Battered Women'S Justice Project

“The bylaws were amended & restated on april 27, 2023. Major changes included: increased number of directors from 9 to 15 and raise minimum from 5 to 7. Modification to the reliance (3.4) section when director has actual knowledge of a matter. Changed number of consecutive terms directors may serve from 4 to 3 consecutive two-year terms. Annual meeting is required and held at such time and place as the chair (used to be board of directors) shall designate in consultation with the ceo. Regular meetings - increased from 2 to 3 times/year. Special meetings: added that they can be called "with reasonable advance notice given to the purpose or agenda items to be discussed at such meeting". Removed section 3.14.2 which allowed directors to serve as consultants to the organization on limited activities/tasks. Added position of vice chair. Resignation of the chair will be provided to vice chair (previously provided to secretary). Removed extra committees.”

“The organization does not have any committees that have authority to act on behalf of the governing body.”

“The form 990 is prepared by an independent public accounting firm using information provided by the organization. Once a draft of the return is ready, the full board will review for approval at a board meeting prior to filing with the irs.”

“The conflict of interest policy covers board members, employees, officers and agents of the organization. Employees and board members are prohibited from engaging in conflicts of interest with respect to their employment that involve personal, professional or business interest of an employee or board member that conflict with the interests of the organization. Board members are asked to provide a statement of potential conflicts of interest annually, and are expected to disclose any potential conflict when transactions or decisions are discussed. Staff members are responsible for reporting any potential conflicts regarding themselves or other staff to their supervisor, and violations result in disciplinary action. Disclosure of a potential conflict by a board member would be discussed by the board who would make a final determination in the matter. Disclosures of potential conflicts by employees would be brought to the executive team for determination. Discussions of board conflicts of interest are documented in the meeting minutes. Decisions about employee conflicts will be communicated to the employee in writing and kept in their personnel file. Board members may be present to respond to questions, but may not advocate for the action to be taken and must leave the room while a vote is taken, employees may also be asked to respond to questions about the conflict, but would not be included in the subsequent discussion.”

“The ceo was hired in october 2020, and an internal compensation study was conducted for all positions in the organization to ensure staff salary competitiveness as a national training and technical assistance provider with comparable national organizations. The board of directors approved all salary ranges as a result of this study. The board of directors approves any salary raises for the ceo as well as approves an annual budget which includes raises for staff as warranted. Between 2021-2023, bwjp's ceo established an annual performance and employee evaluation process to assess appropriate compensation and increases based on work outcomes. In fiscal year 2023, bwjp incorporated performance evaluations as part of formalizing compensation and raises.”

“The organization does not make governing documents, conflict of interest policy, or financial statements available to the public except upon request.”