FVCC Foundation

Board Meeting

Thursday, January 19, 2006

3:30 PM, Blake Hall 140/144

 

~ Meeting Minutes ~

 

Present:      FVCC Foundation Board of Directors - Kathy Barkus, Russ Barnes, Lynn Bauer, Carol Blake, John Bowdish, Sally Elliman, Nancy Gordley, Leslie Mercord, Andy Miller, Margie Simpson, Ralene Sliter, and Paul Williams; FVCC Foundation Associate Member – Mary Gibson; Ex-Officio Member – Jane Karas, President; FVCC Staff and Administration – Ruth Ackroyd, Sue Evans, and Sheila Gestring.

 

Excused:     Steve Becker, Henry Brown, Pat LaTourelle, Donna Lawson, Kippy Redman, Cheryl Wilson, Pat Winkel, and Darrell Worm

 

I.          APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 10, 2005

Kathy Barkus motioned to approve the minutes of November 10, 2005, as submitted.  Nancy Gordley seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

II.         COMMITTEE UPDATES

 

            Executive Committee

Russ Barnes reported that the Executive Committee met Tuesday, January 17th, to review and discuss the agenda for today’s meeting.

 

Events and Projects Committee

Christmas Tree Excellence – Ruth Ackroyd referred Board Members to the green Christmas Tree Excellence ten year budget summary report behind the Financial Information tab in the Board notebooks.  There are still a few outstanding expenses, as well as revenue to be received, (Flathead Electric Cooperative will be silent auctioning the trip to the Calgary Stampede, as well as the Seattle Seahawks tickets and donating the funds raised back to the college) however, to date the Foundation will net $34,022.79 from the event.

 

Springtime in the Rockies – Ralene Sliter reported that the Springtime in the Rockies steering committee met on Thursday, January 12th.  It was agreed that the restaurants that participated in Springtime in the Rockies, 2004, (Café Max, Showthyme, Corner House Grille, Café Kandahar, and La Provence) will be contacted first regarding participating in this year’s event.  John Campbell at Lang Creek Brewery has indicated an interest in working with one of the restaurants or a local chef on a dinner that pairs fine food with beer. The Lodge in Whitefish has also indicated an interest in participating in this year’s event and may be a venue for such a dinner. (n.b. – The Lodge is unable to participate this year.  Red’s, Wines & Blues has been selected for the beer and food pairing dinner for this year.)  Springtime in the Rockies, 2004 raised over $19,000, and the committee discussed a goal of $23,000 or more for this year’s event.  Tentative dates for Springtime in the Rockies, 2006 are June 4-9, 2006.  Sue Evans has spoken with FVCC’s Public Information/Alumni Relations Specialist, Tara Roth Burkhalter, about developing a timeline for publicity for the event and a plan is being developed and will be completed once dates are finalized.  The committee is hoping to have this year’s event publicized in Flathead Living Magazine, as well as other local publications and newsletters.  In 2004, tickets for the dinners were $100 each, and tickets to the Grand Tasting were $50 each.  The committee is considering the possibility of raising ticket prices this year.  Chefs will be given a budget to work with so that the Foundation is ensured of making a certain amount on the sale of each ticket.  A 60/40 ratio has been discussed, with the Foundation getting 60% of each ticket’s price and the chefs getting 40% with which to purchase food.   This year’s Grand Tasting will be held on FVCC’s Kalispell Campus, outside under a tent.  The next meeting of the Springtime in the Rockies steering committee has been scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2006.

 

Finance and Stewardship Committee

Paul reported that he, along with Kippy Redman and Margie Simpson, under the Needs and Resources Subcommittee of the Finance and Stewardship Committee, have been working on validating the financial footings of the Foundation to clarify what is allowable in using the funds and determine amounts available for spending, which is especially pertinent to addressing the gap in funding for the College’s three new buildings.  The Committee has scheduled Thursday, February 9th, and Friday, February 10th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM to complete the canvassing of accounts, and Paul noted the committee is looking for volunteers to assist in the process.  Volunteers are asked to give whatever time they can and need not obligate themselves to the entire day.  Both the Small and Large Board Rooms have been reserved for Thursday, February 9th, and the Small Board Room is reserved for Friday, February 10th.

 

III.       TREASURER’S REPORT

Paul Williams reported on the Foundation’s Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 2005.  Total assets stand at just under $5,318,000.  Paul noted a steady increase in the value of the Foundation’s portfolio, with total resources increasing 36% from year-end 2002, 19% from year-end 2003, and 6% from year-end 2004.  Paul reported that the bottom line of total assets reported as of December 31, 2005, will increase as several year-end gifts have been made by donors through the Montana Community Foundation and we are awaiting valuation of those gifts.

 

Paul noted a pending January 2006 scholarship/program transfer of approximately $119,000.  The Foundation transfers scholarship and program money to the College twice a year.  Based on the amount of this month’s transfer, the Foundation provides just under $250,000 annually to the College in support of scholarships and programs. 

 

IV.        PRESIDENT’S REPORT

            President Jane Karas reported that spring semester classes begin Monday, January 23rd.  Final registration is being held today, January 19th and tomorrow, January 20th, and returning students may register online.

 

The college has hired Susie Burch as Director, Economic Development and Continuing Education.  Susie started her new position in mid-November.

 

The college is moving forward with it’s new buildings.  Bids are out for the Arts & Technology Building and the Occupational Trades Building and due back next week.  Contractors may bid separately on each building or on both buildings together.  Due to the complexities of construction, the completion of the Occupational Trades Building has been extended 90 days and will be ready for the spring 2007 semester.  This will not effect the completion of the Arts & Technology Building, due to open in May 2007.

 

FVCC Art Instructors will participate in an exhibit opening tonight at the Hockaday Museum.  Jane offered tickets to Board members interested in attending tonight’s opening.

 

The Legislative Fiscal Analyst has forwarded a draft of the Community College Funding Study which had been approved by the Legislature.  Jane noted the Analyst is willing to work with us and include FVCC’s comments in the study.

 

Dr. Jim Cargill, has accepted the position of President at Dawson Community College as of March 1, 2006.  Dr. Cargill has been working as the Dean of Academic Affairs at Ashland Community and Technical College in Ashland, Kentucky.

 

The college’s Nursing program is moving forward and it is hoped that the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program will be on the agenda of the Board of Nursing this spring.  (n.b. – FVCC’s LPN program will be reviewed in July.)  The program will then go to the Board of Regents for approval.

 

The college hopes to close on the land transaction within the next week.

 

President Karas reported that the Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Higher Education are looking at renaming the Colleges of Technology to Community Colleges.  Jane noted that statutes are clear on how a community college is defined, with stipulations for a locally elected Board and local tax support.  The Colleges of Technology are funded through the University System’s 6 mil levy and local taxpayers do not at this time contribute to their funding through an additional local levy.  Jane noted that we want to be sensitive to the members of our community, who are paying two taxes whereas members of the communities where the Colleges of Technology are located are paying one.

 

V.         BUILDING FOR SUCCESS CAMPAIGN

 

            Campaign Chair, Nancy Gordley, reported that approximately $85,000 has been received in gifts and pledges during the current “quite phase” of the campaign.  Visits are in progress to Foundation Board members and the Board of Trustees, and employees are participating through the purchase of bricks, pavers, and/or theatre seats.  Ruth, Sue, and Kathy Hughes, Vice President of Instruction, met with members of the Flathead Medical Society on Wednesday, January 11th, to introduce them to FVCC’s plans for the new buildings and the campaign.  Nancy thanked Lil Laidlaw for arranging the meeting.  Nancy noted that the following rooms have already been named:  The Painting Lab in the Arts & Technology Building; one faculty office in the Occupational Trades Building: and the Thelma Hetland Community Room, the Infant/Toddler Outdoor Play Area, the Lobby, and the Nap Room in the Early Childhood Education and Care Center.

 

VI.        DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

 

            Ruth Ackroyd reported that to date, the 2005-2006 annual fund drive has raised $32,920.  As Paul mentioned earlier, this number will increase following notification from the Montana Community Foundation as to the valuation of some year end gifts.  $17,602 of the total amount received has come in as unrestricted, indicating our community’s confidence in the college’s ability to allocate funding where the need is greatest.

 

            Ruth reported that both an Executive Committee and an Advisory Committee have been formed as part of the Building for Success campaign.  Committee members have identified potential donors and some visits have been conducted with those identified.  Receptions will be held in private homes to introduce potential donors to the campaign.

 

            The Foundation has partnered with Flathead on the Move to submit a grant for facilitation, mediation, and training to the Andrus Foundation.  The Foundation will administer these grant funds.

 

            Ruth expressed condolences to the family and friends of former Foundation Board member, Frank Morrison.

 

VII.      NEW BUSINESS

 

            Sue Evans reported that Carolyn Shriver, Executive Secretary to the President, is asking for a volunteer from the Foundation Board to serve on this year's Eagle Award Committee.  The Eagle Award is the highest award given by the College to an individual who has made a significant impact on the College.  Past recipients include Ivan Lorentzen, Ann Beall, Pat LaTourelle, Faith Hodges, and Mel Ruder.  Ralene Sliter volunteered to serve on the 2005-2006 Eagle Award Committee.

 

There being no other business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 4:15 PM.