Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.| Identifier | Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| ORGANIZATION'S MISSION | FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION | (WFIA) THE ONLY STATE-BASED ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF THE GROCERY INDUSTRY SINCE OUR FOUNDING IN 1899. WE ARE COMPOSED OF INDEPENDENT RETAILERS, MEANING PRIVATELY OWNED OR CONTROLLED FOOD RETAIL COMPANIES OPERATING IN A VARIETY OF FORMATS, AND THE MANY WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS, FOOD VENDORS/MANUFACTURERS AND SERVICE SUPPLIERS WHO SUPPORT AND WORK WITH THEIR RETAILERS. INDEPENDENTS ARE THE TRUE "ENTREPRENEURS" OF THE GROCERY INDUSTRY AND ARE DEDICATED TO THEIR CUSTOMERS, ASSOCIATES AND NEIGHBORS AND ARE OFTEN THE HEARTS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. WFIA STRIVES TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE INDEPENDENTS AND THEIR SUPPLIERS THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT SAVE MONEY IN RETROSPECTIVE RATING AND REDUCES EXCESSIVE BURDENS OR BARRIERS FOR EMPLOYERS BY WORKING WITH STATE LEGISLATURE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. |
| FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT DESCRIPTION | FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A | WFIA FOUGHT AND WON A TWO-YEAR BATTLE WITH THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE THAT WAS POTENTIALLY THE MOST EXPENSIVE AND PUNITIVE RULE ON THE GROCERY INDUSTRY THAT WOULD HAVE APPLIED SERVICE B&O TAX (1.8%) ON ALL ALLOWANCES AND DISCOUNTS ON PRODUCTS SUPPLIED TO RETAILERS. THESE TAXES WOULD HAVE BEEN APPLIED FIVE YEARS RETROACTIVELY AND GOING FORWARD, AND ESTIMATED TO BE MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. WFIAS WORKERS' COMP RETRO PROGRAM RETURNED AN AVERAGE PREMIUM REFUND OF 32% AND A TOTAL OF OVER 2.7 MILLION TO MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN THIS GREAT MEMBER SERVICE. THE AVERAGE UPFRONT PREMIUM PAID WAS ALSO 15% LESS THAN THAT OF COMPARABLE COMPANIES IN THE STATE AND NOT IN THE WFIA PROGRAM. A BIG SAVING IN PAYROLL TAXES FOR WFIA MEMBERS. AS A RESULT OF THIS GREAT SUCCESS STORY, THE PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM GREW BY 17%. WFIA LEADING THE COALITION ON THE NO ON INITIATIVE 517 - THE INITIATIVE ON INITIATIVES, AND MANAGED THE CAMPAIGN OUT OF THE WFIA OFFICE. NUMEROUS MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN EDITORIAL BOARD INTERVIEWS, SUBMITTED OPINION EDITORIALS AND MAJOR FINANCING OF THE NO CAMPAIGN. THE INITIATIVE WAS ON THE NOVEMBER 5, 2013 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT AND PROPOSED TO STRIP THE PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF STORE OWNERS TO CONTROL SIGNATURE GATHERERS ON THEIR PROPERTY AND EXPOSE CUSTOMERS TO POTENTIALLY AGGRESSIVE PETITIONERS. MEMBER GRASSROOTS PARTICIPATION GREW IN THE 2013 SESSION. OUR FIRST EFFORT IN MANY YEARS TO BRING OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO OLYMPIA DURING SESSION TO TALK ONE-ON-ONE WITH THEIR LEGISLATORS ON IMPORTANT ISSUES TO THE INDEPENDENT GROCERY INDUSTRY RESULTED IN 51 OF 147 LEGISLATORS RECEIVING PERSONAL VISITS IN ONE DAY. WHAT A POSITIVE IMPACT OUR BOARD HAD IT WAS SO SUCCESSFUL WE ARE EXPANDING THE 2014 EVENT TO ALL MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS IMPORTANT DAY - FEBRUARY 4, 2014. IN ADDITION, WE DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR ELECTRONIC GRASSROOTS MESSAGING SYSTEM TO THE LEGISLATORS TO COMMUNICATE ON INDUSTRY PRIORITY ISSUES. HOWEVER, WE ARE STILL FAR SHORT OF OUR GOAL TO HAVE AS LEAST ONE MEMBER CONTACT IN EACH OF THE 49 LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS. ARE YOU INVOLVED? IT'S EASY AND FAST. EIGHT WFIA MEMBERS TRAVELED TO WASHINGTON DC TO VISIT WITH OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION. THE IMPACT OF PREVIOUS VISITS WAS EVIDENT AS STAFF AND OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS GREETED US AND EAGERLY LISTENED TO OUR OPINIONS ON IMPORTANT FEDERAL ISSUES. IT WAS A YEAR OF ESTABLISHING AND ORGANIZING THE NEW WFIA EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND OPEN THE FOUNDATION FOR BUSINESS. THE FIRST SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE AWARDED FOR WINTER QUARTER 2014. WFIA ESTABLISHED AN ONLINE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY WITH LEARNSOMETHING, THE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ONLINE TRAINING COURSE SPECIALIZING IN GROCERY INDUSTRY EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING NEEDS. OUR LOBBYISTS REMAINED A STRONG VOICE FOR THE INDEPENDENT GROCERY INDUSTRY THROUGH A VERY LONG SERIES OF SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS LASTING OVER FIVE MONTHS THE MAJOR VICTORIES OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS WERE WALKING AWAY WITHOUT ANY INCREASES IN GENERAL BUSINESS TAXES OR MANDATED EMPLOYMENT LEAVES AND BENEFITS. A FEW MINOR "NUISANCE" BILLS PASSED INTO LAW INCLUDING COLLECTION OF A NEW CONSUMER TAX ON PREPAID CELL PHONE CARDS AND A DISCRIMINATORY TAX COLLECTION ON SPIRITS FOR RESALE TO RESTAURANTS. THE WFIA HONORED THE 2012 IDUSTRY AWARDS TO GROCER OF THE YEAR DON STOLZ, STOLZ, INC., VENDOR OF THE YEAR COCA COLA, AND THE KEYSTONE AWARD FOR POLITICAL ACTION TO NOLAN LOCKWOOD. WFIAS SPONSORED ANNUAL WA STATE BEST BAGGER BATTLE PRODUCED THE 2013 NATIONAL BEST BAGGER ANDREW BORRACCHINI OF METROPOLITAN MARKETS. JAN GEE, PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE WFIA WAS HONORED BY HER PEERS AND THE NATIONAL GROCERS ASSOCIATION WITH THE 2013 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP AWARD. |
| ELECTION OF MEMBERS AND THEIR RIGHTS | FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 7A | OFFICERS ARE ELECTED BY THE MEMBERS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. |
| ORGANIZATION'S PROCESS USED TO REVIEW FORM 990 | FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B | THE PRESIDENT AND VICE CHAIR, FINANCE REVIEW THE TAX RETURN PRIOR TO FILING WITH THE IRS. |
| ENFORCEMENT OF CONFLICTS POLICY | FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C | QUARTERLY AT EACH BOARD MEETING, EACH MEMBER ACKNOWLEDGES THEY HAVE REVIEWED ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. ALSO AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND NEW BOARD MEMBER ORIENTATION, ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE REMINDED OF WHAT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS AND ARE ASKED TO DESCRIBE ANY CONFLICTS THEY MIGHT HAVE WITH THE ORGANIZATION. |
| COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR TOP OFFICIAL | FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A | THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REVIEWS AND APPROVES THE PRESIDENT'S COMPENSATION. |
| COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR OFFICERS | FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B | THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REVIEWS AND APPROVES THE OTHER OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION. |
| GOVERNING DOCUMENTS DISCLOSURE EXPLANATION | FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 | GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. |
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