Minutes: May 23, 2006

Minutes of the Board of Directors, The Special Hope Foundation

After receiving proper notice via e-mail on May 9, 2006, 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
• Carrie Jones
• Tracie Sloat
• Mary Wilson, Treasurer

Excused:

• Ed Hoskins, Secretary

Minutes Approved

The first order of business involved the review of the minutes from the previous Board Meeting on January 19, 2006. All reviewed and accepted the minutes.

Review of Existing Business

Updates from Prior Grantees

We received an update from Challenged Athletes Foundation.  They recently co-produced a video with Oprah.

We received an update from Bal-A-Vis-X/Smoky Hill Education Foundation.  They have met and exceeded their goals as stated to the Special Hope Foundation.  Lynne O’Hara will follow-up on their progress.

We received an update from PHP.  They too have met and exceeded their goals as stated to the Special Hope Foundation.  

We received an update from National Institute of Art & Disability.  They included a copy of a recent favorable article outlining their programs that ran in the San Francisco Chronicle.  

We received an update from Asha Kiran.  The Indian government department of social welfare is taking over a wing of Asha Kiran.

We received an update from the Hope Technology School which included copies of their recent parent newsletters.

We received an update from Oak Hill.  They now have their Sensory Integration room set up and are reviewing a program on the sexual needs of the disabled.

We received an update from Stepping Stones Growth Center.  The provided an update on their after-school program which is receiving mixed-reviews – some successes, but a mixed bag.  They mentioned funding for snacks.

Committee Reports

Finance & Investments Committee – Mary Wilson

The Finance Committee distributed the most recent Quarterly Financial Report, Investment Report, and a draft of the upcoming year’s budget.  The trustees reviewed the documentation and a brief discussion on our investment rate of return followed (we are receiving a below average rate of return at this point.)  The discussion concluded with the trustees asking the Funding Committee to evaluate SHF rate of return on their investments at the end of June 2007.  If our return has not improved then consider changes in June 2008.

Tracie Sloat moved and Carrie Jones seconded the Board motion to approve the upcoming year’s budget.  It was approved by unanimous vote of those present.  

The Finance Committee led a brief discussion of SHF 2005-06 grant distribution budget based on the Foundation’s current funding status.  This information will be used to help the trustees decide the quantity and rate the SHF will award grants over that cycle.
 

Grant Review

The board was asked if anyone has any personal connection to any of the following organizations: HOPE foundation of India; Best Buddies, CA; The Arc of San Francisco; Pacific Diversified Services; CAR; East Bay Innovations; Hope Technology School.  Mary Wilson agreed to excuse herself from the Hope Technology School grant discussion.  No members had any affiliations or contact with them.

HOPE foundation of India

The trustees discussed the opportunity to provide continued support for their Asha Kiran government home and agreed that a three-year, $51,000 grant would provide the best investment value in this endeavor.  Funds would be distributed accordingly:  $!6,000 in 2006; 17,000 in 2007; 18,000 in 2008.  This proposal and grant scheduled was moved to a vote and unanimously accepted by the trustees present.

Best Buddies, California

This organization requested $24,800 to enable them to expand into four new high school sites – up from the 32 school based clubs in the Bay Area.  There was concern among the trustees that this group is in the midst of a leadership change, leaving a leadership vacuum in their California affiliate. This was measured against the fact that this program is well-aligned with the SHF mission statement and they provide a program addressing a critical time for adolescent students with special needs.  Plus the funding is only for an expansion of the existing program.   After this discussion the trustees moved and voted unanimously to grant Best Buddies, California $24,800.

The Arc of San Francisco

The trustees commented that it was good to have a connection with this large provider of care to the disabled community.  However, the Arc receives 90% of their funding from the government.  Their request was for $50,000. It was moved and unanimously approved that they should receive a $25,000 grant.

Pacific Diversified Services

There were a few concerns about this proposal to support an employment program to supplement state funding for vocational training.  They had no central meeting space, only an administrative location.   This organization is heavily dependent on their leader and they have not grown in the 16 years of their existence.  The scope of this effort is very narrow and only benefits a small number of people.  That said, this is an innovative program with much potential so the trustees moved and unanimously approved a grant of $5,000. The original grant requested $18,000.

CAR

The Community Association for Rehabilitation requested renewed funding for their Milestones Preschool Program.  The Trustees were pleased with their progress toward full enrollment  and self-sufficiency and their hopes to help low-income children in the future.   It was moved and unanimously approved to renew their funding for the requested amount of $30,000.

East Bay Innovations

This group requested renewed funding for their Student Employment Transition program.  The trustees were pleased that this program fills a gap in service provision that many agencies miss, the transition from high school to adult services.  It was moved and unanimously approved to renew their funding at the requested level of $15,000.

Hope Technology School

Mary Wilson and Carrie Jones excused themselves from this discussion to avoid possible conflict of interest.  The trustees reviewed the HTS’s progress toward acquiring and renovating a new building for the school. HTS provided more detailed financials.  It was discussed that the SHF give a $20,000 grant now and then $80,000 after the start of the fiscal year to meet their grant request of $100,000.  This plan was moved and unanimously agreed upon by the trustees.

New Business

Quest Request

Cecilia Cruz from Quest submitted a list of changes in materials for their Sensory Integration Room.  The trustees accepted this change.

Election of Directors

After a long and vigorous debate, Lynne O’Hara was re-elected as Chairman of the Board.

Policy Update

The trustees reviewed and unanimously approved the Travel and Expense Policy.

The Conflict of Interest Policy contracts were circulated for the trustees’ updated signatures.

Next meeting September 19, 2006 at the office boardroom.  (Note the date change from the previous schedule of meetings).  5:00 for dinner.

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the meeting, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

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Lynne O’Hara, President

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Ed Hoskins, Secretary