October 2024 District 196 Foundation Board Meeting Summary
Date: October 8th, 2024
Attendees: Eleven Board Members
Welcome and Introduction:
The District 196 Foundation held its latest board meeting, with Vice Chair Justin Emmerich stepping in to lead this meeting as Chair Hue Nguyen unfortunately was unable to attend. This meeting's discussions centered around financial updates, funding decisions, new initiatives and a reflection upon the board's mission.
Financial Update
Treasurer Sarah Jackson provided an overview of the current financial situation, reporting minimal changes since the last meeting. The Foundation has successfully raised approximately $4,700 in the first two months of the fiscal year, signaling a promising start. The board also approved a 25% increase in funding for the "Band for All" program, underscoring its importance to the community.
“Stop the Bleed” Funding Approval
One of the major agenda items was revisiting the potential funding of "Stop the Bleed" kits for the district. This funding will provide a first aid kit, training for nurses, and standardized backpacks that will be provided to all 36 schools across the district. After a thoughtful discussion and careful consideration, the board unanimously agreed to fund the kits, recognizing their crucial role in promoting student safety and equity.
Funding Request Rubric
One new factor that influenced the board’s decision to fund the “Stop the Bleed” kits was the funding request rubric that Melinda Hugdahl designed to provide a baseline for evaluating funding requests. However, while the rubric serves as a helpful scoring tool, the board emphasized the need to consider the unique context of each request in addition to the rubric's score. To test this approach, the rubric was applied to the "Stop the Bleed" kits, leading to a productive discussion about its future use. If you want to apply for a grant, or are just curious about the requirements, you can view the rubric here.
Fundraising Efforts and Silent Auction Plans
Later the meeting shifted to fundraising discussions, and the recent success of the "196 Gives" campaign was addressed. The board expressed deep gratitude to those who donated through this initiative, acknowledging their support as vital to the Foundation's mission. Tracey Dwight led a discussion on an upcoming Silent Auction, which will focus on community involvement. Instead of solely auctioning off items, the plan is to incorporate vendors and individuals who can offer skills and services, such as artwork or specialized tasks, fostering a broader connection with the community.
Reflection on Mission, Vision, Goals, and Priorities
The board revisited the Mission, Vision, Goals, and Priorities statements that had been decided earlier in the year. Upon hearing Superintendent Michael Bolsoni's presentation from the August meeting, the board wanted to align the Foundation’s values and goals with his in order to better serve the district. The discussion reaffirmed the importance of maintaining a strong relationship between the district and the Foundation.
Committee Updates and New Committee Formations
In addition to ongoing efforts, the board expanded its structure by establishing a Marketing/Communications Committee and a Recruitment Committee. The latter will focus on finding new board members as needed, ensuring that the board maintains a membership between seven and 16 people. These new committees are intended to strengthen the Foundation’s outreach and ensure its longevity.
Local Outreach through an Op-Ed
Finally, the board discussed the idea of writing an op-ed for local newspapers to raise awareness about the Foundation’s work. Justin Emmerich volunteered to draft the initial version, further extending the Foundation’s community engagement.
Adjournment
The meeting concluded with optimism as the District 196 Foundation continues to build on its successes and further align with the needs of the district. With new funding initiatives, strengthened committees, and upcoming community-driven events like the Silent Auction, the Foundation remains poised for continued positive impact in the months ahead.