NOVATO FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION

Advisory Committee Meeting - Introduction

APRIL 3, 2003 7:00PM

In Attendance: Derek Chase – Hamilton, Karie Whitman - Loma Verde, Jennifer Treppa - Lu Sutton, Alice Fort - Lu Sutton, Stephanie Miller – Lynwood, Richard Blanchette – Lynwood, Martina Austin – Olive, Regina Bianucci Rus - Pleasant Valley, Kim Connolly - Pleasant Valley, Charmaine Stevenson – Rancho, Danny Kao - San Ramon, Kathleen Freitag - Hill Middle School, Ruthie Tolleson - San Jose Middle School, Sonya Perez - Sinaloa Middle School, Cindy Curtice - Sinaloa Middle School, Francine Cunnie - San Marin High School, Sandy Agajan - Marin Oaks High School, Marucia Britto - Novato Charter School, Jim Stanek – NOVA, Martha Leopardo - High School Teacher Rep., Chuck Bennett - Cal Land, local business Rep., Katherine Johnson - Preschool Parent Rep., Susan White - Preschool Parent Rep., Blair Thornton -Senior Rep., Mumu Delong - CSEA Rep., Remsen Benedict - CSEA Rep., Jan Derby - NUSD Administrative Rep. (with brief appearance by Dr. Bernard), Perry Newman - NUSD School Board Rep., Carole Hollander - support group NFPE, Jim Leland - support group NFPE, Natasha Ramirez - support group NFPE, Ann Marymor - Interim Board NFPE, Tiki Martin - Interim Board NFPE, Susan Mathews - Interim Board NFPE, Joyce McCarron - Interim Treasurer / secretary NFPE, Jeff Belingheri - Interim President NFPE, Sally Outis - CCEF Board Member, speaker.

1. Introductions:

Core Group

Support Group

Advisory Committee Members

There were general comments by all attendees during their introductions as to who they were and why they were attending.

Special guest speaker:

Sally Outis, CCEF Board Member

2. ”Organization and Structure of the Advisory Committee Meetings” document was reviewed:

The NFPE was formed as a California Non-profit corporation on March 7, 2003, and has set up a bank account. NFPE can now solicit funds. An Interim Board has been established (the Core Group) and interim officers Jeff Belingheri, President and Joyce McCarron, Treasurer/Secretary) have been appointed as required by the establishment of the corporation. We request that Advisory Committee Representatives talk to their stakeholder groups about the topics that will be agendized and return to the meetings with feedback.

Although we are in a financial crisis in our school district we want everyone to understand that fundraising is not the only focus the NFPE can take on in the future. We envision involving the community in the school system through more than just dollars. They can volunteer time, help educate people on how the school system works and help raise the needed funds for whatever the NFPE deems necessary and equitable for all Novato Public school students...

3. Questions from the table:

Derek Chase: What about grants?

Answer: Tiki: Yes, we are looking into that as well. There are much longer term grant opportunities as a foundation and more grant opportunities in general for the NFPE.

Jeff: Also, charitable giving into an endowment or from outside the parent community is more possible. Federal and local grants are also available. The Core Group has had offers of help for grant writing.

Derek Chase: (Derek is the Advisory Committee rep for Hamilton School and is also a member of the NMCEEF) Presented the North Marin Council, Emergency Education Fund: They hope to raise $3 million by June 15^th in order to save the 117.1 FTE certificated staff through the saving of programs at the three school levels; elementary, middle and high school. These funds are intended for the upcoming school year only (2003-2004).

Perry Newman, NUSD, announced that the District is preparing a resolution regarding the Emergency Fund and accountability at their 5/8/03 meeting.

Susan White: How many people should they get feedback from?

Answer: Jeff: As many as you can. Joyce: Depends on the group. Each rep will have to decide with their respective groups as to the best way to get feedback.

Richard Blanchette: There are other foundations; is this one being modeled from another working foundation?

Answer: Jeff: We have looked at many other education foundations to see what they have done/are doing including Berkeley and Albany. Novato, like those communities is unique and can learn from others, but will need to decide on the structure that works best for our community.

4. Sally Outis, guest speaker from and Board Member of the California Consortium of Education Foundations (CCEF): (Sally also helped found the Albany Education Foundation and is the Executive Director there.)

Local education foundations (LEFs) are grassroots non-profit organizations that exist throughout California. Each supports public education and serves as a link between a community and its schools; however LEFs differ in how they provide support, the programs they provide, and their internal structure.

Broad Overview

· Over 400 LEFs in California---number is growing

· Most support and enrich an existing education system

· Some are catalysts for change

· Most represent a single school district

· Some represent a single school site (this number is growing)

· Some represent a geographic area

· Some represent additional community interests

· In 2000 California LEFs raised $30 million

· Programs impacted 3.1 million children

· 3,500 community leaders serve on LEF boards (ambassadors, trustees) She reiterated that board members would be ambassadors between the schools and the community at large.

· Catalyst for change

Community Involvement (key elements: communication and education)

· Other school fundraisers already in place when LEF established

· True in virtually every case – every district can have an LEF

· Not uncommon for there to exist PTAs, booster groups, site-based foundations, special interest NPOs

Ø True in both large and small districts/communities, across CA

Ø Early communication (planning stage) is vital

Ø Sensitivity by new LEF to activities/outreach of existing groups also vital

Ø Important that entities understand each other and see themselves as partners in supporting their local schools – There is enough need to go around!

· Promote public understanding of impact of LEF on any local measure such as parcel taxes, etc.

Ø Important for community to understand that LEF fundraising will not supplant local tax funding sources

· Broad cross-section of community involvement is important

Ø Do not assume that because other funders already exist, your community is saturated with requests for donations

Ø Understand that some donor groups ARE saturated

Ø Target the untapped resources i.e., regional businesses and large corporations.

Ø Learn what your community’s limits are (this is DIFFICULT)

Ø Involve constituencies that are not already directly involved with schools

Ø Promote understanding of the mission and goals of the LEF and how it compares to other funding groups

Ø LEFs can appeal to broader groups of donors in different ways than existing groups do (regional funders; grant writing, etc.) because their impacts are district wide rather than only site-related.

· Community understanding of similarities and differences in the funding groups will encourage prospective donors to participate – promote this understanding at every opportunity.

Promote public understanding of the mission and goals of the LEF; differentiate from other groups, manage confusion level; people are less like to donate if confused about the mission or purpose of the LEF.

Shared Responsibility

Community involvement is essential (this statement was repeated throughout her presentation, clearly considered the most important concept to embrace.)

Look at the community, learn from other foundations, research nationwide, and develop communications with other foundations. Educate the public at large that the Public Schools in Novato are part of their community responsibility whether or not they have children in the schools.

· There is no one “correct” way to do this; each community is different

· Agreement that strong schools are one component of a healthy, functioning community; private fund raising is one way to support strong schools

· Understand commonalities and differences among various funders

· Whether it seems like it or not, there is plenty of room for a ‘broad picture’ group (LEF) in a community where other funders are already at work (enough need…)

Ø LEF can work across the district and across the curriculum (libraries)

Ø If the mission permits, LEF can develop new and overarching programs (after school, peer counseling, etc.)

Ø LEF can fund raise in a broader area (regional businesses, different business sectors, grants, etc.)

Ø LEF can provide community services that connects the community at large to schools (as well as programs directly benefiting schools), i.e., mentorships, adopt-a-school (classroom, library shelf …), career days, etc.

· Some key factors (good news: you are doing some of these already)

Ø Trust -- among existing groups; between Board of Education and org

Ø Time/Patience; this will not happen overnight (refer to calendar or meetings)

Ø Thoughtful planning, which has led to this point

Ø Meaningful, understandable mission

Ø Credibility of purpose and method of operation

Ø Thoughtful and credible processes for grant making

Ø Demonstration of successful programs and projects

· Desirable descriptors of the LEF: transparent, accountable, inclusive, honest broker, facilitator

· Funders can be partners in programs and projects thereby leveraging funds & energy

· Opportunities for community members (other than parents) to be involved in schools

· Support of org by district administration and board (if appropriate)

· Demonstration of autonomy from district (if appropriate)

· Active and visible outreach to other local funding groups for cooperation and collaboration

· Concrete things to do

Ø Form a coalition of funding groups that may meet periodically but communicates regularly (e-tree, etc.) . Communicate to intended donors the similarities and differences of other fundraising groups. They can complement one another.

Ø Compile a “Funders’ Calendar” with dates of events/activities

Ø Panel discussions by funder reps to local service clubs and other community organizations not directly involved in the schools

About CCEF

· Statewide organization representing more than 400 LEFs

· Membership materials available

· Resources

Ø Printed materials (Starting an LEF; Lobbbying, etc.)

Ø Annual Conference (Nov. 6/7 in San Jose)

Ø Regional/starting conferences (May 6 in Sacramento)

Ø Technical assistance

· Website

· Telephone advice, information

· Newsletter

· Directory

· Networking with other LEFs

· Website: www.cceflink.org

· Other links: www.edsource.org, www.edvoice.org

5. Questions from the table:

Kathleen Freitag: What are community limits to fundraising?

Answer: There can be a level of saturation for fundraising for the community; some sources get “maxed-out”. Sally did not believe this was our problem, but it is something to keep in mind in the planning for the future. Jeff further noted that activating the community in non-monetary activities is as important as raising money.

Kathleen Freitag: What are examples of successful fundraising efforts at Albany (population 17,000)?

Sally Outis Answer: 1. Dinner with silent auction, 2 seatings.

2. Sustaining Donors Campaign:

How? Send letter – (decide on target donation) $150 per year, send pledge card, follow up with check request.

Sonya Perez Question: How much money goes directly to the schools?

Answer: There are not a lot of administrative costs. There is no paid staff at this time. Most $ used for mailings and other fundraising efforts.

Danny Kao Question: What happens to the foundation during “flush” times?

Answer: Must gauge the community. Use the Mission statement for guidance.

Flush times: LEF can do enrichment programs

Harder times: LEF can save employment positions/programs

Do not wait to start an endowment fund. Albany allocates 10% of donations up to $499 and 15 % of donations of $500 and above.

Sonya PerezQuestion: Is it common for foundations to be involved in political lobbying?

Answer: There are some limitations due to the tax-exempt status. There is not a specific threshold, but the guidelines say that a significant portion of the foundation’s money may not go to lobbying political efforts. This will be addressed in the new by-laws.

6. Jeff presented the Advisory Committee meeting schedule and identified parties involved in preparation and research for each meeting.

Note: NFPE is still looking for a printing company.

Jeff mentioned those doing pro-bono work.

Chuck Bennet-Chamber of Commerce (and Cal Land Title) suggested the Community Calendar (that the Chamber is setting up) as a place to post information.

Discussion took place between Chuck and Tiki re: number of business in Novato.

Jeff expressed how important it is to coordinate all efforts. “Broaden the scope to support the schools.”

7. Questions from the table:

Stephanie Miller suggested that there might be a resistance from those people coordinating fundraisers in the schools to reveal who their donors are and what they contribute to each school site.

Response: Schools/programs need $ now and in the future. The reps were asked to inform their groups that we are not trying to compete with them. There are also non-school groups in the community that seek funds. If we do not get everyone’s “financial” information we will not know when we are crossing into someone else’s efforts. If we all share our information we can coordinate our efforts better to not over stretch the donating public and the NFPE can try to reach out to those not already in the contributing loop. We must try to develop trust between all the fundraising groups so that we can reach out to the Novato community in the best way possible to support our schools through all the existing fundraising groups and the NFPE.

Francine Cunnie also stated that booster groups are also in crisis. The district may not be funding their programs at all in the future.

Suggestion from Derek Chase: Silent Auction could use the community of wineries; maybe a presence at the Art and Wine Festival.

Suggestion from Marucia Britto: Think big, this is a large group with many contacts in the community and the foundation could consider a larger scale event; maybe an event with entertainment.

For now the group was directed to see if any individuals were interested in helping with any of the topics to be discussed at future meetings. If so an email would be sent out with the topic head’s name and contact information for anyone to contact. The group was also charged with being ambassadors of the NFPE to try to get the community to understand the larger picture of the NFPE to galvanize the community around our public schools. The Core Group would try to put together a one page statement the reps could refer to when trying to explain the NFPE to others.

The reps were also asked if they would mind their names ONLY put up on the website as the list of Advisory Committee Representatives. No one voiced objection to that notion.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.