Montana Chamber of Commerce

“Members of the montana chamber of commerce consist of businesses ranging from small operations to large companies as well as local chambers of commerce.”

“Members vote for the governing body.”

“Form 990 is reviewed by the executive committee of the board prior to filing.”

“The board reminds all members of the conflict of interest policy at the beginning of their meetings and will have sessions on this at their annual meeting. The board members will be asked to sign conflict letters, and the chair will do a follow-up with any questions. In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement. After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists. An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest. The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement. After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the organization can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the organization's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.”

“Compensation is based on comparison to other associations in montana when that information is available. The board also uses the annual salary survey of the council of state manufacturing associations. This group of approximately fifteen members includes state chambers of commerce that, like montana, consider themselves as both the chamber of commerce and the state manufacturing association. The survey compares compensation and benefits for a variety of employment positions in similarly-situated organizations.”

“All financial information, governing documents and policies are available upon request.”

“Commission fees 110,901. Other professional fees 141,934.”

“The process has not changed from the prior year.”