Policies of the Illinois Forestry Association
Privacy Policy ( PDF 30 KB )
To assure the privacy and security of our members and to maintain our organization’s integrity, the Illinois Forestry Association (IFA) establishes this policy regarding member information that comes into our possession.
1) The IFA Board of Directors as a whole or any of its officers and directors individually will NOT disclose to outside parties any of the information collected and stored in our membership database pertaining to individual members, with but two exceptions described in (2) and (3) below. Outside entities would include, but not be limited to, vendors, service providers, business partners, advertisers, and other not-for-profit organizations.
2) One exception referenced in (1) above is the provision of mailing lists to an outside service to facilitate distribution of our newsletter or other member communication. In this exception, the Board will ensure that they receive a guarantee of confidentiality from that outside service that our information will be secure and of limited access. When such a distribution arrangement is terminated, the Board will assure that the outside service destroys its copy of our member data.
3) A second exception referenced in (1) above is the storage and maintenance of the IFA member database on the systems providing association management services. In this exception, the Board will ensure that the privacy policy of that service provider guarantees confidentiality and security of our members’ data. If the IFA terminates such a service agreement, the Board will assure that the outside service destroys its copy of our member data.
4) Officers and directors of the IFA may not use any of the information collected and stored in our membership database pertaining to individual members for their own business enterprise or the enterprise of their employer. While we can exercise no control over board members after their term of office expires, we ask that they NOT retain any member information.
5) The information collected and stored in our membership database pertaining to individual members would include, but not be limited to, names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, dues and contributions.
6) This policy does not preclude the IFA or its officers and directors from using summary data derived from our membership database in public presentations or conversations with outside parties.
7) This policy does not prohibit the IFA Board from complying with legal inquiries by state or federal authorities.
Adopted December 7, 2010
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Conflict of Interest Policy ( PDF 60 KB )
Article I. Purpose:
The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect this tax-exempt organization’s (Illinois Forestry Association) interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Organization or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.
Article II. Definitions:
Interested Person: Any director, officer, or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.
Financial Interest: A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:
An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement.
A compensation arrangement with the Organization or with any entity or individual with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement, or
A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the Organization is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.
Compensation: includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial.
A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. Under Article III, Section 2, a person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists.
Article III. Procedures:
Duty to Disclose
In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors, officers, and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.
Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists
After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.
Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest
An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.
The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.
After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the Organization 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.
If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the Organization’s best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.
Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy
If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.
If, after hearing the member’s response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.
Article IV. Records of Proceedings:
The minutes of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain:
The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the governing board’s or committee’s decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed.
The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.
Article V. Compensation:
A voting member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.
A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to the member compensation.
No voting member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.
Article VI. Annual Statements:
Each director, officer, and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person:
Has received a copy of the conflict of interest policy,
Has read and understands the policy,
Has agreed to comply with the policy, and
Understands the Organization is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.
Article VII. Periodic Reviews:
To ensure the Organization operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects:
Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information, and the result of arm’s length bargaining.
Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations conform to the Organization’s written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes and do not result in inurement, impermissible private benefit or in an excess benefit transaction.
Article VIII . Use of Outside Experts:
When conducting the periodic reviews as provided for in Article VII, the Organization may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the governing board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.
Adopted: November 28, 2005
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Renewal Policy
This policy was adopted so that members would clearly understand the timing and handling of their renewals.
Renewal Date
Previously, all members’ renewal date was January 1. Now, all members’ anniversary renewal date will be based on their last payment date. For example, if you last paid on January 15th, 2011, and you had renewed for one year, your next renewal payment will be due January 15, 2012. Similarly, if you paid early in on November 19, 2010, your next renewal payment will be due November 19, 2011.
Grace Period
The grace period will be 60 days beyond your missed renewal date.
Reminders
Email members will receive
• reminders 14 days and 7 days before their renewal date;
• a final reminder on the day of your renewal date;
• a notice that your membership has expired 30 days after your missed renewal date;
• a notice 60 days after your renewal date canceling your membership if we have not received your dues.
Non-email members will receive
• a reminder 14 days before their renewal date;
• a notice that your membership has expired 30 days after your missed renewal date;
• your membership will be cancelled 60 days after your renewal date if we have not received your dues.
In effect as of September 1, 2011
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Privacy Policy ( PDF 30 KB )
To assure the privacy and security of our members and to maintain our organization’s integrity, the Illinois Forestry Association (IFA) establishes this policy regarding member information that comes into our possession.
1) The IFA Board of Directors as a whole or any of its officers and directors individually will NOT disclose to outside parties any of the information collected and stored in our membership database pertaining to individual members, with but two exceptions described in (2) and (3) below. Outside entities would include, but not be limited to, vendors, service providers, business partners, advertisers, and other not-for-profit organizations.
2) One exception referenced in (1) above is the provision of mailing lists to an outside service to facilitate distribution of our newsletter or other member communication. In this exception, the Board will ensure that they receive a guarantee of confidentiality from that outside service that our information will be secure and of limited access. When such a distribution arrangement is terminated, the Board will assure that the outside service destroys its copy of our member data.
3) A second exception referenced in (1) above is the storage and maintenance of the IFA member database on the systems providing association management services. In this exception, the Board will ensure that the privacy policy of that service provider guarantees confidentiality and security of our members’ data. If the IFA terminates such a service agreement, the Board will assure that the outside service destroys its copy of our member data.
4) Officers and directors of the IFA may not use any of the information collected and stored in our membership database pertaining to individual members for their own business enterprise or the enterprise of their employer. While we can exercise no control over board members after their term of office expires, we ask that they NOT retain any member information.
5) The information collected and stored in our membership database pertaining to individual members would include, but not be limited to, names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, dues and contributions.
6) This policy does not preclude the IFA or its officers and directors from using summary data derived from our membership database in public presentations or conversations with outside parties.
7) This policy does not prohibit the IFA Board from complying with legal inquiries by state or federal authorities.
Adopted December 7, 2010
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Conflict of Interest Policy ( PDF 60 KB )
Article I. Purpose:
The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect this tax-exempt organization’s (Illinois Forestry Association) interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Organization or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.
Article II. Definitions:
Interested Person: Any director, officer, or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.
Financial Interest: A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:
An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement.
A compensation arrangement with the Organization or with any entity or individual with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement, or
A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the Organization is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.
Compensation: includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial.
A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. Under Article III, Section 2, a person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists.
Article III. Procedures:
Duty to Disclose
In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors, officers, and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.
Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists
After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.
Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest
An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.
The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.
After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the Organization 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.
If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the Organization’s best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.
Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy
If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.
If, after hearing the member’s response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.
Article IV. Records of Proceedings:
The minutes of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain:
The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the governing board’s or committee’s decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed.
The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.
Article V. Compensation:
A voting member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.
A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to the member compensation.
No voting member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.
Article VI. Annual Statements:
Each director, officer, and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person:
Has received a copy of the conflict of interest policy,
Has read and understands the policy,
Has agreed to comply with the policy, and
Understands the Organization is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.
Article VII. Periodic Reviews:
To ensure the Organization operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects:
Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information, and the result of arm’s length bargaining.
Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations conform to the Organization’s written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes and do not result in inurement, impermissible private benefit or in an excess benefit transaction.
Article VIII . Use of Outside Experts:
When conducting the periodic reviews as provided for in Article VII, the Organization may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the governing board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.
Adopted: November 28, 2005
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Renewal Policy
This policy was adopted so that members would clearly understand the timing and handling of their renewals.
Renewal Date
Previously, all members’ renewal date was January 1. Now, all members’ anniversary renewal date will be based on their last payment date. For example, if you last paid on January 15th, 2011, and you had renewed for one year, your next renewal payment will be due January 15, 2012. Similarly, if you paid early in on November 19, 2010, your next renewal payment will be due November 19, 2011.
Grace Period
The grace period will be 60 days beyond your missed renewal date.
Reminders
Email members will receive
• reminders 14 days and 7 days before their renewal date;
• a final reminder on the day of your renewal date;
• a notice that your membership has expired 30 days after your missed renewal date;
• a notice 60 days after your renewal date canceling your membership if we have not received your dues.
Non-email members will receive
• a reminder 14 days before their renewal date;
• a notice that your membership has expired 30 days after your missed renewal date;
• your membership will be cancelled 60 days after your renewal date if we have not received your dues.
In effect as of September 1, 2011
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