Bethesda Lutheran Communities Inc

“The articles of incorporation of bethesda lutheran communities, inc.(the "corporation") provides for both individual and congregational memberships. Any individual who is a comunicant member of a congregation affiliated with the lutheran church- missouri synod, the wisconsin evangelical lutheran synod, or the evangelical lutheran synod may become a memberof the corporation upon application and payment of membership dues as fixed in the bylaws. Additionally, any individual who was an individual voting member of good shepherd lutheran home of the west d/b/a good shepherd communities ("good shepherd"), as of the date the corporation acquired control of good shepherd (i.e. September 1, 2009), could become a member of the corporation upon submission of an application postmarked within sixty (60) days of the date the corporation acquired control of good shepherd. This acquisition-related path to membership has expired and is no longer available. Any individual member of the corporation as described above who shall not be more than six (6) months in arrears in dues and shall have attained the age of eighteen (18) shall be elegible to vote; and any voting member who shall have attained the age of twenty-five (25) shall be elegible to be elected as a director of the corporation. Any congregation affiliated with the lutheran church - missouri synod, the wisconsin evangelical lutheran synod, or the evangelical lutheran synod may hold a congregational membership in the corporation upon application and payment of congregational membership dues as fixed in the bylaws; a member congregation may be represented at the corporation meeting by one (1) elected representative. Any congregation which is not more than six (6) months in arrears in dues shall be entitled to have its representative vote.”

“See narrative for form 990, part vi, section a, line 6.”

“Bethesda lutheran communities, inc. ("bethesda") members have the following political rights in bethesda: members have the right to vote in director elections; any substantive amendments to bethesda's articles of incorporation must be approved by its membership, wis. Stat. Section 181.1002 & .1003; bethesda members may compel a special meeting of the membership, if requested by 25 members; every director is required to be a member in good standing; and bethesda members may amend the bylaws at a regular annual or special membership meeting.”

“The form 990 was prepared by staff and reviewed and approved by the sr. Vice-president of administrative services, the orgainzation's chief financial officer. The form 990 was then presented to the board of directors for review.”

“Annually each november, every director is required to assess the portential for any conflicts of interest and sign a form that discloses whether the director has any potential conflicts of interest. The organization's compliance and risk management team audits whether every director has submitted a signed conflicts of interest disclosure form, and ensures that this is done annually for every director.”

“The board of directors executive committee serves as a compensation committee with the duty to review and make findings as to the reasonableness of (i) the compensation paid and benefits provided to the president and chief executive officer, and (ii) the recommendations of the president and chief executive officer for the compensation ranges and benefit levels for the sr. Vice president of administrative services, sr. Vice president of operations and all other persons whom it determines to be in a position to exercise substantial influence over the affairs of the corporation within the meaning of section 4958 of the internal revenue code ("disqualified persons"). In doing so it (1) identifies all disqualified persons, and annually reports the identity of such persons to the board of directors; (2) periodically (at least in every odd-number year) reviews and determines the reasonableness of the compensation and benefit levels of the president and chief executive officer; (3) periodically (at least in every odd-number year) reviews and determines the reasonableness of the recommendations of the president and chief executive officer for the compensation ranges and benefit levels of other disqualified persons; (4) considers all incentives, perquisites, deferred compensation and anything of value when considering the reasonableness of compensation or benefit levels; (5) obtains from sources outside the corporation objective, market comparable compensation and benefit level data; (6) documents its considerations and determinations in written reports; and (7) at least annually report its activities and findingsto the board of directors.”

“The corporation's governing documents including conflicts of interest policy, 990 tax returns and current audited financial statements are available on the organization's public web site (http://bethesdalutherancommunities.org) and to the public upon request.”

“Bethesda creates connections that support incredible people. Bethesda has a legacy of empowering people to enjoy a better quality of life, a stronger relationship with god, and a plan for tomorrow. Bethesda is a central hub for connecting people of all abilities throughout their communities. With more than 300 locations across 14 states, bethesda supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in homes, apartments and other structured settings. Because it is a christian organization, called by its mission to spread the good news of jesus christ, bethesda dedicates significant resources to helping people build relationships within congregations. Through protected tomorrows, an advocacy community that helps families and caregivers plan for the future, bethesda helps people create concrete plans to ensure their loved ones will have resources for a brighter, better future. The bethesda college of applied learning is how bethesda connects people of all abilities who want and deserve to go to college. Bethesda college's curriculum is designed for students with developmental disabilities who are seeking to grow intellectually, vocationally, socially, personally and spiritually. The 20 bethesda thrift shops not only provide an opportunity to scoop up a bargain on new or previously owned items, but are an important way that bethesda makes connections between people of all abilities. When people shop, donate or volunteer at a thrift shop or donation center, they are joining with bethesda to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The income generated by our thrift shops helps the people we support lead fuller lives.”

“Change in net assets of foundation and hud corporations (unrestricted) 17,259,875. Change in net assets of foundation (restricted) 8,624. Market adjustment on investments (unrestricted) 341,630. Actuarial change in split interest agreements (unrestricted) 107,933. Restricted investment income 13,546. Market adjustment on fixed income investments 18,494. Adjustment to unfunded pension liability -394,743. Transfer of assets from foundation 7,700,000.”