Flathead Valley Community College Foundation

Board Meeting

Thursday, May 17, 2007

3:30 PM, Blake Hall, Room 140/144

 

~ Minutes ~

 

Present:      FVCC Foundation Board of Directors - Russ Barnes, Carol Blake, John Bowdish, Henry Brown, Nancy Gordley, Donna Lawson, Leslie Mercord, Andy Miller, Diane Morton, Aaron Mower, Kippy Redman, Jarrod Shew, Margie Simpson, Ralene Sliter, Dan Vogel, Pat Winkel, and Cheryl Wilson; FVCC Foundation Associate Members – Lil Laidlaw; A&A Chairperson – Suzy Williams; Ex-Officio Members – Jane Karas and John Engebretson; and FVCC Staff and Administration – Ruth Ackroyd, Sue Evans, Kathy Hughes, and Linda Sadler.

 

Excused:     Kathy Barkus, Lynn Bauer, and Pat LaTourelle.

 

FVCC Foundation Chair, Russell Barnes, welcomed everyone to today’s meeting.  Ruth Ackroyd introduced FVCC’s new Vice President of Administration and Finance, Linda Sadler.

 

I.          APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 8, 2007

Margie Simpson motioned to approve the minutes of March 8, 2008.  Donna Lawson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

II.         TREASURER’S REPORT

            Leslie Mercord, Interim Treasurer, reported on the Foundation’s Statement of Financial Position as of April 30, 2007.  Assets held with First Interstate Bank are up approximately $250,000 since January 31, 2007, with $148,000 representing cash deposits and $102,000 representing growth.  The Foundation’s current asset allocation consists of 43% stocks and 57% bonds and cash, and Leslie noted that we will move towards a 50/50 asset allocation during the summer and fall months. 

 

III.       COMMITTEE UPDATES

            Executive Committee

            Russ Barnes referred Board members to the proposed Slate of Officers for 2007-2009, listed behind the Board Information tab in the Board notebooks.  The proposed Slate of Officers is:

                        Russ Barnes, Chair

                        Margie Simpson, Vice Chair

                        Leslie Mercord, Treasurer

            Nancy Gordley motioned to approve the Slate of Officers as listed for 2007-2009.  Kippy Redman seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Margie Simpson reported that the Executive Committee met last week and is presenting two recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval. 

 

§         It was Paul Williams’ hope to provide funds from the Foundation to assist the college with the shortfall in money to equip the three new buildings.  With the review of accounts now complete, $150,000 has been identified as available to assist with the building project, and the Executive Committee would like to make this money available to the college during the summer months.

 

Margie Simpson motioned to commit $150,000 to the Building for Success campaign for technology, equipment, and infrastructure needs and appoint the Needs and Resources Committee to review and approve funding requests that come in over the summer.  John Bowdish seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

§         The Needs and Resources Committee, a subcommittee of the Finance and Investment Committee, has met and developed a committee job description, as well as a draft form to apply for funding for Foundation Enhancement Grants for the upcoming 2007-2008 academic year.

 

Margie Simpson motioned to allocate $10,000 to fund FVCC Foundation Enhancement Grants for the 2007-2008 academic year with applications to be made available to faculty and staff in September.  Dan Vogel seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

Ruth noted that it is planned to make the grant funding process an annual process open to all faculty and staff.

 

Research and Development Committee

Nancy Gordley referred Board members to biographical information on Suzy Williams and Stephanie Wallace, who are being nominated to the Board of Directors of the FVCC Foundation, located behind the Board Information tab in the Board notebooks. 

 

§         In 2005, Suzy Williams helped to create a special group of friends and community members.  Today, she serves as chair for The Ambassadors & Alumni of Flathead Valley Community College. Suzy has been an advocate for community colleges and together with her husband, Paul, has worked with unwavering dedication to promote FVCC.  Born in Manhattan, New York, Suzy has a degree from Penn State University and worked as a teacher.  Suzy has three grown sons.  Since moving to the Valley, Suzy has served on the boards of The Glacier Symphony and League.  She is an active community volunteer and serves as President of her PEO Chapter in Kalispell.

 

§         Stephanie Wallace, Human Resources/Community Affairs Manager for Flathead Electrical Cooperative moved to Montana in 2003.  Stephanie was born and raised in Nebraska and received a degree in International Affair’s from the University of Mary Washington in Virginia.  She went to work for the Carlson Companies in Minneapolis for thirteen years in customer service, training, and in consulting roles.  Stephanie has served on the board for Discovery Developmental Center.  Together with her husband Todd, they are parents of a “fantastic” five year old daughter, Samantha.

 

Kippy Redman motioned to accept the nominations of Suzy Williams and Stephanie Wallace to the FVCC Foundation Board of Directors.  Cheryl Wilson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

Events and Projects Committee

Spring Tours of the Bibler Home and Gardens

Sue Evans reported on the success of the spring tours of the Bibler Home and Gardens.  445 people attend the tours, raising $4,344 to support the Foundation’s scholarship fund.  Proceeds from the 2007 spring tours are over $1,000 more than spring 2006 proceeds.  Sue thanked all Board members who volunteered for the tours, and noted that summer evening tours are scheduled for July 23rd through 27th.

 

FVCC Ambassadors & Alumni Association

Suzy Williams reported that a tour of the Occupational Trades Building and the Arts and Technology Building has been scheduled for members of the FVCC Ambassadors and Alumni Association on June 28th.

Inuit Art expert, John Houston, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, will lecture on pieces in the Bibler collection this fall, October 4th and October 5th. The committee is planning a Gallery Reception and lecture by John highlighting some of the pieces in the collection at the Hockaday on Thursday, October 4th, and two or three public viewings of John’s first film, “Songs in Stone,” on Friday, October 5th in the meeting hall in the new Arts & Technology Building. The Hockaday will open the museum to the public to view the collection on October 5th in conjunction with the film viewings.

 

Christmas Tree Excellence

Pat Winkel reported that the Christmas Tree Excellence, Denim and Diamonds gala will be a combined event to be held on Friday, November 9, 2007, in the meeting hall in the Arts and Technology Building.  The planning committee has set a fundraising goal of $40,000 and plans to sell 14,000 raffle tickets.  Raffle tickets will again be five for $5.00.  Proceeds from Christmas Tree Excellence benefit the FVCC Foundation Scholarship Fund.  FVCC Culinary Arts students will be providing food for the event.  Two trees, one with a denim theme and one with a diamond theme, will be raffled, and there will be a silent auction and stockings will be live auctioned.  Ruth noted that Board members will again be asked to provide two prizes for the silent auction.

 

IV.        PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

            President Karas recognized Kathy Hughes, Vice President of Instruction, for her work on FVCC’s interim visit for accreditation on May 2nd and May 3rd.  The college received four commendations for the culture at the college, the dedication of the Board of Trustees, helpful and caring faculty and staff, and the foresight of the college in the land purchase and new buildings.  One recommendation was received from the accreditation team that the college expand what it is doing regarding assessment.  The official report from the accreditation team is expected in July, 2007.

 

            The Legislative Session ended in special session.  Jane noted that Montana’s community colleges were not included in the Governor’s tuition cap, however, the community colleges were given $150,000 for each year of the biennium for capital and program development.  Jane thanked state legislators Phil Beck of Whitefish, Doug Cordier of Columbia Falls, and Greg Barkus of Kalispell for their efforts in getting a funding bill passed for community colleges.

 

            The Board of Trustees have approved a tuition increase of $198 per semester for full time, resident, in-district students for the 2007-2008 academic year.  Jane noted that FVCC’s tuition is still in the lower quartile of Montana schools.

 

            Senate Bill 12, which provides a new funding formula for community colleges with both fixed and variable components, passed in legislature but has not yet been signed by the Governor.

 

V.         DEVELOPMENT REPORT

 

            Sue Evans reported that scholarship selection committee met on Tuesday, April 4th.  Approximately 30 community members, scholarship donors, Foundation Board members, Ambassador & Alumni Association members, and members of the Board of Trustees met to read and rate scholarship applications for 2007-2008 academic year scholarship awards.

 

            Nancy Gordley reported that the Building for Success Campaign Bulletin #2 was recently mailed to campaign donors and potential donors, as well as Foundation Board members and the Board of Trustees, and the Bulletin will be included as an insert in the June Chamber of Commerce mailings.  Meetings with members of the Campaign Advisory Committee were held in January and March.  To date, $750,000 has been raised to support the campaign, including the Foundation’s donation of $150,000.  Last year, the campaign was in its quiet phase and fundraising efforts focused on the Occupational Trades Building.  Four of the five shop bays in the OT Building have been named, and Nancy thanked Ralene and Tom Sliter and Sliters Inc. for their contribution of $30,000.  $15,000 of the Sliter’s contribution will name the Student Resource Area in the OT Building, while the remaining $15,000 will establish an endowed scholarship fund to assist students enrolled in FVCC’s Building Trades program.  Plum Creek has increased their gift of $10,000 with an additional $25,000 to name the Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC/R Shop Bay in the Occupational Trades Building.  Nancy also thanked First Interstate Bank and Jarrod Shew and Bob Schneider for their contribution of $90,000, Brent and Barb Hall and Stock Building Supply for their gift of cabinetry, and Glacier Bank for their gift of $25,000, all designated for the Early Childhood Education and Care Center.  The campaign committee has begun planning receptions in private homes for June.

 

            Ruth Ackroyd reported on First Descents, a program that provides kayaking experiences for young adults, ages 18 to 39, with cancer.  First Descents was founded by champion kayaker, Brad Ludden, son of Dr. Chuck and Gini Ludden.  Originally established in Vail, Colorado, the program is being expanded to Kalispell and Glacier National Park, as people are searching for outdoor opportunities in this area.  The Ludden’s, along with Dr. John Torgerson, have approached North Valley Hospital and FVCC looking for partnership support for the First Descents program and help promoting the program in the Flathead Valley.  First Descents is in need of a trailer with racks to transport the kayaks, and Bill Roope, FVCC’s Director, NW Montana RegionalTech-Prep Consortium and  Adjunct Instructor of Industrial Technology, has volunteered FVCC welding students to help build the racks if a trailer is purchased.  There is also an opportunity to support a local candidate with expenses to participate in the Kalispell program, scheduled for July 1 – 15 and July 23 – 29.  Several years ago, the college, in partnership with North Valley Hospital, was successful in raising funds for the FREE program which provided outdoor experiences for cancer survivors, including rafting the Missouri River and Llama trips.  Enrollment in the FREE program dwindled as it became difficult to get Montanan’s and locals to participate and activity was suspended, however, approximately $20,000 still remains in the FREE program fund held with the FVCC Foundation.  Ruth, and Carol Blake representing North Valley Hospital, would like to propose using FREE funds to support First Descents.  First Descents has agreed to put FVCC’s logo on the trailer to show the college’s involvement, and 15 tents, pads, and sleeping bags will be made available from the FREE program for First Descents participants.

 

            Dan Vogel motioned to support the First Descents program with FREE fund dollars.  Pat Winkel seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

Ruth referred Board members to Flathead on the Move’s Principles for Civil Dialogue behind the Board Information tab in the Board notebooks.  Flathead on the Move, funded by a grant from the Andrus Family Foundation, seeks to find a way to tackle tough community issues.  As a member of Flathead on the Move, Ruth has been asked to bring the Principles for Civil Dialogue to the Foundation to adopt as meeting guidelines.  To date, the Flathead County Commissioners, the City of Kalispell, the City of Columbia Falls, Montana West Economic Development, and Flathead County Family Court Services have all adopted the principles.  Discussion ensued, with some Board members noting that Board meetings are already conducted civilly with respect and others noting that it never hurts to be reminded.

 

Kippy Redman motioned to accept Flathead on the Move’s Principles for Civil Dialogue.  Donna seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

Ruth reported that the Foundation has been approved as an agency for United Way’s Combined Federal Campaign for Western Montana.  This year, Flathead and Missoula counties were combined, so the FVCC Foundation will now be covered throughout western Montana.  Through this program, Federal employees can give to FVCC through United Way.

 

The proposed meeting schedule for 2007-2008 was reviewed and Ruth asked Board members to share any concerns.

 

The annual Scholarship Luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, October 25, 2007 and invitations will be mailed in September.  The Foundation will hold its September meeting following the Luncheon.

 

VI.        STUDENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION

 

Cindy Kiefer, FVCC’s Director of Financial Aid, introduced Mary Howard and Kelly Chapman of the Student Assistance Foundation.  Kelly, Executive Vice President of Foundation Activities, noted that the Student Assistance Foundation (SAF), a nonprofit organization based out of Helena, provides students and families with the knowledge and tools to finance and pursue their post-secondary education by offering a range of programs that include grants, community outreach, counseling, and training on education finance planning. Kelly introduced Mary Howard, FVCC’s resident SAF representative, and Mary shared her responsibilities including assisting FVCC’s Financial Aid Department with exit loan counseling, helping with College Goal Sunday, and making presentations to high school students.  Mary also travels to Salish Kootenai College one day a week to serve as SAF representative on that campus.  The Student Assistance Foundation provides Acce$$ Grants to Montana colleges, and each school chooses how to use these grants.  FVCC has chosen to use this money to support students with child care expenses.  Since 2000, over $4.5 million has been awarded to Montana colleges in Acce$$ Grants, and nearly $173,000 has been awarded to FVCC.  Kelly and Mary presented a check in the amount of $58,553 to President Karas and the FVCC Foundation representing Acce$$ Grant awards for the 2007-2008 academic year, and President Karas and the Foundation Board thanked Kelly, Mary, and the Student Assistance Foundation for their generous support.

 

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 5:10 PM.