Ottawa County Farm Bureau

“The organization's bylaws were amended as follows: article iii - meetings of members - voting rights section 3. Quorum. Subject to the provisions of the act under which this corporation is organized, with respect to the vote which may be required by law for a specific action, a quorum at the meeting shall be constituted by representation by 50 voting members.”

“The organization has members.”

“The organization has members who annually elect a volunteer board of directors from their regular member base.”

“Amendments to the organization's by-laws are written by the board of directors and must be approved by the voting members of the organization at the county annual meeting.”

“At a monthly meeting of the directors of the organization, a copy of the 990 is presented and action is taken by the board to approve the return.”

“The written conflict of interest policy is reviewed annually by the board of directors (board) and a motion of acknowledgement and action is taken by the board to approve the policy. At this same time all officers, board members, and key employees must annually provide a signed written statement listing all potential conflicts of interest while acting in their respective positions.”

“Compensation for the county administrative manager, who is an officer of the board, is based on: 1) what other county farm bureaus of a similar size compensate; 2) what the county farm bureau can afford; and 3) what the salary range is in the state farm bureau organization for a similar position description of duties and responsibilities. The state organization analyzes its salary range and structure annually on a comparative basis to assure that compensation remains competitive with the market we do business in. After these reviews are completed, action is taken by the county farm bureau board to approve the meeting compensation and county administrative manager compensation for the upcoming 12 month period.”

“Compensation is determined by the board of directors. Compensation for each meeting attended by a director is reviewed annually. It is based on: 1) the amount per meeting that other not-for-profits in the state of michigan of a similar size reimburse; and 2) on what the county farm bureau can afford.”

“Governing documents, conflict of interest policy, form 990, form 990-t, by-laws, and articles of incorporation are made available to the public via a public disclosure file. A notice that governing documents are available is displayed within the front office (public area). Form 990 is also available to the public on another providers website at: www.guidestar.org.”

“Farm bureau is a free independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization of farm families united for the purpose of analyzing their problems and formulating action to achieve educational improvement, economic opportunity, and social advancement and thereby promote national welfare. Farm bureau is local, statewide, national and international in its scope and influence and is non-partisan, non-sectarian, and non-secret in character.”