Whiterock Conservancy

“Elizabeth garst jennifer & sarah garst director directors sisters”

“During the year, the organization amended the bylaws and articles of incorporation. The signiciant changes made to the bylaws included: - increasing the number of directors of the board up to fifteen (15). - removing the two classes of directors. Each member of the board of directors shall serve for a three (3) year term, and the terms of the directors shall be staggered so that at least two (2) directors are selected each year. Each successor director shall be designated by the existing directors subject to the right of the supported organizations to veto any designee. In addition, the supported organizations shall have the right to remove any director and the remaining directors shall then submit a designee to fill the vacant directorship. Directors need not be members or employees of the supported organizations. - adding the restriction that in no event shall more than forty percent (40%) of the members of the board of directors be descendants of mary and stephen garst (or the respective spouses of such descendants). - adding description for the executive director position. (a)the board of directors has the power to employ and, in accordance with applicable law, to terminate the employment of an executive director. (b)the executive director has the responsibility of managing the day-to-day affairs of the corporation and administering the programs and policies of the board of directors. (c)the executive director is not a voting member of the board of directors and will report directly to the board of directors and will regularly report on his/her activities to the board of directors. The board president will serve as the executive director's immediate supervisor. (d)the executive director has the authority to act on behalf of the corporation in accordance with board-approved policies and budget without the express authorization of the board of directors. The executive director can execute all bonds, mortgage and other contracts for the corporation that have received specific board approval or general approval with the board passage of the annual budget. (e)the board of directors will stipulate the terms and conditions of employment for the executive director. (f) subject to budgetary constraints approved by the board of directors, the executive director may appoint and employ any professional and support staff or agents necessary to serve the corporation. The significant changes made to the articles of incorporation included: - removing the supported organization leopold center for sustainable agriculture and replacing with the practical farmers of iowa aka pfi. - the dissolution procedures were also updated to add in the event there is no nonprofit organization suitable to receive the property, the board may instead distribute or convey property to a governmental organization dedicated to conservation and public recreation such as the u.s. Fish & wildlife service, the iowa department of natural resources, or the county conservation board. Distributions to a governmental entity may be made only if the recipient contractually binds itself to hold such assets for conservation and public recreation purposes and waives its right to sell such assets to raise revenue. It agrees that if such land is ever sold the proceeds of such sale will be distributed one-third to the practical farmers of iowa, one-third to iowa natural heritage foundation, and one- third to the city of coon rapids.”

“Each member of the board of directors shall serve for a three (3) year term, and the terms of the directors shall be staggered so that at least two (2) directors are selected each year. Each successor director shall be designated by the existing directors subject to the right of the supported organzations to veto any designee. In addition, the supported organizations shall have the right to remove any director and the remaining directors shall then submit a designee to fill the vacant directorship. Directors need not be members or employees of the supported organizations.”

“As noted in the response to part vi line 7a, the supported organizations of whiterock conservancy have the right to veto any successor designee. In addition, the supported organizations have the right to remove any director from the board.”

“All aspects of the return were carefully reviewed by the finance committee. All proposed changes were incorporated in the return. All board members were provided a draft of the 990 return. Board members were given the opportunity to examine the entire return before.”

“The board performs a review of the policy and the policy adherence at their annual meeting each march. The executive director also reviews each board member's signed "annual statement regarding conflict of interest policy and disclosure". In addition, board members are supplied with detail transaction histories of account activity at board meetings to facilitate ongoing review.”

“The executive director's compensation is set by the board of directors by consideration of compensation levels at other state-wide conservation non-profit organizations and state agencies. The organization maintained contemporaneous substantiation of the deliberation and decision through their record of board of directors minutes. The organization has no other paid officer positions besides the executive director.”

“The organizations organizing documents and conflict of interest policy are made available to the public upon request. These documents are available for the same period of time as described in internal revenue code section 6104(d) for other public disclosure documents.”

“Whiterock conservancy is a 5,500 acre non-profit land trust that balances sustainable agriculture, natural resource protection and public recreation on the landscape. Whiterock conservancy works for a resilient future by helping land flourish and transforming people's relationship to agriculture and nature. Whiterock conservancy assists and supports the iowa department of natural resources, practical farmers of iowa and the iowa natural heritage foundation (the supported organizations) in carrying out their purposes relating to land preservation, land restoration, conservation, sustainable agriculture, education and recreation.”

“Outdoor recreation and environmental education: a goal of whiterock conservancy is to provide the public with opportunities to access and engage with the outdoors for recreation, renewal, and education to increase appreciation of the cultural, natural and scenic resources of rural iowa. This goal is accomplished through the operation of whiterock guest services, designed to facilitate access and engagement by providing various overnight accomodations and a range of programs and events from guided tours, nature walks, fishing, boating, bird watching, etc., along with recreational equipment rentals. Whiterock guest services operates as a fee for service program; however, many activities are available at no charge. Funds raised have been used for construction and maintenance of recreational trails throughout whiterock conservancy's land and on 1,400 acres of land owned by the garst family, on which a trail cooridor easement has been secured.”

“Change in value of res. Subject to life interest 4,477 change in beneficial interest 210,701 total 215,178”