Minutes: February 3, 2005

Minutes of the Board of Directors, The Special Hope Foundation

After receiving proper notice via email on February 3, 2005, a quorum of the Directors named either by the Incorporator or listed in the Articles of Incorporation, constituting the Board of Directors of this Corporation, held their meeting at this time, on the day, and at the place set forth as follows:

The following Directors, constituting a quorum of the full Board, were present at the meeting:

• Lynne O’Hara, President
• John O’Hara, Vice-President
• Mary Wilson, Treasurer
• Ed Hoskins, Secretary
• Carrie Jones
• Tracie Sloat  

Minutes Approved

The first order of business involved the review of the minutes from the previous Board Meeting on November 6, 2004. All reviewed and accepted the minutes.  

Review of Existing Business

Feedback from Previous Grantees

We have received feedback from several previous grantees. “Parents Helping Parents” used their grant money to hold 27 workshops, and they have provided 860 direct services to special needs children and families.  “Renaissance Learning Center” of Florida have created a powerpoint presentation for their programs (which we will try to get e-mailed to us).  Our grant helped them hold their first fall festival, was used to create an afternoon gymnastics class as well as a riding class. “Achieve Kids” mentioned us in their annual report.

Update on Search for New Accounting Firm

We have had a number of meetings with Leventhal/Kline to try and determine if they will be a good candidate to prepare our 990-PF and ongoing accounting needs.  Inittially, they have shown an eagerness to assume more responsibility  than we are comfortable.  At the last meeting, we authorized them to look at our current chart of accounts, and give feedback for a maximum of $500.  They insist that they want “up to 10 hours” which would be $1800.  

A motion was made to approve the amount for up to 10 hours for the initial look at our records with the intent that their performance on this task would be a good idication of our ability to work with them on an on-going basis.  The motion was unanimously passed.  It was also agreed that we would come up with at least one fall-back company in case we aren’t impressed with how this initial look goes.  

Committee Reports

Communications Committee – Ed Hoskins

Ed was once again able to create a .pdf file for the financial report.  We will also look into posting our grantees along with links on our website.

Finance & Investments Committee – Mary Wilson

Mary handed out the current budget.  Our actual numbers are within 3.2% of the budgeted amounts.

There is a new issue in regards to some new legislation that requires foundations that bring in greater than 2 million to go through an audit (which is paid for by the foundation).  Since we don’t have a huge number of grant requests coming in, it might be a good idea to hold off funding the foundation as much as planned for May of this year, which would eliminate the need for an audit.  Leventha/Kline will look into this issue for us to help us decide if this is our best course of action.  

Grant Review

The board was asked if anyone has any personal connection to any of the following organizations: Hope Worldwide, Northstar Foundation, or Smokey Hill Education Foundation.  No members had any affiliations or contact with them.

Hope Worldwide (India)

This was a group that we have previously funded.  They have requested that we provide additional funding toward the Asha Kiran government home.  One benefit to funding this group is that a small amount of money goes a long way in India.

The motion was made to grant $7,600 to Hope Worldwide this grant cycle.  The motion was unanimously passed.  

Northstar

Northstar is a new organization that raises dogs to become companions for special needs children.  The program is unique in that they bring the child and the dog together when the dog is still a puppy so that bonding can take place.  This founder of this group was seen on the Jane Pauley show.  After the airing of the program, hundreds of requests for dogs have come in, but only one offer to help fund the program (from us!).  Lynne spoke with one family where a dog had been placed, and they were absolutely thrilled with the positive affects that the dog has on their child.

The motion was made to grant $10,000 to Northstar this grant cycle.  The motion was unanimously passed.

Smokey Hill Education Foundation

This educational organization supports a number of school districts in rural Kansas.  One school in particular has a large special needs population (30%).  This is a unique situation since they have proposed to utilize the Bal-A-Vis-X program for the entire school population.  Another notable aspect to this program is that the stronger kids work with the weaker kids to promote success and relationship.

The motion was made to grant $17,000 to the Smokey Hill Education Foundation this grant cycle.  The motion was unanimously passed.  

New Business

Request to Board Members:

Due to our current low number of grant requests, the following request was made to each board member: please perform an internet search and locate ten nonprofit organizationial websites that focus on special needs causes.  Try to find organizations that match our mission statement, then send them an e-mail that describes the Special Hope Foundation so that they might fill out a pre-application questionaire.

Association of Small Foundations Trustee Seminar

It was suggested that Ed and John could attend.  They will check their schedules.

Peninsula Community Foundation Workshop on Understanding Financial Statements

Lynne would like to attend, and she asked the board if it was necessary for her to bring up this type of meeting to the board since we already budget for this type of thing.  The board decided that this was not necessary, and that she should just fill them in on what she learned.

• February 23, the Special Hope Foundation will co-host “Cross Currents in the Mainstream” along with the Disablilty Funder’s Network.  This will be a workship and a luncheon, and should be a great place for networking.
• Our next meeting is May 6th, and the secretary position is up for renawal.  Ed has agreed to sign on for another term.  It was also discussed that everyone is encouraged to bring people who may be considered as Special Hope board members at any time.
• The November meeting may turn into a retreat, possibly in Monterey.  Lynne will meet with the board member individually to discuss this.  

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the meeting, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

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Lynne O’Hara, President

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Ed Hoskins, Secretary