Good Counsel Inc

“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 have the power to elect the members of the board of directors.”

“The members 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.”

“The finance committee of the board of directors of good counsel along with the president and controller first review 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 version 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 2016. 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 22 linden avenue, spring valley, ny 10977.”

“Good counsel means concrete help and real hope for mothers in need and babies before and after birth. Since 1985 more than 8,132 women and children have spent some 781,792 nights of safety in a good counsel home. Good counsel means a voice of consolation, guidance and support. During the calendar year of 2019 good counsel's national helpline 1.800.723.8331 and website www.goodcounselhomes.org received more than 3,416 calls and emails asking for help with some callers simply asking for more information about our services, other callers were women in crisis pregnancies and some simple, heartbreaking emails reading, "i'm 19 pregnant and need help." good counsel means, "if you're pregnant and need a place to stay, you're welcomed with arms wide open." even if all the good counsel homes have every bed occupied, and during 2019 the occupancy rate was 109%, if a pregnant mom is in need and calls, good counsel staff will find room for her on a couch in the living room or even a cot in the office. Good counsel has grown to help many people beyond itself, since 1985, good counsel has helped open 9 homes in 8 states to serve women and children and assisted, on a consulting basis, with many other maternity homes in different states. Good counsel's mission to serve homeless single pregnant women and their children began when fr. Benedict groeschel, cfr, and christopher bell, saw the need and opened a residence in a former convent in hoboken, new jersey. More than 1,222 babies have been born to good counsel mothers since that first home opened. During 2019, there were 43 babies born to mothers living inside a good counsel home. Currently good counsel operates four homes, three in the new york city greater metropolitan area and one outside camden, new jersey. Ideally, mothers stay at the home for up to a year. Good counsel means educational support and guidance. Each home provides a safe and secure learning environment for both mother and child. Free babysitting is afforded mothers to help them go back to school and to work. As mothers move into their own apartments or homes good counsel staff stay in touch through the exodus program, where former residents receive material assistance and on-going counseling to ease the difficulties of transition to independent living. Good counsel also means hope and healing after an abortion. Through the many painful experiences of good counsel mothers, a post-abortion counseling and referral network began and is called lumina. Lumina, which means light, not only helps women at good counsel and beyond, but also men and siblings of aborted children who are suffering from the pain of losing a son, a daughter, a sister or a brother. This national, confidential counseling is available through lumina's toll-free helpline 1.877.586.4621, or for information visit www.postabortionhelp.org good counsel is blessed with thousands of supporters, 12,720 who gave financially last year, all part of the good counsel family where we strive to allow caritas christi urget nos. For the love of christ urges us on," st. Paul wrote the corinthians (2cor.5:14).”

“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.”