Southern Arizona Buffelgrass Coordination Center

“Form 990 is prepared by a cpa and a draft is reviewed by the executive director and the treasurer. After the executive director and board treasurer have approved the draft form, a copy is provided to all board members prior to filing.”

“Each director, principal officer and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person: a. Has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy, b. Has read and understands the policy, c. Has agreed to comply with the policy, and d. Understands the organization is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes. In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement. After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists. An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest. The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement. After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the organization can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the organization's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.”

“Either the full board or a compensation committee/executive committee annually evaluates the executive director on his/her performance, and asks for his/her input on matters of performance and compensation. The committee will obtain research and information to make a recommendation to the full board for the compensation of the executive director (and other highly compensated employees or consultants) based on a review of comparability data. For example, the committee will secure data that documents compensation levels and benefits for similarly qualified individuals in comparable positions at similar organizations. This data may include the following: 1. Salary and benefit compensation studies by independent sources; 2. Written job offers for positions at similar organizations; 3. Documented telephone calls about similar positions at both nonprofit and for-profit organizations; and 4. Information obtained from the irs form 990 filings of similar organizations. To approve the compensation for the executive director (and other highly compensated employees and consultants) the board must document how it reached its decisions, including the data on which it relied, in minutes of the meeting during which the compensation was approved. Documentation will include: a) a description of the compensation and benefits and the date it was approved; b) the members of the board who were present during the discussion about compensation and benefits, and the results of the vote; c) a description of the comparability data relied upon and how the data was obtained; and d) any actions taken (such as abstaining from discussion and vote) with respect to consideration of the compensation by anyone who is otherwise a member of the board but who had a conflict of interest with respect to the decision on the compensation and benefits.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, financial statements and form 990 available to the public upon request. Form 990 can also be obtained online at guidestar.org.”

“Other professional fees: program service expenses 52,865. Management and general expenses 899. Fundraising expenses 299. Total expenses 54,063.”