Cascade Community Foundation Minutes

CASCADE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MEETING

June 11, 2002

7:30 a.m.

Cascade Township Offices Conference Room

All seven members were present and received copies of the financial fund statement and packet of information titled "About Community Foundations".

Michael Julien gave a brief history of how and why the foundation was established. Leslie E. Tassell has committed to matching the first $10,000. in donations. The residents of the Township should be made aware of the foundation’s existence.

Jack Lewis related he had visited some other communities to find out how they are handling their foundations. He found the City of Ionia very impressive. Sparta is involved with the Kellogg Foundation in matching funds.

Sandi Parrish acknowledged Kellogg did indeed have a matching program and also a youth grant program. Allegan was very involved in the youth program.

Jack Lewis suggested inviting Lon Swartzentruber, Donor Relations Director for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, to a meeting to give all members some education in community foundations.

Sandi Parrish related the first steps should be to establish a mission statement and goals, take care of internal governing issues, learn how philantrophy happens, and identify potential donors.

Susan Roeder suggested an open house type of reception to create an opportunity for first donations.

Claude Robinson related he has been involved with fund raising through golf outings, auctions, and dinner/dances.

Sandi Parrish said those kinds of events are widely utilized by freestanding organizations. This foundation needs to engage both men and women to get them excited about giving. Events are a strategy to get donors involved. Don’t worry about making money the first year.

Jack Lewis suggested visiting the companies located in the Township and making them aware of the tax credit.

Mary Carpenter thought a walk on the township pathways would be a great fundraiser.

Pat Vredevoogd commented she appreciates Sandi Parrish’s knowledge. She would feel more comfortable after a mission statement has been established and with a little education on foundations. It may be helpful to know how many other foundations are operating within the Township.

Michael Julien thinks an article about the community foundation should appear in every Cascade Connections newsletter.

Sandi Parrish suggested the members think about what the money will go for. A well thought out plan should be established.

Susan Roeder thinks everyone is going to ask "what’s in it for me"? The group need to get organized quickly.

Michael Julien would like to schedule the next three meetings for early mornings again.

Sandi Parrish suggested the meetings be an overview from Lon Swartzentruber, then a philantrophy overview and mission statement.

The following schedule was set for meetings at 7:30 a.m. in the Township Offices:

Thursday, June 27^th

Thursday, July 11^th

Thursday, July 25^th

Mary Carpenter would like to have a fact sheet on the Treasurer’s counter for residents to pick up during tax collection.

Susan Roeder questioned if the group should be bonded.

Charles Robinson would appreciate a timetable on future meetings to plan his day and travel activities.

Jack Lewis wondered about doing some promotion during the July 4^th celebration. It was agreed that the group is not organized enough yet to attempt anything this year.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanie Neve

Deputy Clerk

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