Cascade Connections

“Any person desiring to achieve the purpose of the corporation, including persons with disabilities, their families and supporting communities and organizations, shall be eligible for membership in the corporation. The membership is known as the stakeholders. No membership dues are required. Proposed bylaw amendments or repeals shall be subject to the approval of a majority of the board of directors before notice or submission to the stakeholders for adoption or rejection.”

“Stakeholders may at any time suggest suitable persons to the board of directors for possible nomination to the board. The president of the board of directors shall appoint a committee consisting of two current board members and the executive director of the corporation to interview proposed nominee(s). Upon finding the residence, religious persuasion, interest and membership of the nominee(s) to be satisfactory, the committee shall present the nominee(s) to the full board of directors for consideration for election to its membership.”

“Proposed bylaw amendments or repeals shall be subject to the approval of a majority of the board of directors before notice or submission to the stakeholders for adoption or rejection.”

“The process the organization uses to review the form 990 is as follows: after completion of the 990, the executive director meets with the finance department to go over the 990, answering any questions that arise. After this review, the finance director and the executive director meet with the board members of the finance committee to review the 990. After the 990 is reviewed, all questions have been answered, and any necessary changes have been made, the board treasurer signs the 990, and it is mailed to the irs.”

“The organization regularly and consistently monitors and enforces compliance with the conflict of interest policy. All employees and board members are required upon initial hire/involvement with the agency to sign the conflict of interest statement. Whenever any business is conducted with an outside firm, the board members are asked if they have any relationships that could be construed as being conflicts of interest. If they do, they are required to not be involved with the bidding process or involved with the process that determines who will get the job.”

“The process for determining compensation for the management staff, excluding the executive director, is set according to an agency pay scale. This pay scale is determined by looking at the position descriptions and finding out what other like agencies are paying for those job positions and responsibilities. Other factors are figured into this determination, such as what the agency is getting paid in contract to provide those services and how the fringe benefits offered compare to those of other agencies. The executive director makes a pay scale recommendation to the finance committee of the board of directors. The finance committee then studies the information and makes a recommendation to the full board of directors, who give the final approval for any changes. The executive director's pay is determined by a like position and job description comparison, performed by the board of directors. Any changes to the executive director's pay and/or benefits are discussed and voted on by the full board. It is agency procedure that no changes to the executive director's pay may be made without written approval from the board of directors.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request. Annual 990 reports are posted on the guidestar website.”