Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural

“The executive committee consists of the president, vice president, treasurer and clerk. The executive committee functions mostly in a advisory capacity to the executive director. The treasurer has the authority to sign tax related forms and also has signing authority on the bank account.”

“Two board members work at the same organization and one is the supervisor of the other. Both stephanie perks and sarah cogswell are employed at coastal foodshed (a 501c3 nonprofit) and stephanie is sarah's supervisor.”

“From our by-laws: membership: southeastern massachusetts agricultural partnership (semap) is a community-supported partnership between the public and the farming community of the region with the purpose of stabilizing sustainable commercial agriculture for the benefit of the region. This partnership includes two distinct categories of membership: public: membership shall consist of the general public either residing or having an interest in agriculture in southeastern massachusetts. This category of membership includes all members of the public who support farming and gives them a vehicle to do so. In return, the membership receives organized information regarding local sources of food, advance invitation to workshops and seminars, and advance invitation to fund raising events. The general public (non-members) may also access this information via publications and the website. This membership may also include farmers who want to support the efforts of semap, but are not members of the second category. For example, some commodity farmers or a lower-level restaurant employee would not typically benefit from a professional membership, but could support the goals of semap and its buy fresh buy local program by being a public member. Professional: also known as business to business, or b2b, a network of professional members of semap that includes restaurant owners, chefs, caterers, retail stores, tour organizers, and others along with commodity or value-added farmers. The network fosters communication among its members with the goal of providing fresh local agricultural products to our region. The expectation is that, in addition to maintaining and fostering farm businesses, new non-farm businesses including restaurants, catering services, and agri-tourism companies will continue to emerge as a result of this program. Section a and may also include advisory members. From time to time the board of directors may establish other categories of membership. Section b selection: new members shall be considered as in good standing upon receipt of annual dues, such dues to be set by the board of directors. Section c categories: categories of membership shall include the two categories of regular members detailed in section d fees: membership fees may be fixed from time to time by the board of directors. Regular members may be required to pay an annual membership fee to be established by the board of directors. Advisory members may be exempt from membership fees. Section e rights: all regular members are entitled to one vote at all member meetings. A quorum consists of one-third of the members. Advisory members are invited to participate in all meetings, but are not entitled to a vote. Section f meetings: the full membership shall meet at least one (1) time per year as determined by the board of directors. The one required meeting shall be the annual meeting of semap. Notice of any member meetings shall be publicly circulated five business days prior to the meeting date. Section g resignation: members may resign from semap at any time. Non-renewal of annual membership and/or non-payment of annual membership fees shall constitute resignation of membership. Section h expulsion: the board of directors may expel members for just cause reasonably deemed by the board of directors to be sufficient; including, but not limited to, failure to pay dues or budget subscriptions within a reasonable time as fixed by the board of directors. No member may be expelled without the hearing before the board of directors at a proposed time and place and after a reasonable notice. A two-thirds vote of all directors present shall be necessary to expel a member. Section i termination: the termination by resignation or expulsion shall work as a forfeiture of all interest in and to property of the corporation, and to the member shall thereafter have no right thereto or any part thereof.”

“1/3 of the board of directors is elected at the annual meeting by the organization's members”

“Tax return reviewed by executive director before filing.”

“Employees and officers are required to file a conflict of interest form annually and to notify the executive director, in writing, of any changes in current or potential conflicts of interest. The executive director and the executive committee of the board of directors will review the conflict to determine if it is a conflict of interest and how to remedy the situation. If you are involved in an outside interest and are unsure if it could be a potential conflict of interest, we encourage you to speak to the executive director.”

“It is semap's policy to maintain back-up copies of electronic data files off-site in a secure, fire-protected environment. Access to back-up files shall be limited to individuals authorized by management. The board of directors sets the compensation of the executive director based on performance and comparison with similar positions in the area. The executive director in consultation with the executive committee compares data on compensation for key employees and discusses the data. The process described here was last completed in 2024.”

“UPON REQUEST.”