01-21-10 Agenda Envision Connection Project Executive BoardAGENDA
Meeting of the
Envision Connection Project Executive Board
Golden Valley City Hall
Council Conference Room
January 21, 2010, 7 pm
1. Approval of the Minutes of December 17, 2009
2. Proposed Community Foundation/Non-Profit
a. Golden Valley Community Foundation Overview and FAQ (revised)
b. Next Steps
3. Bridge Building Activities
a. Lilac Planting — January 25 meeting
b. Ice Cream Social — July 19
c. Dog Park
d. Buckthorn Busting
e. Garden Club
f. Neighbors Helping Neighbors
g. After School in the Valley
h. Quarterly Meeting - January 30
4. Communications
5. Recruitment of Members to the Executive Board
6. New Business
7. Future meetings
February 25
March 18
April 15
May 13
June 17
July 15
August 19
September 16
October 21
November 18
December 16
8. Adjournment
Envision Connection Project
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2009
Present: Sharon Glover, Jim Heidelberg, Helene Johnson, Linda Loomis, Philip Lund,
Dean Penk Marshall Tanick, Blair Tremere and Luke Weisberg (GVCEF Representative)
Staff: Jeanne Andre
The meeting began at 7:20 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Approval of Minutes
Tremere/Glover moved to approve the minutes of November 19, 2009 with typographical
errors corrected. Motion carried. ,
Proposed Community Foundation/Non-Profit W!,
Dean Penk reported on a meeting with Dan Blumb and Diane, Nimmer of the Golden
Valley Human Services Foundation (GVHSF)� o discuss whether that group would like to
collaborate on the establishment of a commuinity foundation. The meeting was prefatory
for a meeting with the whole group anticipated to occur on January ff1,: Dean reported that
Dan and Diane were inclined to support the proposal as, they could continue their
operations with the benefit of accepting donationsta a` 01(c)3 organization' The lack of
this option has precluded some donations,,in the past.`They requested that the Foundation
Overview include language that reflects'the mission and activities of the foundation when
it is presented to the group in Januarys l,Member asked C`h aair Loomis to take on this task,
with the understanding that the languagecould be removed ifGVHSF chooses not to be
a part of the found
Luke Weisberg reportedJhat he
Rotary, Optimists and th6 Gene
with any of the Rotary s64*
up a meeting with the'General I\
late in the day, so others could
over the i16hch hour. Blair TremE
presentation -.'The group decide,(
January 21 meeting. At that nt
discussing it with the City Co6hi
prepare a few slides td;visually;
ie.
ias informally talked to people at the Women's Club,
I Mills Foundation, but has not had a formal meeting
ed a formal presentation to the group. Luke will try to set
ills Foundation iri the next few weeks, at a time early or
,tend. The Rotary presentation would be on a Tuesday
e"ari Linda Loomis said they might be available for that
to trr�nd schedule all of the meetings before the
ting they will prepare a presentation, anticipating
I at its February 9 Council/Manager Meeting. Luke will
;present the proposed Foundation structure.
Bridge Building Activitib*�'
Lilac Planting — Dwight Townes would like his committee to meet in January to start
planning for planting in 2010. Penny Thompson -Burke is still interested in helping but is
unable to lead the initiative to maintain the existing plantings. Cathy Waldhauser had
suggested this should be a priority. Jeanne Andre suggested that this issue should be a
priority for the January meeting.
Library After School Program — The program is underway again. Blair Tremere
reported that he was able to provide the library with General Mills granola bars left over
from the Lilac Planting. Mary Anderson was appreciative and Lee Anderson at General
Mills also appreciated the additional recognition of General Mills contributions to the
community.
Envision Connection Project
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2009 — Page 2
Ice Cream Social — Jeanne Andre is waiting to hear from the Park and Recreation staff
about scheduling for 2010.
Dog Park — Linda Loomis explained that the group has been waiting to hear from the
Humane Society if it would like to partner on this project. If they agree, the next step
would be to contact the Minneapolis Park Board about expanding the park onto adjacent
Park Board property and having a three-way partnership. Marshall Tanick expressed
willingness to speak with Park Board Members he knows about the project. Linda
indicated she would seek a progress report from staff to determine if discussions can
proceed with this site, or if the group should select another site. She noted that Annie
Cleveland prefers a site in Wirth Park adjacent to the lake.
Buckthorn Busting — Blair Tremere will be meeting with Pauline Langsdorf, who chairs
the Bassett Creek Water Management Commission Education Committee, to see if it
would sponsor educational seminars on buckthorn busting. Blair would like to organize a
session for the spring of 2010, similar to the ones conducted by the City of Minnetonka.
Garden Club — Linda Loomis reported that the evening garden club continues to meet.
The most recent event involved carpooling to a meeting on Vermicomposting. Jeanne
Andre reported that the club is considering adopting gardens created by Don Brown on
Mendelssohn Road along the Highway 169 right-of-way. They want to create a xeriscape
garden to demonstrate how to design for low water conditions. Members suggested
tapping the Garden Club to help with ongoing maintenance for the lilac planting.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors — Jeanne Andre reported that this program had its first
referral, which has led to help for the homeowner from Calvary Church. PRISM is also
seeking additional resources since the scope of needs exceeds what Calvary can do.
Jeanne is also looking into seeking Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
to help pay for materials volunteers use to help maintain properties. Golden Valley must
apply for CDBG funds through a competitive process for small cities in Hennepin County.
Quarterly Meeting — Blair Tremere reported that he has been unable to get in touch with
Jolly Jenny to see if she could help plan a volunteer day. The group supported
proceeding with a meeting at the Minneapolis Crisis Nursery on Saturday, January 30.
Jeanne Andre will use the list serve to invite Bridge Builders and Bridge Builder
prospects. Board Members helped correct the contact lists of these two categories of
volunteers. Members asked Jeanne to prepare an agenda for the meeting and include the
Volunteer Day and recruitment of members to the Executive Board as agenda items.
Helene Johnson suggested that the Volunteer Day initiative could benefit from the help of
Golden Valley youth involved in the JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council)
volunteer initiative highlighted in an article that Marshall Tanick circulated at the meeting.
Marshall will try and identify a local volunteer and invite him or her to attend the Quarterly
Meeting. Dean Penk agreed to convene the meeting.
Future Meetings
Members suggested rescheduling the February meeting to be on February 28 and the
May meeting to be on May 15. The next meeting will be on January 21.
The meeting ended at 8:45 pm.
Jeanne Andre, Assistant City Manager
DRAFT FOR COMMUNITY DISCUSSION
Golden Valley Community Foundation
Several citizens and organizations in Golden Valley have explored the
creation of a community foundation to serve as a conduit for philanthropic
activity for Golden Valley civic initiatives. We invite discussion, ideas, and
involvement in the creation of this community resource.
The Golden Valley Community Foundation (GVCF) mission is to inspire
and support individuals and organizations to conceive and implement
activities that promote the city's quality of life, consistent with Envision
Golden Valley core ideas. This Foundation provides strong and effective
leadership to raise money and promote philanthropy to support this
mission.
GVCF supports events and activities that reflect the core values identified
through Envision Golden Valley, a community visioning process:
creatively connecting people and places and inspiring care for community.
Some initiatives include Run the Valley, Highway 55 lilac planting, support
for a bandshell at Brookview Park, Taste of Golden Valley, Neighbors
Helping Neighbors, Golden Valley Days Art and Music Festival, Golden
Valley Golf Classic and neighborhood celebrations and projects. Funds
raised through events sponsored by the Golden Valley Human Services
Foundation are disbursed to meet community human service needs.
Individuals, businesses, and organizations can give to GVCF in a variety
of ways. Funds are raised through donations or solicitations for specific
projects or for any GVCF activities. Individuals can give cash, stock, or
securities, or make bequests through planned giving.
The GVCF Board of directors disburses funds based upon established
criteria and decision-making processes. The GVCF is guided by input
from citizens and organizations.
For more information about this effort, please contact:
Phil Lund (612-321-0153 or philiplund (d msn. com),
Dean Penk (763-377-8606 or vochio C@yahoo. com ), or
Luke Weisberg (612-377-3043 or lukeweisberg@gmail.com)
Draft 1-15-10
DRAFT FOR COMMUNITY DISCUSSION
Golden Valley Community Foundation
Golden Valley, Minnesota
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Golden Valley Community Foundation (GVCF) is a nonprofit public charity
created by and for the people of Golden Valley. Our mission is to enhance the
quality of life for the people of Golden Valley by encouraging philanthropy,
providing services to the donors and those who serve to meet the needs of the
community.
1) What is the Golden Valley Community Foundation?
The foundation is a community resource intended to receive and disburse
funds in support of ideas and activities deemed to be a benefit to the
Golden Valley community. The foundation is a registered 501(c)3 non-
profit community foundation incorporated under the laws of the State of
Minnesota.
2) What does the foundation do?
The GVCF is the a community conduit for philanthropic giving that
receives, manages, and distributes funds to benefit the Golden Valley
community.
3) Who manages the GVCF?
The GVCF Board of Directors, which is composed of individuals who live or
work in Golden Valley. The Board is elected at an annual meeting of the
organization.
4) What is meant by community?
Community means the people who live in Golden Valley, organizations and
businesses located in and serving Golden Valley, and neighborhood or
other community groups that support activities, developments and ideas
that benefit our geographic area.
5) Why do we need a community foundation?
The City of Golden Valley is vibrant and thriving, with a business
community and residents that exhibit a deep-rooted care for the city and
its neighborhoods. Many individuals and organizations actively work on
initiatives to improve the quality of life and support the greater good of the
community. These initiatives would benefit from funding.
Revised 12-31-09
DRAFT FOR COMMUNITY DISCUSSION
The GVCF offers an organized fundraising approach to collect, manage and
distribute funds. By providing funds the Golden Valley Community
Foundation will deepen the influence of viable initiatives and provide
community focus, yielding the maximum benefit.
6) Is the GVCF organized by or connected to city government?
GVCF is an independent, self -governed community foundation. GVCF grew
out of the Envision Connection Project (ECP), which was formed as a result
of a citizen -led community initiative called Envision Golden Valley. GVCF is
now supported by Golden Valley's elected leaders and many Golden Valley
organizations.
7) How are funds used?
GVCF supports events and activities that reflect the core values identified
through Envision Golden Valley, a community visioning process: creatively
connecting people and places and inspiring care for community. (Vision Guide
available at: http://www.ci.goldenvaIley.mn.us/envision/index.htm1.)
Some initiatives include: Run the Valley, Highway 55 lilac planting, support for
a bandshell at Brookview Park, Taste of Golden Valley, Neighbors Helping
Neighbors, Golden Valley Days Art and Music Festival, Golden Valley Golf
Classic and neighborhood celebrations and projects. Funds raised through
events sponsored by the Golden Valley Human Services Foundation are
disbursed to meet community human service needs.
8) Who decides when and how money will be spent?
The GVCF Board of directors disburses funds based upon established
criteria and decision-making processes. The GVCF is guided by input from
citizens and organizations.
9) How do I give?
Individuals, businesses, and organizations can give to GVCF in a variety of
ways. Typically, funds are raised by GVCF volunteers and organizers
asking for general support of GVCF activities or to support a specific
project. Individuals can give cash, stock, securities, or make bequests
through planned giving.
10) May I give for a specific purpose?
Individuals, businesses and groups may set up or designate a specific use
for their gift as long as it falls within the guidelines of the GVCF and the
foundation's legal responsibilities.
Revised 12-31-09
DRAFT FOR COMMUNITY DISCUSSION
11) Why should I give to the GVCF?
You may want to create or support a particular activity, honor an individual
or organization, or support the community in which you live, work or raise
your family. Giving to the GVCF is an excellent way to acknowledge people
or organizations or leave a lasting legacy for the community that is an
important part of your life.
12) Is my gift to GVCF tax deductible?
GVCF is recognized by the federal government as a 501(c) (3) non-profit
organization.
All gifts to GVCF are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. You
will receive a written receipt to document your gift for tax purposes.
Revised 12-31-09
Bridge Builder Quarterly Meeting
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Minneapolis Crisis Nursery
Meeting 10 am — followed by tour
1. Call to order
2. Introductions — Dean Penk, Convener
3. Update on Bridge Builder Activities
4. Upcoming Bridge Builder Events — Next Quarterly Meeting — options for
location, conveners, dates
5. Board Member Openings
6. Adjourn to tour