The Baptist Courier

“The Board of Directors (trustees), consisting of fifteen persons, a number sanctioned by South Carolina Baptist Convention, shall be appointed by South Carolina Baptist Convention in session. Trustees shall be appointed for terms of five (5) years. Trustees' terms shall be staggered. Vacancies in the board of trustees may be filled temporarily by the board pending the filling of the vacancy for the unexpired term by South Carolina Baptist Convention.”

“South Carolina Baptist Convention may remove trustees prior to the expiration of the term of the trustees' election upon the recommendation of the Convention's Executive Board, by vote of two-thirds of the messengers voting. Removal may occur only upon the Convention's finding that removal of the trustee is in the best interest of the corporation and one or more of the following causes for removal deemed in the judgment of the Convention to exist: breach of trust; neglect of duty; physical or mental incapacity of the trustee; conduct by the trustee which is deemed by the Convention to be immoral, fraudulent or dishonest; the trustee's engaging in a conflict of interest transaction. The Board of Trustees may adopt bylaws not inconsistent with the Articles of Incorporation. Any proposed amendment to the Articles of Incorporation must be approved in writing by the Executive Board of South Carolina Baptist Convention or by South Carolina Baptist Convention. Any amendment to the Articles of Incorporation which would change the relationship of this corporation with South Carolina Baptist Convention must be approved by South Carolina Baptist Convention. Any merger shall require the consent of South Carolina Baptist Convention. Before the corporation may sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property other than in the usual and regular course of its activities, the permission of South Carolina Baptist Convention must be secured. These Articles may be amended by the board of trustees subject to the approval of South Carolina Baptist Convention of its Executive Board.”

“Form 990 is prepared by an independent CPA firm and reviewed in detail by the organization's top management. The reviewed Form 990 is then forwarded to the Board of Trustees for review prior to filing.”

“The organization requires all officers and board members to annually complete and sign a conflict of interest questionnaire. The Executive Committee is responsible for reviewing the signed statements and ensuring that interested persons are in compliance with the conflict of interest policy. If a matter related to a potential conflict were to arise at a board meeting, the interested person would abstain from voting on matters related to the noted conflict.”

“The independent board of trustees assesses the compensation of the president/editor annually to determine the reasonableness and competitiveness of compensation; this approval is documented in the board minutes. The Editor sets the salary and benefits of the other employees. Further, the Editor consults with the compensation committee during this annual process. The independent board of trustees approves the officers and staff compensation annually; this approval is documented in the board minutes.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request.”

“The Baptist Courier is a sponsoree of the South Carolina Baptist Convention (Convention). The Convention elects and legitimizes The Baptist Courier's trustees.”

“Deferred compensation change in value 10,903.”

“The organization has a finance committee that assumes responsibility for oversight of the audit of its financial statements and selection of an independent accountant. This process has not changed since the prior year.”