Swiss Institute

“Swiss institute is managed by a governing board, which is referred to as the "board of trustees." a trustee shall be a member during his/her trusteeship. The number of voting trustees constituting the entire board shall be at least five and no more than fifteen. The person or persons signing the certificate of incorporation as the incorporator or incorporators shall be the first member or members of the swiss institute unless they have resigned or unless membership should be terminated. Thereafter, the qualifications and eligibility for membership and the manner of admission into membership shall be prescribed by resolution of the board of trustees and/or by any similarly prescribed rules and regulations which the board of trustees may promulgate.”

“Trustees shall be elected at the annual meeting of members by a plurality of the votes cast by the members. The number of trustees may be increased or decreased by action of the trustees, provided that any action of the trustees to the effect such increase or decrease shall require the vote of a majority of the entire board. The trustees may also elect or appoint a chairman of the board, a vice chairman of the board, a secretary and one or more assistant secretaries, a treasurer and one or more assistant treasurers, and such other officers and agents as they may determine. Each membership shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. In the election of trustees, a plurality of the votes cast shall elect. Any other action shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast except where the not-for-profit corporation law prescribes a different proportion of votes; provided that the said majority of the affirmative votes cast shall be at least equal to a quorum.”

“Governance decisions of the swiss institute are reserved to the members of the board of trustees.”

“The federal form 990 is prepared by the external accountant, and a final draft is emailed to the swiss institute's bookkeeper for a preliminary review. Upon completion, the bookkeeper then forwards an electronic copy to the director, treasurer and the rest of the board members for review and approval. The bookkeeper notifies the external accountant that the form 990 is approved and ready to be filed.”

“Prior to any party's election to the board of trustees or as an officer, such party, and annually thereafter, each member of the board of trustees and each officer shall disclose in writing any interest, as defined below, in any corporation or other organization, which provides goods or services to swiss institute for a fee or other compensation. A copy of each disclosure statement shall be available to any trustee on request. If at any time during his or her term of service, a trustee or officer has any interest, he or she shall promptly disclose the material facts of that interest in writing to the board. When any matter in which a trustee or officer has an interest comes before the board or any committee thereof for decision or approval, that interest shall be immediately disclosed to the board or the committee by that trustee or officer. A trustee or officer shall be deemed to have an "interest" in a matter if that trustee or officer or a related party has a significant economic interest in a decision on the matter by the board or any committee. As to any trustee or officer, a "related party" shall mean any relative thereof or an entity in which any of the foregoing persons is a shareholder, director, officer or the equivalent. No trustee shall vote on any matter in which such trustee has an interest.”

“The board of trustees determines the compensation of the directors. Comparable compensation levels for similar positions in similar industries are explored by experts in the industry, and discussed at the board meeting to determine total compensation packages for the directors. All compensation deliberations and decisions are documented in the board minutes. The directors are provided with an employment contract that outlines the compensation package. This process was last implemented on 10/7/13 to detemine the employment arrangements for the present director.”

“The form 990 is available for public inspection as required under section 6104 of the internal revenue service code as it is posted on guidestar.org and other similar websites. In addition, forms 990 and 1023, as well as the financial statements, articles of incorporation and bylaws are available upon written request of the organization at 18 wooster street, new york, ny 10022, or by calling the organization at (212)925-2035.”

“Event assistants: program service expenses 42,873. Management and general expenses 13,173. Fundraising expenses 10,064. Total expenses 66,110. Professional graphic design: program service expenses 8,719. Management and general expenses 2,679. Fundraising expenses 2,047. Total expenses 13,445. Professional honoraria: program service expenses 10,979. Management and general expenses 3,373. Fundraising expenses 2,577. Total expenses 16,929. Photographer: program service expenses 3,558. Management and general expenses 1,093. Fundraising expenses 835. Total expenses 5,486. Technology consultant: program service expenses 5,480. Management and general expenses 1,684. Fundraising expenses 1,286. Total expenses 8,450. Development consultant: program service expenses 10,772. Management and general expenses 3,310. Fundraising expenses 2,528. Total expenses 16,610. Gallery facility upkeep: program service expenses 9,319. Management and general expenses 2,863. Fundraising expenses 2,187. Total expenses 14,369. Other fees for services: program service expenses 3,115. Management and general expenses 957. Fundraising expenses 731. Total expenses 4,803.”

“The oversight process of the organization's audit of its financial statements and selection of an outside accountant has not changed from the process followed in the prior year.”