Flathead Valley Community College Foundation
Board Meeting
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Arts and Technology Building, Large Community Meeting Room, ATB 139
3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
~ MINUTES ~
Present:
Board of Directors – Russell Barnes, John Bowdish, Zak Dobson, Jeremy Hancock,
Kayleen Kohler, Pat LaTourelle, Jim Lehner, Leslie Mercord, Diane Morton, Lisa Schnee,
Justin Sliter, Al Stinson, DeAnn Thomas, Stephanie Wallace, and Pat Winkel; Ex-Officio
Members – Jane Karas, FVCC President; Associate Members – Michael Auten, Marie
Cheyne-Auten, Cindy Lewis, and Ellie Stimpson; Staff –Sue Evans and Colleen
Unterreiner.
Excused:
Stephanie Breck, Nancy Gordley, Donna Lawson, Andy Miller, Aaron Mower, Karin
Olsen, Margie Simpson, and Suzy Williams.
I.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 27, 2011
Jim Lehner motioned to approve the minutes of October 27, 2011. DeAnn Thomas seconded the
motion, and it passed unanimously.
II.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Justin Sliter referred Board Members to the Foundation’s Statement of Financial Position as of
December 31, 2011. Net assets total just over $11,611,000, an increase of $11,600 since
September. Outstanding pledges are down approximately $1 mill due to a year end pledge
payment from the Broussards. The endowment fund stands at $3.97 million, allocated 7% cash,
31% equities, 18% equity mutual funds, and 44% fixed income and fixed income mutual funds.
Net performance for the year resulted in a decrease of approximately 2%, however the portfolio
experienced a total increase of approximately $400,000 due to contributions. An update was
received from Provident Financial in January, along with another payment totaling $17,947.97.
As the check was received in January, these numbers are not included in the December
statement. The next scheduled disbursement will be on or about April 2, 2012.
Leslie introduced new Board member, Al Stinson, who shared some background information.
III.
INVESTMENT POLICY
Justin Sliter reviewed revisions to the Investment Policy as recommended at November’s
Foundation Board Retreat. The Finance Committee and the Executive committee have reviewed
the revised policy as outlined in the draft distributed to Board members.
Justin Sliter motioned to approve the proposed revisions to the Foundation’s investment policy.
Pat LaTourelle seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved. Colleen thanked Jim
Lehner for his hard work in spearheading the policy update.
IV.
MINI GRANT TO CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM FOR FESTIVAL OF FLAVORS
Leslie Mercord reported that the Executive Committee is proposing awarding a $2,100 (3% of
proceeds) grant to the Culinary Arts program for their help with Festival of Flavors, 2011. Colleen
noted that the Culinary Arts auction items alone brought in approximately $7,000 in proceeds,
and the students, Chef Howard, and Chef Hillary prepared pies for the kick-off event, as well as
hosted two Chef’s Tables, contributing a significant amount of time and energy towards the
success of the event.
Pat LaTourelle motioned to approve a grant of $2,100 to the Culinary Arts program. Al Stinson
seconded the motion.
Lisa Schnee noted that a member of the Festival planning committee has suggested increasing
the amount of this year’s grant to $2,500. It was noted that previously, the committee had
recommended awarding Culinary Arts 3% of event proceeds, an amount which would increase as
proceeds increase. Pat LaTourelle recommended that the planning committee could revisit the
issue while planning this year’s event and discuss increasing the percentage for next year.
The motion to approve a grant of $2,100 was approved unanimously.
V.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Events and Projects Committee
Colleen Unterreiner asked Board members to save the dates for this year’s Festival of Flavors,
2012, scheduled for September 26 – October 6, 2012.
Campaign Committee
Colleen reported that to date, $530,000 has been raised in support of the building campaign. 100
employees have made a contribution through the Power of Ten solicitation and the range of all
gifts to the campaign is as follows: 5 gifts @ $50,000; 2 gifts @ $25,000; 6 gifts @ $10,000; 10
gifts @ $5,000; 10 gifts @ $2,500; 16 gifts @ $500; 15 gifts @ $100, and numerous smaller gifts.
Dinners have been held in private homes to introduce potential donors to the campaign, and 70%
of dinner attendees have made a contribution. President Karas has been conducting individual
visits and making phone calls to potential donors. Three more dinners have been scheduled for
February and March in Bigfork, Lakeside, and Whitefish. A 3,000 piece mailing will be sent to
doctors, nurses and paramedics in Northwest Montana, as well as a mass mailing to all donors in
the database later in semester.
A Titanic Night Chef’s Table is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, 2012, (n. b. – the date of this
dinner has been changed to Friday, April 13, 2012) noting the 100th anniversary of the
Titanic’s voyage, and proceeds will benefit the building campaign. The goal is to sell 200 tickets
to the event at $150 per ticket. A seven course dinner will be served with the menu based on the
actual menu on the Titanic. Colleen noted that committee volunteers are needed.
Board Development Committee
Jim Lehner provided a summary of the retreat held on November 3, 2011, at First Interstate Bank,
noting that it was a productive session which included the review of the Foundation’s investment
policy, as well as informative faculty presentations. The Board Development committee will be
looking at new recruits for board members in the next few months and Jim requested that anyone
who has suggestions let him know.
VI.
CAMPUS REPORT/DEAN OF STUDENTS
Brenda Hanson, Dean of Students, provided a report on what the college has been doing to help
foster student engagement and success.
VII.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Jane Karas thanked Board members for their support of the building campaign.
The new building for nursing and health science programs will be located across the street to the
west of the Early Childhood Center, and the tennis courts will be moved to a new location east of
the Childhood Center, along the road of the former Osborne property. We will be taking out the
parking area behind the Eagles Nest as it has become a major thoroughfare for students walking
between buildings, and all deliveries will go to the new maintenance and custodial building, just
east of the Occupational Trades building. Small motorized carts/trucks will be used to make
deliveries between buildings. Eventually, the Master Plan calls for a student center and a fitness
center in same area as the new Health Science building, as well as a path connecting the area to
Kidsports, and a trail along river with a bridge over the Stillwater River to connect to Whitefish
Stage and Lawrence Park. The new building will house all of FVCC’s health science programs
including nursing, Anatomy &Physiology, Surgical Technology, Medical Assistant, Paramedicine,
Emergency Management, and Physical Therapy Assistant, as well as classrooms, conference
space, a student study area, a comfort room for mothers, and a student health clinic.
Construction will begin in May or June with completion scheduled for March of 2013. Building
materials will most likely consist of concrete bricks, similar to original buildings, with siding. The
architects’ first estimate has come in close to original projections with a 32,000 square foot
building coming in at $5.75 million.
The college, in partnership with KRMC, the City of Kalispell, and Flathead County recently
submitted a U.S. Department of Transportation TIGER Grant to build a trail system on the
college’s property along the Stillwater to connect trails between Kalispell and Whitefish, however,
the request was not successful. Another grant will be submitted in the future.
Spring semester starts January 18th. Headcount for fall semester was down approximately 47
students. FTE was down 150 students. Jane noted that enrollment levels are still about 30%
above those from four or five years ago.
The University system is looking at the rebranding of the State’s colleges of technology. Several
articles have appeared in the newspapers and Jane noted some miscommunication in
terminology. Community colleges by definition in Montana are supported in part by local taxpayer
dollars – in effect, a tax the local community has voted to place upon themselves, and the
colleges of technology do not meet this criteria.
Clayton Christian has been selected as Montana’s new Commissioner of Higher Education.
Formerly Chair of the Montana Board of Regents, Clay will be working with retiring
Commissioner, Sheila Stearns, throughout January and February and formally take over the
position effective March 1st.
College In-Service was held this morning and the college is preparing for an accreditation visit. A
new process has been implemented and what would normally be expected to be accomplished
during a seven year process is being completed in two years. A draft report will be submitted no
later than March 1st, and the accreditation visit is scheduled for April 16–18. Approximately seven
evaluators will be on campus to evaluate the college’s report. Also as part of In-Service, table top
emergency response exercises were conducted. Jane noted that recently a student was reported
for allegedly having a concealed weapon on campus. The college has a no weapons on campus
policy and the student has been suspended while the police are investigating the incident.
VIII.
DEVELOPMENT REPORT
2011-2012 Annual Fund Update
Colleen referred Board members to the annual fund report in the Board notebooks. To date,
annual fund contributions total over $93,000, with in $55,000 cash and two deferred gift annuities
totaling $35,000. The donors of the deferred gift annuities have requested that these funds go
toward the Nursing Endowment.
Campaign Financial Report
Pat LaTourelle reported that she has agreed to be the campaign liaison to the Foundation Board
and is using Give Me Five as her campaign slogan. She noted that currently, contributions from
members of the Foundation Board total $89,000 and she asked anyone who hasn’t yet
contributed to consider a gift of whatever amount they are comfortable with. Pat thanked Jerome
Broussard for his generous gift and continued support of Flathead Valley Community College.
President Karas reported that the college hosted a special Chef’s Table dinner for the
Broussards, and Chef’s Table will help provide several of the meals at the Event at Rebecca
Farms this year with student volunteers working closely with Mark Hogan. Colleen and Jane are
part of this year’s event team and will look at involving students and employees, as well as any
Foundation Board members who may be interested in volunteering.
Spring Scholarship Awards Update
Sue Evans reported that the college’s internal scholarship committee met at the end of December
and awarded nearly $40,000 to 56 students for the spring 2012 semester.
IX.
NEW BUSINESS
Colleen Unterreiner reported that School District 5’s Fine Arts Night is scheduled to be held at FVCC
on April 3, 2012, and a portion of the proceeds from the evening will be awarded as a $500
scholarship to an FVCC art student. The School District’s signature event will bring approximately
200 high school students to the campus.
The Ambassadors and Alumni Spring Luncheon will be held Thursday, March 15, at 12:00 noon in
AT 139. The Distinguished Alumni Award will be given out at the luncheon. Nomination forms and
publicity will be out soon, and Colleen encouraged Board members to make nominations.
Board members introduced themselves to Al Stinson and welcomed him to the Foundation Board
of Directors.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m