The Arc - Jefferson Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties

“The rights of membership are not related to the amount received, each person gets one vote and each household gets two votes if they choose. Although interim appointments are allowed, all members of the board of directors are elected by the membership at our general membership meeting.”

“Membership must approve all changes to articles of incorporation and bylaws”

“The arc's executive director and accountant participate in the initial review of the 990. Following that, the finance committee reviews and approves the 990 prior to it being finalized. The board of directors receives a copy of the 990 prior to it being filed.”

“All board members fill out a "conflict of interest" form and those are reviewed on an annual basis. In addition, as each board meeting begins, the board president asks if anyone has a conflict of interest based on the meeting agenda. All disclosed conflicts are entered into the minutes of the meeting and individuals disclosing conflicts of interest recuse themselves from voting on those specific agenda items.”

“Our process included hiring an outside consultant and conducting a salary survey, as well as looking at local salary data for similar organizations. The executive director's compensation was approved by the board of directors, providing an opportunity for deliberation. The executive director was given a salary increase in 2018 that was equivalent to the percentage increase that all staff received. Staff increases are based on market data and available funds.”

“Governing and financial documents are available upon request. In addition, the audited financial statements and the annual form 990 are available on the organization's website.”

“The arc - jefferson, clear creek & gilpin counties (the arc or organization) promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (i/dd) and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. The arc serves individuals from birth through end of life in our three county area. Life-changing support is provided in a number of ways at the arc. Individual advocacy, the organization's largest program, involves advocates working directly with individuals and families to help them navigate the many complex challenges faced by people with i/dd. Some of the areas in which the organization provides support are education, health care, residential options, employment, legal concerns, and systems navigation, as well as social, recreational, and religious inclusion. In addition, the arc is proactive and develops and delivers programming to educate people on issues ranging from getting the right special education supports in school to planning for an individual's future when a parent/guardian will no longer be able to care for them. Finally, the arc works hard to create a community where people of all abilities are valued and respected. This often involves working with the systems that serve our community such as the transportation system, emergency response system, healthcare system and the school system to help them be more informed and accessible. The arc has representatives on more than 50 committees, councils, and other groups to ensure that people with i/dd are never left out of the conversations that will affect their lives.”