Minutes, November Annual Meeting

Visions Board of Directors Annual Meeting

November 3, 2011

Present: David Alberts, Joni Carter, Sissy Crowther, Jean Duggan, Lindsy Gardner, Tom Gosse, Torrence Harman, Margaret Nost, Bill Pennell, Ken Rioland, Jack Russell, Alison Towles, Marilyn Warren

Lindsy Gardner called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. A motion was made to approve the minutes from the previous meeting in August. Minutes were approved as submitted.

Director’s Report

Joni Carter, executive director of Visions, introduced herself. She stated the office is set up with phone service and wireless internet. She gave out the office phone number as well as her cell phone number and encouraged board members to stop by and take a look. The physical address is 266B N. Main Street; the mailing address is P. O. Box 78, Kilmarnock.

Joni has started a stakeholder survey with area nonprofits to assess needs and perceptions, which she passed out. She has done six so far, but is finding the nonprofits she has spoken with have similar needs and issues. They need more funding, there is a gap between supply and demand, and communication among them and with the public is limited. She is in the process of converting this survey into an online version and will send it to all board members and committee members. She asks that all please reply. Alison Towles will be helping by going to selected area churches to do the survey.

Joni will be attending a strategic planning for nonprofits class in Richmond this month. She is taking Lance Barton, director of the Northern Neck Food Bank, with her since he identified that as a problem for him.

She has also met with the superintendent of Lancaster County Schools about a community service requirement for graduation. Northumberland County Schools, Christchurch School, and all of Maryland schools already have requirements. Joni felt that the timing on this request was positive, since the Lancaster county schools are initiating a RISE program in which the “S” stands for service. She has spoken to the counselors and is meeting with the principals of the schools next week. She has been talking to Cindy Balderson, director of Northern Neck Connection, about ways to utilize that electronic database and social media to alert teens to volunteer opportunities. Although the requirement would not be in place this year, she feels that it could begin next year. Community service would allow students to better connect to the community, build self-esteem, and provide area nonprofits with bridges to the schools.

Joni has begun exploring the idea of a print resource directory. She is using the Catalog for Philanthropy to help her identify local nonprofits for the survey, but the audience for that directory is potential volunteers. She envisions the resource directory as a short document directing people in need to appropriate contacts for help and services, such as food, shelter, etc.

Joni reported that the Community Resource Forum will restart as a monthly brown bag lunch meeting in January. The first or second will involve representatives from the radio station and newspapers, as well as Northern Neck Connection, discussing ways to communicate their message and needs to the public.

Joni has also become an active member of the Economic Development Committee and serves on the Northern Neck Leadership Committee. She has met with Jerry Davis and Lisa Hull of Northern Neck Chesapeake Bay Regional Partnership and is meeting with Kenny Eades and Ronnie Jett, along with some Visions board members, in Northumberland at Macedonia Baptist Church next Monday, November 7^th.

Staff Report

Alison Towles reported that the application for nonprofit status was returned by the IRS with specific requested changes. Mat Terry made those changes and the final application was submitted on October 24^th. There is no further action needed on this end, we are just waiting to hear from the IRS at this point. Lindsy added that she and Paul Sciacchitano are working on the insurance and account side.

Committee Reports

• Nominating Committee
  

The nominating committee was made up of Lindsy Gardner, Margaret Nost, Ken Rioland and Tom Gosse. They presented a slate of proposed board members, suggested terms for current advisory board members and new members, and a slate of officers.

The nominating committee approached Lillian Waddy as a potential board member, but she declined. Reverend Dale Bunns accepted and Reverend Rose Currie is considering. Lindsy suggested that the board vote to accept her for now and then revisit a further nomination if need be. She also pointed out that there will be two vice-presidents, one for Economic Development and one for Community Development. She foresees that the latter will become a working committee in future.

Torrence suggested a one year term could be offered to Rose Currie is the three year term was too much.

The slate, terms and officers were accepted by unanimous vote. The officers are:

President - Lindsy Gardner

Vice President, Economic Development - Paul Sciacchitano

Vice President, Community Development - Kenneth Rioland

Secretary - Marilyn Warren

Treasure - William Pennell, Jr.

Visions Team Members by class include:

Class of 2012 - Torrence Harman, Thomas Gosse, Marilyn Warren, Kenneth Rioland

Class of 2013 - Lindsy Gardner, Margaret Nost, William Pennell, Jr., Paul Sciacchitano

Class of 2014 - Elizabeth Crowther, Jack Russell, Dale Bunns, Rose Currie (pending acceptance)

• Economic Development Committee
  

In Paul Sciacchitano’s absence, Bill Pennell reported that Jack Russell is working on a vision statement. He noted that efforts are being made to involve the Northern Neck Chesapeake Bay Partnership and Northumberland county representatives in the Economic Development Committee. Bill noted that, because of changing demographics, Lancaster and Northumberland are in danger of losing their designation as HUB Zones. This would negatively impact businesses like MTEQ, who might be forced to relocate. The Economic Development Committee will need to keep an eye on that situation.

Lindsy Gardner congratulated the committee on their successful lobbying to get funding from the Kilmarnock Town Council for the new RCC site. Sissy thanked everyone for their help.

• Northern Neck Leadership
  

This committee has been working on developing a curriculum through RCC to train area leaders from various fields in the community. The targeted individuals in the first class will be about 20 people who are recognized as influential, thereby lending the leadership class “cache” that would later translate into more perception of the program as worthwhile and important. They will meet once monthly for a day-long session over a 9 month period. The class will be expected to complete a group project of their choice over the 9 months. The committee has the outline for the sessions and is currently working out details and budget. They hope to begin in January, 2012.

• Youth Works
  

Lindsy Gardner reported that 62 area youth from 5 counties participated in Youth Works last summer. Of that 62, 33 students were new to the program. The financing for the Lancaster and Northumberland county youth came from the DuPont Fund. Rusty Bragg and Jason Perry of RCC were creative in finding funding to include teens from 3 more counties. Of the 62 students, only 2 did not complete the program. Lindsy said that 33 Career Readiness Certificates were awarded. The post program survey indicated in an increase in confidence level in participants over last year.

Joni has asked Jason to include speakers who exemplify local success stories in future Youth Works, as suggested by participants in the Visions Community Conversations last year.

Tom Gosse and Jack Russell spoke up to praise RCC’s administration and dedication to this program.

• Northern Neck Connection
  

According to Alison Towles, Cindy Balderson has indicated the new website should have a soft launch within the next month. Selected people will be invited to review the new website and provide feedback for any improvements or revisions. The hope is that the hard launch will be in January. There will an event to celebrate or mark this, but Cindy does not have details on that yet.

DuPont Report

Mark Constantine was here in October for the Donor’s Forum, which is sponsored by the Community Foundation. He continues to reiterate that the trustees see a negative trend in the future of the Northern Neck economy. He also shared their disappointment in the outcome of the Northern Neck Family Maternity Center, which closed its doors within less than a year of opening, and in the closing of SAIF Water. He stated that the duPont Fund is unwilling to finance any new projects in the community.

Torrence Harman said that SAIF Water was a very different situation. It was closely associated with one individual who is retiring for health reasons. It had a 21 or 22 year history of very effective work in the area and had essentially run its course. Future efforts to build nonprofit capacity should and will include attention to sustainability as part of the analysis.

Sissy Crowther stated that, after Mark Constantine recommended that RCC find a duPont eligible four year college partner rather than a church in seeking funding for infrastructure and technology needs for the new Kilmarnock location, she met with officials at Mary Baldwin College. This college very actively works with RCC and accepts as much as 90 hours toward a Bachelor’s degree from the community college and will be offering classes at the new site. Mary Baldwin indicated that they had a grant proposal called “Learn Local” in process with the duPont Fund. It would allow them to offer more to the Northern Neck and Southwest Virginia. There has been no further word on this proposal. Jack Russell pointed out that RCC is a very important key in moving away from short-term or “band-aid” approaches into long-term solutions like increasing educational and economic opportunities.

There was a brief discussion of the new organization, The Link, which would help churches work together in providing services to people in need. There are 17 area churches that are duPont eligibles, in addition to other churches that have been active in developing this clearinghouse approach. The coordination and funding will need to come from member churches.

Ken Rioland reminded the board that Visions was developed in a model supported and encouraged by the duPont Fund several years ago in Jacksonville. Hub organizations can help them better understand the area and its needs. Much of what Visions has been able to accomplish is because of that model. Our organization has become an umbrella which results in better coordination and communication.

The board felt it would worthwhile to include the duPont Fund in emails of minutes to help them stay better informed of progress in the Northern Neck. Lindsy Gardner pointed out that the bottom line was that we need to report to them frequently, but also look beyond the Fund for financing of future efforts.

Smart Beginnings Update

Tom Gosse reported on Northumberland Lancaster Smart Beginnings, an early childhood education and intervention program designed to help children be ready for school and funded by the Wiley Foundation with assistance from Virginia Early Childhood Education Foundation in Richmond. It has been in existence for 1 ½ years. However, the Smart Beginnings branded program is essentially an urban model that did not connect well with the Northern Neck’s rural nature and did not allow for much, if any, adaptation to better serve this area’s different needs.

The Leadership Council and Coalition have voted unanimously to carry forward without the Richmond funding and structure. The name will need to change away from Smart Beginnings, which is branded. A number of children have already been identified as needing assistance and the Wiley Foundation will fund any programs they develop to intervene with these children.

The Leadership Council has some interest in potentially connecting with Visions in future as an additional piece. They are not interested in becoming a separate nonprofit.

There was some additional discussion of the loss of federally funded programs in the area like Head Start. Torrence Harman suggested that the Family Development Center in Warsaw, which receives some assistance with funding through St. Mary’s Whitechapel, might be a helpful model in early intervention with children and families.

Departing Board Members

Lindsy Gardner thanked departing Board members Dave Alberts and Jean Duggan for their service throughout the development and transitions of Visions. Dave will continue to serve on the Economic Development Committee and it is hoped that Jean may be willing to serve on a committee in future.

Annual Report

Marilyn Warren suggested that an annual report would be useful. Alison will work on scheduling some time for Lindsy Gardner, Joni Carter, and Marilyn to meet with her in writing this report.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Alison Towles, Visions Project Coordinator

Introducing Joni Carter, New Executive Director of Northern Neck Visions!

Joni Carter has jumped right in as the Executive Director of Northern Neck Visions, beginning earlier this month in making her strategic plans for the next six months.

In her own words, Joni has worked for the last twenty years with senior level clients, as well as government and advertising agencies to design new social outreach services, conduct needs assessments and test communication ideas. Her clients have included the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Fairfax County Economic Development, Virginia Community College System, VDOT, VDRPT and the Virginia Department of Business Assistance.

Joni states, “My most gratifying work has been with social outreach programs including clean air initiatives, Chesapeake Bay improvement and healthcare awareness initiatives.” In addition to her business degree (BS in Business Administration, UNC Greensboro), she has started graduate work at the VCU Non-Profit Learning Center.

Joni has lived most of her life in Lancaster County and brings her experience and understanding of key social issues that the Northern Neck faces to this new position.

Joni has already begun meeting with her staff, the board, the Economic Development Committee, and with Mark Constantine of the duPont Fund. Additionally, one of her first tasks will be to ready the new office of Northern Neck Visions at 266B N. Main Street in Kilmarnock for the work ahead. She is a very welcome addition to the Visions team!

Richmond Times-Dispatch article

An article appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on September 4, 2011 entitled "On Northern Neck, Fighting the Fade." Census figures show that Lancaster County is the "oldest" county in Virginia, with a median age of 54. Northumberland County is right behind with a median age of 53.6. All four counties of the Northern Neck are experiencing "natural decrease" in population, which is a phenomenon in which there are more deaths than births.

To read the entire article, see this link:

www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/sep/04/on-northern-neck-fighting-the-fade-ar-1284371/

Working in Teams and Collaborations Workshop

COMMONWEALTH 0f VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

July 18, 2011

Dear Community Partner:
The Virginia Department of Social Services' (DSS) Office on Volunteerism and Community Service (OVCS) are collaborating with Virginia Community Capital (VCC) to offer local nonprofit and faith based organizations a day of interactive leadership training, networking, and resource sharing on Tuesday, August 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Grace House at Grace Episcopal Church, 303 South Main Street, Kilmarnock, 22482.

This interactive session based on Patrick Lencioni's material from The Five Dysfunctions of a Team will create lively discussion and take-away tools that promote trust, encourage healthy conflict, invite commitment, ensure accountability, and achieve results. If your organization is interested in operating at a higher level of effectiveness and building strong relationships to achieve greater results, you will want to attend the Working in Teams and Collaborations - Partneringfor Success workshop.

There is no fee for the workshop; however, registration is requested to assure adequate materials and handouts for participants. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop presentation will begin at 9:00 a.m. For your convenience, a copy of the agenda is enclosed.

DSS believes that healthy communities result from "people helping people overcome poverty, abuse and neglect to shape strong futures for themselves, their families and their communities." Healthy communities are dependent upon collaborations, effective partnerships, and the full participation of faith-based, volunteer, private, and community organizations. Because VCC shares our commitment to partnerships and collaborations, we are pleased to be a part of the VCC Learning Initiative. To learn more about this initiative and other capacity- building workshops, visit their web-site at www.vacommunitycapital.org.

We hope that you will consider attending the August 9 session in Kilmarnock. To reserve your space, please register online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MZQ7L52 or by calling Cathy Walker at 1-800-638-3839, option #3, by Thursday, August 4.

Sincerely,

Nikki Nicholau, Director
Office on Volunteerism and Community Service
801 East Main Street· Richmond, VA 23219-2901
http ://www.dss.virginia.gov • 804-726-7000 • TDD 800-828-1120

Working in Teams and Collaborations - Partnering for Success
Agenda
9:00 am Welcome and Purpose Overview—Defining and Making the Case Partnering Simulation Self-Assessment

10:30 am Break

10:45 am Partnership Best Practices—Panel and Discussion Relationships Information Accountability

12:00 pm Networking Lunch/ Creating a Personalized Action Plan

12:45 pm Funding Partnerships that Work Current Trends Deliverables: Making Choices that Make Sense Relationship Management

2:00 pm Debrief and Adjourn

Position Description - Visions Director

Background

In 2006, representatives from the Northern Neck attended a conference initiated by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund to explore building assets of individuals, families and communities in order to reduce poverty. The team, now called Visions, has successfully completed a planning grant to build a brand for the organization and to hold community conversations around poverty in Lancaster and Northumberland Counties.

Responsibilities

• Promote collaboration between organizations with similar goals
• Build the capacity of existing nonprofit organizations
• With the Advisory Board, develop grant opportunities and other funding strategies
• Supervise the Community Actions Director and an administrative assistant person
• Reports to the VISIONS Advisory Committee and the fiscal agent

Project Assignments

• Conduct a needs assessment with organizations who serve people in need to determine best ways to increase capacity and/or service areas

• Collect output measures and other data from non-profits, and promote/leverage collective local dollars and volunteer hours to bring more resources and volunteers to the non-profits

• Organize training and workshops to strengthen capacity of non-profits

• Organize a resource fair for non-profits to recruit volunteers and donors

• Explore a source of revenue from the vendors who sell products to non-profits through a convention type event or summit.

• Work with other affinity groups (economic development, education, etc) to develop asset building strategies
• Work with the Community Action Director to bring action to strategies generated by the conversations and to recruit volunteers for non-profits
• Work with the fiscal agent, Rappahannock Community College, and appropriate advisory board members to administer the YouthWorks program

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required, graduate degree preferred; at least 10 years of professional experience in a general management role, ideally in a rapidly evolving institution; knowledge of Lancaster and Northumberland Counties and existing organizations serving those in need.

• Highly organized and ability to wear multiple hats in an ambiguous environment;
  
• A successful track record in setting priorities and shaping processes
• A consummate team player with a flexible and creative approach
• Excellent communication and coalition building skills with an ability to balance, negotiate, and work with a variety of people; high level of knowledge and understanding, especially as it relates to program replication, connecting programs to funding, creatively generating other resources, and building strategic partnerships
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to VISION’s mission

Compensation

This is a full-time grant funded position with the flexibility to work some hours from home. No medical or retirement benefits available at this time.

Application

Please send cover letter with salary requirements and resume to Lindsy Gardner, President of the Visions Advisory Board, at lgardner@lancasterlibrary.org by July 1, 2011. For more information on Visions, go to http://visionsinnnva.blogspot.com/.

Minutes from the May 18, 2011, Advisory Board meeting

Meeting was called to order by Lindsy Gardner at 9:00 a.m. Minutes from previous meeting accepted as written.

Those in attendance included Lindsy Gardner, Chair, Alison Towles, Secretary, David Alberts, Jean Duggan, Tom Gosse, Torrence Harman, Margaret Nost, William Pennell, Jean Poole, Paul Sciacchitano, and Marilyn Warren.

Lindsy announced that the implementation grant was approved in full by DuPont. This amounts to $276,182 over a three-year period.

Nonprofit Status

Mat Terry has started on the Articles of Incorporation and will help us with the legal side of incorporating. Alison and Lindsy have started the application for 501(c)(3) status. Dwight Clarke of Dehnert, Clarke, and Company will look that over and help to complete it.

Jacksonville United Way Notes

Lindsy spoke to Melanie Patz of the Jacksonville United Way. She hoped to learn more about structure, but Melanie actually shared more information on how to get buy-in from local organizations. She suggested that we include more heads of nonprofits on our board. Paul Sciacchitano shared his experience with the Hampton United Way board, where they had an advisory board made up of heads of nonprofits. Melanie also suggested that we appeal to businesses, asking them to partner with nonprofits in providing services such as financial literacy education. Jean Duggan said that Bay Aging has a financial literacy education component.

Economic Development

Bill Pennell and Paul Sciacchitano updated everyone on the progress of the Economic Development Committee. The Lancaster IDA (soon to be EDA) approved all three proposals put before it, providing funding for the Kilmarnock TLC, the Visions Youth Works, and the RCC satellite location. The Town of Kilmarnock is also supportive of the RCC project and may provide some assistance. The difficulty of getting more Northumberland County support was discussed. Bill will be talking to Kenny Eades, the county manager, within the next week. Sissy Crowther was planning to talk to some people. Sherry Magill indicated in April that the DuPont Fund would approach them about being more involved.

Paul pointed out the need for public education on economic development and why it is vital to the area. Sissy, Jack Russell, and Bill are working towards preparing a position paper that documents what will happen to the economy without pursuing growth. This paper could be presented to various groups. It is important that it is a compelling argument.

Jack and Bill are meeting with Senator Warner about Free Virginia, Virginia Free. Julian Patterson is being approached about joining the Economic Development effort, as well.

Connect

The DuPont Fund agreed to pay for the technology to rebuild the network and upgrade the website out of an administrative budget. They are in the loading data stage with that. The main thing that may impede progress is the name. There is some question as to whether they can use “Connect” in the name. Richmond Connect had agreed that they would draw up an agreement allowing that, but there will be a delay with that. The next board meeting for Connect will address that. They will use “Northern Neck” in the name somehow. Bill Pennell pointed out how important it is to brand this area with that name, as many do not know what it means. Jean Duggan asked for clarification on the scope of Connect. Paul indicated it would still be available for use in all 6 counties, but they will focus their efforts more on the 4 counties north of the river.

Northern Neck Food Bank

Paul also shared that Sherry Magill visited the site of the NNFB when she was here in April. She asked why they did not have more equipment and was reminded that they had only received partial funding for the first year. Sherry asked that Torrence Harman write the fund a letter requesting the needed money, which she did. The result was that the Food Bank received another $22,000 for a walk- in refrigerator, pallet shelving, etc. Jean Duggan will see that a link to NNFB is added to the Bay Aging website. Bill Pennell will do the same with the county website. Lance Barton is now working on ways to partner with local farmers for excess produce. Trinity Episcopal will sponsor a nutrition education program.

Youth Works

Students met Monday night and they are very excited about starting their work experience. Fewer students indicated that they planned to go to college, but this program historically has build confidence that they can juggle the demands of work and school.

New Grant Business

• Advertising for, interviewing and hiring new Director. Lindsy formed a subcommittee to engage in search for the new director, including herself, Paul Sciacchitano, Marilyn Warren, and Jack Russell. They will present final candidate(s) to the full Board for approval. A tentative first meeting was set for Tuesday, May 31^st, at 3:00 p.m.
• Office location. Many suggestions were made, including the YMCA, the adjacent RGH rehab space, and several others. Bay Aging no longer has any office space in Kilmarnock. Dave Alberts volunteered to look into this and Susan Cockrell, assistant town manager for Kilmarnock, will be asked to help.
• Accounting. The grant allows for this to be outsourced. The director is not expected to do the bookkeeping.

Bylaws

Tom Gosse and others made several corrections and suggestions. After some discussion, the following changes were recommended and adopted:

• The decision was that the fiscal year would be July 1 to June 31.
• The treasurer’s duty section needs to include audit.
• The annual meeting would be when committees are assigned. Committees should be appointed by the Board Chairman.
• This meeting could be at the beginning of the fiscal year, but many prefer it after the audit so they can be notified of results.
• The bylaws need to have language to stagger board members’ terms.
• The section on Executive Committee needs an additional sentence or two to define powers and responsibilities.
• The articles on funding and on Robert’s Rules of Order were removed.

Gaining More Support

There was some additional conversation on ways to involve Northumberland. Paul Sciacchitano agreed to see if he could enlist Monty Diehl of Omega Protein in Economic Development Committee meetings, with the hopes of later including in larger Visions efforts. He will ask Sissy Crowther to approach Dr. Clint Stables as well.

Jean Poole will approach someone from RGH about joining Economic Development, since they are the largest area employer. Alison will email her the minutes from the last few meetings to help her better pitch this.

Visions will continue to work in close association with the River Counties Foundation.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Alison Towles, Visions Project Coordinator

Great news on the implementation grant!

Here is Lindsy's beautifully written press release:

The duPont Fund recently announced the approval of funding in the amount of $275,000 over a three year period for Visions, a local organization formed to build assets and reduce poverty in the Northern Neck. A series of community conversations on poverty, sponsored by Visions, actively involved area citizens in dialogues that resulted in thoughtful and innovative ideas and strategies to improve lives in our community. "This grant, funded by duPont, directly addresses strategies raised in the community conversations," said VISIONS chairman, Lindsy Gardner. "With this generous funding from DuPont, Visions will hire a full-time director who will oversee future work to build the capacity of existing non-profits, to broaden community conversations around poverty, to leverage local philanthropy dollars to bring more financial resources to the area, to work with an active economic development committee, and to begin a leadership training program," Ms. Gardner continued. Additionally, duPont sponsors the ongoing work of Vision's YouthWorks Summer Employment Program, an initiative that promotes career readiness skills in youth through summer employment opportunities.