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.”

“The standard of behavior at HW is that all trustees, committee members, employees, and volunteers scrupulously avoid conflicts of interest between the interests of HW on one hand, and personal, professional, and business interests on the other. This includes avoiding potential and actual conflicts of interest, as well as perceptions of conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest exists when the loyalties or actions of a trustee, committee member, employee, or volunteer are divided between the interests of HW and the interests of the trustee, committee member, employee, or volunteer. Further, conflicts of interests are not purely limited to direct and indirect financial interests but include any other interest that may influence the judgment of a trustee, committee member, employee, or volunteer. Both the fact and the appearance of a conflict of interest should be avoided. All trustees, committee members, employees, and volunteers understand that the purposes of this policy are to protect the integrity of HW's decision-making process, to enable HW's constituencies to have confidence in HW's integrity, and to protect the integrity and reputations of trustees, committee members, employees, and volunteers. Upon or before election, hiring or appointment, all trustees, committee members, employees, and volunteers will make a full, written disclosure of interests, relationships, and holdings that could potentially result in a conflict of interest. This written disclosure will be kept on file and will be updated annually, or as appropriate. In the course of meetings or activities, all trustees, committee members, employees, and volunteers will disclose any interests in a transaction or decision where they (including their business or other nonprofit affiliations), their family and/or significant other, employer, or close associates will receive a benefit or gain, financial or otherwise. After disclosure, they will be asked to leave the room for discussion and will not be permitted to vote on the question. There may arise situations in which a conflict of interest transaction may be in the best interests of HW. HW may engage in the transaction only if all the following conditions are met prior to the transaction: - The proposed transaction is fair and reasonable to HW. - HW proposes to engage in the transaction for its own purposes and benefits and not for the benefit of any trustee(s), committee member(s), employee(s), and/or volunteer(s). - The proposed transaction is the most beneficial arrangement which HW could obtain in the circumstances with reasonable efforts. The minutes of any meeting at which such a decision is taken will record the nature of the affiliation and the material facts disclosed. Any question as to whether a conflict of interest exists shall be directed to the Executive Committee, which shall decide the issue. All trustees, committee members, employees, and volunteers understand that this policy is meant to supplement good judgment, and they will respect its spirit as well as its wording.”

“The following process was last undertaken February 2019: The bylaws of HW 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 HW'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 annual Archbright Regional Wage & Compensation 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, areas for improvement, 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 documented in meeting minutes.”

“Available on HWs website (https://www.humanities.org/about-us/financial/) and 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 hw in the management of hw's business which includes: (a) overseeing the affairs of hw between its meetings, provided that any action taken by the executive committee be reported to hw's board at its next meeting; (b) authorizing emergency action; (c) calling hw board meetings when necessary; (d) making recommendations to hw's board; and (e) conducting an annual evaluation of the work of the executive director and setting his/her annual compensation.”

“and engaged communities across Washington State. HW's long-term goal is to nurture and strengthen an integrated system of innovative humanities experiences that connect Washingtonians from all backgrounds; advance thoughtful, engaged communities; and sustain Washington's cultural and historical heritage.”

“OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - HW's other programs share the same goal as its Family Reading, Speakers Bureau, and Center for Washington Cultural Traditions: utilize reading, writing, lectures, and exhibits to engage people in new and creative ways, and stimulate discussion and conversations between people from a variety of backgrounds. THINK & DRINK CONVERSATION PROGRAMS - Think & Drink events enlighten, engage, and inspire audiences by providing context and new perspectives on current - and sometimes controversial - issues in the casual, fun environment of pubs and tasting rooms. During 2018, almost 3,900 people in Bellingham, Richland, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and Yakima heard from scholars such as Nicholas Kristof and Doris Kearns Goodwin speak on a wide-range of topics and themes including "Moment of Truth: Journalism and Democracy in the Age of Misinformation," "The Speed of Deceit: The New Era of Online Lies and Misinformation,"Pretty, Angry: Feminism and Protest from the 1968 Miss America to #MeToo." GRANTS - Communities around Washington have important stories to tell and issues to discuss. HW's grants program provides the financial resources for citizens to come together to talk, discuss, debate, feel, think, and tell stories through the lens of the humanities. HW supports existing efforts as well as new opportunities for grassroots projects conceived of and implemented locally. During 2018, 27 grants were awarded that will support 69 events serving almost 35,500 people. WASHINGTON STATE POET LAUREATE - The Washington State Poet Laureate builds awareness of and appreciation for poetry, including the state's legacy of poetry, through public readings, workshops, lectures, and community presentations around the state. The 2018 - 2020 laureate is Claudia Castro Luna. Castro Luna fled war-torn El Salvador for the United States at the age of 14 with her family, and went on to earn an MFA in poetry and an MA in urban planning. After working as a K-12 teacher, she became Seattle's first Civic Poet, a position appointed by the mayor. In that position, Castro Luna won acclaim for her Seattle Poetic Grid, an online interactive map showcasing poems about different locations around the city. The Poet Laureate program is co-sponsored by HW and the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA). Almost 8,500 people participated in 72 poet laureate events in 38 communities across the state during 2018. OTHER PROGRAMS - HW presents the annual Humanities Washington Award, given in memory of Heather C. Frank of Yakima. The Humanities Washington Award recognizes outstanding achievement in the public humanities in two categories: "Philanthropy and Leadership"Scholarship and Service." These awards are presented annually to two individuals or organizations whose time and talents enlarge the meaning of the humanities in our lives and whose work reflects the spirit and programs of HW. Lastly, on an ongoing basis, HW is also involved in humanities-related special initiatives and ad-hoc projects.”