Ogle County Farm Bureau

“The organization has two classes of members, voting and non-voting with a total of approximately 4,400 members for the year ending july 31, 2024. Only voting members can hold office.”

“Members have the authority to elect or appoint members of the governing body.”

“Various governing decisions of the organization are subject to approval by the members.”

“Executive committee reviews then presents to the board for review & approval.”

“Each officer and director is required to disclose to the bureau's board of directors any conflicts of interest of which they are aware, including conflicts involving other officers and directors subject to this policy before the board discusses the issue, matter of transaction. Upon such disclosure, the board may take further action it deems appropriate or as required by law. Such action should include requiring the director or trustee to recuse himself of herself from deliberations, voting, decision- making or other participation with respect to the matter. The policy explains that conflicts of interest exist when an officer or director has a direct or indirect business, professional or personal interest that might influence, or be perceived to influence, the judgment or actions of that director or officer when serving the organization. Conflicts of interest may arise under numerous conditions, including, but not limited to, the following: 1. Serving as an officer or director of another organization with interests that conflict with the interests of the organization. 2. Engaging in outside activities which, either directly or indirectly, may adversely affect the interests or reputation of the organization. 3. Any officer or director, or close relative of either, supplying the organization with goods, property or services or maintaining a relationship with any entity supplying or wishing to supply goods, property or services to the organization in exchange for compensation. 4. Any officer or director or close relative of either acting as an agent, representative or spokesperson for any business, group or entity seeking to influence the organization on any issue, matter or transaction. 5. Accepting items of value from organization contacts, where the benefit is of a nature that might affect, or be perceived to affect, the officer's or director's independent judgment. Officers and directors are required to acknowledge receipt and understanding of this policy and their obligation to report any actual or potential conflict of interest to the board in a timely matter. The board monitors compliance by requiring each officer and director to sign a copy of the policy and acting as necessary when conflicts of interest are brought to its attention.”

“Manager's contract and compensation are reviewed annually by the officers of the board, using comparability data. A recommendation is made and voted on by the entire board.”

“Board members are compensated via per diem and mileage agreement. Mileage is paid at the standard irs rate.”

“Governing documents, the conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are on file at the office and available upon request.”

“Ag education - we provide financial support to over 15 4-h clubs in ogle country serving youngsters from the ages of 7-18. This support also includes activities related to our annual ogle country 4-h fair through sponsorships. We also provide financial support to 6 ffa chapters in each of our county high schools. This support also includes sponsoring these young people ages 13-18 to attend various educational conferences and events. We partner with our county extension service, another county farm bureau and other county agricultural organizations to coordinate an agricultural education initiative in area schools called ag-in-the- classroom. This partnership involves funding provided by our, and other organizations and agribusinesses, to hire an agriculture education coordinator, provide supplies and materials and pay expenses associated with conducting agriculture education activities in schools and communities in a two county area.”

“Member services & information activities - we provide a monthly publication for our voting members to keep them informed on organization activities and programs, public policy issues affecting their farm operations and initiatives undertaken by the organization in representing their interests. We provide a quarterly publication to our associate members keeping them informed on membership benefits and services available and promoting programs and activities of the organization. We coordinate various newsletters, member information and education, programs and service activities with affiliate entities and other agricultural and community organizations to provide programming of our members. Various times in the year we provide travel opportunities for members, participate in community events, sponsor community activities and provide scholarships for young people to pursue educational opportunities in agriculture.”

“Public policy - we annually coordinate public policy activities in ogle coutny encompassing issues on a national, state and local level. Locally we host various member programs to gather their imput on various issues and examine organizational policy as it relates to those issues; we also survey a portion of our members randomly to gauge their opinions on current issues affecting ogle county, our organization and agriculture. We are involved in local policy issues by coordinating educational programs for public officals, participating in public policy discussions by invitation of public bodies and gathering member imput on policy positions. On a national and state level we coordinate elected official contacts through our membership to engage them in the public policy arena and educate them on legislation and legislative initiatives that will affect their businesses, communities and lives. We also host public officals programs to discuss legislative initiatives with our organization leadership and members.”

“Rent expense netted 34,484 rent expense netted -34,484”

“The process for overseeing the audit and selecting an independent auditor has not changed from the prior year.”