BCF Board Meeting
Minutes
February 4, 2016
President Don Ware called the meeting to order at 2:05 pm.
Members present: Don, Lori, Chenoweth, Mark, Wendy
Visitor/Trainer: Barb Gibbs
Members absent: Jennifer, Jan, Kathy, Scott
Minutes: Minutes of the January meeting were not read because of the training
Treasurer’s Report: No Report because of the training
Board Training
Barb passed out 2 handouts on Board Development and Fundraising.
Listed are key concepts shared by Barb
- Need a sound management structure
- Have in placed a good financial process
- Growth of a foundation is incremental
- Reputation of foundation is important
- Need a vision statement along with the mission statement
- Market who the Foundation helps
- Hold an annual event to showcase Foundation
- Does not need to be a fundraiser
- Can honor donors and/or grantees
- Breakfast, get-together, etc.
- Just recognize people
- Need items in press
- Branding is important
- How does the Foundation support the long term health of the community
- Need a policy in place that will answer what we would do if someone gave us $50,000
- Need a one page description of who we our and what we do with our founds
- Need policies in place on how we function – selecting new board members, giving out grants, who is eligible to receive a grant, etc.
- Need a calendar show when we do things
- Find out who are the high asset people in our community
- How do we let donors know what differences their donations make
- There is a cycle for potential donors
- Identify
- Qualify
- Strategize
- Cultivate
- Solicit
- Recognize
- Stewardship
- Repeat
- Make friends of donors, see them socially
- Make donors feel good about donating
- Show them how they are creating a better world
- What do you do if you don’t like to ask people to donate
- Practice asking until it is easier
- Ask for what you need
- Find out what they can give
- Don’t pressure
- Ask in a place that is quiet and comfortable for the donor
- Have a list of levels
- Talk about legacy gifts
- Common pitfalls when fundraising
- Talking too much
- Too impersonal or too direct
- Use words such as should or ought
- Ask apologetically
- No eye contact
- Act like you are rushed
- Break the silence too soon
- Board members need to talk to individuals about the foundation more without asking for donations
Meeting was adjourned at 3:00 pm.
- Topics for next training session on March 3, 2016 at 2:00 pm, Kirk Room:
- Developing a vision
- Goal setting
- Brainstorm a list of steps
- List values of foundation
- Updating of web site
- Calendar development
Lori Garcy, BCF Secretary