Growing Community Media Nfp

“The for profit entity, wednesday journal, inc., was closed in 2019 and the non-profit entity, growing community media was established in its place. When forming growing community media, a board consisting of at least three members was required. Dan haley, darnell shields, and dawn ferencak, listed in part vii of form 990, were the founding board members of growing community media and remained board members during the first fiscal year covered by this tax return. Since then, dan haley has resigned from the board but remains the ceo of growing community media. Dawn ferencak has moved on from the organization. Darnell sheilds remains on the board of directors and is joined by judy greffin, nile wendorf, deb abrahamson, gary collins, sheila solomon, and eric weinheimer, listed in part vii of form 990. At submission of this return, judy greffin is chairperson and nile wendorf is treasurer.”

“The first formal meeting of the growing community media board of directors was held on august 2, 2020. Since then, monthly meetings have been held with agendas and recorded meeting minutes. Prior to august 2, 2020, board meetings were informal and held as needed.”

“Growing community media currently does not have any committiees in place with authority to act on behalf of the governing body. Creation of any such committies will require approval from the board.”

“There is currently no formal process in place for board review and approval of this current tax return. The board plans to adopt a formal review and approval process for future tax returns that includes circulating the returns to the entire board for comment and review. The board will vote on submission of tax returns prior to signing by the ceo and a board member.”

“No formal review by the entire board of directors has taken place for this return. The return has been reviewed by the ceo and business manager for accuracy. The board plans to establish a formal review process for all future tax returns where the returns are circulated to all board members, changes are discussed, and a vote of approval is required prior to signing and submitting the returns.”

“During the fiscal year covered by this return, no conflict of interest policy was in place. As of april 7, 2021, the board has adopted a conflict of interest policy that requires all board members and key employees to complete disclosure forms annually. Board members and key employees are also requested to disclose any new interests that arise throughout the year.”

“Salaries were set and approved by the wednesday journal, inc. Board of directors prior to the formation of growing community media. The growing community media board of directors later approved an allocation of 25% of established wednesday journal, inc. Salaries for specfic employees, including the ceo, for growing community media in its first fiscal year. In the coming year, growing community media is adopting a process for determining salaries for management and staff. The board will review a range of salaries for publishing and editorial management and staff. The board will consider this information along with annual reviews and budget availability to determine compensation for all employees. The board will need to approve any changes in compensation.”

“On the website, it states that all organization documents, governing documents, and form 990s are available upon request. Anyone ineterested in viewing these documents can submit a request through the contact page on the website.”

“The for profit entity, wednesday journal, inc., was closed in 2019 and the stock was transfered to growing community media. As such, employees of wednesday journal, inc. That transfered to growing community media were paid for the entire year by wednesday journal, inc. And received w-2s from wednesday journal, inc. The growing community media board of directors deemed 25% of these employees' salaries would be allocated to growing community media. However, employees did not receive w-2s directly from growing community media for this first year of the organization.”

“This is the organization's first year. The organization developed its audit oversight process for its first audit. Dan haley, ceo, facilitated the audit process. The board of directors, including the treasurer and chairperson, review the audit report and direct questions and comments to the independent auditors.”