02-19-09 Envision Connection Project Executive Board Minutes
Envision Connection Project
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
February 19, 2009,
(as corrected)
Present: Sharon Glover, Jim Heidelberg, Helene Johnson, Linda Loomis, Philip Lund,
Dean Penk, and Luke Weisberg (GVCEF Representative)
Absent: Marshall Tanick, and Blair Tremere
Staff: Jeanne Andre
The meeting began at 7:13 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Approval of Minutes
PenklGlover moved to approve the minutes of January 15, 2009. Motion carried.
Fundraising to Support Bridge Builder Activities
Sharon Glover and Dean Penk reviewed materials Sharon Glover prepared and
distributed at the meeting, including: an Envision Connection Project Fundraising Plan
and a Report on Nonprofit Organizations in Golden Valley. She also distributed
photocopies of Philanthropic Foundations in the United States, prepared by the Council
on Foundations and the Handbook for Starting a Successful Nonprofit prepared by the
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. She explained her methodology to identify Golden
Valley non-profits and the nationwide categorization of non-profit organizations that is
used by Foundations to identify their funding priorities. Ms Glover has identified a goal
of raising $100,000 to support existing and proposed Connection Project initiatives and
has identified 20 foundations that would fund these type of activies. She explained the
difference between a private foundation, a non-profit, a community foundation and a
related foundation.
The members discussed the prior discussion on collaboration with the Golden Valley
Community Events Fund (GVCEF), how the creation of a separate non-profit would
relate to the Advisory Connection Project Board, and how the City collaborates with
and/or directs the GVCEF, The Golden Valley Human Services Fund, and the Crime
Prevention Fund. The members determined that the first priority is to identify the
anticipated relationship of any new entity with the City and other organizations formed
for the purpose of community building and support. Dr. Glover will gather information
about the Edina, St. Louis Park and Minneapolis Foundations. Linda Loomis will contact
the Plymouth Foundation and Helene Johnson will work with Ron Johnson, who is
preparing a presentation on community foundations for the Minnesota League of Cities
conference. The goal is to have a plan to move forward this summer.
Golden Valley Connects Outreach
Coordinated Volunteer Recruitment - Newsletter Feature - Jeanne Andre reported
that the April/May issue of CityNews will feature volunteer efforts related to the
Connection Project, Golden Valley Human Services Foundation, the Historical Society
and the Golden Valley Community Events Fund. It will also list volunteer opportunities
and highlight the upcoming Bridge Builder event.
Envision Connection Project
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
February 19, 2009 - Page 2
Golden Vallev Davs 2009 - Philip Lund has sent out letters to 13 organizations that
have previously participated in the community booths. He will also contact the Golden
Valley League of Women Voters, Calvary Cooperative Housing, the Humane Society
and District Chess Clubs to see if they will participate.
Bridge Builder Activities
Sprina Bridae Builder Trainina - Helene Johnson reported that the Bridge Builder
Coaches met and developed a framework for recruiting and supporting Bridge Builders
that has three different types of activities. She distributed an outline summarizing the
three activities. Quarterly meetings would continue with the purpose of networking and
learning about Golden Valley and its assets. A 5-year Reunion Party would seek to
recruit new people, teach them about Bridge Builders and connect them with other
activities that support the community. It was proposed that this meeting occur on
Thursday, April 16 from 7-10 pm. Jeanne Andre has reserved the Black Box Theater at
the Perpich Center for Arts Education for this event. The third type of activity would be a
longer training for people interested in starting a Bridge Builder initiative. A three-hour
session on the morning of April 25 was tentatively scheduled at the Golden Valley
Country Club (GVCC). After some discussion it was determined that this meeting might
be too close to the Reunion Party and it would be better to delay this meeting until
October. Helene Johnson will identify possible dates and Jeanne Andre will check with
Marshall Tanick about rescheduling with GVCC.
Bridae Builder Quarterlv Meetina - The Calvary Coop is the venue for the next
meeting on Saturday, February 28. Marshall Tanick has sent out reminder notices.
Dean Penk agreed to facilitate the meeting.
Buckthorn Bustina - Jeanne Andre forwarded information to Blair Tremere from the
Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund seeking proposals for 2010 funding to
further related initiatives such as the prevention and control of invasive species. He said
he will look into a community-based initiative for buckthorn removal.
Doa Park - Mayor Loomis will be working with folks interested in this initiative.
Home Maintenance - Jeanne Andre reported that Valley Presbyterian Church, Calvary
Church and PRISM have all expressed interested in supporting an initiative to assist
homeowners with dilapidated property and a few resources to upgrade their property.
City staff are working to set up a meeting to explore possibilities.
Envision (Visi) Award
Jeanne Andre reported that the City Council approved initiating an Envision Award at its
last meeting. She circulated an approach to reviewing nominations received following
the March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 deadlines. The members agreed
that staff should forward copies of the nominations to the members and recruit at least
two Board Members to meet at 6:30 pm before a regular Board Meeting to undertake a
preliminary review of the nominations and craft a recommendation to the Board.
Following Board action staff will forward the nomination to the Council to review. If the
Council is in accord with the nomination it will occur at a subsequent Council Meeting.
Envision Connection Project
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
February 19, 2009 - Page 3
Future Meetings
The next meeting will be on March 19. The members requested Jeanne Andre to
determine if the April Bridge Builder Meeting could be delayed until April 23. If not, the
Board Meeting will be rescheduled to April 23 to avoid conflicting with the Bridge Builder
Meeting.
The meeting ended at 9: 15 pm.
Jeanne Andre, Assistant City Manager