Oklahoma Administrative Code Title 695 - Oversight Committee for State Employee Charitable Contributions
Oklahoma Administrative Code, Title 695, pertains to the Oversight Committee for State Employee Charitable Contributions (OCSECC). This title establishes the policies and procedures for the administration of the Oklahoma State Employee Charitable Contribution Act, which facilitates the annual State Charitable Campaign (SCC).
The primary purpose of Title 695 is to ensure a well-organized, transparent, and effective charitable contribution campaign for state employees in Oklahoma.
Here's a breakdown of the key aspects covered in Title 695:
Chapter 10 - Oklahoma State Charitable Campaign Rules: This is the main chapter within Title 695 and details the regulations for the State Charitable Campaign.
General Provisions:
Purpose: To establish policies and procedures to aid in the orderly administration of the Oklahoma State Employee Charitable Contribution Act, facilitate a successful annual charitable contribution campaign, and ensure effective and coordinated program implementation.
Definitions: Defines terms crucial to the campaign, such as "federation," "local federation," "voluntary agency," "principal combined fund raising organization (PCFRO)," "undesignated funds," and "Local Advisory Review Committee (LARC)."
Oversight Committee for State Employee Charitable Contributions (OCSECC): Outlines the composition, appointment, and responsibilities of the OCSECC. This committee acts as the campaign's board of directors, approving participating charities, overseeing campaign procedures, and contracting with a non-profit organization (the PCFRO) to manage the campaign.
Meetings: Specifies rules for OCSECC meetings, including adherence to the Open Meeting Act, calling of special meetings, quorum requirements, and voting procedures.
Staff Support: Details the administrative support provided to the OCSECC, typically by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES).
Eligibility and Participation of Agencies:
Criteria for Participation: Sets forth the stringent qualifications and criteria that non-profit charitable organizations (voluntary agencies and federations) must meet to participate in the State Charitable Campaign. This often includes requirements related to tax-exempt status (501(c)(3)), financial accountability (e.g., audits for agencies with budgets over a certain amount), and a "local presence test" to ensure services are provided in Oklahoma.
Application Process: Describes the procedures for federations and agencies to apply for participation in the campaign, including submission deadlines and required documentation.
Review and Certification: The OCSECC reviews applications and certifies whether a federation and its member agencies meet the eligibility criteria.
Notification and Appeals: Outlines the process for notifying applying federations of acceptance or rejection, and procedures for hearing appeals of rejected agencies.
Campaign Administration and Procedures:
Principal Combined Fund Raising Organization (PCFRO): Defines the role and responsibilities of the PCFRO, which is typically a United Way organization, selected by the OCSECC to manage the campaign logistics, gather applications, and assist with financial obligations.
Local Advisory Review Committee (LARC): Details the organization and responsibilities of LARCs, which are local state agency employee committees that work with the local PCFRO to conduct the campaign within specific geographic areas.
Pledge Cards and Materials: Covers the development of standardized pledge cards and informational materials used throughout the campaign.
Fund Distribution: Addresses how contributions are collected, accounted for, and distributed to designated charities and federations, including provisions for undesignated funds.
Cost of Administration: May include rules regarding the reimbursement of administrative costs for local campaigns.
Compliance and Enforcement:
Notices, Complaints, Appeals, and Hearings: While some sections may be reserved, this outlines the general framework for addressing issues, complaints, and appeals related to the campaign.
Violations: Implies that non-compliance with the rules can lead to consequences for participating agencies or individuals.
Overall Purpose of the OCSECC and Regulations:
The OCSECC and the regulations in Title 695 aim to:
Provide a convenient and responsible mechanism for Oklahoma state employees to make voluntary charitable contributions through payroll deduction, cash, or check.
Ensure accountability and transparency in the collection and distribution of charitable funds.
Vet and approve legitimate non-profit organizations to participate, giving state employees confidence in where their donations are going.
Support hundreds of charities that provide vital social, health, and welfare services across Oklahoma.
Promote a culture of generosity among state employees and facilitate their civic engagement.
How to Access Oklahoma Administrative Code Title 695:
You can access the full text of Title 695 through official state resources:
Legal Research Databases: Platforms like Justia and Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute (LII) also host the Oklahoma Administrative Code.
Always verify you are consulting the most current version of the code, as regulations are subject to updates.
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