~ MINUTES ~
Present:
II.
Board of Directors – Russell Barnes, John Bowdish, Stephanie Breck, Zak Dobson,
Nancy Gordley, Jeremy Hancock, Kayleen Kohler, Pat LaTourelle, Donna Lawson, Jim
Lehner, Leslie Mercord, Andy Miller, Diane Morton, Karin Olsen, Margie Simpson, Justin
Sliter, DeAnn Thomas, Stephanie Wallace, Suzy Williams, and Pat Winkel; Ex-Officio
Members – Chuck Jensen, Jane Karas, Kristen Jones; Associate Members –Marie
Cheyne-Auten, Michael Auten, Kathy Barkus, Mary Gibson, Dorothy Laird, Lil Laidlaw,
Carol Larson, and Cindy Lewis; Staff –Sue Evans, Nancy Clawson, and Colleen
Unterreiner; and Guests – John Rawlings, Lynn Farris.
Excused:
I.
Aaron Mower, Lisa Schnee, Ralene Sliter, and Al Stinson.
PRESENTATIONS
Art instructor John Rawlings discussed the Art Department’s Big Night 2 fundraising event for scholarships for the semester in Venice program to be held on June 22. John called the semester life changing for the students and said he feels lucky and privileged to be able to share Venice with them. Last year, the Art Department raised enough money through Big Night to support three
$4,000 scholarships and John hopes to raise even more this year.
TRIO Director Lynn Farris spoke about the Math Took Kit Enhancement Grant awarded to the
Learning Center Math Lab. Lynn noted that before submitting the grant, student difficulties with developmental math had been identified. The majority of students test into developmental math because they have been away from math for a long time, so the instructional tutorial specialists devised a plan to offer a refresher course in basic math and algebra to prepare students for the
COMPASS test, which determines class placement. They also presented some workshops and created more of a math atmosphere in the lab by hanging educational posters and providing manipulatives to help kinesthetic learners. Lynn said they will expend the rest of the grant money throughout the summer months and she expressed her appreciation for the Foundation’s support.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 15, 2012
Nancy Gordley motioned to approve the minutes of March 15, 2012. Kayleen Kohler seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
RENEWAL OF CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS
Leslie Mercord shared the following list of board members up for renewal:
Jim Lehner motioned to approve the named Board members for another three year term. DeAnn
Thomas seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Jim Lehner shared brief bios for Frank Garner, Mark Johnson, and Marylou Patterson, nominated for the Foundation Board of Directors, and Kathy Mercord, nominated for the Associate Board.
Donna Lawson motioned to approve Frank Garner, Mark Johnson, and Marylou Patterson to the
Board of Directors and Kathy Mercord to the Associate Board. Pat Winkel seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

III.
IV.
V.
VI.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Justin Sliter reviewed the Statement of Financial Position as of April 30, 2012, noting that the increase in assets from the February statement last reviewed is mainly due to fundraising for the campaign. In March, the Finance Committee approved investing up to $300,000 of the scholarship/program fund in corporate bonds, and to date, nearly $100,000 has been invested.
Clint McGarvin, the Foundation’s Portfolio Manager at First Interstate Bank in Billings, continues to search for good quality bonds with a maturity of three years or less that are earning a good return and aren’t being sold at a premium.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Executive Committee
Leslie Mercord reported that requests for proposals for audit services will be solicited this summer as the contract with JCCS is up for renewal following the audit of the 2011 financial statements.
Request letters will be mailed before the end of August. Leslie referred Board members to the
2012-2013 meeting schedule in the Board notebooks and noted the change in the March 2013 meeting time to 1:30 PM, immediately following the A & A Spring Luncheon.
Board Development Committee
Jim Lehner discussed a date for the Summer Social, which will be held immediately following the new Board member orientation, at the home of Suzy Williams. We will look at a date in July and detailed information will be sent later this summer.
Events and Projects Committee
Sue Evans gave an update on the Bibler spring tours, noting that regular tours will be held
Saturday, May 12 th , and Saturday and Sunday, May 19 th and 20 th , with tours each day at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, and a special rug room tour at 2:00 p.m., and a special Mother’s Day brunch has been scheduled for Sunday, May 13 th . All the 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon tours are sold out, as well as the Mother’s Day brunch, and a limited number of tickets are still available for the 2:00 p.m. tours. Sue will share proceed and attendance information at the September meeting.
Donna Lawson reported that the first Festival of Flavors meeting was held on Tuesday, May 1 st .
T his year’s event will kick off on Thursday, September 27 th and culminate with the Grand Wine
Tasting on Saturday, October 6 th . Donna noted that liability has become an issue at establishments that serve alcohol and Grand Wine Tasting volunteers may be required to go through TIPS Training to learn strategies that ensure responsible alcohol service.
The committee will meet again on Monday, June 4 th at 4 p.m. in BH 140 and everyone is welcome.
Leslie congratulated President Karas on being named Chairperson Elect of the American
Association of Community Colleges (AACC) for 2012-14. Leslie also reported that Jane has recently returned from Beijing, China, where she was invited to serve as an education expert with
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s delegation at the High-level Council for People-to-People
Exchange. Leslie commented that both are testaments to Jane’s leadership.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Karas discussed her trip to Beijing, noting that it was a fascinating experience and an interesting time to be in China.
Commencement is scheduled for May 11 th and FVCC will be graduating its largest class ever.
Jane expressed her appreciation for the community ’s support and thanked everyone for attending the Titanic event, giving a special thanks to the culinary students and FVCC Graphic Designer,
Sally Johnson, for her decorating talents.
DEVELOPMENT REPORT
2011-2012 Annual Fund Drive Update
Colleen Unterreiner referred Board members to the annual fund update in the Board notebooks, reporting that to date, nearly $97,000 has been raised from 75 donors. The Foundation office will mail a follow-up solicitation letter in June and will focus on support for the nursing and health science building.

Campaign Update
Suzy Williams reported that 370 donors have given just under $877,000 towards the building campaign goal of $1 million, and a public ask went out in the summer tabloid that was mailed to
40,000 addresses. The groundbreaking ceremony has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 22 nd at
11:30 a.m. with lunch following. Suzy asked that Board members who ha ven’t yet given to the campaign please consider doing so by May 22 nd to show 100% Board participation. Two large asks are still pending, and a mail solicitation will be going out this summer to area physicians.
Scholarship Report
Sue Evans reported that the college’s internal scholarship selection committee will begin meeting
May 11 th to award the 2012-2013 scholarships, and amounts and numbers will be provided. ( n.b.
– As of May 16 th , $132,686 has been awarded in FVCC scholarships to 147 different students.)
VII. NEW BUSINESS
Colleen reported that the Broussards and Rebecca Farm have asked the college to assist in gathering volunteers to help with parking and at the hospitality tent during th is year’s event, and
Colleen will get information out to Board members for volunteer sign-up times. FVCC’s EMT students will be on duty at the first aid station. A donation of $5.00 per car will be taken at the gate for breast cancer research. The dates of th is year’s event are July 12-15.
Leslie announced the summer Foundation events and dates.
Colleen reported that a special dinner will be held this summer on August 10 th . Chef Hillary
Ginepra and her summer semester students will present this event.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.