Phoenix Islands Protected Area

“A copy of form 990 was provided to the organization's governing body before it was filed.”

“The conflict of interest policy for the pipa trust was reviewed and adopted by a resolution of the board of directors of the pipa trust on march 17, 2010. The purpose of this conflicts of interest policy (the "policy") is to protect the interests of the phoenix islands protected area conservation trust (the "trust")w hen it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the trust. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any kiribati laws governing conflicts of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable corporations. Whenever there is a reasonably foreseeable possibility that any director or, member of such director's immediate family, may benefit or suffer loss financially from any decision to be made by the board on any matter (a "director interest"), the director must disclose the material facts as to interest, to the board. If the board determines, excluding the vote of the disclosing director for the purposes of such determination, that such director interest constitutes a conflict of interest or conflict with the objectives of the trust (each a "conflict of interest"), the disclosing director must abstain from any vote related to such matter. Section 18(2) of the act sets forth the procedures used to address a conflict of interest or conflict with the objectives of the trust involving a director. The same procedures shall be used by the board to address a conflict of interest or conflict with the objectives of the trust involving an officer. In addition, the following steps shall be taken by the board to address any conflict of interest or conflict with the objectives of the trust involving any director or officer: a. The chairman of the board or the committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement. B. After exercising due diligence, the board or committee shall determine whether the trust can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest or conflict with the objectives of the trust. C. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest or conflict with the objectives of the trust, the board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the trust's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. The board or committee's deliberations should include an analysis of comparable transactions or arrangements. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement. Each director and officer shall annually sign a statement which affirms that such person: a. Has received a copy of the conflict of interest policy, b. Has read and understands the policy, c. Has agreed to comply with the policy, and d. Understands that the trust is charitable and must engage primarily inactivities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.”

“The pipa trust has executed an employment contract with nabuti mwenwenikarawa, executive director in 2016. This employment contract is for two-year tenure and details the terms of the executive director's employment with the pipa trust. The terms of the employment contract were negotiated at arm's length and with the assistance of legal counsel between mr. Mwenwenikarawa and dr. Nigella hillgarth, then treasurer, director and designated head of the board's hiring committee, after an extended, international search process. To ensure that the pipa trust pays no more than fair market value for mr. Mwenwenikarawa's services, mr. Mwenwenikarawa's compensation was established in advance of his employment after an inquiry into the range of reasonable pay scales for chief executive officers of similarly situated organizations and based on the demands of the position to develop annual operating revenues and manage the pipa trust's capital accounts which are anticipated to exceed $20 million when the pipa trust is fully operational. His salary was further adjusted downward to reflect the lower cost of living in the republic of kiribati. To ensure the trust operates in a manner consistent with its charitable purposes, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects: a. Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information and the result of arm's-length bargaining. Nabuti mwemweikarawa was hired to replace dr. Toatu (former executive director) after an extensive and public search by the board. His salary is based on his experience, value, and the salary set for the prior executive director.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request.”

“The trust launched a new marine biology scholarship program available to kiribati citizens to provide support for college expenses in a marine biology degree program. Purpose is to build capacity within nation to support pipa activities.”

“Foreign currency translation difference -407,543. Misc rounding -2.”

“The process has not changed from the prior year.”