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 lutheran communities is a christian organization providing homes and other services to people with developmental disabilities to help them live the lives they want. Bethesda provides homes, apartments, and other structured settings for the people it supports in 300 programs in 14 states. These homes can include community-based group homes, host homes or family caregiver programs. The organization extends god's love by dedicating a significant amount of its resources to provide day programs, spiritual support services, camps, vocational training and other personal growth opportunities for the people it supports. Bethesda launched a robust marketing campaign called #iamhuman in 2015. This campaign encourages internal and external stakeholders to focus on people's unique gifts instead of disabilities and shortcummings. The campaign mobilized bethesda stakeholders in a way that had not been done before. In 2015, bethesda and the lutheran church extension fund (lcef) launched a joint effort in which more than 170 properties in 14 states across the us will be updated and remodeled over the next three years by members of laborers for christ. This partnership, while offering rewarding work and volunteer opportunities, is estimated to save bethesda between $1 to 2 million in labor cost maintenance. Since bethesda's first thrift shop opened in the 1960s, the stores have been a direct way for members of the community to support and connect with our mission. Operating 19 thrift shops in eight states provides local, affordable shopping options to families in the communities we serve and employment opportunities for people of all abilities. When individuals shop at, donate to, or volunteer at a thrift shop, bethesda's mission to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is fulfilled.”

“Change in net assets of foundation and hud corporations (unrestricted) -20,215,613. Change in net assets of foundation (restricted) -1,417,727. Market adjustment on investments (unrestricted) actuarial change in split interest agreements (unrestricted) -40,599. Restricted investment income 23,224. Market adjustment on fixed income investments -123,305. Adjustment to unfunded pension liability -9,141,740. Transfer of assets from foundation 17,814,850.”