Good Counsel Inc

“Board members joanne venezia and deacon peter venezia have a family relationship.”

“Significant changes to by-laws: (1) changed role of the membership in governance: added "amend the by-laws as may seem appropriate from time to time, approve the appointment of the chairman of the board of directors and approve the appointment of the president and/ or ceo of good counsel, inc." added "members must approve any transaction which could be the equivalent of 50% of assets of good counsel, inc. As designated or indicated. The members by majority of the vote shall be solely authorized to dissolve 50% and/or all of the corporate assets and/or dissolve the corporation." (2)changed the voting approval requirements for election of the chairman added "chairman of the board of directors shall be elected by a majority of the members of the corporation." (3)changed the number of officers: added vice-chairman. "the vice-chairman shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors in the absence or inability of the chairman to preside."”

“The corporation has one class of members. This class shall be individuals and shall number no less than 3 and not more than 30. Members must have demonstrated, and continue to demonstrate, support and commitment to good counsel's prolife values.”

“The members had the power to elect the members of the board of directors.”

“The membrers may, by an affirmative majority vote of those present at any regularly meeting may: - approve or remove any or all members of the board of directors; - amend the bylaws; - approve the appointment of the chairman of the board of directors; - approve the appointment of the president and/or ceo of good counsel, inc. Members must approve any transaction which could be the equivalent of 50% of assets of good counsel, inc. The members by majority of the vote shall be solely authorized to dissolve 50% and/or all of the corporate assets and/or dissolve the corporation.”

“Finance committee of the board of directors of good counsel along with the president and controller first reviews the entire 990 including the management questions. It is then discussed and returned to our outside auditors for further clarification and completion. A final draft is prepared, reviewed again by the above good counsel board and staff and sent electronically to the finance committee of the good counsel board of directors for further review and approval. Then the document is sent to the entire board of directors. The board reviews and approves the final draft of form 990 prior to filing with the irs.”

“Good counsel's conflict of interest policy is included in their personnel manual and brought to the attention of all staff, mentioned repeatedly to managers and discussed when outside contracts or outsourced work is done. The policy includes guidelines to assist board members and employees in avoiding conflicts of interest. In the event of a conflict of interest, the interested party must disclose to the board the financial relationship that he/she has, with respect to the issue. There shall be no contract or other transaction between good counsel inc. And a board member in which there exists a conflict of interest. The board will vote on such matter without counting the vote(s) of the interested board member(s).”

“During the process of approving the budget each year, the board includes a review of the president's compensation. This last took place during 2015. In the past, the finance committee requested outside, independent auditors to review the compensation of the president. A review of other similar agencies in the region were ascertained by our auditors in terms of executive salary. A range of similar agencies salaries was presented to the good counsel finance committee and passed along to the full good counsel board of directors for review, discussion and finally approval. Minutes of the board meetings document the review, discussion, and approval of the president's compensation.”

“The organization makes its form 990 available for public inspection as required under section 6104 of the internal revenue code. The financial statements and 990 are available every year on the organization's website as well as on the charity navigator and guidestar websites. Governing documents and the conflict of interest policy are only available upon request at 411 clinton street, hoboken, nj 07030.”

“Good counsel recognizes the dignity of god-given life from the moment of conception, fostering a nurturing, safe family environment, encouraging self-respect and independence for pregnant mothers and their children in a diverse community of all faiths and beliefs. Every woman who enters a good counsel home is seen as a uniquely created individual, with her own set of unique circumstances, and is treated special and not as if she belongs to a monolithic culture. Danielle-a 24-year old pregnant woman from brooklyn, new york-arrived at good counsel with her two other children, aged two and four years old. She never finished high school and had difficulty finding employment. Clearly danielle's plan and stay is different than a pregnant woman who would arrive with no children and who had completed her educational goals. Good counsel staff and volunteers never assume that all women entering the program are alike and that the circumstances may be handled exactly the same. In truth, since everyone entering is unique, good counsel must be extra cognizant of each person's individual gifts, talents and struggles so that more accurate goals and assessments can be developed in order to help the mothers and children residing in each home.”

“Good counsel, inc. Has a committee that assumes responsibility for oversight of the audit of its financial statements and selection of an independent accountant. This process did not change from the prior year.”