Greater Yellowstone Coalition Inc.

“The organizations members pay an annual membership fee which allows them voting privilege in the election of the board of directors.”

“A copy of the form 990 is provided as a pdf electronic file to all members of the organizations governing body, and is available upon request in hard copy. The finance committee first reviews and approves the form 990; the finance committee chair then reports to the board of directors. Upon approval by the board, the form 990 is signed by an officer of the corporation and filed with the irs.”

“The organizations bylaws contain a section entitled self-dealings which broadly prohibits conflicts of interests by board members, staff and volunteers. That section describes what proscriptions must be placed on a board members involvement in gyc issues when such a conflict exists. The organizations personnel policies and practices document and a board and staff roles and relationships document also contain written conflict of interest policy sections. Upon hire and when any changes are made to the personnel policies and practices document (which is reviewed annually for any needed updates), all employees are given a copy of these documents, the changes are reviewed with them, and they sign a statement acknowledging they have read and understand them. New board members are provided with these documents during a board orientation session. In addition, all board members are annually provided with a memo explaining the organizations conflict of interest policy along with a form which they sign acknowledging they have read the provisions, have no conflict of interest with the organizations mission or programs at this time, and that they have an affirmative duty to disclose to the appropriate gyc board and/or staff should they become aware of any activity or interest which represents a material or perceived conflict of interest in their role with the organization in the future. There are several questions to provide answers needed for the irs form 990, and space is provided on the form to disclose possible conflicts.”

“The board executive committee meets at least annually in executive session to review the executive directors performance, salary and benefits, and makes recommendations for any changes to the full board of directors for their approval in an executive session. In doing so, the committee considers data from current compensation surveys compiled by independent firms, and data for comparable positions with other similar organizations. Compensation studies are performed every 2 or 3 years. The boards decision is documented in general in minutes of their meeting, and in detail in a confidential memo to the executive directors personnel file, which is given to the director of finance and administration for implementation and filing. Included in the documentation are the terms of the compensation arrangement; the date approved, the names of the board members who were present during the discussion and who voted on it, and the data relied upon in making the decision.”

“The organization makes its governing documents and financial statements available to the public upon request in the form of electronic pdf copies or hard copy. In addition, the irs determination letter, audited financial statements and form 990s are posted on the organizations web site.”

“Other program services 4: other programs that include outreach and education”

“Correct reporting for executive director positions in part vii”

“Lands protection - greater yellowstone's tapestry of public and private lands stitch together a stunning backdrop of habitat for the regions celebrated wildlife populations. Gycs lands program is focused on securing new protections for the most critical parts of this landscape and defending key lands from harmful proposals. At the macro-scale, the new congress seems poised to make changes to national forest management, which will dictate that we work closely with our national partners to ensure important conservation measures are not undermined. Gyc continues building strong support for protecting public lands in southwest montana such as the gallatin range and lands to the west in the high divide. In wyoming, we will celebrate a significant win as we finalize the shoshone national forests new forest plan, which will put almost one million acres off limits to oil & gas development. Other priorities will be the blms bighorn basin resource management plan and ensuring key forest lands are protected from expanded motorized use as the shoshone launches a travel planning process. In eastern idaho, we have helped build solid momentum behind a partnership that is seeking to protect critical wildlife habitat on private lands in the henrys fork watershed. Gyc continues efforts in idaho to influence the blms forthcoming upper snake resource management plan, through which we see a great opportunity to secure new administrative land protections.”

“Wildlife protection - as greater yellowstones human population continues to grow, additional pressure is being placed on the regions iconic wildlife populations. Conflicts associated with increasing recreational uses, livestock grazing and political pressure on policy and management decisions continually challenge our efforts to conserve priority species such as grizzly bears and bison. The year ahead is a critical year for both species as delisting is contemplated for bears and a new multi-year planning process kicks off for bison management.”