Future Problem Solving Program International Inc.

“The organization's national, regional and state affiliate programs serve as its members.”

“The members of fpspi (affiliate programs, and collectively the affiliate council) elect the members of the board of trustees, which is the governing body of fpspi. The affiliate council elects members of the board of trustees from a ballot of candidates selected by a nominating committee and others nominated by petition signed by at least six affiliate programs and submitted to the secretary prior to the start of the election. Approximately one-third of the board of trustees positions come up for election each year.”

“A number of board of trustees decisions are subject to affiliate council approval, including changes to the articles of incorporation, bylaws, policies, and rules and changes in the annual affiliate assessment. In addition, the affiliate council must approve the evaluation guidelines and score sheet changes, on the recommendation of the evaluation committee, and topics for the global issues problem solving, scenario writing and scenario performance competitions, on the recommendation of the topics committee, in both cases without board of trustees involvement.”

“The 990 was reviewed by the executive director, president, policy committee chair, and finance committee chair (treasurer), and was provided to all trustees for further review before it was finalized by the preparing accountant.”

“The board of trustees enforces the policy whenever transactions are considered that may involve a conflict of interest. Starting in 2010, all members of the affiliate council are required to affirm their ongoing compliance on their behalf, and on behalf of their affiliate directors and nominees to be members of committees of the affiliate council, when they re-execute their charters. All trustees and the executive director are required to annually disclose in writing whether they have any financial interests with respect to transactions in which the organization is a participant (i.e., situations that may give rise to a conflist of interest with the organization).”

“Executive director compensation was initially approved by the board of trustees and was compared to that paid by similarly situated organizations. Executive director compensation is reviewed annually by the board of trustees and its finance committee and personnel committee.”

“Persons who wish to review the organization's governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements should call the telephone number listed on this return. A time will be scheduled for them to visit the office where all documents are available for their perusal.”

“In 2024, future problem solving proudly celebrates 50 years of placing close to a million young people at the core of a dynamic, purposeful learning experience. Each year k-12 students from around the world participate in a variety of challenges designed to empower and gain the skills they need to succeed in work and life. Our programs build confidence and foster student voices. Curious youth to become changemakers. Problem solvers learn how to think, not what to think. Founded by dr. Torrance in 1974, our program integrates the six-step creative problem-solving process by alex osborn and sidney parnes with high-interest, futuristic topics. We offer four annual programs for both teams and individuals. Global issues: students become mini-experts and predict possibilities for the future. Community projects: students learn to turn interests into action and create lasting change. Creative writing: students write a creative, futuristic scenario based on a competition topic. Storytelling: students invent a futuristic scenario and tell their story in an oral performance. Our programs cover challenges in business, civics, society, science, and technology, and are often incorporated into classroom curricula. Future problem solving's mission is to equip young people globally to design and achieve positive futures through critical and creative thinking. In all our programs, gain lifelong skills in overcoming obstacles and finding sustainable solutions.”

“Our educational outcomes are transformative, equipping young people to solve complex problems, take meaningful action, and drive positive change. We spark curiosity about real-world issues, developing problem-solving skills that empower students to excel in school, careers, and life. In an age defined by ai, it's essential that students learn how to think and solve problems. Future problem solving addresses today's unprecedented challenges with standards-based programs that engage students wherever they learn, teaching them how to think, not what to think. Our rubric-based evaluations provide valuable, learner-centered feedback, allowing students to continually improve through authentic, skill-based assessments from certified evaluators across multiple submissions each year.”