Dane County Humane Society

“Bylaws were amended to reflect changes in member voting rights.”

“Dchs has a single category of membership for which a minimum amount of dues is required to be entitled to voting rights. Dchs has five additional giving levels for those persons who contribute amounts above the minimum required dues.”

“The members elect the directors of dchs at the annual membership meeting.”

“All current members, except for youth members under age 18, shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the members and such other additional rights and powers as set forth in these bylaws or conferred upon voting members of non-stock corporations under applicable law; provided, however, that no member shall have voting rights until he or she has been a member of dchs for three (3) continuous months immediately prior to the date of such vote. A majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the members at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be necessary for the adoption of any matter voted upon by members, unless a greater proportion is required by law, these bylaws, or the articles of incorporation. At any membership meeting, those voting members present, but not fewer than twenty-five (25), shall have the authority to transact all business that may come before the membership meeting. At all meetings of the members, a member may only vote when present at the meeting.”

“The form 990 is prepared by an independent certified public accountant as part of the annual financial statement audit engagement. When completed, the form 990 is reviewed by dchs's executive director and the governing body. Upon approval of the completed form 990 by both the executive director and the governing body, the form 990 will be filed with the irs. Each member of the governing body is given access to a secure section of dchs's website where a draft form 990 resides. Notice of the posting of the updated draft form 990 is given to each director at the meeting following the posting of the updated draft and by email from the president. The content of the updated draft form 990 is approved by the executive director and the finance committee prior to posting. Each director is responsible for reviewing the posted draft prior to the next meeting. At the meeting of the governing body following the posting and review of the updated draft form 990, an agenda item is added to discuss questions or concerns regarding the information contained in the form 990. Once all issues regarding the form 990 have been resolved, the governing body formally approves the completed form 990. Upon approval by the governing body, the form 990 is filed with the irs. The sections of the approved form 990 open to public inspection are posted on dchs's website once filed. The president is responsible for ensuring that this procedure is followed annually.”

“Any director, principal officer, or member of a committee with governing body delegated powers agrees to be bound by dchs's conflict of interest policy. This conflict of interest policy requires self-reporting. In connection with any actual or possible reported conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing body delegated powers. After disclosure of the interest and all material facts, the interested person shall leave the governing body or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon by the remaining directors or committee members. The governing body or a designated committee conducts periodic reviews to ensure that dchs does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status.”

“The performance of the dchs executive director is reviewed by the governing body on an annual basis. This review occurs within four weeks of the anniversary of the executive director's hire date. When the review has been completed and formally approved by the governing body, the directors determine and approve any salary adjustment and submit the change to dchs's accountant. Approximately 60 days prior to the executive director's anniversary date, the governing body appoints a director to lead the review effort. The lead compiles all comments submitted by the directors and creates a single cohesive review that is shared with the executive director after being approved by the governing body. Once the governing body approves the compiled review, the directors are responsible for discussing and approving any salary adjustments. The president is responsible for ensuring that this procedure is followed annually.”

“Dchs makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request.”