Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy

“The organization's executive committee has the authority to act on behalf of the board between meetings if necessary and provides an update of actions to the board at the next meeting. No other committee of the organization has authority to act on behalf of the governing body.”

“It is the policy of the minnesota center for environmental advocacy (mcea) that mcea staff will generate all financial information for the external audit and 990 tax return. After staff review of the draft audit and 990 documents, the administration and finance committee of the board will meet with staff to review the draft documents for approval and recommendation to the board. The recommendation of the administration and finance committee will be presented to the full board for adoption. These actions will be completed before the first filing date of november 15 of reporting year. If the full board cannot meet and consider the recommendation prior to november 15, the executive committee may act on behalf of the board on the recommendation.”

“The board requires each director, officer and staff member to be advised of the conflict of interest policy, and provided a copy, immediately upon assuming duties or relationship at mcea. Each fall, the board members are provided with the necessary forms to update their status. Staff works with board members to have all forms completed and returned.”

“The following describes the process used by mcea to set compensation for its executive director. Mcea compensation includes salary and benefits. The benefits package includes paid time off (accrued at varying rates based on tenure) and a benefits payment that can be used to purchase health care, purchase other coverage, contribute to retirement or be used in another manner as determined by the employee. Every employee receives the same benefit package. The benefits payment is designed to cover at least the cost of individual health care insurance for the employee. The amount of the payment is reviewed annually and adjusted as coverage costs and budget allow. Mcea salary compensation for the executive director is determined based on the following factors: 1.current salary and tenure of incumbent (or previous incumbent if filling vacancy). 2.salary and tenure of comparable positions, including other organizations of like size and activity as reported on their 990. 3.a survey of the existing market based on similar job postings on the mn council of nonprofits website, local newspapers and job boards and national sources such as monster.com. 4.a published survey of reported salaries/compensation for executive director or other top positions. The primary source for this information in minnesota is the minnesota nonprofit salary and benefits survey published regularly by the mn council of nonprofits. 5. Mcea commissioned a compensation study in early 2019 conducted by smith pilot, a washington dc based group of compensation experts specializing in nonprofit salaries. This study was conducted with the goal of evaluating fairness of staff compensation for executive management, attorney compensation, program directors, technical specialists and support staff. Results of this study will be used as part of an annual review of mcea compensation for all staff. This information is evaluated by the board of directors executive committee, with action recommended by the committee submitted to the full board for final approval.”

“The organization's governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements are available to the public upon request. In addition, form 990 is published at www.guidestar.com.”

“Clean energy and climate: mcea's climate team strives to achieve equitable, economy-wide reductions in greenhouse gases that will exceed both the amount and timelines in minnesota's statutory goals. Mcea advocates for state-level strategies at the legislature, agencies, and courts that maximize reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from all sources, including transportation, electricity, residential, commercial, industrial, and agriculture. Mcea's strategy includes long-term development of modern and sustainable energy sources for minnesota and shifting away fossil fuel use in order to reduce carbon pollution. To support this goal, mcea serves as legal counsel for several minnesota energy partners including clean grid alliance, fresh energy, sierra club, and union of concerned scientists. Across all of its programs, mcea's strategic advantage is a staff of in- house experts with decades of experience and knowledge of how the law works to protect the environment and public health. We identify and implement strategies that use law and science as central or supplemental tools to achieve better outcomes for climate solutions, clean water, public health, and communities. We support those strategies through legal action, effective communication with the public and decision-makers, and legislative influence.”

“Environmental justice:environmental harms fall more heavily on some communities that arehistorically and disproportionately affected by environmental impacts and pollution. In these areas, environmental laws are ignored or enforced in such a way to protect polluters, not the community. Mcea's advocacy focuses on seeking environmental justice for all. Mcea partners with communities across the state where pollution is concentrated and where legal representation and expertise will have the greatest impact. Mcea is proud to have dedicated and general funding to support environmental justice work from its funders, and aims to integrate environmental justice principles into every aspect of its work.”