04-23-09 Envision Connection Project Executive Board Minutes
Envision Connection Project
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
April 23, 2009
Present: Sharon Glover, Jim Heidelberg, Helene Johnson, Linda Loomis, Philip Lund,
Dean Penk, and Marshall Tanick
Absent: Blair Tremere and Luke Weisberg (GVCEF Representative)
Staff: Jeanne Andre
The meeting began at 7:00 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Approval of Minutes
Penk/Lund moved to approve the minutes of March19, 2009. Motion carried.
Discussion with Dick Crockett, Edina Community Foundation
Dick Crockett gave a history of the Edina Community Foundation, including its formation
as a joint City/School Foundation and the decision in 2000 to establish a separate
school foundation and an independent community foundation which he now serves as
half-time executive director. Its mission is: The Edina Community Foundation exists to
advance our community as a premier place for living, learning, raising families and
nurturing leadership through the development of a strong program of philanthropy.
Mr. Crockett gave an overview of non-profits, foundations and tax-exempt status that
allows donations to be tax-deductible. He explained that the Edina Foundation planned
to seek donations for an endowment, but has moved to a model based on soliciting
funds for programs and gradually building an endowment as it establishes its identity in
the community. He noted that the Edina Foundation also has designated funds which
collect funds and offer grants for specific uses such as children or public safety or for
specific organizations. He addressed written and oral questions presented by the group
and gave information on the Edina Community Foundation budget and operations.
Blair Tremere is still working on a draft mission statement, which will be a focus of
discussion at the next meeting.
Golden Valley Days 2009
Philip Lund reported that 19-20 organizations will be represented with community
groups. The May Pole will be part of the set up and he has identified an area adjacent to
the City Hall plaza to accommodate the additional groups. PRISM will also have a bus
and collect food for the food shelf. The groups to be represented include: Chester Bird
American Legion, Big Brothers - Big Sisters, Calvary Cooperative Housing, CAPSH
(Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin), Say Yes to Chess, Friends of
the Golden Valley Library, Connection Project, Federated Women's Club, Rotary,
Women of Today, Step-To-It, Animal Humane Society, Learning Disabilities
Association, Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council, NW Suburban Optimists,
Northwest YMCA, PRISM, Historical Society and Park and Recreation.
The members signed up to work shifts in the Connection Project Booth. They will also
ask Bridge Builders to spend some time at the booth. Other suggestions were to have a
laptop with pictures of various Bridge Builder events, have buckets of sand to place
signs and buckthorn, have a lilac plant, and have handouts including the fall Bridge
Envision Connection Project
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
April 23, 2009 - Page 2
Builder Training. Philip will put lettering on the pole to help identify the area. Jeanne
Andre will see if Jan Garfield will serve as hostess for the coffee area again.
Spring Bridge Builder Recruitment Meeting - The event was considered a success.
At the next meeting the group will do a recap and plan for the fall training session.
Future Meetings
The May meeting is rescheduled to Wednesday, May 20.
The meeting ended at 9:25 pm.
Jeanne Andre, Assistant City Manager