Citizens League

“The executive committee consists of the immediate past chair, chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, the chairs of any standing committees, up to three directors designated by the chair and the executive director, as a non-voting member. Its principal responsibilities are to plan, coordinate and integrate programs to achieve the citizens leagues strategic commitments.”

“Any person who satisfies membership criteria shall be eligible for membership and may become a member by submitting a membership form in which the individual attests to meeting the membership qualifications and provides contact information including a mailing address. Members consist of individuals, households and student/communities. Individual membership shall consist of persons who subscribe to the purposes of the citizens league and who pay the annual membership dues established by the board of directors. Household membership shall consist of multiple members within one household, including spouses and partners, who jointly subscribe to the purposes of the citizens league and who pay dues established by the board of directors. Each member of an immediate family shall be entitled to all of the privileges of membership. Student/community membership consists of persons formally enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate course of studies at an accredited public or private institution of higher education, or whose annual income prevents them from joining the citizens league at the individual membership rate, who subscribe to the purposes of the citizens league and who pay annual membership dues established by the board of directors.”

“Members elect the board of directors at the annual election.”

“The form 990 and schedules are reviewed by the executive director and provided electronically to the board of directors for their review and comment before being filed with the irs.”

“Board members, directors, officers, employees and study committee chairs who can influence the actions of the citizens league are all required to submit a conflict of interest form each year. Disclosure in the organization should be made to the chief executive officer (or if he/she is the one with the conflict, then to the board chair). Disclosure involving directors should be made to the board chair (or if he/she is the one with the conflict, then to the board vice-chair). The board, or a duly constituted committee thereof, shall determine whether a conflict exists and in the case of an existing conflict, whether the contemplated transaction may be authorized as just, fair and reasonable to the citizens league. The decision of the board or a duly constituted committee thereof on these matters will rest in their sole discretion. All proceedings are documented in the meeting minutes.”

“As part of each year's annual budget, funds may be set aside for employee base pay adjustments and performance base pay increases. The distribution of these funds in the following year will be based on their availability, the approval of the board and the performance of the individual staff member toward achieving their individual work plan goals. Staff base pay will be benchmarked periodically against industry-specific information in minnesota, e.g. The minnesota nonprofit salary and benefits survey by the minnesota council of nonprofits. This process will take into account the actual work requirements of each position, the citizens league position within the market range and the expertise of the individual employee. Performance based pay increases, based on the achievement of work plan objectives and board or executive committee approval of a budget for these uses may accompany the employee evaluation and review. This process was most recently undertaken by the executive committee in june, 2014 for the executive director, s. Kershaw and all other staff members.”

“Citizens league financial statements, budget reports and bylaws are available via the organization's website. The conflict of interest policy is available upon request.”

“Other contracted services: program service expenses 162,722. Management and general expenses 12,225. Fundraising expenses 114. Total expenses 175,061.”

“The citizens league depends on our individual and organizational members to inform our policy work, advance our outreach and engagement efforts and help create opportunities for all matters of policy to be discussed and informed in diverse places. Our members and volunteers host events and community gatherings, provide expertise on policy issues, and help us engage with people from all walks of life. Our working committees are all led by members who commit to leadership roles. The policy recommendations we develop are all informed by individual members who volunteer to lead issue-specific projects and who bring access to their networks in order to grapple with issues and help implement solutions.”