The Organizing Committee has been busy since we joined together with some ideas in February this year.  One of our goals has always been to be open about everything.  This might be a good time to take a step back and look again at the goals we defined in February. These were provided in a handout at the 2/24/06 meeting at the Heritage Civic Center in Brazoria, with 121 people present.

 

That handout has been available since then via a link at the bottom of the OC Contacts page, but I would like to provide a link here for those who perhaps missed that meeting.

 

Organization

F.O.R. San Bernard will apply within the next week or two to be recognized as a legal non‑profit 501(c)3 organization. It is our good fortune that attorney Lynn Klement has donated his services to file the papers necessary. Lynn is the President of Columbia-Brazoria ISD School Board, and a supporter of Friends Of the River. We will reimburse him for the filing fees and the necessary incorporation binder. He has also agreed to attend our next public meeting to address questions and concerns regarding the organization.
 

Among the many benefits of non-profit organizations are:

• Eligibility to apply for grants

• Possibility of corporation donations

• Limited liability for officers and board of directors ^**

Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation are being drafted, and soon will be filed with the Texas Secretary of State. The interim Board of Directors and the interim officers were named for the sole purpose of filing the papers. Interim officers are Pat Webb, President; Tom Valliere, Vice-President; Nancy Kanter, Treasurer; Eileen Kenneda, Secretary. The interim board consists of one person from each couple on the OC, plus Tom V. The first interim officers and board will step down when the first officers are elected. That is expected to be in September this year.
 

The permanent Board of Directors will have 15 members serving 3‑year terms, with 5 members retiring each year. Obviously, the first two years will be a little different. After one year, five members will voluntarily retire and five new board members will be appointed. After the 2nd year, the same would occur. Thereafter each board member will serve a 3‑year term. The Board will have an annual meeting on the 1st Saturday following Labor Day each year.
 

The Annual Meeting of F.O.R. San Bernard will be on the 2nd Saturday following Labor Day each year. The meeting will be published on the web and in the community section of the local newspaper. A quorum is represented by those present at the meeting, and all present have voting rights. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Brazoria Heritage Civic Center in Brazoria.
 

Liability Insurance

We need to obtain liability insurance for the organization. Liability for the officers and board of a charitable organization in Texas is limited IF it carries liability insurance of $500,000 per person and $1,000,000 per occurrence for personal injury and death, and $100,000 per occurrence for property damage. The liability of the organization is then limited by law to the insurance coverage amount. Liability is not limited if the insurance coverage is not carried.

The OC is currently seeking bids for liability insurance. If anyone has a suggestion or recommendation of an agency that will write non-profit liability insurance, please email Nancy Kanter frednancy@sanbernardriver.com with that information.

Accounting

F.O.R. San Bernard currently has $ 4,198.54 deposited at Lone Star Bank, Brazoria. The account currently has 4 signatories, which are the interim officers.  Two approvals are required before a check can be issued. There is only one pending disbursements, for the production of the flags. The organization now has a Federal ID Number and soon will have a State Tax Number.
 

Questions, Concerns, Suggestions, Objections

Each members of the OC wants to hear from you. Please feel very free to email any of us, or all of us, or submit an anonymous comment, concern, suggestion or objection via the online form for that purpose on this page here.