Music in the Vineyards

“The Form 990 is prepared by a public accounting firm and is then reviewed by the executive director, Board president and treasurer prior to filing.”

“Every board member is provided with a copy of the organization's conflict of interest policy. The executive director and board members are required to annually document in writing any interests, relationships or holdings that could potentially result in a conflict of interest. If a conflict of interest is identified from an annual disclosure, the organization's board will review the conflict and take appropriate action, which may include prohibiting an individual from participating in the board's deliberations and decisions regarding a certain transaction. If a conflict is identified during a meeting, the Board will decide what appropriate action to take.”

“The organization's executive Committee annually evaluates the performance of the Executive Director and requests input on matters of performance and compensation. The Committee obtains information on which to make a recommendation to the full board for the salary and benefits of the Executive Director (and other highly compensated employees or consultants) based on a review of data. For example, the Committee will secure data that documents compensation levels and benefits for similarly qualified individuals in comparable positions at similar organizations. This data may include the following: 1. Salary and benefit compensation studies by independent sources; 2. Documented telephone calls about similar positions at both nonprofit and for profit organizations. To approve the compensation for the Executive Director (and other highly compensated employees and consultants) the board of directors documents how it reached its decisions, including the data on which it relied, in minutes of the meeting during which the compensation was approved. Documentation will include: 1) A description of the compensation and benefits and the date it was approved; 2) The members of the board who were present during the discussion about compensation and benefits, and the results of the vote.The President of the board of directors, who is a volunteer and not compensated by the organization, operates independently without undue influence from the Executive Director. No member of the Compensation Committee will be a staff member or the relative of a staff member.”

“The organization's articles of incorporation, bylaws and conflict of interest policy are available to the public upon request at the organization's administrative office.”

“The organization did not have any other officers who were compensated during the year, nor did it have any key employees.”