Ground Zero Emergency Training Center Foundation

“The review process first includes a pre-review preparation by finance and accounting in conjunction with the external tax team at hogantaylor. They gather all necessary information and documentation to produce an accurate return. Once the draft is prepared, it goes through the internal review process by the interim executive director. Once they verify it is accurate and complete, the draft is sent to all board members electronically via email. This email provides an opportunity for the trustees to ask questions about the 990 and understand implications of the information presented. The board members respond with their approval via email. Once all board members have voted, the tax team is notified that the 990 draft has been approved and will be finalized.”

“Board members must promptly disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest. The disclosure should be made prior to any board discussion or decision-making regarding the matter, in writing to the chair of the board, or if the chair has the conflict, to the vice chair, and at the beginning of any meeting where the conflict may be relevant. If a conflict is disclosed, the board member should recuse themselves from any discussion or vote on the matter. They may be asked to leave the room during relevant deliberations. The board, or a designated committee, will review the disclosed conflict and determine the appropriate course of action to ensure that decisions are made solely in the best interests of the foundation. If necessary, the board may seek advice from an independent party to evaluate the conflict and its potential impact. All disclosures of conflicts of interest and decisions about them, including recusal actions, must be documented in the minutes of the relevant meeting. If the board has reason to believe a board member has failed to disclose a potential conflict, it will inform the member and allow them an opportunity to explain the failure to disclose. If, after hearing the member's response and conducting further investigation if necessary, the board determines there was a failure to disclose, the board may take corrective action, including possible censure, suspension, or removal from the board. All board members are required to annually sign a statement affirming that they have received, read, and understood the conflict of interest policy, agree to comply with the policy, and disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may exist as of the date of the statement. To ensure the foundation operates in a manner consistent with its purposes and in compliance with legal and ethical standards, the board may periodically review the conflict of interest policy and amend it as necessary.”

“Governing documents available upon request.”