Great Lakes and St Lawrence Cities Initiative

“Participating cities are members of the organization and pay dues”

“Members of the organization elect the full board of directors”

“Approvals of members are required for changes to by-laws, selection of auditor, audited financial reports and financial statements”

“All members of the board of directors receive a copy of the form 990 to review prior to its filing”

“The board of the organization routinely checks for transactions or relationships that would constitute a conflict of interest.”

“Executive director compensation is approved by the board of directors during the budget process and considers comparative data for similar organizations.”

“Available upon request made to the executive director.”

“The vision of the great lakes and st. Lawrence cities initiative: have the mayors whose population and towns (and economy) that rely on the great lakes water to form a bi-national coalition and will actively work with federal, state and provincial governments to advance the protection and restoration of the great lakes ecosystem through development and implementation of a comprehensive great lakes protection and restoration plan. Mayors will become active participants in great lakes issues relating to governance, economics and science. To achieve this vision, the mayors with interest in the great lakes, have agreed to: 1. Establish a great lakes cities initiative, under which mayors will work jointly to advance the restoration and protection of the great lakes ecosystem; 2. Seek partnerships and collaborate with other levels of government, various commissions and panels, and other organizations involved in great lakes issues; 3. Implement and advance existing mayoral initiatives concerning the great lakes; 4. Call upon the u.s. Congress and canadian parliament to appropriate funds for the development, by an independent panel of science and policy experts which include the member mayors and deliver a detailed plan for the protection and restoration of the great lakes. This plan will be updated as various issues arise and will serve as a blueprint to guide agreed-upon future legislative and appropriations activities that restore and protect the great lakes ecosystem; 5. Identify, evaluate, highlight and share information with each other about successful local initiatives that protect and restore the great lakes ecosystem while encouraging the vitality of great lakes communities; 6. Continue to meet, communicate and share ideas about the various issues the member cities are experiencing in order to advance the much-needed knowledge, understanding and solutions of said issues, with the goal of creating as expeditiously as possible, comprehensive solutions.”

“Stimulus initiative - work to get critical funding for infrastructure and educate municipalities on how to raise funds for their projects. 12 month webinar series, newsletter program,action plan to protect the great lakes and st. Lawrence 2020-2030 - canadian intiative.”

“There were no changes to the audit selection process from the prior year.”