Better Business Bureau of Metro Atlanta

“Organizations are invited to become accredited businesses of the bbb after they have been pre-qualified based on our standards of good business practices: have to have been in business for at least one year, must meet all licensing/bonding requirements of the local governments, must agree to resolve issues promptly and address any issues the bbb brings to their attention, must be free of government actions that demonstrate a significant failure to support bbb ethical principles, must maintain at least a b rating, must adhere to government/bbb/industry advertising standards, must honestly represent their products/services, must honor promises, and must safeguard the privacy of their customers. Once a company has been pre-qualified based on these standards, they are called by one of our business development representatives and invited to be a bbb member. If they accept, the bbb gets more detailed information. Once fully qualified and reviewed by the president, the companies are then presented to our board of directors for final approval. Another area of the bbb verifies that the company still qualifies for accreditation in subsequent years.”

“The board has a nominating committee, chaired by the immediate past chair or the chair of the board, that works with the president to identify companies and people in the community who can add value to the bbb board.the company must be in good standing with the bbb and the person nominated must be selected by the company and exhibit high ethical standards. The value added comes through diversity of industry and other human demographics. At our annual meeting, which is announced to all members, the slate of board nominees is presented for approval. Once approved by a majority of the members present (per our by-laws), the new board members join the board. Prior to their first meeting, the bbb president and the bbb counsel meet with the new directors to ensure they understand their responsibilities and the operation of the bbb.”

“The 990 is prepared by the bbb's accounting firm with input coordinated with the bbb president. The bbb president and the board review the 990 before submission to the irs. After submission, all voting members receive a copy of the return.”

“Every employee and board member is required to sign a conflict of interest policy statement. The statement is verbally covered in a new employee/new director orientation. The policy is reviewed annually at one of the board meetings. Instances which violate the policy are handled by the bbb president and the bbb board, as appropriate.”

“THE PROCESS FOR DETEMINING COMPENSATION OF THE CEO, OFFICERS, AND KEY EMPLOYEES IS DETERMINED AFTER REVIEWING COMPARATIVE SALARY INFORMATION FROM OTHER BBBs (SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS) AND THE MARKETPLACE SALARY FIGURES FOR COMPARABLE JOBS. A BOARD COMMITTEE WORKS WITH THE BBB PRESIDENT TO REVIEW THE COMPENSATION AND SALARY RANGES EVERY 3 YEARS.”

“Documents such as the 990 and the conflict of interest policy are available upon request from the bbb president. Other documents, as appropriate, are also available from the president.”