United Way of Putnam County
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
January 22, 2015
I. Call to order
Tim Smith (in lieu of Malcolm Fabre) called to order the regular meeting of the United
Way of Putnam County at 4:35 on January 22, 2015 at Tax Deed Office, Building F.
II. Roll call
Blythe Byrd conducted a roll call. The following persons were present:
Board Members: Tim Smith, Kathy Jorgensen, John Schneider, Bud Surratt, Don
Jacobovitz, Roxane Kennedy, Anne Allen, Meghan Deputy, Sam Deputy, Janet Martin,
Stephanie Heckscher, Charlotte Santa
Staff: Blythe Byrd
Agencies Represented: American Red Cross (Pat Shea), Boy Scouts (Parker Kenlow),
Catholic Charities (Carol Stone, Mary Kelley Kryzwick), Girl Scouts (Mary Anne
Jacobs), Heart of Putnam (represented by email from Jared Dollar), Lee Conlee House
(Valerie Brooks), South Putnam Christian Center (Priscilla Dechaine, Karl Wiggins),
St. Vincent DePaul (Bud Surratt), Episcopalian Children’s Services (MariAna
Eusebio), Learn to Read (Ann Breidenstein)
Agencies Absent: Putnam Habitat for Humanity, Putnam Family Fitness Center, Just
for Jesus Ministries Food Pantry
III. Approval of minutes from last meeting
Blythe Byrd read the minutes from the last meeting. The minutes were approved as
read as motioned by Kathy Jorgensen and seconded by John Schneider.
IV. Business
a) Introduction of Blythe Byrd as the new Executive Director. Building the brand
was a major discussion during the introduction.
b) Bud Surratt made a motion to vote on new board members that were
recommended: Meghan Deputy, Janet Martin, Charlotte Santa, and Sam
Deputy. Kathy Jorgensen seconded the motion. The motion was passed
unanimously.
c) Treasure’s (Kathy Jorgensen) was truncated due to lack of access to Bank of
America account. While access is being regained it was noted that the
finances are stable and the campaign is going well. Detailed numbers will be
available at the next board meeting.
d) Stephanie Heckscher (Board Member Nominee) entered meeting. Kathy
made a motion to approve the nomination. Don Jacobovitz seconded the
motion and the motion passed unanimously.
e) Board introductions, including executive committee, took place.
f) Brief discussion on new board member orientation being planned.
V. Agency Updates
Boy Scouts: Proud to be national ranked as “Gold” with increasing membership this
year. The extra gift from United Way made it possible to add another scout to the
roster and make building a new camp ground possible.
S. Putnam Christian Service Center: Karl Wiggins was proudly announced as the
new president of their organization. They are happy at becoming mobile with a newer
vehicle from UHaul, made possible in part by United Way contributions, for picking up
food and reaching those in need.
Girl Scouts: There has been a 3.5% increase in girls served in Putnam. They are very
proud of their Community Development program directed at 5th and 6th grade girls.
Lee Conlee House: They continue their support of at-risk families with prevention
programs being their focus. As they have been running 140% over capacity they are
thankful for gifts that allowed them to be almost complete with adding 8 new beds. The
5K run is coming up in Crescent City as well as the annual Celebrity Chief event on
April 25th.
American Red Cross: The Red Cross has been able to give direct assistance to people
who suffered in five house fires last quarter. Their Fire Preparedness Campaign (a 5
year implementation) is still going well.
Catholic Charities Bureau: Thanksgiving saw 26 families (109 family members)
given Winn Dixie gift cards. Christmas saw 31 families (134 family members) with
toys and gift cards for dinners. Emergency assistance for the quarter in dollars was
over 7,000. They were just awarded a grant worth over $76,000 for homeless
prevention. They are working with Lee Conlee House for rapid rehousing of displaced
families.
Learn to Read: A new certified agency in Putnam County tutors 16 year-old and older
people in need of literacy, math and English as a second language skills. They have
received their first 2 Putnam referrals from Lee Conlee House.
Episcopalian Children’s Services: Even though there are still children on the waiting
list, they have been able to help 1,147 children this past quarter.
St. Vincent DePaul Society: They are celebrating their 170th anniversary. They have
been painting and landscaping their building this quarter as well as having given out
350 turkeys and hams over the holidays, space heaters, 100 emergency blankets, and
1100lbs of food to 193 families.
Heart of Putnam: A new van was purchased to better suit their needs while donating
their old van to another charity. Preliminary stats show that 11,891 people received
food (27,320 including family members) this equates to 269,609lbs of food.
VI. Adjournment
Tim Smith (in lieu of Malcolm Fabre) adjourned the meeting at 5:36.
Minutes submitted by: Blythe Byrd
Minutes approved by: Board