Peter,
I both agree and disagree with your proposal. Here are my thoughts and recommendations.
Thoughts:
1. Our goal here is to draft a strong donor policy that will provide the framework by which FNPS Board of Directors and Executive Committee can thoroughly vet donations/gifts prior to acceptance. A strong policy will allow the Board of Directors and Executive Committee to maintain and grow our organization without harming it in any number of ways. Potential harm can include but is not limited to, litigation, conflict of interest, appearance of (or actual) quid pro quo, perception of endorsement, and perception of “whitewashing” or exoneration of past crimes or scandals.
2. The harsh reality is that most human activity is a threat to the mission of FNPS. Human beings require food, water, shelter, and in the Anthropocene Epoch, transportation. Each of these needs has harmed and will continue to harm Florida’s native plants and plant communities. To ban donations from individuals or groups engaged in the production and/or acquisition of food, water, shelter, and transportation is simply not practical. Hence the need for a strong donor policy that will allow FNPS to grow in the most ethically responsible manner possible.
3. To selectively ban a major corporation or industry, especially those which provide support for human life, may give the appearance that FNPS is a political organization. While FNPS is not a political organization, FNPS does draft policy statements: “Policy statements are based on science, and are accompanied by background and literature supporting the FNPS position (Handbook Wiki: Policy Formation).”
Recommendations:
1. For those FNPS members wishing to selectively target individuals, corporations, or organizations for exclusion as either members or donors, I recommend that they draft a separate policy statement per FNPS standards and present it to the Board of Directors for approval. I believe that this treatment of “selective targeting” is consistent with FNPS Bylaws and should be treated as a separate issue from the general Donor Policy.
2. Add: FNPS shall accept only gifts that are deemed consistent with the public laws and/or regulations of the United States of America and the State of Florida. FNPS will closely observe the rules and guidance set forth by the Florida Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (FUPMIFA).
3. Add: The FNPS Board of Directors shall make the final decisions for the acceptance of all gifts and grants above $X,000, and for any exception to its policies and guidelines.
4. Add: FNPS will not accept gifts that are overly restrictive in purpose, preferring instead gifts with the least restrictions that allow FNPS best fulfill its mission.
5. Add criteria for acceptance of non-cash gifts/donations. Sale and disposition of property, address issues of property encumbrances, associated expenses (taxes, etc.).
6. Add a section on donor confidentiality and donor recognition. Not all donors wish to be recognized, so we should have a policy and procedure to address this.
7. Have an attorney (we can probably obtain pro-bono services) review our final draft.
Word of caution:
Only FNPS members are allowed to participate on committees, the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. Any votes, comments, and/or representations made by non-members cannot be considered as part of these proceedings.
