Coast Dairies & Land Company

“The draft form 990 is initially reviewed by the treasurer, controller, and secretary. The draft form 990 is then forwarded to the audit committee of the board of directors of the trust for public land (tpl) (cdlc's parent). The audit committee meets with tpl's accounting firm, treasurer, and controller to review the draft. Any questions or clarifications are then incorporated into the final document which is forwarded to the full board of directors for their review prior to filing.”

“The organization has a comprehensive conflict of interest policy (policy) that requires potential conflicts of interest to be brought to the attention of the general counsel. If the general counsel determines that a potential conflict of interest exists, the matter is reviewed by the conflict review committee, a committee composed of designated senior staff, or, if the matter involves a member of the board of directors or their family or affiliated entity, it is reviewed by the full board. Potential conflicts involving the purchase of goods and services with a value that does not exceed $5,000 may be reviewed by the general counsel. The policy applies to employees, members of the board of directors, advisory board members, major donors, and certain former employees and directors, as well as their immediate families and affiliated entities. The policy is provided to all staff as well as the members of the board of directors and advisory board members, is contained in the human resources manual, and reminders of the policy are issued periodically. The policy is discussed in orientation meetings with new staff and board members, and in meetings of legal and project staff, the two groups most likely to encounter potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, potential conflicts of interest are on the checklist of matters to be disclosed in fact sheets submitted to the project review committee or to the transaction committee of the board of directors for the approval of conservation real estate transactions. Once a year all board members are polled about transactions and arrangements with the organization. Awareness of the policy is high, as evidenced by questions presented to the office of the general counsel. If a matter is brought to the board of directors for review, the board member who is the subject of the review is required to be absent from the discussion and vote on the matter, and with respect to all conflicts reviewed, the interested party must be found to have had no role in or influence over the decision. If a transaction is found to present an unacceptable conflict of interest, the transaction is prohibited or its terms must be revised such that it can meet the standards required under the policy, namely (a) all material interests have been disclosed; (b) the transaction is deemed to be fair and reasonable to tpl and in tpl's best interests; (c) the transaction does not confer any special benefit on the interested party; and (d) the interested party does not have any role in the decision and has not influenced the decision.”

“The trust for public land (the supported organization) pays the salaries of the organization's officers. At the trust for public land, benefits are furnished based upon established policy and are standard for all employees.”

“Annual audited financial statements are posted on the trust for public land's website (www.tpl.org). Articles of incorporation are available on the california secretary of state website. Both are also made available upon request for the same period of time set forth in sec. 6104(d). The conflict of interest policy is not made available.”

“All officers are employees of the trust for public land and devote the majority of their time there. All board members are also members of the board of the trust for public land.”

“Coast dairies & land has merged into the trust for public land effective 3/9/16.”