Casi Inc

“The organization has 537 annual members who pay a membership fee annually and 471 life members that paid a one time fee for a life membership. Each member has the same rights and privileges subject to keeping their dues current for the annual members.”

“Individual members have a voice in voting to elect the governing body by being a member of an affiliated independent chapter or pod. Pod is the chili appreciation society international name for the independent chapter. Through such membership, the members can vote for officers to represent the pod at the annual business meeting.”

“Independent chapters (pods) in good standing are all permitted to vote at the annual business meeting called the great peppers meeting. The name of which originated from the bi name for the chapter presidents: the great peppers. During the great peppers meeting four (4) new directors are elected by secret written ballot. The two candidates receiving the most votes serve for three (3) year terms. The two remaining candidates serve for two (2) year terms. An executive director is elected in a separate race to serve a three year term.”

“The addresses of the directors are listed elsewhere (www.casichili.net) because the organization has no office at the property we own. The physical address of the property is 80 mariposa mine rd, terlingua, tx”

“The form 990 is submitted to the board of directors for comment prior to filing.”

“The bylaws are posted on the organization's website and may be viewed by the public. The un audited financial statements are posted on the organization's website for access by members only. The policies are distributed to the members via the presidents (great peppers) of the local affiliate independent chapters (pods).”

“Receipts are from the terlingua international chili championship (ticc) held on the 1st saturday in november each year. Receipts are a combination of scholarship related events, clothing sales, beverage sales, gate sales and ice sales at the event. Direct expenses are the expenses of ticc which include security, radios, sound and band expenses, beverage and ice expenses, prizes and jackets for winners of the chili championship, contestant shirts, judges shirts, wrist band expenses, judging supplies, site cleanup and brewster county local charities. Ticc is the organization's annual chili championship that is the culmination of the year's sanctioned chili cookoff competitions. Sanctioned chili cookoff net proceeds for each event are dedicated to local charitable organizations chosen by each cookoff promoter. The culmination of the past year's net proceeds donated were over $560,000. These funds are not included in the casi return since the organization is simply a sanctioning body and does not control the donated net proceeds. Casi does have rules under which the cookoff must operate in order for it to qualify the winners to earn points toward competing at ticc. Ticc is listed as a fundraising event because without it, the organization would not have the visibility to secure national sponsors and to have regular chili cookoffs so well attended. Monies raised at this event are dedicated solely for the scholarship program. In addition, to fund the cash prizes awarded at this event, sponsors were sought and agreed to underwrite all cash prizes and most non-cash prizes as well. Cash prizes are awarded only for events dedicated to fundraising for the scholarship fund which is why the sponsors so willingly provide the funds. The winners of the chili event do not receive any cash prizes, but instead receive non-cash items that are consistent with cooking chili. The national scholarship program is set up to provide a four year, $1,000 per year scholarship. In 2008 the scholarship expanded to provide a two year, $1,000 per year trade scholarship. There are currently 30 students receiving scholarship funds.”