2018-11-07T15:09:52-06:00 2017-12-31 391628949 JOHNSON BLOCK & CO INC 406 SCIENCE DRIVE SUITE 100 MADISON WI 53711 990 2017-01-01 392015324 PARTNERSHIP FOR NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEMS SYSTEM PART 6082497870 304 EAST WILSON STREET NO LL MADISON WI 53703 LIZ BERGERON PRESIDENT 9162851850 2018-11-02 1 JEFFREY OSVOG P01566913 6082742002 71.13.167.114 2018-11-02 11:06:34 CD P DA39A3EE5E6B4B0D3255BFEF95601890AFD80709 D6DEBA72A48C1992E36B478C2079B563016471A5 2017 2018-06-14 16:35:46Z X LIZ BERGERON 304 EAST WILSON STREET NO LL MADISON WI 53703 398822 0 X WWW.PNTS.ORG X 2001 WI OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER, INSPIRE, AND STRENGTHEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS TO DEVELOP, PRESERVE, PROMOTE, AND SUSTAIN THE NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS. 15 15 4 65 0 0 224641 394886 42721 553 319 663 1749 2720 269430 398822 9648 189408 0 0 84766 101668 0 0 6589 143085 80732 237499 371808 31931 27014 119334 249339 20978 123969 98356 125370 X OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER, INSPIRE, AND STENGTHEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS TO DEVELOP, PRESERVE, PROMOTE, AND SUSTAIN THE NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS. 0 0 45500 973 THE PARTNERSHIP STRENGTHENED THE CAPACITY OF THE MEMBER TRAIL ORGANIZATIONS BY FACILITATING COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE AMONG ORGANIZATION LEADERS AND FEDERAL AGENCY STAFF THROUGH A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE MAGAZINE "PATHWAYS ACROSS AMERICA, DISTRIBUTING A MONTHLY E-NEWS, AND HOSTING A WEBSITE WITH INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND LINKS TO THE AGENCIES AND MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS. THE PARTNERSHIP PROVIDED MONTHLY EDUCATIONAL WEBINARS ON VARIOUS TOPICS PERTINENT TO PROTECTING, INTERPRETING, AND MAINTAINING NATIONAL TRAILS. THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO BEGAN PLANNING WITH THE RIVER MANAGEMENT SOCIETY FOR TWO CO-LOCATED CONFERENCES TO BE HELD IN OCTOBER 2018 TO COMMEMORATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM AND THE NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS SYSTEM. 280433 189408 544 THE PARTNERSHIP CONTINUED TO PROMOTE THE "DECADE FOR THE NATIONALTRAILS" BY PURSUING A NUMBER OF ACTIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE THREE DECADE GOALS AND A SERIES OF OBJECTIVES TO GREATLY INCREASE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM, TO COMPLETE MORE OF THE TRAILS, AND TO STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITY OF THE ORGANIZATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES TO SUSTAIN THEM. AMONG THESE ACTIONS THE PARTNERSHIP CONVENED COLLABORATIVE WORK WITH THE AMERICAN HIKING SOCIETY, AMERICAN TRAILS, AND THE RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONSERVANCY TO PLAN ACTIVITIES, EVENTS, PROGRAMS, AWARENESS BUILDING COMMUNICATIONS AND POLICY INITIATIVES TO COMMEMORATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM DURING 2018. THIS WORK ALSO INVOLVED COLLABORATION WITH THE WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ORGANIZATIONS AND STAFF FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, U.S. FOREST SERVICE, AND U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE. THROUGH THIS COLLABORATION WE DEVELOPED A SPECIAL WEBSITE - TRAILS50.ORG - TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY. THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO CONTINUED THE YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAM BEGUN IN 2009 WITH FEDERAL FUNDING BY PROVIDING GRANTS TO 20 OF THE NATIONAL TRAIL PARTNERSHIPS TO FUND YOUNG TRAIL INTERNS TO WORK ON PROJECTS, PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES DETERMINED TO BE PRIORITIES BY EACH TRAIL PARTNERSHIP. THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO WORKED WITH FEDERAL AGENCY PARTNERS AND MEMBER TRAIL ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS FOR LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND FUNDING TO ACQUIRE CRITICAL LAND TO CLOSE GAPS AND PRESERVE IMPORTANT NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ALONG 12 OF THE 10,431 NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS FOR INCLUSION IN THE PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2018 BUDGET. 11820 THE PARTNERSHIP PROVIDED ANNUAL REPORTS AND INFORMATION TO CONGRESS AND FEDERAL TRAIL MANAGING AGENCIES ABOUT THE STATE OF THE TRAILS AND CONTRIBUTIONS, PROJECTS, AND ACTIVITIES OF OUR MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS TOWARDS SUSTAINING THE NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS. THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO PROVIDED INFORMATION TO CONGRESS ABOUT THE FUNDING NEEDED TO SUSTAIN AND INCREASE ACTIVITIES UNDERWAY TO ACQUIRE LAND AND TO CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN, INTERPRET, AND MANAGE THE SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS THROUGH WRITTEN TESTIMONY PROVIDED TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES. THE PARTNERSHIP PARTICIPATED WITH DOZENS OF OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN COALITIONS URGING CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO REAUTHORIZE AND FULLY FUND THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND; REAUTHORIZE THE FEDERAL LAND TRANSFER FACILITATION ACT; AND REAUTHORIZE THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM TO CONTINUE THE RECREATIONAL TRAILS FUNDING PROGRAM AND OTHER PROGRAMS FUNDING DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL TRAILS. DURING 2017 THE PARTNERSHIP COMPILED AN ANNUAL REPORT WHICH IT SHARED WITH CONGRESS AND FEDERAL AGENCY STAFF DOCUMENTING THAT DURING 2016 THE 35 MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS OF THE PARTNERSHIP HAD ORGANIZED AND GUIDED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS WHO CONTRIBUTED AT LEAST 1,029,569 HOURS OF LABOR TO HELP SUSTAIN THE 30 NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS. THE VALUE OF THIS DONATED LABOR AND THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE NONPROFIT TRAIL ORGANIZATIONS TOTALED MORE THAN $37.4 MILLION -- 1/3RD MORE THAN CONGRESS APPROPRIATED FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. FOREST SERVICE, AND BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT TO MANAGE AND MAINTAIN THESE NATIONAL TRAILS. 3099 THE PARTNERSHIP CONTINUED TO ENCOURAGE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT AND THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE (USFS) TO ADOPT SPECIAL MANAGEMENT CORRIDORS TO GUIDE LAND USE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT FOR THE SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS. WE EMPHASIZED THIS MANAGEMENT APPROACH THROUGH COMMENTS ON PLANNING FOR SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS ON PUBLIC LANDS ADJACENT TO THE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION SYSTEM AND IN COMMENTS ON SEVERAL PROPOSED REVISIONS TO AREA LAND MANAGEMENT PLANS WITHIN THE BLM. THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO PROMOTED THIS CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT APPROACH IN COMMENTS PROVIDED TO THE USFS REGARDING PROPOSED LAND MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR SEVERAL NATIONAL FORESTS ALONG THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL. THE PARTNERSHIP CONTINUED TO ENCOURAGE THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO GIVE GREATER RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS IN THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM. THE PARTNERSHIP CONTINUED TO MONITOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE'S REVISED SAW USE POLICY FOR STANDARDIZING PROCEDURES FOR SAFE USE OF CHAINSAWS AND CROSSCUT SAWS BY VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF ON ALL NATIONAL FORESTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, WHICH WAS PROMULGATED IN LATE 2016. THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO PARTICIPATED IN SEVERAL MEETINGS ORGANIZED BY THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE TO DEVELOP A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLY MAINTAINING THE 155,000 MILES OF TRAILS IN THE NATIONAL FORESTS. THE PARTNERSHIP SUBMITTED FORMAL COMMENTS REGARDING THE PROPOSAL BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO INCREASE ENTRANCE FEES TO THE NATIONAL PARKS, TO THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT REGARDING A PROPOSAL TO SHORTEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR NEPA REVIEW PROJECTS, AND TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR REGARDING THE PROPOSED REDUCTION OF THE AREAS OF A NUMBER OF THE NATIONAL MONUMENTS ADMINISTERED BY THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. 3099 340852 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 1 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 15 15 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 WI X GARY WERNER 6082497870 222 S HAMILTON ST SUITE 13 MADISON WI 53703 LIZ BERGERON PRESIDENT 7.00 X X 0 0 0 LUKE KLOBERDANZ SECRETARY 7.00 X X 0 0 0 JIM ZIMMERMAN VICE PRESIDENT FOR GOVERNA 6.00 X X 0 0 0 CHRISTY CORZINE TREASURER 6.00 X X 0 0 0 RG ABSHER CHAIR, TRAIL LEADERS COUNCIL 7.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH STEWART DIRECTOR 6.00 X 0 0 0 MARGARET GORSKI DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 STEVE ELKINTON DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 KATHY DECOSTER DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 BARNEY MANN DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 TESSA MARTINEZ DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 DELORIS GRAY WOOD DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 MIKE WOLLMER DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 COSMO CATALANO DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 JAMES MALLORY DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 GARY WERNER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 47500 0 0 47500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 57334 323007 14545 394886 WORKSHOP REVENUE 900099 553 553 553 663 663 1756 1756 SALE OF BRAND GEAR 900099 544 544 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 420 420 964 398822 1517 0 2419 189408 189408 47500 25893 19151 2456 46990 46990 7178 5368 1626 184 1238 1135 81 22 9828 9010 644 174 17416 13616 620 3180 33622 32729 554 339 9505 8714 623 168 4334 4252 82 3067 2812 201 54 CREDIT CARD FEES 875 124 749 2 PAYROLL EXPENSES 737 700 29 8 MISCELLANEOUS 74 68 5 1 AWARDS, GIVEAWAYS 36 33 2 1 371808 340852 24367 6589 24406 60381 81768 82430 5000 96100 5854 2811 2306 7617 119334 249339 10404 48397 10574 75572 20978 123969 X 98356 125370 98356 125370 119334 249339 27014 0 X 0 1 X 0 0 X 150149 121225 261161 224641 394886 1152062 78388 15248 43574 42721 553 180484 228537 136473 304735 267362 395439 1332546 0 0 0 1332546 16 4323 2944 2068 2419 11770 16 4323 2944 2068 2419 11770 80 964 1044 228553 140796 307759 269430 398822 1345360 0.99050 0.99200 0.00870 0.00790 X SCHEDULE A, PART III, LINE 12, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: SALE OF BRAND GEAR - 2015 AMOUNT: $ 80. 2017 AMOUNT: $ 544. MISCELLANEOUS - 2017 AMOUNT: $ 420. 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 864 1 10955 0 11819 0 PART II-B, LINE 1: THE PARTNERSHIP PROVIDED ANNUAL REPORTS AND INFORMATION TO CONGRESS AND FEDERAL TRAIL MANAGING AGENCIES ABOUT THE STATE OF THE TRAILS AND CONTRIBUTIONS, PROJECTS, AND ACTIVITIES OF OUR MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS TOWARDS SUSTAINING THE NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS. THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO PROVIDED INFORMATION TO CONGRESS ABOUT THE FUNDING NEEDED TO SUSTAIN AND INCREASE ACTIVITIES UNDERWAY TO ACQUIRE LAND AND TO CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN, INTERPRET, AND MANAGE THE SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS THROUGH WRITTEN AND ORAL TESTIMONY PROVIDED TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES. THE PARTNERSHIP PARTICIPATED WITH DOZENS OF OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN COALITIONS URGING CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO REAUTHORIZE AND FULLY FUND THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND; REAUTHORIZE THE FEDERAL LAND TRANSFER FACILITATION ACT; AND REAUTHORIZE THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM TO CONTINUE THE RECREATIONAL TRAILS FUNDING PROGRAM AND OTHER PROGRAMS FUNDING DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL TRAILS. 0 X 398922 100 100 398822 0 398822 371908 100 100 371808 0 371808 PART X, LINE 2: THE PARTNERSHIP FOLLOWS THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR INCOME TAX ACCOUNTING AND GENERALLY AVOIDS RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH POTENTIALLY PROBLEMATIC TAX POSITIONS THAT MAY BE CHALLENGED UPON EXAMINATION. MANAGEMENT BELIEVES ANY LIABILITY RESULTING FROM TAXING AUTHORITIES IMPOSING ADDITIONAL INCOME TAXES FROM ACTIVITIES DEEMED TO BE UNRELATED TO THE PARTNERSHIP'S TAX-EXEMPT STATUS WOULD NOT HAVE A MATERIAL EFFECT ON THE ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE PARTNERSHIP'S FEDERAL EXEMPT ORGANIZATION TAX RETURNS ARE SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, GENERALLY FOR THREE YEARS AFTER THEY ARE FILED. WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS, THE PARTNERSHIP IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO SUCH EXAMINATIONS FOR YEARS BEFORE 2014. 1 ALA KAHAKAI TRAIL ASSOCIATION PO BOX 2338 KAMUELA HI 96743 271398470 3 10000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY 799 WASHINGTON STREET PO BOX 807 HARPERS FERRY WV 25425 526046689 3 10000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS ARIZONA TRAIL ASSOCIATION 534 N STONE AVE TUCSON AZ 85705 860762149 3 8200 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL COALITION 710 10TH STREET SUITE 200 GOLDEN CO 80401 455051775 3 10000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS EL CAMINO REAL DE LOS TEJASNATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL ASSOCIATION 3710 CEDAR STREET SUITE 288 AUSTIN TX 78705 208296273 3 10000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION INC 1050 NW 2 STREET SUITE A GAINESVILLE FL 32601 237079720 3 9472 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS ICE AGE TRAIL ALLIANCE 2110 MAIN ST CROSS PLAINS WI 53528 396076028 3 10000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS IDITAROD NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL INC PO BOX 2323 SEWARD AK 99664 920165948 3 10000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS LEWIS AND CLARK TRAIL HERITAGE FOUNDATION INC PO BOX 3434 GREAT FALLS MT 59403 510187715 3 10000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS NATIONAL TRAILS INTERMOUNTAIN REGION NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PO BOX 728 SANTA FE NM 87508 20000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB 10 CITY SQUARE BOSTON MA 02129 046001677 3 10000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 229 E MAIN STREET LOWELL MI 49331 382423480 3 10000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS THE OLD SPANISH TRAIL ASSOCIATION PO BOX 324 KANAB UT 84741 3 10000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS OREGON-CALIFORNIA TRAILS ASSOCIATION 524 S OSAGE STREET INDEPENDENCE MO 64050 840962140 3 10000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS NATIONAL PARK SERVICE OVERMOUNTAIN VICTORY NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL 338 NEW PLEASANT ROAD GAFFNEY SC 29341 8159 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS USDA FOREST SERVICE PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGIONAL OFFICE 1323 CLUB DRIVE VALLEJO CA 94592 10000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION 1851 CHARLES JONES MEMORIAL CIR 4 SEDRO WOOLLEY WA 98284 911023116 3 9964 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS LIVING CLASSROOMS FOUNDATION 802 SOUTH CAROLINE STREET BALTIMORE MD 21231 521369524 3 10000 NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM TRAIL INTERN GRANTS 15 3 PART I, LINE 2: THE GRANTS WERE AWARDED BASED UPON DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS, WORK PLANS, AND TIME SCHEDULES SUBMITTED BY THE APPLYING TRAIL PARTNERSHIPS. THE PARTNERSHIPS FOR EACH OF THE TRAILS HAD TO INCLUDE THE FEDERAL ADMINISTERING AGENCY AND THE PRINCIPAL NONPROFIT PARTNER ORGANIZATION. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES COULD ALSO BE INVOLVED IN THE WORK TO BE FUNDED. THERE WERE MORE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THAN WE WERE ABLE TO FUND. TO RECEIVE THE GRANT THE GRANTEE HAD TO IDENTIFY A GRANT MANAGER WHO SIGNED A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE PARTNERSHIP. THE TERMS OF THE GRANT AGREEMENT REQUIRE THAT QUARTERLY REPORTS DETAILING THE WORK ACCOMPLISHED IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER BE SUBMITTED TO THE PARTNERSHIP. A TWO-PART FINAL REPORT IS ALSO REQUIRED AT THE END OF THE FUNDED INTERNSHIP -- ONE PART PREPARED BY THE GRANT MANAGER; THE OTHER PART PREPARED BY THE INTERN. AN ACCOUNTING OF THE MONEY SPENT IS ALSO REQUIRED AS PART OF THE FINAL REPORT. THESE REPORTS WILL BE SHARED WITH THE NATIONAL TRAILS LEAD PERSON IN THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, AND THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE, THE AGENCIES THAT PROVIDED THE FUNDING TO THE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE TRAIL INTERN GRANTS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 4 IN AUGUST 2017, THE TRAIL LEADERS COUNCIL ADOPTED A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENTS TO THE PARTNERSHIP'S BYLAWS, INCLUDING PROVISIONS CHANGING THE NUMBER, COMPOSITION, AND TERM LIMITS OF BOARD MEMBERS; CLARIFYING THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE TRAIL LEADERS COUNCIL; DIVIDING THE WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION BETWEEN THE BOARD AND COUNCIL; AND CHANGING THE NAME OF THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL TO THE TRAIL LEADERS COUNCIL. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 THE PARTNERSHIP HAS TWO CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP. REGULAR ORGANIZATION MEMBERS CAN DESIGNATE A VOTING REPRESENTATIVE TO THE TRAIL LEADERS COUNCIL TO VOTE ON THEIR BEHALF. AFFILIATE MEMBERS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO A VOTING REPRESENTATIVE ON THE TRAIL LEADERS COUNCIL. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A THE TRAIL LEADERS COUNCIL ELECTS FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES THREE MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECRUITS AND NOMINATES TWELVE AT-LARGE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE TRAIL LEADERS COUNCIL. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7B PROPOSED BYLAWS AMENDMENTS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE TRAIL LEADERS COUNCIL. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRAIL LEADERS COUNCIL APPROVES ALL APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE PARTNERSHIP AND ESTABLISHES THE AMOUNT OF DUES PAYABLE TO THE PARTNERSHIP ANNUALLY BY THE PARTNERSHIP'S MEMBERS. THE AUTHORITY TO SUSPEND OR EXPEL A MEMBER ORGANIZATION FROM THE PARTNERSHIP IS RESERVED TO THE TRAIL LEADERS COUNCIL. A RECOMMENDATION BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO REMOVE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD IS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE TRAIL LEADERS COUNCIL. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE PREPARED FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE BEFORE THE RETURN IS FILED WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ANNUALLY ALL DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS COMPLETE AND SIGN A STATEMENT THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION REGARDING THEIR INTERESTS AND THOSE OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS THAT COULD GIVE RISE TO CONFLICTS. THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY MAKE DETERMINATIONS OF WHETHER A CONFLICT EXISTS AND REVIEW ACTUAL CONFLICTS. ANY PERSON WITH A CONFLICT IS PROHIBITED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE GOVERNING BODY'S DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS IN THE TRANSACTION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE PARTNERSHIP'S HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REVIEWED DATA ON COMPENSATION PAID BY COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS FOR SIMILAR SERVICES AND RECOMMENDED A COMPENSATION PACKAGE FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO THE PARTNERSHIP'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR APPROVAL. THIS PROCESS WAS LAST UNDERTAKEN IN 2012. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE PARTNERSHIP MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.