Middlesex United Way
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The mission of Middlesex United Way is to mobilize the caring power of communities to strengthen
lives and help people.
BOARD MINUTES
April 10, 2013
12:00 Noon
deKoven House
Presiding: William L. Holder
Directors Present: Vin Capece, Patricia Charles, Jean D’Aquila, David Director, Allison Dowe, Christine
Fahey, Faith Jackson, Wilfredo Nieves, Lindsay Parke, Quentin Phipps, Kristen Roberts, Joseph
Santaniello, Martha R. Temple, William E. Wrang III.
Staff Present: Ed Bonilla, Dee Tulinski, Kati Hensel, Jennifer Sprague, Kevin Wilhelm.
Others Present: Gary Gomola
Directors Absent: Deborah C. Bochain, Harry E. Burr, Philip Coles, Shirley G. Dickes, Cheryl Duey,
Judith Felton, Carl Fortuna, Arthur V. McDowell III, Jay Mills, Linda Morales, David Reynolds, Rosario A.
Rizzo, Jean Adams Shaw, Gary Simonsen, Kelly Smith, Clifford O. Straub.
Call to Order: William L. Holder called the meeting to order at 12:05 pm.
1. Holder welcomed new Board Member Joseph Santaniello who has replaced Anne Ryczek as
chair of the Young Leaders Society.
2. Holder announced the resignation of Jim Mansey from the Board and reminded the board
they could bring forward suggestions for new members.
3. Wilhelm stated we need someone between now and June for Mansey’s term, ending 2015.
4. Kristen Roberts, on behalf of Comcast, presented a check in the amount of $5,000.
Action Items:
1. Minutes of February 13, 2013 Meeting: A motion by Jackson, seconded by Wrang to
approve the minutes from the February 13, 2013 meeting passed unanimously.
2. February 13 Financials / Dashboard: Dowe presented the financials and financial
dashboard ending February 28, 2013.
a. Total revenues for the first 8 months of the fiscal year totaled $1,147,828 and were
unfavorable to the budget by $32,948.
b. Campaign revenues were unfavorable by $31,428 and account for almost 100% of
the total revenue variance.
c. Other income is unfavorable to budget by $1,520 with sponsorship under budget by
$21,017 and spending policy funds and other revenue showing over budget by
$19,497.
d. Total Cash Disbursements are ($30,566) or 2.6% under budget for the fiscal year.
e. Disbursements for Program Services are $(17,144) lower than budget.
f. Administrative expenses are 5.2% under budget, for a favorable variance of
$(13,422).
g. The net total of our revenue and disbursements through February is $21,015
(revenue exceeding expense).
A motion by Director, seconded by D’Aquila to approve the February 2013 Financials passed
unanimously.
GIVE:
1. Campaign Projections: Gomola and Hensel reported confirmed results of $1,393,196 and
preliminary results (not yet in database) of $71,214. With an additional $100,000 in
sponsorships, they announced a result thus far of $1,564,410.
a. Key unknown accounts came in last year at $214,005, so Gomola and Hensel
estimate that if those accounts are flat, we will come in at $1,778,415, or about
$51,000 shy of budget. If those accounts are 90% of last year, we will come in at
$1,757,015, or $72,000 shy of budget. Hensel also stated she thinks there is an
opportunity to surpass budget.
b. Hensel announced some key wins and losses.
c. Quentin Phipps asked for participation rates and Lindsay Parke asked if
designations like those at CL&P hurt us.
d. Gomola asked Board Members for help making up the $50,000-$70,000 in losses by
reaching out to gain new accounts. He went through a list of 14 companies and
asked for volunteers to reach out to each one. Several Board Members
volunteered, including Jean D’Aquila, Bill Wrang, Pat Charles, and David Director.
2. Awards Breakfast: Hensel encouraged everyone to attend the Campaign Awards Breakfast
on May 1. She announced that Chief William McKenna of the Middletown Police
Department and Chandler Howard of Liberty Bank will both be honored with Leadership
Awards.
3. Relationship Building Opportunities: Hensel reminded the Board of the sheet distributed
at the last meeting detailing opportunities around giving, advocating and volunteering. She
asked all members to please let her know how they are willing to help.
4. Leadership Roast: Wilhelm announced that this year’s Leadership Roast will honor Patti
Vassia. The event will be held on October 16 and also move to the Courtyard MarriottCromwell, as it has outgrown the Inn at Middletown.
ADVOCATE:
1. Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund (HSRF): Ed Bonilla reported on the HSRF.
a. United Way of New York City looked at communities effected based on their FEMA
claims. Middlesex County has received $60,000, and another $30,000 will be made
available.
b. Old Saybrook, Westbrook and Clinton have received money, and the social service
coordinators with each town are the contacts.
c. Residents can apply for things FEMA and insurance won’t cover. An application
came in for $2,000 from Westbrook for replacement of lost wages and food
replacement. Another application from Old Saybrook came in for $32,000.
d. The Community Impact Council will evaluate all applications.
e. David Director said a lot of people don’t know United Way is involved in the
Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund and this is an opportunity to promote our
involvement.
VOLUNTEER:
1. Women’s Initiative:
a. Hensel announced that the Women’s Initiative is taking part in the Women’s Forum
April 15 at Middlesex Community College. The session “Understanding Your Credit
Report” will help women be more confident in their finances.
b. Hensel invited everyone to attend Power of the Purse June 27. The event will
feature live music and a photo booth. The women are also accepting donations for
the silent auction, she reported.
2. Young Leaders Society:
a. Santaniello announced that Toral Maher of the Liberty Bank foundation will serve
as vice chair.
b. He thanked Board Member Pat Charles for giving her time to host a Learn with
Leaders event to talk about leadership. The event was very interactive and the
steering committee received very good feedback from those who attended.
c. He reported that the March 26 social event at Krust was very successful, with more
than 40 people in attendance. He thanked Krust for the use of the space and the
pizza donation.
d. Future events include a social event on May 2, a volunteer camp cleanup May 4 at
YMCA Camp Ingersoll, and a steering committee meeting tonight.
e. He invited the Board to send potential members his way.
f. Kristen Roberts announced that Comcast Cares Day is April 27, and groups like the
Young Leaders Society could be eligible for a grant of $350 if they can bring 15
volunteers.
g. Pat Charles and Lindsay Parke volunteered to pass along information about the
Young Leaders Society to their staff.
3. Marketing Advisory Council Update:
a. Jennifer Sprague announced that she and the Marketing Advisory Council are
planning to conduct interviews about brand perception. She asked those who are
interested in participating in a short phone call to please let her know after the
meeting.
Executive Director’s Report:
1. Implications of spending additional dollars: Kevin reported there is $23,000 in conditional
funding between the housing and the education teams, and it’s still under assessment
whether cash flow will allow the funding.
2. Staffing Update:
a. Wilhelm reported that he and the personnel committee are reviewing the job
description for the position left vacant by Matt Plourde. The duties will include
administrative tasks and Volunteer Center coordination.
b. Faith Jackson said the position will be part-time, approximately 20 hours, and with
specific project hours, could be increased to 25 hours.
c. Jackson also reported that the committee will be looking at recruitment procedures
and creating a process for filling vacancies. The process will likely include using A.R.
Mazzotta Employment Specialists for screening hires.
d. Jackson reported that the Personnel Committee is also looking at staff
development, organizational learning and talent as well as teambuilding and
coaching. The Board will receive further updates.
3. Staff Leaders Conference: Wilhelm reported that Hensel, Sprague and Bonilla will attend
the Staff Leaders Conference in Indianapolis in late April.
4. Self-Assessment Update: Wilhelm reported that the Board will receive an update on the
Self-Assessment twice a year.
Meeting Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the meeting, the
meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer Sprague
Communications Director