Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Inc.

“The membership can nominate individuals to serve on the board of directors from the floor and vote to elect the board directors at the annual meeting. The directors serve 3-year staggered terms, so 1/3 of the board is elected by the membership annually.”

“A draft of the organization's form 990 is prepared by an independent cpa firm. Such draft is reviewed by the exective director and finance committee members. The form 990 is also made available to all board members for review before being signed and filed. The form 990 is made available to board members in either electronic or paper format.”

“Each covered person, as defined in the conservancy's conflict of interest policy, is required to promptly and fully disclose all material facts of every actual or potential conflict of interest. Each covered person shall sign a statement acknowledging that he or she has received a copy of the policy, has read and understands it, and agrees to comply with it. If the board of directors has reasonable cause to believe that a covered person has failed to conply with this policy, the board may counsel the covered person regarding such failure and, if the issue is not resolved to the board's satisfaction, may consider additional corrective action as approriate. Each covered person shall annually complete and sign a conflict of interest questionnaire.”

“The finance committee prepares a proposed annual budget that includes a recommended salary for the executive director. A land trust alliance survey of various staff position salaries is use in determining this recommended salary. The proposed budget, with the salary recommendation, is presented to the board of directors for approval. Such budget discussion and approval is reported in the minutes of the board of directors.”

“Copies of the organizations's governing documents, conflict of interest policy, audited financial statements, and form 990, are available upon request at the organzation's business office.”

“Volunteers included individuals serving on the board of directors and individuals assisting in fundraising and program events of the organization.”

“Public education and technical assistance - major accomplishments during 2019-20: - publication and distribution of three issues of the conservancy's "the 'shed sheet" newletter to approximately 5,200 individuals, families, and businesses. - e-mail announcements (1,300 indviduals per e-mailing), facebook posts, watershed education public service announcements, and display messages. - maintenance of an educational website. - public education tours at nature preserves and targeted conservation sites. - provdied technical assistance to over 90 lakeshore, stream side, and watershed landowners on landscaping to protect or enhance water quality and avoid or minimize herbicide and pesticide use. - implemented programs to train and educate property owners, groundskeepers, and landscapers on how to manage their properties and undertake activities to avoid or minimize pollution to the watersheds and water bodies of chautauqua county. - held seven lake or watershed education/pollution prevention/erosion control presentations/tours for the public and to organizations.”

“Land conservation - major accomplishments during 2019-20: - conserved, via purchase, 76 acres of forest and wetland wildlife habitat on the cassadaga lakes and made trail and access improvements for the site to become a public nature park. - continued to undertake activities pursuing the conservation of over 80 acres of land on prendergast and cheney creeks and other sites. - undertook invasive species control at brown's creek preserve. - planned and installed bridges, boardwalks, trails, signage, etc. To enhance nature preserves for public use.”

“Change in beneficial interest in assets held by others 3,174 golf tournament expenses netted against income (990 viii) 319 golf tournament expenses netted against income (990 viii) -319 total 3,174”