Shared Interest Inc.

“Once a tentative Form 990 is prepared the Organization forwards an electronic copy to each of the 9 members of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Accompanying the draft form is a narrative which includes highlights of any changes in the Form from the prior year version (What's New). Convening by conference call, the Executive Committee reviews the draft paying particular attention to governance issues and financial issues to the extent they have bearing on the preservation of the Organization's tax exempt status. Once the Committee is satisfied their input is reflected in the draft Form, a copy of the 990, and all of its schedules, is forwarded to each member of the full Board with instructions that, should they have comments, they need respond as soon as possible so that the final document is filed timely.”

“Every year, before its November annual meeting, Shared Interest distributes a conflict of interest form to each member of the Board and requires that each Board member complete and return it prior to the conclusion of the meeting. The form seeks disclosure of any conflict of interest in the context of IRS guidance to the form 990 and its Glossary defining key terms.”

“Shared Interest's Board members, with the exception of one who is also CEO of a related organization, serve voluntarily and receive no compensation save for reasonable reimbursement of expenses related to their work as Board members. Every two years, the Board's Personnel Committee reviews existing salary ranges for ALL of Shared Interest's employees and sets those ranges anew based on comparability studies and data from like organizations in the New York City area. After determining the ranges, the Committee makes recommendations for adoption by the full Board and sees to it that salaries of all hires fall within policy parameters. Should a Board member apply for compensation that could possibly be interpreted as presenting a conflict of interest, the Board refers to its written policy document and proceeds to address the issue in the manner prescribed. After disclosure of the financia linterest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested party, s/he must leave the Board of Directors or Committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. Only disinterested members may vote on a conflict of interest issue. In the event the transaction or arrangement is deemed actually to present a conflict between the interest of one of its members and those of the Organization, the Chairperson of the Board or Committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement. After exercising reasonable due diligence in this regard, the Board of Directors or any committee shall determine 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. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the Board or any committee shall determine by majority vote of 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 and at arm's length. In conformity with the aforesaid determination, it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.”

“All of Shared Interest's governing documents, the conflict of interest policy and financial documents are available to the public at no charge for photocopying or printing. While we have not yet had anyone ask to inspect our documents in the office, we would be pleased to make these available on our premises at a mutually convenient time. We have had inquiries about our Form 990. For those who find it more convenient, Shared Interest refers them to Guidestar or the website of NYS Attorney General, which also provides links to other websites where the Form 990 is available. Finally, now that we have the completed 990 in PDF format, we are happy to send it to anyone requesting an electronic copy. Shared Interest also makes its annual report, which contains its most recent audited financials, available on its own website (and also mails and emails copies to all supporters for whom it has either street or electronic addresses).”

“Average Hours Per Week worked by Shared Interest Board members and Officers in the exercise of their duties are generally with respect to Shared Interest, and not to its related organization (which also has its own South African Board). This is true except in the cases of 3 Shared Interest Board and Officer persons who also sit on the Board of Thembani International Guarantee Fund. However, in the case of the CEO of Thembani, who is a full-time officer of that organization and a volunteer director of Shared Interest, the number of hours reported (51) includes just one hour per week representing time expended on average in the governance of Shared Interest.”