2018-11-13T14:55:30-06:00 2017-12-31 742900215 MAXWELL LOCKE & RITTER LLP 401 CONGRESS AVENUE SUITE 1100 AUSTIN TX 787019682 990 2017-01-01 742148447 AUSTIN AREA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION INC AUST 5124774000 114 W SEVENTH STREET NO 800 AUSTIN TX 787013040 STEVEN KNEBEL PRESIDENT-ELECT 5124774000 2018-11-12 1 SEAN HOLCOMB P01249221 5123703200 168.215.174.114 2018-11-12 16:34:13 CS P DC6C7ECFBD9683C5A62FAF8EBB741F7613F73D4A A1DF45A4B9F1B54CB62709DB98B33E12359C108B 2017 2019-02-21 02:37:17Z AARO STEVEN KNEBEL 114 W SEVENTH STREET NO 800 AUSTIN TX 787013040 566753 0 X WWW.AAROREGION.COM X 1980 TX AARO ENGAGES ITS 110 MEMBERS IN DELIBERATIVE, STRATEGIC ACTIVITIES TO ADVANCE THE LONG-TERMECONOMIC AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF CENTRAL TEXAS. IN 2017, AARO ENGAGED ITS MEMBERS IN EFFORTS IN FIVE PRIORITY AREAS: ENERGY AND WATER, HEALTH CARE, P-16 EDUCATION, SOCIAL EQUITY AND TRANSPORTATION. 19 19 6 130 0 0 609382 504983 44340 43810 4813 17960 0 0 658535 566753 37600 86800 0 0 306376 347856 0 2500 43089 203292 197492 547268 634648 111267 -67895 566091 524262 94125 107603 471966 416659 X AARO, A NON-PARTISAN THOUGHT LEADER FOR CENTRAL TEXAS, HAS WORKED BEHIND THE SCENES ON CRITICAL REGIONAL ISSUES SINCE 1980. THE MEMBERSHIP IS AN INTENTIONALLY DIVERSE GROUP OF CENTRAL TEXAS LEADERS DRAWN FROM BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS, EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, REAL ESTATE, THE ARTS AND FOUNDATIONS. IN 2017, AARO HOSTED OVER 50 PROGRAMS ALLOWING MEMBERS TO ENGAGE IN SUBSTANTIVE AND FRANK CONVERSATIONS AROUND CRITICAL ISSUES FOR THE CENTRAL TEXAS REGION. IN ADDITION, AARO PROVIDED TEN EXCEPTIONAL CENTRAL TEXAS LEADERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN AARO'S ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE MCBEE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. AARO ALSO ENGAGED WITH LEADERS AND STAKEHOLDERS THROUGHOUT THE REGION ON A TRANSPORTATION GOVERNANCE RESEARCH PROJECT. 0 0 69742 2500 PROVIDED INFORMATION ON CRITICAL ISSUES IN 5 PRIORITY AREAS: P-16 EDUCATION, ENERGY AND WATER, HEALTH CARE, SOCIAL EQUITY AND TRANSPORTATION BY HOSTING PROGRAMS FEATURING CONTENT EXPERTS AND PROVIDING WRITTEN MATERIALS TO MEMBERS. THIS INCLUDED SIX MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS AND MORE THAN 50 ISSUE-RELATED MEETINGS IN WHICH MEMBERS WERE FORTIFIED WITH FACTS TO ALLOW THEM TO UNDERSTAND COMPLEX ISSUES AND EDUCATE OTHERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES ABOUT CRITICAL POLICY ISSUES FACING THE REGION. AS A FOLLOW-UP TO AN INITIAL INVESTMENT IN 2016, AARO PARTIALLY COVERED PRODUCTION COSTS OF A MATH RAP VIDEO THAT ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO TAKE 4 YEARS OF RIGOROUS MATH COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL. 126337 63300 43810 AARO CONTINUED ITS RESEARCH INTO BEST PRACTICES FOR A REGIONAL ENTITY TO PLAN, DESIGN, FINANCE, BUILD, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN ALL TRANSPORTATION MODES. A MAJOR BENCHMARK ANALYSIS OF BEST PRACTICES IN SEVEN COMPARABLE/COMPETITIVE REGIONS WAS COMPLETED AND DESIGN OF THE THIRD SEGMENT OF THE RESEARCH INVOLVING MEETINGS WITH KEY ELECTED, APPOINTED AND BUSINESS LEADERS THROUGHOUT THE SIX-COUNTY REGION WAS ESTABLISHED. AARO INITIATED AND COMPLETED THREE SIGNIFICANT MEETINGS WITH A LARGE GROUP OF ELECTED, APPOINTED, BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN THREE DIFFERENT COUNTIES IN THE REGION TO LEARN ABOUT PRIORITY MOBILITY ISSUES IMPACTING THEIR COMMUNITIES. 84039 21000 AARO SPONSORED INITIATIVES TO EDUCATE STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ABOUT TWO CRITICAL ISSUES: IMPLICIT BIAS AND WATER SUPPLY ISSUES. AARO CO-SPONSORED THE 8TH ANNUAL CENTRAL TEXAS WATER CONSERVATION SYMPOSIUM ATTENDED BY OVER 100 CENTRAL TEXAS STAKEHOLDERS.AARO, IN DEVELOPING ITS UNDERSTANDING OF THE MULTI-GENERATIONAL COSTS OF INSTITUTIONAL RACISM AND SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES, ALSO AWARDED A GRANT TO ENABLE 75 LEADERS OF DIVERSE ETHNICITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN BEYOND DIVERSITY TRAINING. THE POWERFUL, PERSONALLY TRANSFORMING TWO-DAY SEMINAR HELPS LEADERS AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF RACE WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF TRANSFORMING WORKPLACES AND COMMUNITIES. IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL EQUITY AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES, MANY AARO MEMBERS HAVE REGISTERED FOR THE PROGRAM. 52150 THE AARO HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE CONTINUED ITS FOCUS ON ISSUES RELATED TO HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR ALL IN 2017. CENTRAL HEALTH IS THE LOCAL PUBLIC ENTITY THAT CONNECTS LOW-INCOME, UNINSURED TRAVIS COUNTY RESIDENTS TO HIGH QUALITY, COST EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE. THE QUALITY OF LEADERSHIP ON ITS BOARD OF MANAGERS IS CRITICAL TO THE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS MISSION. WITH VACANCIES ON THE BOARD, AARO CRAFTED A PROFILE OF THE QUALITIES NEEDED IN AN EFFECTIVE MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS. AARO SUBMITTED THE PROFILE TO THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT THAT WOULD APPOINT REPLACEMENTS. THE GUIDANCE WAS WELCOMED BY ITS ELECTED AND STAFF MEMBERS AND SUPPORTED THE APPOINTMENT OF EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP.AARO ALSO RECOGNIZED THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS A CRITICAL ISSUE THAT HAD RECEIVED LITTLE ATTENTION BY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY DESPITE THE FACT THAT ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE LIVES WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS. THE AARO HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE RECEIVED INFORMATION ABOUT THE COST, PREVALENCE AND IMPLICATIONS OF MENTAL ILLNESS THROUGH A SERIES OF EXPERTS' PRESENTATIONS. IN AN EFFORT TO DISSEMINATE THE ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE TO BUSINESS LEADERS, AARO BEGAN PLANNING A MENTAL HEALTH LUNCHEON TO BE HELD IN EARLY 2018. 52150 332268 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 X 19 19 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 X BARBARA S JOHNSON 5124774000 114 W SEVENTH STREET SUITE 800 AUSTIN TX 78701 CARL RICHIE PAST-PRESIDENT 2.00 X X 0 0 0 PATRICIA YOUNG BROWN CHAIR - HEALTH CARE COMMIT 2.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH CHRISTIAN PRESIDENT 6.00 X X 0 0 0 JAY HAILEY CHAIR - SOCIAL EQUITY COMM 2.00 X 0 0 0 CLARKE HEIDRICK CHAIR - TRANSPORTATION COM 2.00 X 0 0 0 MARC RODRIGUEZ AT-LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOE BEAL AT-LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 PETE WINSTEAD AT-LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 GARY VALDEZ TREASURER 3.00 X X 0 0 0 EARL MAXWELL CHAIR - MEMBER RELATIONS T 1.00 X 0 0 0 LAURA HUFFMAN AT-LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 CATHERINE MORSE AT-LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 STEVEN KNEBEL PRESIDENT - ELECT 3.00 X X 0 0 0 TONY BUDET CHAIR - STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP TEAM 1.00 X 0 0 0 JANET MITCHELL CHAIR - P-16 EDUCATION COM 2.00 X 0 0 0 AMBER CARDEN CHAIR - ENERGY AND WATER COMMITTEE 2.00 X 0 0 0 ADRIANA CRUZ AT-LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 KAREN FRIESE AT-LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 DONNA KLAEGER AT-LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 FRANK LEFFINGWELL AT-LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 BARBARA S JOHNSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 50.00 X 184350 0 5530 184350 0 5530 1 0 1 0 0 477783 10500 16700 504983 MEAL FEES 900099 34327 34327 RETREAT 900099 9483 9483 43810 6640 6640 11320 0 11320 11320 11320 566753 43810 0 17960 86800 86800 189880 94940 91142 3798 131229 54899 55293 21037 3930 1847 1796 287 875 411 400 64 21942 10312 10028 1602 1750 1750 2500 2500 2418 2418 4857 4857 13070 122 12948 5921 5921 90284 29059 53208 8017 916 98 818 51992 48111 3881 18896 5669 11715 1512 1515 1515 BAD DEBT 3672 3672 CREDIT CARD FEES 845 845 BOOKS & SUBSCRIPTIONS 756 756 DESIGN AND PRINTING EXP 600 600 634648 332268 259291 43089 363187 263457 108186 87275 32549 20911 170355 239894 566091 524262 3588 7764 90537 87578 0 12261 94125 107603 X 175709 93663 296257 322996 471966 416659 566091 524262 -67895 12588 0 X X 0 0 0 X 367873 415191 496487 609382 504983 2393916 367873 415191 496487 609382 504983 2393916 2393916 2076 1748 2640 4468 6640 17572 2411488 287882 0.99270 0.99420 X 170355 42966 28990 2418 239893 96540 62116 13392 1693 170355 66277 37965 -6695 1007 96540 44729 19764 2358 574 66277 34810 6000 4321 403 44729 1.00000 1 0 57411 46315 11096 50775 40960 9815 20911 BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN ASSETS HELD BY OTHERS 239894 239894 PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER 12261 12261 PART V, LINE 4: AARO TRANSFERRED $25,000 TO AUSTIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WITH THE INTENT TO GROW THAT FUND SO THAT IN THE FUTURE, IT COULD SPIN OFF INCOME TO HELP FUND AARO RESEARCH. FROM 2010 THROUGH 2013 DUES PAYMENTS FROM ASSOCIATE MEMBERS WERE DEPOSITED IN THE QUASI-ENDOWMENT FUND. STARTING IN 2014, ONLY CONTRIBUTIONS SPECIFICALLY EARMARKED FOR THE FUND WERE DEPOSITED IN THE ACCOUNT. SINCE ESTABLISHING THE FUND, AARO HAS WITHDRAWN ZERO DOLLARS TO COVER THE COST OF RESEARCH OR AARO OPERATIONS. 1 AUSTIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 4315 GUADALUPE ST SUITE 300 AUSTIN TX 78751 741934031 501(C)(3) 20000 SUPPORT FOR AUSTIN MAYOR'S TASK FORCE ON INSTITUTIONAL RACISM AND SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES, SPONSORED "COURAGEOUS COVERSATIONS: BEYOND DIVERSITY" TRAININGS. TEXAS A&M TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE SPONSORED RESEARCH SERVICES 400 HARVEY MITCHELL PKWY S 300 COLLEGE STATION TX 77845 742270624 63300 RESEARCH ON EFFECTIVE REGIONAL GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IN BENCHMARK CITIES; RESEARCH ON THE CENTRAL TEXAS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND GOVERNANCE. 2 PART I, LINE 2: AARO REGULARLY MEETS WITH AND RECEIVES WRITTEN AND VERBAL REPORTS FROM GRANT RECIPIENTS. AARO RESERVES PAYMENT FOR SERVICES UNTIL PREDEFINED BENCHMARKS ARE ACHIEVED. X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BARBARA S JOHNSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 184350 0 0 0 0 0 5530 0 0 0 189880 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 1 THE AARO BY-LAWS STIPULATE THAT THE "BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL CONSIST OF FOUR (4) PERSONS: PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT-ELECT, PAST PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY-TREASURER." THE BY-LAWS ALSO STATE THAT THE "EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CORPORATION SHALL BE COMPRISED OF THE FOUR (4) DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION AND THE CHAIR OF EACH OF THE MAJOR COMMITTEES. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE DELEGATED TO IT THE FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DAY-TO-DAY AFFAIRS AND OPERATIONS OF THE CORPORATION." THE BY-LAWS DO NOT PRECLUDE THE APPOINTMENT OF ADDITIONAL MEMBERS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS DETERMINED THERE TO BE VALUE IN THE INCLUSION OF CHAIRS OF KEY TEAMS AND TASK FORCES, AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS TO SERVE IN AN AT-LARGE CAPACITY IN ORDER TO BRING VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES NOT OTHERWISE REPRESENTED TO THE DISCUSSIONS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 AARO'S ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP IS CAPPED AT 100: 50 FROM TRAVIS COUNTY, 25 FROM THE REGIONAL COUNTIES (BASTROP, BURNET, CALDWELL, HAYS OR WILLIAMSON), AND 25 AT-LARGE. IN ADDITION, SUSTAINING MEMBERS ARE INDIVIDUALS FORMERLY IN THE ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY WHO ARE RETIRED OR SEMI-RETIRED FROM BUSINESS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A THE AFOREMENTIONED MEMBERS (ABOVE) ELECT A SLATE OF OFFICERS EACH YEAR: PRESIDENT-ELECT (3-YEAR TERM AND TREASURER). THE MEMBER RELATIONS TEAM PREPARES THE OFFICERS SLATE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7B IF A DECISION IS TIME-SENSITIVE, THE GOVERNING BODY IS AUTHORIZED TO TAKE ACTION. OTHERWISE, SUCH DECISIONS ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY MEMBERS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 IS SENT ELECTRONICALLY TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO REVIEW PRIOR TO FILING. THE COMPLETE FORM 990 AND HIGHLIGHTS ARE ALSO PRESENTED AT AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING. CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS ARE HIGHLIGHTED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C PRIOR TO THE START OF EACH MEETING, THE COMMITTEE CHAIR REMINDS THOSE IN ATTENDANCE TO DISCLOSE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND REFRAIN FROM VOTING ON MATTERS RELATED TO A POTENTIAL CONFLICT. ALSO, THIS REMINDER IS IN WRITING ON A CARD AT EACH PERSON'S SEAT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 ANNUALLY, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE GOES INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE COMMITTEE REVIEWS COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR SIMILAR POSITIONS IN ORGANIZATIONS SIMILAR TO AARO. THE DECISION BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS INCORPORATED INTO THE ANNUAL BUDGET WHICH THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FORWARDS TO THE FULL MEMBERSHIP FOR REVIEW AND VOTE TO GRANT FINAL APPROVAL. IN ADDITION, DETAILS ABOUT BENEFITS INCLUDING INSURANCE, VACATION AND HOLIDAYS ARE RECORDED IN THE MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 1: MODIFIED ACCRUAL