Osteopathic Founders Foundation

“The amended and restated bylaws of the organization provide that membership in the corporation is granted to any person who is an osteopathic physician and who makes an annual financial contribution to the foundation, or who makes a one-time contribution of at least $250.”

“The amended and restated bylaws of the organization state that the chairman of the board will annually appoint a nominating committee composed of 3 members of the organization who are currently serving on the board of directors. The nominating committee, not less than 90 days prior to the organization's fiscal year-end, shall nominate one candidate to fill the position of each director whose term is expiring. The nominations are announced to all members of the organization 60 days prior to year-end. A form is made available at the principal office of the organization for write-in nominations. Write-in nominations require the affirmation of three members of the organization in order to be placed on the ballot. Ballots are required to be mailed to all members of the corporation.”

“The amended and restated by-laws of the organization reserve the power to amend the by-laws to the membership of the organization. The procedure required to amend by-laws begins with the initiation of the proposed amendment by the board of directors. At the next meeting of the board of directors, subsequent to the meeting at which the proposed amendments were presented, such amendments must receive the affirmative vote of the majority of the directors. If approved by the board of directors, the proposed amendments shall be mailed to the members of the organization at least 30 days prior to the date established for the ballot on which they are to be considered for adoption. To be effective, amendments must receive the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members represented by absentee ballot at a metting of the members of the organization at which a duly qualified quorum is present.”

“The completed 990 will be transmitted electronically to the foundation's board of directors. A conference call will be scheduled to review the document with the ceo and the foundation's independent accountants available to answer questions of the trustees. The document is reviewed in the sequence recommended for preparation of the form 990 in order to thoroughly disclose all information reported on this form.”

“The organization has a written conflict of interst policy which serves to assist directors, officers and key employees of the organization to identify situations that present potential conflicts of interest and to provide a procedure which will allow a transaction which is in the best interest of the corporation to be binding even though a director, officer, or employee may have a conflict of interest in respect to that transaction. The policy is distributed annually at the first meeting of the board of directors following the beginning of the organization's fiscal year. The policy is reviewed during that meeting. Each person serving as a director, officer or key employee of the coporation is required to annually complete a disclosure form identifying any relationships, positions or circumstances in which he or she is involved that he or she believes could contribute to a conflict of interest arising. Materials for meetings of the board of directors are distributed electronically in advance of the meeting, giving directors, officers and key employees an opportunity to identify any proposed action in which he or she may have a conflict of interest. Following the call to order at each meeting of the board of directors, a request for disclosure of any potential conflict of interest is made. An absence of a declaration of a conflict of interest at that time does not proclude the later announcement of a conflict of interest which is determined by a director, officer or key employee during the meeting.”

“The compensation of the foundation's president/ceo is determined by the compensation committee. The compensation committee is composed of members of the executive committee plus additional members of the board of directors who are invited by the chairman due to specialized knowledge. All members of the compensation committee are independent members of the governing body. The committee determines, based on budgetary considerations, whether an adjustment in compensation will be considered for the year. If the decision is affirmative, the committee reviews data from the council on foundations annual salary survey which compiles salary and benefit information from more than 800 foundations nationwide, stratifying it geographically, by asset size, and many other variables. The committee compares the organization's current salary for the ceo to the median salary of similarly located, like-sized foundations and discusses whether an adjustment in compensation is warranted. The discussion and subsequent decision is documented by the chairman and the conclusions of the committee presented to the ceo in a follow-up meeting.”

“The organization has always made its governing documents, conflict of interest policy and reviewed financial statements available to the public. We have allocated space for these documents on the foundation's website.”

“The Foundation annually provides a two-day seminar for senior residents from post-graduate training programs throughout Oklahoma. The seminar, Prep for Practice, provides information to the residents to assist them in beginning their careers as practicing physicians. The Foundation also sponsors a program for second and third year medical students called Strolling Through the Match. This program is designed to assist students in identifying the specialty that they wish to pursue and provide guidance in successfully preparing for the residency match process. Retired osteopathic physicians are given the opportunity to remain connected to the profession through our Retired Physicians group which meets monthly at the Foundation's office.”