Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach Inc

“When the directors are not in session and prudent management requires prompt action, the executive committee shall have and exercise all of the authority of the directors in the management of the corporation except as such authority is limited by resolution of the directors, and any such action shall be submitted to the directors at their next meeting for their review. The officers, the immediate past president (if a member of the board) and chairpersons of all the other standing committees shall all be members of the executive committee, and the bishop of the diocese of palm beach or his designee shall be a non-voting member of the executive committee. The executive committee shall meet at any time when the directors are not in session and when prudent management requires prompt action. Special meetings shall be called by the secretary on the written request of the chairman or by at least three (3) of the members or by the ceo/executive director. A majority of the members of the executive committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The minutes of the meetings of the executive committee shall be taken and shall be distributed promptly to the board following each executive committee meeting.”

“The amended bylaws state: directors shall take and hold office for staggered terms of three (3) years or until their earlier resignation, removal from office or death. Except as provided herein, no director shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive three (3) year terms. After a one (1) year break in service, a former director shall be ellgible to serve another two (2) consecutive three (3) year terms. A director with a record of meritorious service who has served two (2) consecutive terms may at the discretion of the member(s) be elected to serve an additional three (3) year term, and such director shall be eligible to serve additional terms as an officer if elected pursuant to article i 0, section 4. The term limits set forth herein shall not apply to directors completing a term as officer of the corporation. Additionally, the immediate past president may, as provided in a1ticle 8, section 8(a)(i), serve an additional two-year term immediately following the expiration of his/her term as president, if elected by the member(s).”

“The member of the corporation is the bishop of the diocese of palm beach and his successors in office.”

“Each member shall have and be entitled to one (1) vote, in person, for the election of the directors at the annual meeting. The bishop of the diocese of palm beach may appoint directors, whether or not nominated by the board, and may remove any or all of the directors from the board, with or without cause at any such time as he may determine, in his sole discretion. The member(s) may remove any director(s) from the board of directors, with or without cause and at such time as they may determine, in their sole discretion.”

“The organization's form 990 is prepared by an independent public accounting firm with the help of the finance director. A draft is reviewed by the principal officer, finance director, and board treasurer. The form 990 is then posted to the board of directors intranet site. A link to the form 990 is emailed to all board members for their review prior to filing the form with the irs.”

“Except for contract and transactions between the corporation and the bishop of the diocese of palm beach or his designees, any contract or other transaction between the corporation and any director or officer, or between the corporation and any other corporation, firm association or other entity in which any director or officer is a director, trustee, partner or officer or has a significant financial or influential interest, may be declared void or voidable by the directors unless all of the following conditions are met: the relevant and material facts as to such directors or officers' interest or such contract or transaction and as to any common directorship, trusteeship, partnership, officer ship, or financial or influential interest were disclosed in good faith in advance by such director or officer to tbe directors and such facts are reflected in the minutes of the meeting of the directors. The relevant and material facts, if any, known to such interested director or officer with respect to such contract or the corporation's interests were disclosed in good faith in advance by such director or officer to the directors and such facts are reflected in the minutes of the meeting of the directors. Such interested director or officer has, as determined by the judgment of the directors and as reflected in the minutes of the directors' meetings: - made the disclosures and fully responded to questions concerning the matters referred to above - fully met the burden of proof that the contract or transaction is fair and reasonable to the corporation at the time of such contract or transaction was authorized - did not otherwise significantly influence the action of the directors with respect to the contract or transaction. The directors authorized such contract or transaction by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors entitled to vote at a meeting at which a quorum was present, and such interested director or officer was not counted in determining the presence of a quorum or determining a two-thirds (2/3) vote. Such interested director or officer was not present at the time the vote was taken. All board members, senior staff personnel and consultants will sign the conflict of interest policy and disclose any material conflicts of interest, both at the time they join the agency and at the beginning of each board year.”

“Our process for determining compensation of ceo and top management officials included the review and use of comparability data from other social service non profit agencies. A quorum of the executive committee on behalf of the audit and compliance committee review and approve the compensation package each year.”

“The organization's governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are made available to the public upon request.”

“Outreach and other community services: the catholic charities prison ministry brings the word of god and the sacraments of the catholic church to men, women and juveniles who are incarcerated throughout the diocese. To accomplish its objectives, this ministry relies on volunteers, priests, deacons, religious, and lay men and women who willingly give of their time to serve those members of christ's church who are imprisoned. Volunteers are active in the state prisons, county jails, re-entry centers, juvenile detention centers and other correctional institutions throughout the five counties of the diocese. The volunteers are trained to work in small teams which minister in specific institutions at various times during the week. On average, individual volunteers visit institutions twice a month. The prison ministry has expanded and grown to the point where it currently has more than 150 volunteers. Collectively, ministry volunteers have an estimated 20,000 inmate-contacts each year. The prison ministry assists inmates transitioning back into our communities to become productive members of society, after having served their sentences. Catholic charities prison ministry also has a support group for adult family members of persons who are incarcerated in state and federal prisons and county jails. The catholic charities interfaith health and wellness program is committed to the education of registered nurses who are serving our community through their affiliation with churches, temples, mosques and other faith-based initiatives, and works to promote the holistic care of the body, mind and spirit. The program envisions faith-based communities where all individuals, across boundaries and diverse populations, have access to healthcare and basic support services, irrespective of religious affiliations, age or income, with the outcome of physical, mental and spiritual health that ultimately embraces individual and community wellness. A key component of interfaith health and wellness is its faith community nursing program, also known as parish or congregational nursing, which provides critical health promotion and maintenance within the context of the values, beliefs and practices of a faith community, and healthcare assistance by assisting individuals who might not be receiving the care they need. During the month of june, the program offers a foundations of faith community nursing course which provides registered nurses the education and support to create health ministry programs in their respective congregations. The program also provides a mentoring experience that integrates the faith community nursing theory with practice in a faith-based relationship in which both the mentor and novice faith community nurse strengthen their spiritual and professional skills based on mutual trust, security, confidentiality, respect and professional sharing. The catholic charities refugee resettlement services program, in conjunction with the united states conference of catholic bishops, helps the newly arrived in the united states to reach self-sufficiency as quickly as possible and assists them with social and economic adjustment to their new community. The program serves newly arrived refugees, asylees, cuban/haitian entrants, parolee as well as victims of human trafficking. All are foreign-born clients seeking a better life away from oppression, violence, and lack of freedom. The main goal of the refugee resettlement program is to facilitate the client's self-sufficiency through employment, to ensure that they can provide for themselves, as well as giving them a sense of responsibility and involvement in their new community. Services may include: cash assistance; emergency rental assistance; transportation; employment services; english as second language classes; orientation and referrals to community resources. The program promotes a resettlement model in which case management provides essential services and tools for developing the client's sel”

“The birthline/lifeline pregnancy care program promotes the sanctity of life and offers pregnancy care services at its pregnancy care center locations. Services are offered free of charge to all clients who meet basic criteria. At the pregnancy care centers, women coping with an unplanned pregnancy can access compassionate counseling regarding adoption, alternatives to pregnancy terminations and more. The following services are provided through our three pregnancy care centers: free ultrasounds and pregnancy testing, prenatal care referrals, pro-life education, abortion alternative counseling, adoption referrals, parenting classes, fertility awareness education, and a 24-hour support hotline. Material assistance is also provided including maternity clothes, baby apparel and layettes, car seats, strollers, cribs, baby food, formula and diapers. Clients are provided with contact information and necessary documentation for medicaid/medical coverage, referrals and other available services within the county and/or catholic charities. Catholic charities birthline/lifeline program promotes the alternative option of adoption. Adoption is the loving solution when a mother is experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and cannot parent adequately because of her own age or financial situation. Adoption promotes a culture of life. The adoption process has changed and there are options that were not utilized in the past that have facilitated a loving transition from birth mother to adoptive parents. In some cases and by mutual agreement, the mother maintains contact with the adopted child and never loses track of where her baby is and how her little one is progressing. Through its adoption project, birthline/lifeline's speakers guild works to bring adoption awareness to your parish or parish organization. The speakers share their adoption testimonies, give brief presentations highlighting this alternative to abortion, and also answer questions and provide additional information. Through an internship program, birthline/lifeline's pregnancy care centers offer students an opportunity to experience the process of admission of clients, assessment of client needs, pregnancy testing, determination of gestational age, the estimated due date for the unborn via limited obstetrical ultrasound and referrals for pre-natal care. Students learn the details of pre-natal teaching as well as information regarding fertility awareness, risky behavior, sexually transmitted disease and the side effects of hormonal contraception, sterilization and barrier methods. Students are also exposed to research projects that are current: post-traumatic stress as it relates to post abortion clients; research and documentation of the side effects of hormonal contraceptives reported by clients. For many students, this is their first opportunity to work in a professional setting and view, first hand, the importance of professional record keeping, chart reviews, statistics and reporting of statistics, referrals for additional services and the tender loving care for all those who come to birthline/lifeline in need.”

“Samaritan center is a long-term transitional residential facility for homeless families in indian river county with a structured step-based program with onsite 24-hours a day case managers that help pregnant women and homeless families develop the life skills needed for successful reintegration into mainstream society. Admission is open to families of all faiths. Our facility is located on a landscaped five acre plot with ample parking, a playground and recreational space in vero beach. Each family is assigned to their own room or rooms depending on family size. Samaritan center's capacity is nine bedrooms or twenty-six residents. There is a communal dining room, kitchen, lounge and bathrooms for families to utilize throughout their stay. Meals are prepared for the residents daily. Space is provided for residents to store snacks and favorite food items. Although catholic charities samaritan center serves diverse clients, often the profile of a typical client is as follows: a single parent with one to two children; a limited education, unemployed; no profession or little training; and homeless. The samaritan center provides the following services to help our clients: housing; employment counseling; financial management; transportation; liaison with other agencies; parenting class; educational workshops; counseling; case management; after care service up to eighteen months. The samaritan center's onsite case managers help pregnant women and homeless families develop the life skills needed for successful integration into mainstream society by assisting with the following: obtain employment; educational workshops; upkeep of personal living quarters; future planning; permanent housing.”