. B. The chairperson of the governing board or committee, if appropriate, appoints a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement. C. After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee determines whether the organization can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest. D. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee determines by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the organization's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination, it makes its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.”

“At the discretion of the chairperson of the board of directors, the executive committee of the board will obtain third party assistance in determining the appropriate compensation for the president/ceo. The process used will be conducted by the executive committee, and documented in the board minutes. Comparability data was not used in 2016 since this is not necessary to do every year.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request.”

“Center for Marine Fisheries (CMF): The TRCP Center for Marine Fisheries has taken a leadership role in the efforts to ensure the long-term health of our ocean resources and the sporting traditions that rely on our marine fisheries. The CMF also identifies and engages in issues that are important to marine recreational anglers and works with TRCP partners to bring sportsmen's voices to the policy discussion (e.g., Gulf oil spill recovery, federal management of recreational fisheries, etc.). The Center for Marine Fisheries also continues to strengthen relationships with sportsmen's organizations and conservation groups throughout the Gulf, serving on advisory committees and organizing events and meetings with groups like Ducks Unlimited, Coastal Conservation Association, the Nature Conservancy, National Wildlife Federation and many others. CMF Director Chris Macaluso continues to serve on the Louisiana Governor's Advisory Commission for Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation as well as a sub-committee of that commission, which is examining the potential positive and negative effects of freshwater and sediment diversions in the Mississippi River Delta. He has met with those two groups twice in 2016. TRCP coordinated with Ducks Unlimited, CCA-Louisiana and the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to host a sportsmen-centered meeting to discuss the effects of coastal restoration projects on hunting and fishing access and opportunities October 25 in Baton Rouge. The meeting was attended by 80 concerned anglers and hunters who wanted more information about the future of Louisiana's coast and efforts underway and planned to help restore and sustain vital coastal habitats and communities. TRCP marine fisheries and policy staff worked extensively with partner organizations, especially the American Sportfishing Association as well as fisheries experts from across the country, NOAA and congressional staff to organize two workshops to identify and refine alternatives to current federal fisheries management. TRCP marine fisheries, policy and development staff also worked with partner organizations to host a two-day media summit at this year's ICAST show in Orlando that presented information regarding fisheries management and efforts to restore the Everglades watershed to more than 150 media, fishing industry and government officials. In addition, the TRCP Marine Fisheries Director, Chris Macaluso, has been working side by side with ASA, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and Coastal Conservation Association on an effort called the Gulf Angler Focus Group that has brought together anglers and charter boat captains with state and federal fisheries managers to discuss management approaches that can help resolve current frustration and lack of trust with red snapper management at the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council. As part of this effort, the focus group has met with fisheries managers from all five Gulf States, the NOAA regional fisheries director and representatives from Pew, The Ocean Conservancy and The Environmental Defense Fund. The focus group has been professionally moderated by representatives from Florida State University. Throughout 2016, TRCP convened three workshops focused on discussion of alternative fisheries management approaches. This effort will culminate in a joint TRCP and ASA report on the workshops that includes the list of potential alternative management approaches and where and how they can be used most effectively and what changes to current law and policy may be needed. TRCP has been active in Florida around restoration of the Everglades as well. In 2016, we hired an organizer to focus on meeting with sportsmen's and conservation organizations and coordinating with the Everglades Foundation to secure support for the Now or Neverglades petition, an effort to get businesses, organizations and individuals to support projects that will move water from Lake Okeechobee south into”

“The process has not changed from previous years.”