Flathead Valley Community College Foundation

Board Meeting

Thursday, January 10, 2013

AT139

3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

~ MINUTES ~

Present: Board of Directors – Frank Garner, Nancy Gordley, Jeremy Hancock, Mark Johnson, Kayleen Kohler, Pat LaTourelle, Donna Lawson, Leslie Mercord, Andy Miller, Diane Morton, Aaron Mower, Karin Olsen, Marylou Patterson, Margie Simpson, Justin Sliter, Al Stinson, DeAnn Thomas, Stephanie Wallace, Suzy Williams, and Pat Winkel; Ex-Officio Members – Ralene Sliter; Associate Members – Marie Cheyne-Auten, Michael Auten, Mary Gibson, and Kathy Mercord. Staff –Sue Evans, Nancy Clawson, and Colleen Unterreiner; and Guests – Janice Heil and Greg Waldrop

Excused: Russ Barnes, John Bowdish, Stephanie Breck, Jim Lehner, and Lisa Schnee

I.  FACULTY PRESENTATION

Leslie Mercord introduced faculty Janice Heil, Physical Therapist Assistant Program Director, and Greg Waldrop, Building Trades Apprentice Coordinator. Janice explained the history of the program, now in its second semester. As a physical therapist who worked in hospital settings throughout her career, Janice was hired as program director to develop curriculum and complete the application for candidacy for accreditation during the first year, prior to accepting 12 students. The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program is a two-year program and referred to as a 1 + 1, meaning the first year of prerequisites can be taken anywhere. She had 17 applicants the first year and now has 40 with much out-of-state interest. A PTA assists the physical therapist with both the initial evaluation and the development of a plan of care. Both the PT and PTA execute the plan. Physical therapy is considered a wellness profession that strives to keep people active. Prior to 2010, a PT could delegate care to PT aides. Since then, new regulations stipulate that the care has to be administered by a PTA with this two-year training.

Greg said his wife told him to smile and not to be offensive. He was hired 17 years ago to meet community needs in training students to replace aging craftsmen. The Building Trades program is offered as a two-year AAS or a one-year certificate. The second year is project construction management, and students help teach the class. All classes are offered for Running Start credit. He can take up to 20 students and has had as many as 30. His enrollments are currently down due to the economy. Up until a few years ago, he could place all of his students when they graduated. The jobs are not always in this valley, and many workers have gone to North Dakota or big cities for work. For 14 years, FVCC partnered with the Flathead Building Association (local architects were also involved) to build a home each year and included the interior design classes at the high schools, as well. He hired the electrical and HVAC done, since these trades are specially licensed. Many of his students have gone on to train for these professions and have come back to work on the student-built houses. These houses have been featured in the Parade of Homes for the past 14 years. They are nice, well-built homes that sell for market value with the majority of them having been built in the Airport Road and Three Mile Drive subdivisions. For the last two years, his students have worked on a modular home, building and selling it in two pieces, to be put on a permanent foundation. In 2012, they began work on an elementary school in Olney-Bissell with the school providing the materials and the students supplying the labor and involving electrical and heavy equipment students. He has great projects lined up for next year and is quick to tell his students that the classes are more than pounding nails; they are all about math skills.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 25, 2012

Al Stinson motioned to approve the minutes of October 25, 2012. DeAnn Thomas seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

III. TREASURER’S REPORT

Justin Sliter referred to the Statement of Financial Position for December 31, 2012, in the binders. The 2.5 million dollar increase is attributable to the Fay and Thain White gift. The Provident Financial check and summary of their assets and liabilities is part of their ongoing process to liquidate. We will keep holding out to see if we get another check, although they have already more than covered what we expected to receive. Justin praised the fantastic leadership under Colleen, Jane, and Sue.

The appraisals of the Fay and Thain White gift are almost complete at just over 2 million dollars, including stocks, bonds, mineral rights, a vehicle (sold to the college at a market value of $17,500), buildings, and land, as well as some miscellaneous accounts. Justin commented that it is a wonderful surprise gift, and Colleen said it is unrestricted money but to be set up as an endowment. She will meet with the Executive Staff to discuss the college’s needs and report to the Foundation Board before deciding how to spend the gift.

IV. ACTION ITEM

Mini Grant to Culinary Arts Program for Festival of Flavors

Diane Morton explained that in years past, we have awarded the Culinary Arts program 3% of our Festival proceeds to thank them for their help. Last year we gave them $2,100. Diane moved to recommend that we give them 3% again or $3,100, due to the increase in the 2012 FOF proceeds. Karin Olsen seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

V. COMMITTEE UPDATES

Finance Committee

Leslie Mercord asked Justin Sliter to report on the allowance for uncollectable pledges for 2012. Justin reminded everyone that the Finance Committee adopted a pledge management policy back in October 2012, and part of the policy was the establishment of an allowance for uncollectable accounts. The Executive Committee determined that $3,587.50 in pledges were delinquent and uncollectable and will be written off. Over the past five years, outstanding pledges have been just under 1%.

Events Committee

Colleen discussed a special Chef’s Table to be held on April 19. Chef Howard and the Culinary students want to put on another fundraiser similar to the Titanic. It is being called “April in Paris” and will center around the 1920s, featuring French food and wines and jazz music. She will work with the Executive Committee to determine a benefit, so everyone should be thinking about this. As we found out during our retreat, we continue to have a huge need for scholarships, so maybe we should continue to build our scholarship endowment. Save the date cards will go out soon, so plan now to attend. Tickets are $150 each or $1,250 for a table of 10.

Donna Lawson announced a Festival of Flavors 2013 Committee meeting on January 17 at 1 p.m. in AT 144B. All are welcome to attend. This year’s dates are September 19-28. She said this is a brainstorming session in order to keep making our events better.

Board Development Committee

Stephanie Wallace summarized the Foundation’s Annual Retreat facilitated by Ned Cooney and said it was time well spent. Brad Eldredge provided valuable data. We learned that when students graduate from a community college, they take on nine million dollars of debt. Of our students who fill out a FAFSA, 48% of them can contribute 0 dollars to their education. It gave a real picture of who we are helping here and the need and the potential to grow scholarships to fill that need. Colleen told of the current fundraising strategies and ROI and the importance of continuing to build good relationships. The Foundation thanked Jane for her excellent relationship building. Several outcomes emerged from the retreat. The Executive Committee will develop some Foundation goals that are aligned with the college’s goals. The Donor Development, Review, and Board Development Committees will meet before the March meeting. We need a succession management plan and will develop marketing tools (messaging) for all Board members to make it easier to be consistent. Let Stephanie know your ideas for this. Stephanie thanked all who attended. In the future, maybe January is a better month than December to hold a retreat. Leslie commented on the Annual Report that was sent out before the holidays – 74% of our students receive some type of aid. It was suggested to add the “fun fact” to the agenda again.

VI. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Due to President Karas being in Helena at the Legislature, Colleen gave her report. The Broussard Center is on schedule and on budget to be open the first week in April. Ribbon cutting will take place in late April/early May with the Broussard family in attendance. The legislative session began Monday with two bills affecting community colleges: one on the funding formula and the other regarding a consistent filing deadline for both the trustees of the college and the school district. Five of our trustees met with the Board of Regents last Monday. Jane is looking forward to working with the Executive Committee to determine goals and priorities. Two study abroad programs are coming up: Venice (in its fifth year) in January and the Galapagos Islands (in its second year) in May. Upcoming theatre productions include The Rimers of Eldritch in February and the FVCC Dance Showcase in May, which involves high school students. Fulbright Scholar Karl Leonard is teaching a continuing education class on weaving. Colleen also mentioned that we have the Montana Small Business Development Center (under the direction of Chris Parson) on our campus in the Continuing Education office. In addition, the Montana Extension Center has moved in there, too.

VII. DEVELOPMENT REPORT

Grants Update

Colleen Unterreiner reported on the college’s three grants. The manufacturing grant is underway with hiring staff and the machining certificate program to begin with spring semester. Another grant is one of financial literacy with the Office of Higher Education to help students get ready for college, teaching them to learn how to pay for it and how to manage their finances while attending school. The third grant is called Big Sky Pathways with the state of Montana, and it involves connections between high school, college, and career pathways.

2012-2013 Annual Fund Update

Colleen referred to the Annual Fund Appeal summary report (behind Statement of Financial Condition in the binder). Not too much effort or cost is associated with this appeal. Not as many actual gifts come in, but some relatively large deferred annuity gifts have been received. Note the trend line. We have come a long way. We will do a follow-up drive again in June.

Spring Scholarship Awards Update

Sue Evans said the scholarship reading and rating took place in December with 80 awards totaling $23,500 for spring given to internal students. Diane Morton asked if we should award additional monies this spring, since we raised more with FOF this year. She spoke with Danelle Whitten in Financial Aid. Additional criteria will be set up for spring.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

Colleen discussed with Jane the idea of having a Foundation Table at each Chef’s Table. It is a great strategy for thanking existing friends of the college and meeting new ones. Board members will select a date to host a small group as our guests. Colleen passed around a handout of spring dates and themes. Call Nancy for reservations.

Colleen is the liaison on the board of the Kalispell Education Foundation and said they are holding a Fine Arts Night on February 25 on our campus, in partnership with our art department. We receive a $500 scholarship from them. Please think about attending.

IX. COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Festival of Flavors Committee will meet on January 17, 2013, at 1:00 in AT 144A. All are invited to attend.

Suzy Williams reported she is excited to meet with the newly-formed Alumni Council on January 22.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.