Forum of Regional Associations

“Forum membership is open to regional and national philanthropy infrastructure organizations that meet all of the following criteria: 1. Its primary mission is to serve, strengthen and advance the field of philanthropy. 2. It is a nonprofit organization, a supporting organization or a project of a nonprofit organization. 3. It is staffed by at least one part-time paid professional. 4. It has a defined organizational, financial and governance structure. 5. It is willing and able to commit time to forum activities and to respond to requests for information from forum staff and colleagues.”

“Forum members have the exclusive right to elect the directors of the corporation and the exclusive right to vote on all matters pertaining to the affairs of the corporation on which a vote of the members is required or is deemed desirable by the board of directors. Each member is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the membership. Each member will annually appoint a representative of the organization who will represent, vote for and act for that member in all affairs of the forum. That representative will usually be the member's chief executive officer.”

“Members approve changes to the forum's bylaws.”

“The form 990 is prepared by an outside accountant and presented to the finance and audit committee for review and approval. The finance and audit committee presents the form 990 to the entire board for review and comment prior to filing.”

“A director discloses to the board of directors any material interest, which the director directly or indirectly has in any person or entity, which is a party to a transaction or matter under consideration by the board of directors. The interested director abstains from voting, discussing, and lobbying on such transactions and leaves the room while such activities are in progress; provided, however, that such interested director's presence may be counted in determining whether a quorum is present. Minutes of meetings record all interest disclosures, and abstentions due to conflict of interest. If the board has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it informs the member of the basis and affords the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose. If after hearing the member's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the board determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it takes appropriate action.”

“The board reviews the ceo's performance and documents its review in the board meeting minutes. The board benchmarks the ceo's compensation with those of executives at other associations with similar missions and comparable organizations in the region.”

“The organization's governing documents, conflict of interest policy, whistleblower policy, and financial statements are available on the forum's website and by request.”

“Human resources: program service expenses 21,498. Management and general expenses 3,560. Fundraising expenses 1,209. Total expenses 26,267. Consulting: program service expenses 699,607. Management and general expenses 115,841. Fundraising expenses 39,342. Total expenses 854,790. Technology and web services: program service expenses 305,705. Management and general expenses 50,619. Fundraising expenses 17,191. Total expenses 373,515.”

“The process has not changed from the prior year.”