Growth Organization of Topekashawnee Co

“Board member mark ruelle and board member jerry farley have a business relationship. Mark ruelle is an officer at westar energy and jerry farley serves on the board of directors for westar energy. Board member kurt kuta and board member jerry farley have a business relationship. Kurt kuta is an officer at corefirst bank & trust and jerry farley serves on the board of directors for corefirst bank & trust.”

“During 2016, the organization entered into a purchased services agreement with the greater topeka chamber of commerce (the chamber) for certain services, resources, office space and equipment. Services provided by the chamber to the organization include bookkeeping, accounting and audit support, and support services to include communications and marketing, administrative and government relations. In addition, the agreement includes payment to the chamber for a portion of the president's salary based on an estimate of the time spent serving the organization.”

“In 2016, the bylaws of the growth organization of topeka were changed to omit the requirement of the board of directors of the greater topeka chamber of commerce to ratify the board of directors of go topeka. In addition, the amendment of the bylaws removed the requirement that the bylaws of go topeka have to be ratified by the board of directors of the greater topeka chamber of commerce. Finally, included in the bylaw changes is a change to provide for a joint executive committee (jec). The jec is to manage, evaluate and oversee the ceo that is employed by the greater topeka chamber of commerce but shared with go topeka and to manage, review, amend and alter the purchased service agreement, if and when necessary, that was entered into by the greater topeka chamber of commerce and go topeka.”

“The directors of the group constitute its members. The members approve significant decisions of the organization.”

“The go topeka board of directors appoints a nominating committee which develops board nominations from its member investors and submits them to the board of directors for consideration.”

“Form 990 was reviewed by the entire board of directors prior to filing. The 990 was prepared by an outside cpa firm.”

“During orientation the officer/director is required to review & sign an agreement which requires notification of conflicts. The conflict of interest policy is required to be signed annually. Board members are also required to notify of any conflicts as they occur if after the conflict of interest policy is signed.”

“Compensation is determined by comparison of industry data for comparable positions and through performance reviews. The compensation is approved by the directors. Growth organization of topeka reimburses the chamber of commerce for a portion of these salaries through the shared services agreement.”

“The financial statements, governing documents & conflict of interest policy are not available to the general public, the 990 is available upon request only.”

“The incentive payments are performance based payments made to various businesses in exchange for providing jobs and/or economic development to the topeka/shawnee county area.”