Board MeetingAugust 21, 2018

In Attendance: Rachelle Fritz, Marlene Jenkins, Dan Burek Mark Michaelis and Dr. Nairn

Attending by Phone: Greg Furer

Excused: Ki Kim, Terry Danko, Kris Hunt and Brad Whitman

Administration in Attendance: George Trauner, Jerrad Rimel, Caprice Hudson, Chad Dickson, Rob Lewis, Marci Dickson, Al Gesler, Amanda Shields and Victoria Soff.

Special Guest: Amy Bizjak

The regular, bi-monthly meeting of the Bethesda Foundation for Children Board of Directors was held on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 in the residential conference room on the Meadville campus, the Chairman being in his chair and a secretary being present.

Greg Furer called the meeting to order at 12:00 pm. A roll call for attendance was done. Greg Furer offered the opening prayer.

Dr. Nairn moved to approve the minutes from the April 2018 meeting. Rachelle Fritz seconded the motion. Motion Carried

Bethesda Staff Report

Amy Bizjak presented a brief overview of the Erie County Independent Living Program.

Old Business

CEO Report George Trauner presented the CEO report. He also talked about a potential new living unit being built at the Meadville location. This new living unit would house 4-5 youth and have an adult, or adults, living in the house also. As this

is just in the idea stage, George asks the board for permission to continue working on drawings and concepts so that he can present the idea to the Lutheran Services Board at some point. Greg Furer gives George the ok to move forward. This did not require a motion or board vote.

George also talked a little about July and August being the worst cash flow months and tells the board that we may need to use money from the foundation to help cover expenses.

Mark Michaelis motioned to authorize the Bethesda Foundation for Children to cover any operating deficits of Bethesda Lutheran Services for an amount not to exceed $200,000. Dr. Nairn seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Jerrad Rimel played a voicemail regarding the Corry Partial RFQ that was submitted. The RFQ is not being granted to anyone because the school district does not have an adequate idea of the number of youth to be served by the program. George Trauner said he was proud of the effort given by his team.

Facilities Report:Rob Lewis presented the facilities report. He mentioned the new maintenance computer system. Mark Michaelis asked if it would help with the capital improvement plan. Rob said it will help and it is compatible with the Joint Commission also.

New Member RecruitmentGeorge Trauner asked the board for their help recruiting new members.

Investment CommitteeMark Michaelis presented a proposed amendment to the bylaws section 5.2 which would further clarify the role and responsibility of the investment committee.

Marlene Jenkins moved to accept the proposed change to the bylaws. Dr. Nairn seconded. Motion carried.

Mark Michaelis talked about the investment committee meeting and the interview process for an investor. He said the committee would like to move forward with First National Bank.

Dr. Nairn moves to proceed with First National Bank as our investors and to invest and initial amount of $500,000. Rachelle Fritz seconded. Motion carried.

New Business

Board Evaluation FormMarci Dickson will send a copy of the form to everyone.

Board RetreatMarci Dickson gave the information on the board retreat. She will send the information to all board members.

Development Department UpdateAl Gesler thanked the board for the brick purchase.

Victoria Soff gave an update on golf outing. The final revenue was just under $34,000. Mud Run is September 22. Clays for Kids is October 5. Save the dates for the Friends of Bethesda Cruise have gone out with a formal invite to follow. There is a Kilted Kiln fundraiser from September 3-17. Bethesda will get half the studio fee donated back to us. There is a Chipotle fundraiser on October 16th. There will be a boards and brushes fundraiser in April of 2019.

Amanda Shields gave an update on our social media. She said the reach is improving in Erie and Meadville. Our social reach is about 4000 people a month. We were awarded a Google Grant for $10,000 and a Heritage Foundation grant for $1,500

George Trauner mentioned the Reinhardt Endowment in the amount of $246,00. He also mentions we will be donating a brick to Mr. and Mrs. Petersen.

Financial Report

Chad Dickson talked a little more about July and August and told the board that, while the money is slow to come in during those months, it does eventually get here. He also mentioned that August has 3 pay periods which can be a little concerning. Chad also talked about the gain/loss of the swap loan that we have.

CEO EvaluationHistorically, the Lutheran Services Board has done the CEO evaluation. Our attorney is working on an evaluation tool and going forward the CEO evaluation will be done by the executive committee of the Lutheran Services board and the governance committee of the Foundation board.

Agenda Items for the Good of the OrderErie Programs are nominated as Non-profit of the year. Awards are September 20 at the Bayfront Convention Center.

There being no more business, the meeting, Dr. Nairn motioned to adjourn the meeting. Rachelle Fritz seconded the motion. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 1:37 pm.

Marci Dickson, Board Secretary