{"id":41,"date":"2015-02-24T02:14:15","date_gmt":"2015-02-24T02:14:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/olentangywatershed.org\/wordpress\/?page_id=41"},"modified":"2026-09-04T00:26:29","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T00:26:29","slug":"about-flow","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/?page_id=41","title":{"rendered":"About FLOW"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; global_module=&#8221;5435&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/FLOW-logo-type.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;FLOW logo&#8221; title_text=&#8221;FLOW-logo+type&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=&#8221;on|off|off&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Menu row desktop + tablet&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_menu menu_id=&#8221;13&#8243; show_search_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; search_icon_font_size=&#8221;12px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; menu_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_menu][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=&#8221;off|on|on&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Menu Row mobile&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_menu menu_id=&#8221;41&#8243; show_search_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; search_icon_font_size=&#8221;12px&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Menu mobile&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; menu_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_menu][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/winter-trees-Rob-Core.png&#8221; align_tablet=&#8221;center&#8221; align_phone=&#8221;&#8221; align_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px|&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; text_font=&#8221;||on||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;12px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><em>Photo courtesy of Rob Core<\/em><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;12px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>About FLOW<\/h1>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"title style-scope ytd-video-primary-info-renderer\"><strong>GreenSpot Conversations: Health of the Olentangy River<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"title style-scope ytd-video-primary-info-renderer\"><strong>A conversation with Laura Fay and Jim Palus<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Q5_EjUPyyZU\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>FLOW &#8211; our story, as told by M.O.R.P.C.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QIXwuPvZBJ4\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<div style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/1999NofHenderson-noshad.jpg\" alt=\"Olentangy north of Henderson \u00a9 George C. Anderson\" width=\"150\" height=\"230\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>View of the Olentangy River north of Henderson<\/em><br \/><em>\u00a9 George C. Anderson<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p class=\"textlarger\"><strong><span class=\"bold\"><span class=\"bluehead\">A History of FLOW<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"textlarger\">FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed) was formed as a non-profit 501c3 in August 1997. Our mission is to keep the Olentangy River and its tributaries clean and safe for all to enjoy, through public education, volunteer activities, and coordination with local decision-makers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"textlarger\">As FLOW changes to meet the environmental and social challenges of the 21st century, we are excited about the possibilities for action that lie ahead. The opportunities for communication that exist today are unprecedented and filled with potential. FLOW aims to use these to reach a larger audience, in order to instill a common regard for the resources on which we all depend.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<div><b>Financial Health and Integrity<\/b><\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div>FLOW is committed to transparency when it comes to the public, especially our donors, members, and grantmakers. Our yearly filing with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit is available below, and it contains information on our mission and programs, financial details, governance, and staff compensation.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Form-990-Return-2025.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 IRS Form 990 (link to PDF)<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div id=\"left-area\">\n<article id=\"post-41\" class=\"post-41 page type-page status-publish hentry\">\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p class=\"bluehead\"><strong>FLOW\u2019s Board of Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"textlarger\">FLOW is governed by a Board of Directors that operates according to FLOW\u2019s by-laws and makes decisions based on majority vote, although consensus is sought.<\/p>\n<p class=\"textlarger\">The Board of Directors consists of 12 dedicated members who volunteer their time and resources to ensure the success of the organization. Board members are elected by FLOW\u2019s dues-paying members (at the annual meeting) and serve 3-year terms. Board terms are staggered so that one-third of the Board, or 4 Board seats are open for election every year. Board members meet on a bi-monthly basis to provide organizational direction to FLOW staff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"textlarger\">FLOW invites those who are interested in taking an active decision-making role in the organization to apply for Board nomination. Contact us for more information on application procedures and deadlines.<\/p>\n<p>Executive Director &#8211; Dara Naraghi<\/p>\n<p>Monica Backs _ Chair<br \/>John Brett<br \/>Kathy Bruns<br \/>Chris Ellwood<br \/>Marcus Fowler<br \/>John Herchl<br \/>Holly Lorton<br \/>David Poole<br \/>Christopher Shirring &#8211; Vice Chair<br \/>Joey Smith<br \/>Kelly Thiel<br \/>Lauren Wagner<\/p>\n<p class=\"textlarger\"><span class=\"bold\">FLOW<\/span><br \/>1404 Goodale Boulevard, Suite 100<br \/>Columbus, OH 43212<br \/>Voice: 614-267-3386<\/p>\n<p class=\"textlarger\"><span class=\"bold\">Email:\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"mailto:info@olentangywatershed.org\">info@olentangywatershed.org<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Video and text mobile and desktop&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h5>\u00a0<\/h5>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/80293006928\/videos\/261861328977038\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED &#8211; video tells FLOW&#8217;s story<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Friends-of-the-Lower-Olentangy-Watershed-FLOW-80293006928\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>Thanks to a very generous gift from one of our supporters, FLOW would like to share this video of the Olentangy Watershed and what we can accomplish if we all work together to improve our greenspaces. There is a lot of pressure on our waterways but we can combat impacts if we work in the spaces we control to reduce our 40% turf grass, remove invasive species, plant native herbaceous and woody species and clean up litter. To learn more about what you can do, please see our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/?page_id=4493\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wplink-url-error=\"true\">Greenspace Implementation report.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=&#8221;https:\/\/youtu.be\/4WPO5q1t57k&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Video&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; positioning=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;70%&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||45px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Photo courtesy of Rob CoreAbout FLOWGreenSpot Conversations: Health of the Olentangy River A conversation with Laura Fay and Jim Palus &nbsp; FLOW &#8211; our story, as told by M.O.R.P.C. A History of FLOW FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed) was formed as a non-profit 501c3 in August 1997. Our mission is to keep the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<p class=\"textlarger\"><strong><span class=\"bold\"><span class=\"bluehead\">A History of FLOW<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"180\"]<img class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/media\/1999NofHenderson.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"180\" height=\"269\" \/> View of the Olentangy River north of Henderson \u00a9 George C. Anderson[\/caption]<p class=\"textlarger\">FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed) was formed as a non-profit 501\u00a9 3 in August 1997. Our mission is to keep the Olentangy River and its tributaries clean and safe for all to enjoy, through public education, volunteer activities, and coordination with local decision-makers.<\/p><p class=\"textlarger\">As FLOW changes to meet the environmental and social challenges of the 21st century, we are excited about the possibilities for action that lie ahead. The opportunities for communication that exist today are unprecedented and filled with potential. FLOW aims to use these to reach a larger audience, in order to instill a common regard for the resources on which we all depend.<\/p><p class=\"bluehead\"><strong>FLOW\u2019s Board of Directors:<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"textlarger\">FLOW is governed by a Board of Directors that operates according to FLOW\u2019s by-laws and makes decisions based on majority vote, although consensus is sought. For more details about FLOW\u2019s structure, see our <a href=\"http:\/\/olentangywatershed.org\/wordpress\/files\/WAP\/AppendixB.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Organizational Chart<\/a> <span class=\"textsmall\">(PDF: 78 KB)<\/span><\/p><p class=\"textlarger\">The Board of Directors consists of 9 dedicated members who volunteer their time and resources to ensure the success of the organization. Board members are elected by FLOW\u2019s dues-paying members (at the annual meeting) and serve 3-year terms. Board terms are staggered so that one-third of the Board, or 3 Board seats are open for election every year. Board members meet on a bi-monthly basis to provide organizational direction to FLOW staff.<\/p><p class=\"textlarger\">FLOW invites those who are interested in taking an active decision-making role in the organization to apply for Board nomination. Contact us for more information on application procedures and deadlines.<\/p><p class=\"textlarger\">Chair \u2013\u00a0Andrew Heckler<br \/> Vice Chair \u2013 Kent Halloran<br \/> Treasurer \u2013\u00a0George Williams<br \/> Alex Smith<br \/> Lisa Daris<br \/> Jim Palus<br \/> David White<br \/> Lindalee Brownstein<\/p><p class=\"textlarger\"><span class=\"bold\">FLOW<\/span><br \/> 3528 N. High Street, Ste. F<br \/> Columbus, OH 43214<br \/> Voice: 614-267-3386<\/p><p class=\"textlarger\"><span class=\"bold\">Email: <\/span><a href=\"mailto:info@olentangywatershed.org\">info@olentangywatershed.org<\/a><\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-41","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=41"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15513,"href":"https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41\/revisions\/15513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olentangywatershed.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=41"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}