Better Business Bureau Report for
Gateway Council of Hostelling International - USA

Better Business Bureau Report issued February 2006
Better Business Bureau Report expires February 2008


Does not meet one or more standards
This charity does not meet one or more of the 20 standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Gateway Council of Hostelling International - USA
Address: 1021 South Big Bend, #2N
  St. Louis, MO 63117
Phone: 314-644-4660
314-644-6019
Web Address: www.moonlightramble.com
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1960, Missouri
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: exists to promote cultural understanding through low cost travel, outdoor activities, and youth education.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Gateway Council of Hostelling International - USA (GCHI) does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 6: Board Policy on Effectiveness - Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

This organization does not have a board policy on assessing organizational performance and effectiveness. 

Standard 7: Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness - Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

This organization does not have a board policy on assessing organizational performance and effectiveness. 

Standard 8: Program Service Expense Ratio - Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

46.66% of this organization's total expenses are for program services. 

Standard 11: Financial Statements - Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $250,000, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $100,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

This organization did not have its financial statements reviewed by a certified public accountant. 

Standard 16: Annual Report - Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

This organization's annual report does not include a board roster, revenues, expenses, or a fund balance. 

Gateway Council of Hostelling International - USA (GCHI) meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Educational Newsletter and Organizational Development of Recreational Trips in Area Of Hiking, Canoeing, Bicycling, and Camping.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, GCHI's program expenses were:

  
Recreation 72,582
Newsletter 4,143
Total Program Expenses: $76,725
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Mark Cockson, Executive Director
Compensation*:
$39,541

Chair of the Board: Rob Dixon
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: President, Dixon Financial Services

Board Size: 14

Paid Staff Size: 1

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, print advertisements, internet
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Tax Status

              

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

              

The following information is based on GCHI's IRS Form 990 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004.

Source of Funds  
Special events 86,420
Program service revenue 47,577
Direct public support 25,337
Membership dues 3,703
Gross sales of inventory 1,309
Total Income $164,346


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 47%  Fund Raising: 9%  Administrative: 44% 

Total income   $164,346
  Program expenses $76,725
  Fund raising expenses 14,630
  Administrative expenses 73,082
 
Total expenses   $164,437
Expenses in Excess of Income   (91)
Beginning net assets   6,025
Ending net assets   5,934
Total liabilities   2,434
Total assets   $8,368


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