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V O L . X X V N O. X X I I S E P T E M B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 9 8 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E Q: I've been asked to join a nonprofit board. I admire the organization and can see how being on the board could help my business. What is expected of a board member? ACE advises: As a board member you must place the organization's interests before your own. This is called your "fiduciary duty." There are three duties: 1. Obedience: Board members must obey the organization's governing docu- ments and applicable laws. As you read, look for: Organization type. Usually found in the first paragraph of the bylaws. Once you know the type, go to Google. Search "charitable organization" "nonprofit membership organization" or "mutual benefit corporation." Check these hits for references to the IRS code section governing the orga- nization's tax-exempt status. Google search on the section, such as 501(c) (3). One of the top 10 hits will tell you why the organization is exempt and how it stays that way. Organization structure and operations. Bylaws describe the organization's purpose, the board, the officers, any standing committees, meeting require- ments, and votes. If there's a policy or procedure manual it will tell you how the organization operates. 2. Care: The organization should give you the information you need for financial oversight, including: A plan A budget Financial reports Progress reports related to the plan If the organization does not provide this information, your duty is to insist. Read the documents and ask questions. 3. Loyalty: While board membership is "good business," the benefits are indi- rect and have more to do with reputation than dollars. When it comes to direct benefits, the organization's interests come before yours. Prepare to: Give up business opportunities Recuse yourself from discussions Refrain from using insider information And, possibly, resign over a conflict of interest. A S K AC E A n s w e r e d b y C a r r y G r e e n Y a r d l e y The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a non-profit association of independent consultants who value "Success through Collaboration." The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com. ACE Board Member Carrie Green Yardley founded Yardley Esq., a business law firm with offices in Portland, Biddeford and Yarmouth. If you have a question for ACE, contact Jim Milliken at jim@millikenproject.com N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N National Sea Grant Office announced it awarded a two-year grant total- ing $250,000 to the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve to study how warming coastal waters are af- fecting lobsters in the Gulf of Maine. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland launched a Critical Home Repair pro- gram to help low-income homeowners make needed repairs so they can live in a safe, healthy and affordable home. Maine Fire Service Institute in Brunswick was awarded a $92,980 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase new fire training equipment that will allow it to enhance its training capabilities. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded a lease contract for a new Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Portland to FDS JBB Portland LLC. The facility will alleviate space and utilization gaps at Togus VA Medical Center and provide an expand- ed offering of VA outpatient services to the overall veteran population. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate the Masiello Group and Masiello Group Commercial Associates moved the York office to 16 Long Sands Road. MONTHLY DEBRIEF MEETINGS 2 4 LEADERSHIP TOPICS 12 MONTHS OUR interactive leadership development produces real bottom line results for large and small organizations, across all industries. YOUR managers walk away with tools, techniques, and how-to systems they apply to their daily lives that make them more successful leaders. Bo Balcavage | 207.400.9229 | Lead Forward LLC | crestcomleadership.com Our curriculum is accredited and award-winning. Leadership Development Program Proven to Change Behavior ü Owner's Representative / Owner's Project Manager (OPM) ü Plan and Cost Evaluations ü Construction Loan Monitoring ü Property Condition Assessments ü Construction Workout Solutions for Distressed Projects we don't just deliver solutions | we lead them ™ 207.236.9970 cordjiacapitalprojects.com Construction Risk Management Services Cordjia's founders have vast experience on multiple project types and have successfully delivered more than 20 million square feet of projects, totaling over $4 billion over the last three decades. Regardless of the project size or scope, Cordjia's goal is to provide our clients with innovative solutions to their most complex problems.

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