Independent Sector

“Is has members that help support the mission of the organization.”

“There is only one class of voting members. The membership have the authority to elect directors of the organization other than the president.”

“The membership have the authority to approve changes in the articles of incorporation and by-laws, membership dues and/or dues assessment methodology, membership eligibility criteria, affirm major policies and legislative actions by the board, as appropriate, and adopt resolutions on national issues of concerns to the membership, as appropriate.”

“Prior to filing, the form 990 is presented to independent sector's audit committee for review. The chief financial officer also reviews the form 990 in detail with the president and chief executive officer prior to obtaining the ceo's signature on the document. For the 2015 filing, due to the vacancy in the ceo position, the form 990 was reviewed by the cfo with the three interim co-ceos prior to signature by the cfo. The form 990 is also presented to the full board of directors for review in advance of filing. It is distributed in advance of the board meeting in order to ensure that directors have the opportunity for a meaningful review and to allow all directors the opportunity to gain a full understanding of the document before it is filed. Independent sector's auditors participate in the board meeting in order to respond to any questions that directors may have.”

“Each year, board members are asked to review independent sector's conflict of interest policy and to complete a conflict of interest disclosure statement. Among other things, the policy makes clear that all decisions of the board, officers and employees of independent sector are to be made solely on the basis of a desire to promote the best interests of the organization and the public good. The disclosure statement, in turn, requests that directors identify, to the best of their knowledge, affiliations with organizations that maybe potentially related to the financial or other substantive operations of independent sector. They are also asked to identify circumstances involving either themselves, or a member of their extended family, that maybe construed as a conflict of interest. If such circumstance should arise subsequent to submitting the disclosure statement, the policy sets forth an ongoing disclosure requirement. At the staff level, independent sector personnel also ensure that there are no conflicts of interest when considering engagement of a new vendor. If a potential conflict is identified, appropriate steps are taken both to assess the nature of the potential conflict and, subsequently, to ensure that the possibility of an actual conflict is mitigated. Such mitigation may be achieved through the recusal or firewalling of the individual in question, thus ensuring that the conflict is managed and the letter and spirit of the conflicts policy are upheld. In addition, we note that during the annual audit staff identify and disclose to auditors all known conflicts of interest.”

“Apart from the organization's president and chief executive officer, independent sector's board officers (chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer) do not receive compensation from the organization. An annual compensation review process for the ceo takes place under the leadership of the board chair and executive committee. An outside consultant is retained or salary surveys and 990s are reviewed to provide industry comparable salary data. An intermediate sanctions analysis and related documentation are also completed. The executive committee has responsibility for making final recommendations to the full board of directors regarding the president's performance evaluation and compensation. The board of directors makes a final determination with regard to these matters. With regard to staff compensation, the president and ceo, vice presidents, and appropriate staff managers also complete annual performance evaluations. For all staff other than the president and ceo, is utilizes industry comparable data in making determinations regarding the range of salaries. The president and ceo makes all final determinations relative to staff compensation. In 2015, the staff compensation review process to determine 2016 salaries was modified to accommodate the temporary vacancy in the ceo position due to leadership transition. Each interim co-ceo was responsible for making final decisions for staff compensation in the departments that they oversaw. The chair of the board was responsible for the compensation determinations for the three interim co-ceos. In addition, the director of talent and administration and chief financial officer met with the board chair to review the overall compensation philosophy, senior management team compensation adjustments, promotions, and salary ranges to ensure compensation was appropriate and equitable.”

“Independent sector's governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements are made available to the public. The annual audit, 990 and 990t, board of directors list, and is policies (conflict of interest, financial responsibility, gifts and entertainment, records retention and travel) are all available to the public on the organization's website (www.independentsector.org).”

“The number of voting members shown in part vi section a line 1 differs from the number of directors listed in part vii because board members are included in part vii if they served on the board at any time during 2014. Independent sector's board term begins at the annual business meeting held during the is annual conference in the fall.”

“Temporary help: program service expenses 15,074. Management and general expenses 11,426. Fundraising expenses 17,919. Total expenses 44,419. Independent contractor: program service expenses 162,348. Management and general expenses 45. Fundraising expenses 500. Total expenses 162,893. Consultant: program service expenses 542,092. Management and general expenses 682,950. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 1,225,042. Legislative assisance: program service expenses 210,000. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 210,000. Speakers, service bureaus, and other: program service expenses 12,744. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 12,744.”

“During the course of the strategic visioning work which independent sector completed in 2015, the vision and purpose statements of the organization were refreshed. The revised statement reflects three specific choices that the organization has made. First, is remains deeply rooted in the charitable sector - the very base of the organization. However, the statement explicitly recognizes that, in order to successfully advance its purpose, is must find new and effective ways to work with government, business, and individuals, each of which has a role to play in advancing the common good. Second, the vision and accompanying beliefs statements also make plain that, while independent sector has a core set of beliefs that will animate all of its work, is is an inclusive organization, welcoming of a diverse set of perspectives and experiences and offering partnership to all who share its core vision of improving lives and the natural world. Finally, the vision statement creates a new and intentional linkage between the organization's work to improve lives and the natural world and the strengthening of democratic societies.”