Equip for Equality Inc.

“The board retains the services of an independent cpa firm to prepare and review the organization's 990 return. Management reviews the form and then presents it to the finance committee for their review. The finance committee reviews the form 990 with the cpa firm and then approves the form. Management then provides a full copy to all voting members of the governing body for a period of comment and questions. At the end of the period, management files the form 990 with all the applicable state and federal agencies.”

“Officers, directors and key employees annually complete a conflict of interest disclosure statement as a precursor to their service to the organization. Potential conflicts are logged with and monitored by the secretary of the board.”

“The full board of directors sets the compensation of the president and ceo on an annual basis. The executive committee evaluates the president/ceo's performance and key accomplishments and outcomes achieved. The committee also collects data and information from national surveys and other accepted sources, which then guides its compensation recommendation. The executive committee presents the results of its performance review as well as its research of compensation data and makes a recommendation to the board for consideration. The full board then votes on the issue. The annual compensation of other officers and key employees is also considered on an annual basis, although it is dependent upon the financial standing of the organization. Some years, the organization has not been in a position to give a merit-based increase, a cost-of-living adjustment, or even a one-time bonus. From time-to-time, the organization may make adjustments if its salary scales are inconsistent with the prevailing trends, after reviewing comparable data and other information. For attorneys, the chicago bar association has developed a compensation philosophy and game-plan to bring the salaries of public interest attorneys employed by private, nonprofit legal service organizations into line with state agency attorneys - but implementation of this plan has been deterred by the dramatic downturn in the economy. In recent years, equip for equality has not provided its attorneys and other employees with well-deserved increases in their compensation consistent with their performance due to this situation.”

“The organization's governing documents and financial statements are available to the public, as is its conflict of interest policy, upon request.”

“The audit oversight process has not changed from the prior year.”