Orient Land Trust

“The executive director, secretary, and treasurer of the board review the form 990 in detail after its initial preparation. After this review, all directors of the board are given a copy and the opportunity to comment prior to filing with the irs.”

“Annually, all directors, officers, and employees of orient land trust (olt) are required to sign a document acknowledging olt's policies governing conflicts of interest. A disclosure statement is also updated annually by directors, officers, and employees. The conflict of interest policy describes monitoring and enforcement procedures for conflicts of interest.”

“The executive director's salary is determined and approved by the board of directors. The total compensation package is based on salaries for comparable positions in the community. The compensation agreement is documented in an employment agreement, and the approval of the agreement is documented in the minutes of the board of directors.”

“A line item budget is approved by the board of directors annually. The board approves the overall salaries and benefits expenses. Discussions and decisions regarding the budget are documented in board meeting minutes. The executive director reviews and approves the compensation for all employees of the organization.”

“Orient land trust makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial reports available to the public upon request. Current financial reports, including the statement of financial position, the statement of activities, and the statement of cash flows, are included with a packet provided to the public at every board meeting. The annual audit is also reviewed at a board meeting.”

“For the education, enjoyment, and well-being of current and future generations, orient land trust: --promotes a positive clothing-optional experience at all properties including valley view hot springs, orient mine, and everson ranch; --preserves the viewshed, including land acquisition; --protects natural, wild, agricultural, and historic resources in the northern san luis valley.”

“Volunteers assist at olt in a variety of ways, from camp hosts who assist visitors at the hot springs, to specialists helping with educational programs incluiding astronomy, geology, and bat tours. At the ranch, volunteers helped with care for the chickens and goats, ranch and garden chores. The volunteer board of directors met regularly in fulfilling important governance and financial oversight and more. During 2024, olt had 42 volunteer camp hosts who provided almost 2,000 hours of service. Volunteer astronomers also provided more than 1,000 tours of the stars totalling about 200 hours. And, over 400 guests enjoyed volunteer-guided bat hikes, estimating the number of visitors to the cave to be at least 500. During 2024, volunteers also helped out with some maintenance projects, mostly repairing the pool "ladders", and assisting with some tech work, with a combined total of 111 hours in just 5 days.”