Humanities Washington

“A copy of the organization's form 990 is provided to all trustees. The finance committee, which is comprised of trustees and non-trustee financial professionals, reviews and approves the form 990.”

“It is the policy of humanities washington (hw) that any conflict of interest, as well as the appearance of a conflict of interest, is to be avoided by hw trustees, committee members, employees and volunteers in order to maintain the good name, reputation and relationships of hw that enable hw to fulfill its mission. Accordingly, no hw trustee, committee member, employee or volunteer shall participate in any consideration and/or action by hw in which there is an actual conflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict of interest, of the individual, directly or indirectly, including through an immediate family member or member of the individual's household. These policies and procedures have been created to avoid conflicts of interest while still permitting the individual to serve or to be employed by hw. Any hw trustee, committee member, employee or volunteer who may have a conflict of interest or a potential conflict of interest with regard to a particular matter for consideration and/or action by hw shall (a) notify the board of such conflict or potential conflict of interest in writing and (b) shall not participate in consideration and/or action by hw with regard to that matter as stated by this policy. Examples include, but are not limited to, an individual or an immediate family member being a trustee, officer, employee, consultant or nominator of a grant applicant, an award nominee, an applicant for sponsorship or endorsement by a collaborative partnership with hw, a potential contractor or vendor, or any other entity or individual which may benefit from consideration or action by hw. Moreover, the executive committee and the board must be provided with full information about the disclosed relationship prior to consideration and/or action by hw with regard to the particular matter after which the board shall take such action as it deems necessary to address the conflict and protect hw's best interests. Any questions as to whether a conflict of interest exists shall be directed to the executive committee, which shall decide the issue. In the event that conflict is realized after discussion has begun, such conflict must be disclosed as soon as it becomes apparent and the party with a conflict of interest must abstain from further consideration and/or action in the matter. Violation of the standards in this policy may result in removal from the board, from office and/or from any committee; discipline up to and including termination of employment for employees, in accordance with the policies of hw as stated in the employee handbook; and/or voiding or cancellation of the related grant, award, contract, or other transaction or benefit. A copy of this policy is given to all trustees, committee members, employees and volunteers upon commencement of such person's relationship with hw. Each trustee, committee member, employee or volunteer shall sign and date the policy at the beginning of his or her term of service or employment and each year thereafter. Failure to sign does not nullify the agreement.”

“The following process was last undertaken march 2015. The bylaws of humanities washington establish an executive committee that has general oversight of the organization's human resources plan. Specific duties include conducting an annual evaluation of the executive director and setting his/her compensation. The objective of this policy is to delineate the procedure for determining compensation of the executive director and other key employees of the organization. The executive committee meets independently of the executive director to discuss performance relative to the position description. Before the start of these deliberations, in keeping with humanities washington's conflict of interest policy, a call is made for executive committee members to recuse themselves if there is an actual conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest of the individual, directly or indirectly, including through an immediate family member or member of the individual's household. Should any committee member or trustee have a conflict of interest or a potential conflict of interest as it relates to this matter, he/she (a) shall notify the executive committee of such conflict or potential conflict in writing and (b) shall not participate in any consideration and/or action by the executive committee as it relates to executive compensation. During these deliberations, the executive committee may consider input obtained from other board members, staff, professional advisors, grant recipients and other informed community leaders. Once a consensus is reached regarding performance, a similar discussion is held concerning compensation relative to annual benchmark and established objectives. Salary surveys for similarly qualified persons in comparable positions at similarly situated organizations such as the bi annual united way of king county wage & benefit survey and the annual council staff salary report published by the federation of state humanities councils are used to determine compensation benchmarks for the position. The executive committee will brief the full board of its findings and recommendations in an executive session without the executive director present. The executive committee and/or the board chair (a member of the committee) then meet with the executive director to discuss and document in writing his/her strengths, weaknesses and goals for the upcoming year. Compensation for the upcoming year is also discussed and documented. All deliberations, discussions and decisions within the executive committee and the executive session of the full board are fully documented in meeting minutes.”

“The aforementioned documents are available upon request.”

“Executive committee - the executive committee consists of the chair, the chair elect, secretary/treasurer and two elected officers-at-large. No trustee shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive elected terms in one and the same office. Meetings of the executive committee may be called by the chair. The executive committee, subject to the guidance, direction, and control of the trustees and the limitations set forth in the bylaws, shall have and exercise the authority of humanities washington in the management of humanities washington's business which includes: (a) overseeing the affairs of humanities washington between its meetings, provided that any action taken by the executive committee be reported to humanities washington's board at its next meeting; (b) authorizing emergency action; (c) calling humanities washington board meetings when necessary; (d) making recommendations to humanities washington's board; and (e) conducting an annual evaluation of the work of the executive director and setting his/her annual compensation.”