Friends of the Earth

“The executive committee is comprised of no fewer than five members of the board of directors, including the chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer and president/ceo. A majority of the executive committee are to be board members elected by the members or board of directors. No person who is not a member of the board may be elected to the executive committee. Except as specified in section 2.02 of the organization's bylaws, the executive committee has and may exercise the authority of the board between meetings of the board.”

“The organization has one class of members, who are required to make dues payments.”

“Each member is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members.”

“The finance chair and executive committee chair conduct an extensive review of the form 990 prior to filing; all board members are encouraged to review the form 990 and submit questions. Questions and responses are exchanged by email, with all board members and key staff included.”

“The organization's conflict of interest policy applies to each officer, director, member of a committee or staff member (covered person). Each board member is required to fill out a conflict of interest disclosure form at least annually, at the june board meeting. Whenever a covered person becomes aware of a potential conflict of interest, or related party transaction whether financial or otherwise, s/he shall make the situation known to the board or committee (as the case might be) and provide all facts material to understanding the nature and scope of the conflict, including whether the interested person believes his or her ability to make an independent decision based solely on the best interest of the organization has been compromised. All material facts concerning any situation, which might be viewed as a conflict, shall be disclosed to the board of directors or committee by the covered person. If the covered person does not make this disclosure, another director, committee member, or other person with knowledge of the potential conflict of interest or related party transaction should draw it to the body's attention. Where doubt exists regarding whether a conflict exists or appears to exist, the matter shall be resolved by a vote of the board of directors or committee. The covered person with the potential conflict must retire from the meeting and not participate in final discussion and voting on the existence of the conflict. If a conflict is found to exist, the covered person may be invited to provide any relevant information that could be of use to the board in making its decision, but shall again retire and not participate in the final discussion and voting regarding the transaction. The covered person with the conflict shall be prohibited to improperly influence the deliberation or voting on the matter giving rise to such conflict. The board or committee's decision regarding the matter on which there is a conflict shall be based on consideration of whether the transaction: is in the organization's best interest and for its own benefit; is fair and reasonable to the organization; and is the most advantageous transaction or arrangement the organization can obtain with reasonable efforts under the circumstances. With respect to any related party transaction involving a charitable corporation and in which a related party has a substantial financial interest, the board of such corporation, or an authorized committee thereof, shall prior to entering into the transaction, consider alternative transactions to the extent available and approve the transaction by not less than a majority vote of the directors or committee members present at the meeting. All proceedings are documented in the meeting minutes or as otherwise appropriate.”

“The president's compensation is determined by the executive committee, who assess overall performance in the position and the financial condition of the organization. As part of the process, the executive committee consults with the organization's outsourced human resources professionals for current benchmarks of executive compensation for similar 501(c)(3) organizations. The committee and full board of direcotrs contemporaneously document the process and decision for compensation determinations. The last time this process was completed was 2013. Compensation of other officers and key employees is determined by the president, with a combination of inputs including consultation from a professional human resources firm on regional and industry salary trends; results of "360-degree" performance reviews, which include reviews by the employee's supervisor, subordinates, as well as peer coworkers; and finally, with reference to the financial condition of the organization, the demands of its programs, and any changes to the level of responsibility in the particular position. This process was most recently completed in 2012.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request.”

“The organization started the bee campaign and had the initial launch of factory farming and agro-ecology, all under the food & technology team.”

“Technical consulting (lab testing, nuclear studies, economist, translation): program service expenses 174,309. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 174,309. Audio/video production: program service expenses 79,907. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 295. Total expenses 80,202. Caging, mailing, marketing, database consulting: program service expenses 400,077. Management and general expenses 3,104. Fundraising expenses 98,898. Total expenses 502,079. Independent contractors (communications and campaign work): program service expenses 303,627. Management and general expenses 45,277. Fundraising expenses 54,348. Total expenses 403,252. Human resources/payroll/benefits administration: program service expenses 115,149. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 11,288. Total expenses 126,437.”