Monday, MAY 20, 2024 BOARD MEETING MINUTES 

            Community Center, Room C; PW: Collinsville2015; 6:00pm-8:30pm: Board Meeting

 

Attendees: Janot Bente (on iPad from Maine), Sylvia Cancela, Jim Gavin, Deirdre Lloyd, Shelly Millane, Kristin Oswald, Allie Southworth-Eck, Linda Smith, Sandy Trionfini, Nancy Triou

 

Sylvia opened the May 20, 2024 Board Meeting with a quorum. Tonight, we will choose 2024’s CCHF Community Partners & the Inaugural Class of Pay It Forward Scholars.

 

1. ADMINISTRATION

 

• MARCH 18, 2024: Board Meeting Minutes

Following up on our Jan. Board Meeting on Strategy, the March Meeting focused on agreed upon Values, Vision & Processes to move forward productively, efficiently, effectively with the Same Understanding Informing our May Awarding meeting. All members acknowledged that they had reviewed the Minutes.

 

DEIRDRE MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF THE MARCH 28, 2024 MINUTES & TO ACCEPT THEM AS WRITTEN. NANCY SECONDED THE MOTION.  THERE WAS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. ALL VOTED IN FAVOR OF ACCEPTING THE MINUTES.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

• APRIL 18, 2024: Board Meeting Minutes & Formalize Dr Diters Scholarship Awards

 

All members acknowledged that they had reviewed the April 18^th Zoom Minutes, where CCHF Awarded 3 Dr Diters Scholarships.

SANDY MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF THE APRIL 18, 2024 MINUTES & TO ACCEPT THEM AS WRITTEN, INCLUDING THE AWARDING OF THREE $1,000 IN DR. DITERS SCHOLARSHIPS TO EACH OF THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS: SAMANTHA YANKE, ALENA SCOTT, ABRIGAIL UNDERKOFFLER.

 

Post Awarding Comments by Shelly: Canton Visiting Nurse Assn, our Legacy organization, was committed to focusing the Dr. Diters scholarship for the advancement of nursing/healthcare careers. Funding a Dr Diters scholarship, to a CHS graduating senior focusing on a Veterinarian career, as a Board majority agreed to in April, is not consistent with that Legacy.  The commitment to the 3 Dr. Dieter Scholars, including the Vet student, was already announced to CHS. However, the Board will review the intention of the Dr Diters Scholarship at our Sept Project Overview meeting.

Following the Board discussion, Deirdre seconded the Motion to accept the three Dr. Diters Scholarships. The Motion passed unanimously.

• APRIL 29, 2024: Formalize Vote for Linda Smith Board Membership

 

ALLIE MADE A MOTION TO FORMALLY APPROVE LINDA SMITH’S MEMBERSHIP TO THE CANTON COMMUNITY HEALTH FUND’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AS VOTED AT AN ONLINE MEETING, ON APRIL 29, 2024. KRISTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THERE WAS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  WELCOME LINDA!

 

• TAXES: 2023 Form 990 was competed with $130 in taxes due and paid. Thank you Kristin for managing this with CCHF’s new accountant, (same firm), Chris.

• Vanguard balance to date: $794,762 (including the withdrawal of $50,000 plus another $10,000 anticipated to come for Awarding season).

 

2. OPENING STATEMENT (Sylvia)

 

Tonight, we fulfill our fiduciary responsibilities to our 100-year Legacy from Canton Visiting Nurse Assn who entrusted us with the distribution of the fund created by & for the Community in 1997. In 2023 we increased the maximum grant to be awarded to $6,000 & added a new Pay It Forward Scholarship to address the evolving needs of our community. Today, we continue to proudly build that Legacy.

 

3. REVIEW, ASSESSMENT, AWARDING OF 2024 COMMUNITY PARTNER GRANTS & PAY IT FORWARD SCHOLARSHIPS

 

The Board reviewed CCHF’s Awarding Processes to ensure we move forward with the same understanding & underlying framework we began last year & have further augmented with our Jan. & March Board Meetings:

 

• Process: Board Rules of Engagement

 

KEY MEASUREMENTS:

 

• Strategy:
  • GRANTS: Looking to Partner with a diverse network of community leaders in the best position to serve Canton residents, from organizations working out of church basements, to those with brick/motor campuses they run like businesses.

• SCHOLARSHIPS: Looking for Canton residents building careers that will inspire others to Pay It Forward through their work in healthcare or public Safety/Service.

 

• Our Values:
  • Respect. Integrity. Service/Support. People First. Empathy. Credibility. Accountability & Due Diligence to the community with regards to their money & needs. Our Reputation.

• Our Vision:
  • Making the lives of Canton residents better. Empowering. Creating Value. Accessibility to funding. Being involved. Paying Attention. Listening.

• Distinctive Competency: Our diverse & significant relationships in the community who wants our success as much as we want theirs!

 

• Data points
  • 2024 New more detailed applications
• Outcome/Impact Reports & experience from/with 2023 Community Partners
  • Responses received to Board Follow up questions

PROCESS:

• EACH APPLICANT WILL GET THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL HEARING
• OPEN DISCUSSION:
  • ADDITIONAL DATA FROM Follow Up Questions
  • PROS & CONCERNS
• VOTE: STRAIGHT MAJORITY VOTE

 

• VOTE #1
  • APPROVAL
    • Application closed

 

• DENIED
  • Alternate proposal for Applicant?
• VOTE #2
  • ALTERNATE PROPOSAL APPROVED
    • Application closed
  • ALTERNATE PROPOSAL DENIED
    • VOTE #1for Denial stands & hearing is closed.

 

• Funding: Starting Point

 

The Starting Point tonight, per our accountant, is $40,000. That’s not a limit, not a budget. It’s the bare minimum to remain in compliance as a non-profit with the IRS. Every dollar after that defines OUR BRAND & solidifies our future legacy.

 

2024 COMMUNITY PARTNER APPLICATIONS

 

• Farmington Valley Stage: $2,000

Pros: An innovative value added for the community. A quality-of-life solution for their main audience who are seniors. Ease of use on smart phones. An organization which has great promotional abilities & eager to collaborate with CCHF’s Mission.  Be great to have an Arts organization participating as a Community Partner.

Concerns: Lack of data re: the number of audience members impacted. FVS is the primary user of the tech. (Film Festival in this space is another). FVS did not take the more expensive option recommended by the Town Tech, Jon Lass who knows the auditorium space best.

VOTES: Deny: 8 Approve: 1

APPLICATION IS DENIED & NO ALTERNATE PROPOSAL OFFERED.

• Children’s Museum: $3,704

Pros:

Concerns: This Application is disqualified per the CCHF Fact Sheet which does not fund the request made in the Application.

VOTES: Deny: 9 Approve:

APPLICATION IS DENIED & NO ALTERNATE PROPOSAL OFFERED.

 

• Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS: $6,000

Pros: Valuable communication high tech equipment that will keep both volunteer firefighters/EMTs, their mutual aid partners as well as the public safer & greatly enhance effectiveness & efficiency. Great Community Partner in 2023.

Concerns: There was a question on whether or not this was partial or full funding. A reference sheet provided by a Board member, indicated that the radios go from $4,000 – $8,000

VOTES: Deny: 1 Approve: 9*

APPLICATION IS APPROVED.

*NOTE: Janot began participating with this Application.

 

• Summit Adaptive Sports: $6,000

Pros: They will serve an underserved population in town looking for summer recreation on the River – something that defines our community. They have 18 years of experience managing winter sports for individuals with disabilities.

Concerns: Lack of data/local anticipation on their 2023 summer pilot.

VOTES: Deny:  Approve: 10

APPLICATION IS APPROVED.

 

• Canton Police Dept: $3,000

Pros: AEDs are basic lifesaving equipment. Great 2023 Community Partner.

Concerns:

VOTES: Deny:  Approve: 10

APPLICATION IS APPROVED.

 

• SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center: $5,915

Pros: A long term, enthusiastic Community Partner offering unique programming and always innovating based on community needs.

Concerns:

VOTES: Deny:  Approve: 10

APPLICATION IS APPROVED.

 

 

• Healing Meals Community Project: $2,500

Pros: Contrary to what was thought when HMCP was introduced to CCHF in 2023, Canton students began participating in their kitchen meals programming through the Rotary Club of Avon/Canton, as verified by a Board member. HMCP advised that the Club intends to participate again this year.  Their funding request covers 5 Canton resident families, which is their historic experience.

Concerns: They are a very well-funded organization.

VOTES: Deny: 3 Approve: 7

APPLICATION IS APPROVED.

 

• The Arc of Farmington Valley FAVARH: $6,000

Pros: A long time, well-regarded & consistent Community Partner offering topical and creative options for their clients.

Concerns: They are a very well-funded organization.  The number of Canton residents served in their Day Program went down from 20 in 2023 to 10 in 2024 due to clients moving up to more independent circumstances, due to their increased abilities, and therefore out of the Day Program, while other clients moved into their Avon program where higher levels of support are available. Cost of programming $75/per client per year.

VOTES: Deny: 9 Approve: 1

APPLICATION IS DENIED.

 

ALTERNATE PROPOSAL: $3,000

VOTES: Deny: 5 Approve: 5

APPLICATION IS DENIED.

ALTERNATE PROPOSAL: $2,000

VOTES: Deny:  Approve: 10

APPLICATION IS APPROVED.

THE FOLLOWING 4 APPLICANTS WERE GROUPED TOGETHER AS THEY FUND THE SAME CLIENTS REFERRED FROM SOCIAL & SENIOR SERVICES.

 

• Canton Senior & Social Services: $6,000

Pros: Annual budget of $3,500 has been proposed as a cut to Town budget. Growing needs, all ages & demographics. CCHF has funded their ‘satellite’ support organizations (Focus, Fuel & Food) for many years, but not SSS. 55% of their funding goes to Fuel expenses; 35% to Food; & 10% to Other where Focus would support them.

Concerns:

VOTES: Deny:  Approve: 10

APPLICATION IS APPROVED.

 

 

 

 

• Canton Food Bank: $6,000

Pros: A great 2023 Community Partner. Director is entrepreneurial and creative. Application would expand their healthy meals programming.

Concerns:

VOTES: Deny:  Approve:10

APPLICATION IS APPROVED.

 

• Focus on Canton: $6,000

Pros: CCHF is the primary source of funding for this long time Community Partner which is in good standing with Senior & Social Services.

Concerns: With only 10% of SSS funding covered, is this too high a level of funding?

VOTES: Deny:  Approve: 9

APPLICATION IS APPROVED.

 

NOTE: Janot no longer participated in this Vote or in the following Votes.

 

• Canton Emergency Fuel Bank

Pros: They are a long time Community Partner in good standing with Senior & Social Services.

Concerns: Is this enough funding given Fuel costs are the primary need for Senior & Social Service clients? CEFB’s annual donor appeal brings in between $30,000-$50,000 a year, so we respect their Application as presented.

VOTES: Deny:  Approve: 9

APPLICATION IS APPROVED.

 

• Canton High Substance Free Graduation Event: $6,000

Pros: The Event is a special evening for up to 150 students.

Concerns: There is no short- or long-term impact of this Event on substance use among young people in Town. The Committee who hosts is not interested in CCHF’s Community Partner programming. Continued concerns about possible substance use at the (past) Events. A request to the Committee on clarification about liability insurance to funders went unanswered. A Board member clarified that the Event is sponsored under the Canton Athletic Booster Club which sponsors many sports in Town & we believe must have insurance, to cover even the small chance of liability for CCHF as a funder.

VOTES: Deny: 9 Approve:

APPLICATION IS DENIED.

ALTERNATE PROPOSAL: $2,000

VOTES: Deny: 2   Approve: 7

APPLICATION IS APPROVED.

 

KRISTIN MADE A MOTION TO INVEST $49,415 in 2024 COMMUNITY PARTNER GRANT APPLICANTS LISTED ABOVE. LINDA SECONDED THE MOTION. THERE WAS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.  ALL VOTED IN FAVOR & THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

2024 INAUGURAL PAY IT FORWARD SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

 

KEY MEASUREMENTS:

 

Brand: Based Upon – Same as GRANTS

 

Data points

• New, detailed, BLIND applications
• Responses to Board Follow up questions
• IN CANTON? CONTRIBUTING TO COMMUNITY? PURSUING HEALTHCARE or PUBLIC SAFETY/SERVICE CAREERS? NEED FUNDING SUPPPORT?

PROCESS:

• EACH APPLICANT WILL GET THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL HEARING
• OPEN DISCUSSION: PROS & CONCERNS
• RECOMMENDED SCHOLARSHIP: BEGINNING AT $1,000 with flexibility of additional funding depending on quality of Application.
• VOTE: STRAIGHT MAJORITY APPROVAL OR DENIAL ON AGREED UPON SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT

APPLICANT A.

Pros: Good community service. In a home with a single parent, other siblings. Lifelong Scout.

Concerns: Has funding. GPA, ‘no’ academic achievements. No ‘challenges.’ No work experience.

VOTE: 9 APPROVE:

APPLICANT BRODY GRECULA APPROVED FOR A $1,000 PIF SCHOLARSHIP.

APPLICANT B:

Pros: Worked in nursing assisted facility & geriatric field for 3 years. School trip to Dominican Republic, raised funds for trip, meds, supplies. Science, anatomy courses, shadowed LPRN.

Concerns:

VOTE: DENY: 1 APPROVE: 8

APPLICANT RORY BEMIS APPROVED FOR A $1,000 PIF SCHOLARSHIP.

APPLICANT C:

Pros: Financial need. Patient care receptionist. Tuition not covered by FAFSA.

 

Concerns: No nursing course before entered nursing school. No community service.

VOTE: DENY: 3 APPROVE: 6

APPLICANT LAURAINE NICHOLLS APPROVED FOR A $2,000 PIF SCHOLARSHIP.

APPLICANT D:

Pros: Community service. Works as LPN at St Francis. Has financial need. Question about her Canton residency resolved.

Concerns: GPA not strong. Good salary, but no savings while living at home. Spent last 6 years trying to get a 2-year degree.

VOTE: DENY: 3 APPROVE: 5

APPLICANT NOELLE LANGEVIN APPROVED FOR A $3,000 PIF SCHOLARSHIP.

APPLICANT E:

Pros: Financial pressure, 3 siblings in college. Motivated to be a nurse after tragic loss of aunt/her mentor – a nurse.

Concerns: No response to follow-up questions. No community service.

VOTE: DENY: APPROVE: 9

APPLICANT ALI BAHRE APPROVED FOR A $1,000 PIF SCHOLARSHIP.

APPLICANT F:

Pros: Former multi-year Dr Diters Alum Scholar. Good GPA. Community Service. Motivated despite & because of many challenges. Significant honors.

Concerns:

$3,000 VOTE: DENY: 5 APPROVE: 4

$2,000 VOTE: DENY: APPROVE: 9

APPLICANT AMANDA MAY APPROVED FOR A $2,000 PIF SCHOLARSHIP.

APPLICANT F:

Pros: Dr Diters Alum Scholar. Strong GPA. Highly motivated & focused. Plans to return to CT. Graduating in 2026.

Concerns: No significant financial pressure. Most of community service in North Carolina & internationally.

VOTE: DENY: APPROVE: 9

APPLICANT ANDREW CAVANAUGH APPROVED FOR A $1,000 PIF SCHOLARSHIP.

SANDY MADE A MOTION TO INVEST $11,000 IN 2024 PAY IT FORWARD SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE INDIVIDUALS LISTED ABOVE. NANCY SECONDED THE MOTION. THERE WAS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.  ALL VOTED IN FAVOR & THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

4. NEXT STEPS

 

MAY

• By Friday, May 24: Shelly email 13 Approval/Denial Letter to ALL Grant applicants
• By Friday, May 24: Sylvia email 7 Approval Letters to ALL PIF applicants
• By Friday, May 24: Sylvia asks Doreen Cohen to update ‘puzzle’ home page on Facebook with new 2024 Community Partners
• By Tuesday, May 28: PR distributed to Valley Press, Courant.net, Town, FB Page.
• By Thursday, May 30: Sylvia Follow up with 2024 Community Partners & Pay It Forward Scholars (with PR attachment), intro to each other
  • Notice to Community Partners on meetings in June/July
• Thursday, May 30^th Scholarship Award Reception: Deirdre/Allie/Sylvia attend. Ann Bemin, CHS guidance office sends letter to all students receiving scholarships, inviting them to the award ceremony. At the ceremony, students find out who is awarding them & how much the award will be.

 

JUNE

• Kristin: Make out grant checks to Community Partners.
• Sylvia/ALL: June 27 Board Meeting: Coordinate in-person delivery of Community Partner Grant checks with Board members. Review Roles/Responsibilities, Story Sharing opportunities.
• Deirdre/Kristin: Coordinate letters & delivery of Dr Diters Scholarship checks to Schools
• Sylvia/Kristin: Coordinate delivery of Pay It Forward Scholarship checks to Schools
• Monday: June 17^th: Annual Marketing Meeting, 6:30pm-8:30pm, Room C

5. MEETING ADJOURNED

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS BOARD & TO ALL OUR 2024 COMMUNITY PARTNERS & the 1st CLASS OF PAY IT FORWARD SCHOLARS!

 

THERE BEING NO ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO DISCUSS, LINDA MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MAY 20, 2024 BOARD MEETING OF THE CANTON COMMUINTY HEALTH FUND AT 9:30pm. DEIRDRE SECONDED THE MOTION. THERE WAS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Last modified: January 10, 2025