Minutes: September 19, 2006

Minutes of the Board of Directors, The Special Hope Foundation

After receiving proper notice via e-mail on September 1, 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
• Ed Hoskins, Secretary (via speaker phone)
• Carrie Jones
• Tracie Sloat

Excused:

• Mary Wilson, Treasurer

Minutes Approved

The first order of business involved the review of the minutes from the previous Board Meeting on May 23, 2006. All reviewed and accepted the minutes.

Review of Existing Business

Updates from Prior Grantees

We received an update from East Bay Innovations on recent public policy changes such as the California legislature increasing their supportive employment programs and other positive developments in the state legislature.

We received an update from Benetech.  They have taken their literacy tool from prototype to viable product.  They have also acquired pictures/images for free.  For more information go to www.route66literacy.org.

We received an update from Bal-a-vis-x.  The Principal of the school using Bal-A-Vis-X enthusiastically endorsed it.

We received an update from Achieve Kids.  They have met or exceeded most of their goals but can’t place all students over 16 years old.  Their goal is to enroll 97 students and their actual is 102 enrolled.

We received an update from Trans Access.  Their goal was to serve 770 students and they actually served 946, with 88.5% of their seniors graduating (goal = 85%).

Committee Reports

Chairman Lynne O’Hara passed out updated SHF Grantmaking Guidelines and the SHF’s official Travel and Other Expense Reimbursement Policy guidelines.

Finance & Investments Committee – Lynne O’Hara

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.  The SHF’s investments increased by $27,647.33 which led to higher taxes.  The Foundation’s portfolio is off for the next year or so due to our recent funding.  Soon our portfolio balance will shift to better match our benchmarks.  

The year-end budget (6/30/06) showed changes in amount gained from investments, grants distributed, and taxes on earnings.  The SHF 5% threshold is now $900,000, up from $750,000.  This of course, means that the Foundation will have to grant more funds than in previous years, with an estimated $277,00 to give away in the next grant cycle and then $450,000 in the cycle following.

Audit Committee – Tracie Sloat

Tracie Sloat, chair of the Audit Committee, reported that the Foundation’s audit has started as planned.

Grant Review

The board was asked if anyone has any personal connection to any of the following organizations:  Camp del Corazon, Common Ground, Exceptional Children’s Foundation, Home for our Troops, Special Olympics, Sunshine Kids Club.  No members had any affiliations or contact with them.

Camp del Corazon

This organization requested $10,000 in general support for a medially supervised seasonal residential camp for children with severe cardiac disease. The trustees discussed at length the pros and cons of this request. It was decided that their high overhead was concerning plus they did not provide all the necessary financial documents as requested by SHF.  It was moved to a vote and the trustees declined to fund this proposal.

Common Ground Outdoor Adventures

This organization requested $25,000 to expand their existing adaptive ski program including the purchase of additional equipment and increased instructor time.   After this discussion the trustees moved and voted unanimously to grant Common Ground $25,000.

Exceptional Children’s Foundation

This organization requested $25,000 to expand transition the current Early Start Program to an inclusive program for infant and children, ages 0-3 years old.   After this discussion the trustees moved and voted unanimously to grant Exceptional Children’s Foundation $25,000.

Home for our Troops

This organization requested $50,000 to cover some of the costs of building an accessible home for a disabled veteran of the war in Iraq.  The trustees discussed concerns that only six houses have been build so far and that this project doesn’t necessarily challenge the public’s perception of the disabled.  That said, this is an innovative program with much potential so the trustees moved to table this proposal until May of 2007.

Special Olympics of Connecticut

This organization requested $36,000 to cover the costs of an administrative support person and the production of a documentary for their Unified Sports Program.  It was moved and unanimously approved to fund for the requested amount of $36,000.

Sunshine Kids Club

This group requested $34,000 to support their fully inclusive recreational program serving both developmentally disabled and typically developing youth in Butte County.  It was moved and unanimously approved to fund at the requested level of $34,000.

Special Needs Aquatic Program (SNAP)

This organization requested $20,000 over the next three years to cover general operating.  It was discussed that the SHF give a $20,000 grant now and also a $5,000 capacity grant and then review their progress next year before deciding whether to continue the grant.  This plan was moved and unanimously agreed upon by the trustees.

New Business

Meeting Calendar

Lynne O’Hara will email a calendar of Board meeting options for 2007.

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the meeting, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m.

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Lynne O’Hara, President

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Ed Hoskins, Secretary