DRAFT MINUTES: JUNE 17, 2024 BOARD MEETING            

 

PRESENT: Sylvia Cancela, Jim Gavin*, Deirdre Lloyd, Shelly Millane*, Kristin Oswald, Linda Smith, Sandy Trionfini, Nancy Triou*. ABSENT: Janot Bente, Allie Southworth Eck

With a quorum present, Sylvia opened the June17, 2024, meeting of the Canton Community Health Fund, Inc at 6:32pm.

 

OPENING STATEMENT: Sylvia

CCHF has been receiving great feedback, from our Community Partners looking forward to sharing their stories, to the Town’s CFO. People are acknowledging our work & our commitment to this community – taking care of Canton neighbors in crisis while still being entrepreneurial enough to expand our collaborations outside of Town to better serve them. A year ago, we were invisible. No More. Congrats to this Board for your hard work. Let’s Go!

 

ITEM # 1:  ADMINISTRATION Sylvia

 

• Board Updates

 

• Retirement: Nancy*

Nancy was thanked for her service to the Board & our community. She was an important and active participant in the significant rebuilding/transition from the CCHF of 2021 to this current 2024 CCHF Board; using her creative/practical ‘Nancy brain.’ Her valuable mentoring of Grant Coordinator Shelly was also acknowledged. Nancy wished the Board luck in the future.

• Resignation: Shelly*

Shelly read a letter of resignation. Her personal & professional commitments to the CT Nurses Honor Guard have filled up her free time….and more. Shelly was thanked for representing not just our Legacy organization – CT Visiting Nurse Assn – but the 2024 version of CCHF as well; looking outward to the community vs inward when making decisions on how to serve. Shelly: “Keep up the good work to honor all those Canton residents over the years who so generously gave to the Canton VNA making the CCHF a reality.”

• Board Term Served: Jim*

Jim is at the end of his 2^nd term as a Board member and has decided to end his service there. He was thanked for his contributions.

• Board Recruitment: Right Person; Replace Yourself

Sylvia reminded Board members of the importance of recruiting talented & engaged new members. Reminder: Board members, who are connected to Canton through business or other activities, but live outside of Canton are eligible for Board membership. (May 2023 Motion)

 

• Project Updates (Since May/2024 Board Meeting)

 

• Shelly sent Approval letters to 11 Community Partners & Denial letters to 2.
• Sylvia contacted CCHF’s 7 Pay It Forward Scholars, got verifications on

schools & Student IDs with exception of Ali Bahre, who has not responded.

• Deidre texted Ali who responded with a verification of her school. Awaiting photo.

• Shelly & Sylvia attended the WELCOME Meeting with Canton Social Services.
• Deidre delivered CCHF’s grant check to the Substance Free Committee.
• CCHF Awarding Press Release appeared in Valley Press & on Town social media.

 

• Minutes: Approvals
  • May 15, 2024 Minutes

 MOTION #1:

SANDY MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE READING OF MAY 15, 2024 MINUTES & TO ACCEPT THEM AS WRITTEN. DEIDRE SECONDED MOTION. NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.  ALL VOTED IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 ITEM # 2: TREASURER’S REPORTS (Kristin)

• Updates

• Year to Date Financial Summary
  • Total Assets: $761,887: a 4.1% decrease due to the withdrawal of $74,000 in funds to Collinsville Savings to support funding 2024 grants ($63,000) & PIF scholarships ($11,000) & to keep a minimum balance in the checking account for expenses

• Year to Date Budget
  • A donation, in the amount of $250, was made by Sandy’s friend, Marjorie Kohn Hamilton this month through PayPal. This is Ms. Hamilton’s 2^nd donation to CCHF. A Thank You note was sent.
  • The budget is over ‘initial estimates’ by approx. $11,000.

• Accountant
  • Our accountant advised their 2024 fee of $950 doesn’t reflect their work product & will be increasing to between $2,000-$3,000. CCHF does not report our numbers using Quick Books & this is an issue for him as well.

• The Board discussed finding another accounting firm/retired accountant who understands nonprofits & is willing to donate time/decreased fee.
• Deidre will contact her accountant to determine his interest. September Board Meeting Agenda Item,

 

MOTION #2

SANDY MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER’S REPORT & BUDGET UPDATE AS PRESENTED. LINDA SECONDED THE MOTION. THERE WAS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. ALL VOTED IN FAVOR & THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

ITEM # 3: MARKETING (Sylvia/ALL)

 Sylvia reviewed CCHF’s Strategic Framework from our January/2024 Meeting:

1. STRATEGIC MARKETING FRAMEWORK: WHAT’S MORE IN 2024?

 

PHASE 2: GROWTH STAGE Of The Strategic Cycle: 2024-2029 5 Steps: 

STEP 1: GROWTH STAGE: ESTABLISH/DEFEND BRAND IDENTITY/POSITION

• How do we build/incorporate our PIF Scholar stories?

 

STEP 2: BUILD BRAND & BALANCE TIME DEMANDS/ OPPORTUNITIES

• Board/Community Partner Roles, Responsibilities & Setting Priorities

 

STEP 3: SEEK OUT OPPORTUNITIES & STRENTHEN RELATIONSHIPS

• Do we proactively seek out potential Community Partners who are serving a need that isn’t being fully addressed by our current Community Partners/Sponsorships?

 

• Who can we collaborate with to strengthen our Brand?

 

STEP 4: OF PHASE 2 GROWTH STAGE & NEW FUNDING OPPS

• Instagram for Alumni Stories; Social Media Advertising; Former Donor/ Awareness letter

 

STEP 5: BEGIN TO REAP FINANCIAL BENEFIT OF WORK/REPUTATION

 

2024 STATEMENT of GOALS

 

– Expand Awareness: Goal: 100 FB Followers

– Have a smooth & successful Awarding Summer Season

– No one says ‘I’ve never heard of you’ ever again! 

– Become very well known as a community asset/leader

– BE ABLE TO SAY IN 2025 …. & NOW WE THRIVE!

 

SO HAVING SET THE STRATEGIC STAGE:

 

1. COLLABORATIONS: COMMUNITY PARTNERS/SCHOLAR ALUMS

 

• Community Partners (8 + 3 check-only deliveries)
  • Board members pick Community Partner for WELCOME Meeting (Agenda: check presented, Roles & Responsibilities reviewed, brainstorming Community Voices story sharing ideas)

• Scholars (3 Dr Diters & 7 Pay It Forward Scholars)
  • Facebook Posts for PIT Scholars will be created (Sylvia/Deirdre)
  • The Dr Diters Alumni stream has run out, for now.

 

NOTE: The Board discussed the value of continuing to pursue the Dr Diters Alumni PILOT stories project, in 2023. Janot suggested & the Board agreed, to continue testing the best way to promote the Dr Diters Pilot for an additional year. (September Board Meeting Agenda Item).

 

1. 2024 MARKETING/PROMOTION PRIORITIES: SUMMER PROJECTS

 

RESEARCH:

 

• KRISTIN:
  • Possible 2025 Applicant: CLEAR (Community Enforcement for Addiction Recovery) in Winsted

 

• SANDY:
  • Possible Co-Marketing: Vincents Funeral Home in Canton

• SYLVIA:
  • NW Comm Bank: Donation Box. The Board asked what the ‘visual’ for this in-bank Box would look like. Sylvia to inquire and report back.

 

• LINDA & SYLVIA:
  • Explore Social Media Advertising

PROMOTION:

 

• SYLVIA:
  • Press/Print/Social Media/Broadcast: Summit Adaptive Sports Event
  • Eversource Co-Marketing Opportunity: CCHF as Fiduciary for Canton FD (Q/A Meeting with Eversource Community Rep TBD)

 

• BOARD:
  • Possible Attendance/Support for Community Partners Events: Healing Meals (Hartford Road Race), Favrah (Talcott Market Event)

PROJECTS:

 

• SYLVIA/ALL:
  • Post- WELCOME Meetings, follow up with designated Community Partners on 2024 Community Voices stories

TECH:

• LINDA & DEIRDRE:
  • Resolve Instagram Access Issues

• SYLVIA/BILL
  • Tech: Update Current Systems

Determine how to streamline/improve efficiency of current communication/tech/reporting (Google/applications, Microsoft Outlook/email, Social Media/PayPal & Venmo, Word for Website/Board communication), etc. Recommendation for 2025.

 

September Board Meeting Agenda Items

 

• SYLVIA:
  • Service Marks: Mission & New Tag Line

The Board agreed to begin pursuing promotion of a New Tag Line (By, For, About Canton), in addition to Service Marking our Mission Statement once Summer/2024 promotion of New Tag Line is established with ‘Community Voices’ story sharing.

• SYLVIA/LINDA:
  • New Home Page Sliding Screens

This is a brainstorming project that will be considered as we build Community Partner stories.

 

MOTION #3

SANDY MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MARKETING PRIORITIES AS PRESENTED. KRISTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THERE WAS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.  ALL IN FAVOR & THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL.

 

1. DONOR STRATEGY

 

• TBD: Other Foundations: NW Comm Bank (8/15/24 App Opens)
• Personal Board Member Outreach

• Printed Letter based on 2011-2021 Lists (September Agenda (Item)

The Board discussed compiling a listing of former donors (2011-2024) who could be targeted for an annual print appeal letter. This is a very time-consuming project that will likely require the hiring of a very discrete/professional individual to organize into one confidential file that we would then be responsible for updating.

IDEA: Rather than a ‘one-off’ print letter, the letter would request that targeted donors ‘Follow’ CCHF’s social media. In this way CCHF’s can regularly reinforce/inspire the donor message with every Community Voices & Scholar story/social media post.

 

ITEM # 4: OPERATIONS (Sylvia)

 

• Officers Elections
  • Administrative Officer & Marketing Officer positions remain open.

 

 

ITEM # 5: NEXT STEPS (Sylvia)

 

• SEPT 16^th Meeting
  • Grant APP & Process Reimagining
  • Succession Planning Options
  • Marketing/Promotion Projects

 

• NOV 18 Meeting
  • Operations/St of CT Certifications/Finance
  • Establish 2025 Budget based upon 2024 Expenses/Experience/Strategic Initiatives

 

FINAL MOTION

THERE BEING NO ADDITIONAL ITEMS BEFORE THE BOARD SANDY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE JUNE 17, 2024 BOARD MEETING OF THE CANTON COMMUNITY HEALTH FUND AT 8:45pm. LINDA SECONDED THE MOTION. THERE WAS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.  ALL VOTED IN FAVOR & THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MEETING ADJOURNED.

Last modified: January 10, 2025