Metropolitan Community Services

“An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involing the possible conflict of interest. The chairperson of the governing board of committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement. After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the corporation can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.”

“A voting member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the corporation for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's compensation. A voting member of any committee whos jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the corporation for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's compensation”

“Meeting minutes are certified and kept by the secretary and a copy of all meeting minutes which indicate the time and place of holding of such meeintgs, how called, the notice given, and the name of those present are kept at the principal office of the corporation.”

“Form 990 is provided to board members for review before submitting.”

“Form 990 is available upon request.”

“Purpose: Metropolitan Community Services (hereinafter "MCS") requires directors, officers and employees to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. As employees and representatives of the MCS, we must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling our responsibilities and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. People covered include employees, board members, committee members, directors, officers and volunteers. Reporting Responsibility: This Whistleblower Policy is intended to encourage and enable employees and others to raise serious concerns internally so that MCS can address and correct inappropriate conduct and actions. It is the responsibility of all board members, officers, employees and volunteers to report concerns about violations of MCS's code of ethics or suspected violations of law or regulations that govern MCS's operations. No Retaliation: The intent of the policy is to encourage and allow people to raise concerns within the organization prior to seeking resolution outside of it. It is contrary to the values of MCS for anyone to retaliate against any board member, officer, and employee or volunteer who in good faith reports an ethics violation, or a suspected violation of law, such as a complaint of discrimination, or suspected fraud, or suspected violation of any regulation governing the operations of MCS. An employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment. Reporting Procedure: MCS has an open door policy and suggests that employees share their questions, concerns, suggestions or complaints with their supervisor. If you are not comfortable speaking with your supervisor or you are not satisfied with your supervisor's response, you are encouraged to speak with Executive Director, or a board member, if the organization is very small and involving the board would be appropriate. Supervisors and managers are required to report complaints or concerns about suspected ethical and legal violations in writing to the MCS's Compliance Officer or designated employee or board member, who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints. Employees with concerns or complaints may also submit their concerns in writing directly to their supervisor or the Executive Director or the organization's Compliance Officer or other designated person. Compliance Officer: The MCS's Compliance Officer is responsible for ensuring that all complaints about unethical or illegal conduct are investigated and resolved. The Compliance Officer will advise the Board of Directors of all complaints and their resolution and will report at least annually to the Board of Directors on compliance activity relating to accounting or alleged financial improprieties. Accounting and Auditing Matters: The MCS's Compliance Officer shall immediately notify the Board of Directors of any concerns or complaint regarding corporate accounting practices, internal controls or auditing and work with the committee until the matter is resolved. Acting in Good Faith: Anyone filing a written complaint concerning a violation or suspected violation must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense. Confidentiality: Violations or suspected violations may be submitted on a confidential basis by the complainant. Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation. Handling of Reported Violations: The MCS's Compliance Officer will notify the person who submitted a complaint and acknowledge receipt of the reported violation or suspected violation. All r”

“Retention Schedule: Corporate records such as Bylaws & Articles of Incorporation, Corporate Resolutions and Board & Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes, audited Financial Statements, Insurance Policies, Deeds, IRS documents, are kept indefinetely. Conflict-of-interest disclosure forms are kept for four years. Employment applications are kept for three years. Other corporate documents have a seven year retention life. Electronic Documents and Records: Electronic documents will be retained as if they were paper documents. Therefore, any electronic files that fall into one of the document types on the above schedule will be maintained for the appropriate amount of time. If a user has sufficient reason to keep an e-mail message, the message should be printed in hard copy and kept in the appropriate file or moved to an "archive" computer file folder. Backup and recovery methods will be tested on a regular basis. Emergency Planning: MCS's records will be stored in a safe, secure, and accessible manner. Documents and financial files that are essential to keeping MCS's operating in an emergency will be duplicated or backed up at least every week and maintained off-site. Document Destruction: The executive director is responsible for the ongoing process of identifying its records, which have met the required retention period, and overseeing their destruction. Destruction of financial and personnel-related documents will be accomplished by shredding. The organization will review its documents on file once per year, in the first quarter of the year, and will destroy records and documents that have surpassed their retention period. Document destruction will be suspended immediately, upon any indication of an official government investigation or when a lawsuit is filed or appears imminent. Destruction will be reinstated upon conclusion of the official government investigation or the resolution of the imminent or filed lawsuit. Compliance: Failure on the part of employees to follow this policy can result in possible civil and criminal sanctions against MCS and its employees and possible disciplinary action against responsible individuals. The executive director and board chair will periodically review these procedures with legal counsel or MCS's certified public accountant to ensure that they are in compliance with new or revised regulations.”