BY-LAWS OF Global Steps Inc.
A California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation
ARTICLE 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The term Board of Directors, Board, Directors and Trusted Servants shall be used interchangeably for purposes of these by-laws.
The Board of Directors shall act at the direction of the membership.
ARTICLE 2 OFFICES
SECTION 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE
The principal office of the corporation for the transaction of its business is located in Los Angeles County, California.
SECTION 2. MAILING ADDRESS
For the purpose of continuity, a postal service box shall be mainta ined as:
Global Steps Group, Inc. P.O. Box 8601 Long Beach, CA 90808
SECTION 3. CHANGE OF ADDRESS
The county of the corporation's principal office can be changed only by amendment of these bylaws and not otherwise. The Board of Directors may, however, change the principal office from one location to another within the named county by noting the changed address and effective date below, and such changes of address shall not be deemed an amendment of these bylaws.
Dated:
SECTION 4. OTHER OFFICES
The corporation may also have offices at such other places, within or without the State of California, where it is qualified to do business, as its business may require and as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, designate.
ARTICLE 3 GENERAL PROCEDURES
SECTION 1. Elections of Directors
Nominations (or seconding of nominations) are required. Any eligible group member may make him or herself available for any open office. A candidate must receive 51% of the vote to be elected.
SECTION 2. COMPENSATION
Directors shall serve without compensation. In addition, they shall be allowed reasonable advancement or reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their regular duties. Directors may not be compensated for rendering services to the corporation in any capacity other than director unless such other compensation is reasonable and is allowable under the provisions of Section 3 of this Article. Any payments to directors shall be approved in advance in accordance with this corporation's conflict of interest policy, as set forth in Article 9 of these bylaws.
SECTION 3. RESTRICTION REGARDING INTERESTED DIRECTORS
Notwithstanding any other provision of these bylaws, not more than forty-nine percent (49%) of the persons serving on the board may be interested persons. For purposes of this Section, "interested persons" means either:
(a) Any person currently being compensated by the corporation for services rendered it within the previous twelve (12) months, whether as a full- or part-time officer or other employee, independent contractor, or otherwise, excluding any reasonable compensation paid to a director as director; or
(b) Any same sex partner, brother, sister, ancestor, descendant, spouse, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, sonin-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, or father-in-law of any such person.
SECTION 4. PLACE OF Annual MEETING
Meetings shall be held in the principal video meeting room unless otherwise provided by the board.
Meetings will be held by electronic video screen communication, or other communications equipment. Participation in a meeting through use of electronic video screen constitutes presence in person at that meeting so long as all members
participating in the meeting are able to hear one another. Participation in a meeting through use of electronic video screen communication or other communications equipment (other than conference telephone) constitutes presence in person at that meeting if all of the following apply:
a) Each member participating in the meeting can communicate with all of the other members concurrently;
b) Each member is provided the means of participating in all matters before the board, including, without limitation, the capacity to propose, or to interpose an objection to a specific action to be taken by the corporation; and
c) The corporation adopts and implements some means of verifying (1) that all persons participating in the meeting are members of the corporation or are otherwise entitled to participate in the meeting, and (2) that votes by, the member are taken and cast only by members and not by persons who are not members.
SECTION 5. VACANCIES
Vacancies on the board of directors shall exist (1) on the death, resignation, or removal of any trusted servant, and (2) whenever the number of authorized directors is increased.
The membership may declare vacant the office of a trusted servant who has been declared of unsound mind by a final order of court, or convicted of a felony, or been found by a final order or judgment of any court to have breached any duty under Section 5230 and following of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law.
Any director may resign effective upon giving written notice to the chairperson of the board, or the secretary, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. No director may resign if the corporation would then be left without a duly elected director or directors in charge of its affairs, except upon notice to the attorney general.
Vacancies on the board may be filled by vote of a majority of the members The members of this corporation may elect a director at any time to fill any vacancy.
A person elected to fill a vacancy as provided by this Section shall hold office until the next annual election of the trusted servants or until his or her death, resignation, or removal from office.
SECTION 6. NON LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS
The trusted servants shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or other obligations of the corporation.
SECTION 7. INDEMNIFICATION BY CORPORATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND OTHER AGENTS
To the extent that a person who is, or was, a director, officer, employee, or other agent of this corporation has been successful on the merits in defense of any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative
proceeding brought to procure a judgment against such person by reason of the fact that he or she is, or was, an agent of the corporation, or has been successful in defense of any claim, issue, or matter, therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such proceeding.
If such person either settles any such claim or sustains a judgment against him or her, then indemnification against expenses, judgments, fines, seitleners, and other amounts reasonably incurred in connection with such proceedings shall be provided by this corporation but only to the extent allowed by, and in accordance with the requirements of, Section 5238 of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law.
ARTICLE 4. TRUSTED SERVANTS
SECTION 1. NUMBER OF TRUSTED SERVANTS
The Directors of the corporation, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) , Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Secretary are elected officers.
Additional Directors may be added as needed to adhere to Federal or State regulations.
SECTION 2. QUALIFICATION, ELECTION, AND TERM OF OFFICE
Any member, who resides in the United States, may serve as an officer of this corporation. Every Director must be willing to provide their full legal name, address, signature and whatever other information may be required by Federal or State agencies. Officers shall be elected by the membership, at any time, and each officer shall hold office until he or she resigns, is removed, or is otherwise disqualified to serve, or until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, whichever occurs first.
SECTION 3. DUTIES OF Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) shall be responsible for all interaction with outside entities relating to operating as a non profit entity and provide an affidavit to a Banking Institution in order to maintain an account in the name of the Corporation.
SECTION 4. DUTIES OF SECRETARY
The Secretary will maintain a record of minutes and reports for all Global Steps Inc meetings and when necessary affix and sign an affidavit to the accuracy of the document.
SECTION 5. DUTIES OF Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Subject to the provisions of these bylaws relating to the "Execution of Instruments, Deposits, and Funds," the treasurer shall:
Have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the corporation, and ensure all such funds, are deposited, in the name of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected by the board of directors.
Ensure monies due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever is received and receipts given. Disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the corporation as may be directed by the board of directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements.
Prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify, or cause to be certified, the financial statements to be included in any required reports.
In general, perform all duties incident to the office of treasurer and such other duties as may be required by law, by the articles of incorporation of the corporation, or by these bylaws, or which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the board of directors,
SECTION 6. COMPENSATION
There shall be no compensation paid to any director at any time for any services for their performance of the charitable or public purposes of this corporation.
ARTICLE 5
EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, DEPOSITS, AND FUNDS
SECTION 1. EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS
The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may by resolution authorize any officer or agent of the corporation to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable monetarily for any purpose or in any amount.
SECTION 2. CHECKS AND NOTES
Except as otherwise specifically determined by resolution of the board of directors, or as otherwise required by law, checks, drafts, promissory notes, orders for the payment of money, and other evidence of indebtedness of the corporation shall be signed by the treasurer or an individual designated by the treasurer .
SECTION 3. DEPOSITS
All funds of the corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the board of directors may select.
ARTICLE 6.
CORPORATE RECORDS, REPORTS, AND SEAL
SECTION 1. MAINTENANCE OF CORPORATE RECORDS
The corporation shall keep at its principal office in the State of California:
(a) Minutes of all meetings of directors, committees of the board, and, if this corporation has members, of all meetings of members, indicating the time and place of holding such meetings, whether regular or special, how called, the notice given, and the names of
those present and the proceedings thereof;
(b) Adequate and correct books and records of account, including accounts of its properties and business transactions and accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, and losses;
(C) A record of its members, if any, indicating their names and addresses and, if applicable, the class of membership held by each member and the termination date of any membership;
(d) A copy of the corporation's articles of incorporation and bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by the members, if any, of the corporation at all reasonable times during office hours.
SECTION 2. CORPORATE SEAL
The board of directors may adopt, use, and at will alter, a corporate seal. Such seal shall be kept at the principal office of the corporation. Failure to affix the seal to corporate instruments, however, shall not affect the validity of any such instrument. A corporate seal is not required for California Non-Profit Corporations and will not be used by Global Step Group Inc.
ARTICLE 7 FISCAL YEAR
EThe fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the 1st of January and end on the 31st of December in each year.
ARTICLE 8
CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND COMPENSATION APPROVAL POLICIES
SECTION 1. PURPOSE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
The purpose of this conflict of interest policy is to protect this tax-exempt corporation's interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the corporation or any "disqualified person" as defined in Section 4958(1)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code and as amplified by Section 53.4958-3 of the IRS Regulations and which might result in a possible "excess benefit transaction" as defined in Section 4958(0)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and as amplified by Section 53.4958 of the IRS Regulations. 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.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS
(a) Interested Person.
Any director, principal officer, member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, or any other person who is a "disqualified person" as defined in Section 4958(1)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code
and as amplified by Section 53.4958-3 of the IRS Regulations, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.
(b) Financial Interest.
A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or
family:
(1) an ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the corporation has a transaction or arrangement,
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(2) a compensation arrangement with the corporation or with any entity or individual with which the corporation has a transaction or arrangement, or
(3) a potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the corporation 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 Section 3, paragraph b, 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.
SECTION 3. CONFLICT OF INTEREST AVOIDANCE PROCEDURES
(a) 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 and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.
(b) Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists.
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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.
(c) 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 corporation 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 corporation's best interest, for
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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.
(d) 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.
SECTION 4. RECORDS OF BOARD AND BOARD COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS
The minutes of meetings of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain:
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
SECTION 5. COMPENSATION APPROVAL POLICIES
A voting member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the corporation 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 corporation for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's 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 corporation, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.
When approving compensation for directors, officers and employees, contractors, and any other compensation contract or arrangement, in addition to complying with the conflict of interest requirements and policies contained in the preceding and following sections of this article as well as the preceding paragraphs of this section of this article, the board or a duly constituted compensation committee of the board shall also comply with the following additional requirements and procedures:
(a) the terms of compensation shall be approved by the board or compensation committee prior to the first payment of compensation.
(b) all members of the board or compensation committee who approve compensation arrangements must not have a conflict of interest with respect to the compensation arrangement as specified in IRS Regulation Section 53.4958-6(C)(iii), which generally requires that each board member or committee member approving a compensation arrangement between this organization and a "disqualified person" (as defined in Section 4958(f)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code and as amplified by Section 53.4958-3 of the IRS Regulations):
1. is not the person who is the subject of compensation arrangement, or a family member of such person;
2. is not in an employment relationship subject to the direction or control of the person who is the subject of compensation arrangement
3. does not receive compensation or other payments subject to approval by the person who is the subject of compensation arrangement
4. has no material financial interest affected by the compensation arrangement; and
5. does not approve a transaction providing economic benefits to the person who is the
subject of the compensation arrangement, who in turn has approved or will approve a transaction providing benefits to the board or committee member.
(c) the board or compensation committee shall obtain and rely upon appropriate data as to comparability prior to approving the terms of compensation. Appropriate data may include the following:
1. compensation levels paid by similarly situated organizations, both taxable and tax-exempt, for functionally comparable positions. "Similarly situated" organizations are those of a similar size and purpose and with similar resources
2. the availability of similar services in the geographic area of this organization
3. current compensation surveys compiled by independent firms
4. actual written offers from similar institutions competing for the services of the person who is the subject of the compensation arrangement.
As allowed by IRS Regulation 4958-6, if this organization has average annual gross receipts (including contributions) for its three prior tax years of less than $1 million, the board or compensation committee will have obtained and relied upon appropriate data as to comparability if it obtains and relies upon data on
compensation paid by three comparable organizations in the same or similar communities for similar services.
(d) the terms of compensation and the basis for approving them shall be recorded in written minutes of the meeting of the board or compensation committee that approved the compensation. Such documentation shall include:
1. the terms of the compensation arrangement and the date it was approved
2. the members of the board or compensation committee who were present during debate on the transaction, those who voted on it, and the votes cast by each board or committee member
3. the comparability data obtained and relied upon and how the data was obtained.
4. If the board or compensation committee determines that reasonable compensation for a specific position in this organization or for providing services under any other compensation arrangement with this organization is higher or lower than the range of comparability data obtained, the board or committee shall record in the minutes of the meeting the basis for its determination.
5. If the board or committee makes adjustments to comparability data due to specific conditions, these adjustments and the reasons for them shall be recorded in the minutes of the board or committee meeting.
6. Any actions taken with respect to determining if a board or committee member had a conflict of interest with respect to the compensation arrangement, and if so, actions taken to make sure the member with the conflict of interest did not affect or participate in the approval of the transaction (for example, ai the records that after a finding of conflict of interest by a member, the member with the conflict of interest was asked to, and did, leave the meeting prior to a discussion of the compensation arrangement and a taking of the votes to approve the arrangement).
7. The minutes of board or committee meetings at which compensation arrangements are approved must be prepared before the later of the date of the next board or committee meeting or 60 days after the final actions of the board or committee are taken with respect to the approval of the compensation arrangements. The minutes must be reviewed and approved by the board and committee as reasonable, accurate, and complete within a reasonable period thereafter, normally prior to or at the next board or committee meeting following final action on the arrangement by the board or committee.
SECTION 6. ANNUAL STATEMENTS
Each director, principal officer, and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person:
(a) has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy, (b) has read and understands the policy,
(b) has agreed to comply with the policy, and
(c) has agreed to comply with the policy, and
(d) understands the corporation 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.
SECTION 7. PERIODIC REVIEWS
To ensure the corporation 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:
(a) Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information, and the result of arm's-length bargaining.
(b) Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations conform to the corporation's written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes, and do not result in iurement, impermissible private benefit, or in an excess benefīt transaction.
SECTION 8. USE OF OUTSIDE EXPERTS
When conducting the periodic reviews as provided for in Section 7, the corporation 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.
ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT
Subject to any provision of law applicable to the amendment of bylaws of public benefit nonprofit corporations, these bylaws, or any of them, may be altered, amended, or repealed and new bylaws adopted as follows:
(a) Subject to the power of members, if any, to change or repeal these bylaws under Section 5150 of the Corporations Code, by approval of the board of directors unless the bylaw amendment would materially and adversely affect the rights of members, if any, as to voting or transfer, provided, however, if this corporation has admitted any members, then a bylaw specifying or changing the fixed number of directors of the corporation, the maximum or minimum number of directors, or changing from a fixed to variable
No member, director, officer, employee, or other person connected with this corporation, or any private individual, shall receive at any time any of the net earnings or pecuniary profit from the operations of the corporation, provided, however, that this provision shall not prevent payment to any such person of reasonable compensation for services performed for the corporation in effecting any of its public or charitable purposes, provided that such compensation is otherwise permitted by these bylaws and is fixed by resolution of the board of directors; and no such person or persons shall be entitled to share in the distribution of, and shall not receive, any of the corporate assets on dissolution of the corporation. All members, if any, of the corporation shall be deemed to have expressly consented and agreed that on such dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the corporation, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the assets of the corporation, after all debts have been satisfied, shall be distributed as required by the articles of incorporation of this corporation and not otherwise.
WRITTEN CONSENT OF DIRECTORS ADOPTING BYLAWS
We, the undersigned, are all of the persons acting as the initial directors of Global Steps Group Inc., a California nonprofit corporation, and, pursuant to the authority granted to the directors by these bylaws to take action by unanimous written consent without a meeting, consent to, and hereby do, adopt the foregoing bylaws, consisting of 25 pages, as the bylaws of this corporation.
Dated: Dated:
_______________ (Chairperson) ____________________(Treasurer
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the bylaws of the corporation named in the title thereto and that such bylaws were duly adopted by the board of directors of said corporation on the date set forth below.
______________ (Secretary)