Minutes: November 4, 2005

Minutes of the Board of Directors, The Special Hope Foundation

After receiving proper notice via email on October 14, 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
• Ed Hoskins, Secretary
• Tracie Sloat

Excused:

• Mary Wilson, Treasurer
• Carrie Jones

Minutes Approved

The first order of business involved the review of the minutes from the previous Board Meeting on August 30, 2005. All reviewed and accepted the minutes.

Review of Existing Business

The new accountant, Lynn Henley of Hood & Strong, has upped our grant budget from $70,000 a quarter to $87,000 a quarter after reviewing our current budget.  The original projections were off because our actual market values are higher than what Mary was aware of.  Also, we spent less last quarter because of this discripancy.

We need to aim for $124,000 for this round.

Grant Review

The board was asked if anyone has any personal connection to any of the following organizations: Wings Learning Center, Heritage Homes, Inc., Desert Area Resource and Training, Ann Storck Center, A Brighter Day, National Institute of Art and Diabilities, Challenged Athletes Foundation, TransAccess, Hope Technology School, Cerebral Palsy, or Center for Independent Living.  No members had any affiliations or contact with them.

Wings Learning Center

Wings Learning Center is a very small school, however, they do provide an integrated play group.  The integrated play group promotes socialization.  The difference with this program is that they incorporate “Friends to Friends”.  Friends to Friends uses puppets in order to teach typical kids what the behaviors of an autistic child really mean.  Often programs must help typical children adjust to inappropriate behaviors displayed by autistic children.  Wings Learning Center would like to provide training to do their own Friends to Friends program.

The motion was made to grant $20,000 to the Wings Learning Center this grant cycle.  The motion was unanimously passed.

Heritage Homes, Inc.

Heritage Homes, Inc. is pursuing funding for costs associated with building a private playground.  After speaking with a representative over the phone, it was determined that their main goal was to recruit more clients to their program as opposed to trying to make an impact in the community (why not a public playground?).  It was also determined that there were no specific plans to track the impact of the playground.

The motion was made to deny the request of $2,000 by Heritage Homes, Inc. this grant cycle.  The motion was unanimously passed.

Desert Area Resource and Training

It was determined that the grant request was for a program that did not include special needs children.

The motion was made to deny the request of $5,840 by Desert Area Resource and Training.  The motion was unanimously passed.

Ann Storck Center

This proposal was very vague, and when an attempt was made for details and clarification, the questions were not addressed.  It is also difficult to measure the results of a program that includes “at-risk” children.  The program may have helped them, or perhaps they didn’t have a problem to begin with.

The motion was made to deny the request of $10,000 by Ann Storck Center.  The motion was unanimously passed.

A Brighter Today

This was the most poorly written proposal that Special Hope has ever received.  There were so many problems, that it isn’t worth considering.

The motion was made to deny the request of $100,000 by A Brighter Today.  The motion was unanimously passed.

National Institute of Art and Disabilities

This is a place where the disabled can go to learn about and create art.  After a site visit, and looking through their materials, we found this program to be a perfect match for our mission.

The motion was made to grant $10,000 to the National Institure of Art and Disabilities this grant cycle.  The motion was unanimously passed.

Challenged Athletes Foundation

The beneficiaries of this foundation are people who need special prosthetics who can’t afford them.  This one made us consider disability a bit differently than in the past, since this foundation is not centered around autism.  After much discussion, we determined that this foundation certainly does fit within our mission.

The motion was made to grant $10,000 to the Challenged Athletes Foundation this grant cycle.  The motion was unanimously passed.

TransAccess

The transition from high school to adult programs is a real issue since no one is taking responsibility for this particular age group.  This program is getting results, and the executive director works directly with the school systems.  This program helps transition 733 students per year and helps them get into programs, and careers.

The motion was made to grant $15,000 (of the $30,000 requested) to TransAccess this grant cycle.  The motion was unanimously passed.

Hope Technology School

Hope Technology School is requesting $40,000 for general operating expenses, in order to keep them going during an internal transition period.  We need to get some more details from them in order to figure out what would be appropriate for us to do.

The motion was made to table this grant review until we get more financial information from them.  The motion was unanimously passed.

Cerebral Palsy

This organization provides funding for the disabled while they are on a state waiting list.  While the request is compelling, it does not provide unique or innovative services.

The motion was made to deny the request of $20,000 by Cerebral Palsy.  The motion was unanimously passed.

Center for Independent Living

This organization provides transitional preparation to disabled high school students at several school districts in Florida.  In order to better manage time and travel, they requested two laptop computers and software to enable them do remote data entry and internet access.

The motion was made to grant $5,000 to the Center for Independent Living this grant cycle.  The motion was unanimously passed.
 

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m. until 10:56 a.m. on November 5, 2005.

New Business

The motion was made to approve the financial statements.  The motion was un animously passed.

Adjournment 2

There being no further business to come before the meeting, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 11:02 a.m.

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Lynne O’Hara, President

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Ed Hoskins, Secretary