HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-19-20 WAF MinWESTLAKE ACADEMY FOUNDATION
Board Meeting
October 19, 2020
Board Members in Attendance: Debbie Kraska, Laura Luckett, Meghan Dorr, Wendy Greenwood, Ahu
Sieg, Christine Ross and Sean Shope
Others in Attendance: Amanda DeGan, Debbie Piper, Ginger Awtry, Marlene Rutledge, Noah Simon,
Todd Wood, Jason Power, Shelly Myers, Mechelle Bryson and Julie Kelly
I. C. Ross called the meeting to order at 8:32AM. Meeting took place via remote call due to
pandemic precautions and requirement for social distancing.
II. Motion to approve minutes of September 21, 2020 meeting by M. Dorr, second by D. Kraska.
Motion carried.
III. Financial Report
● S. Shope reported on Financial Analysis of the past month. Blacksmith Annual Fund
Revenues and Grants to the Academy totaled over $234,000 for the month of September.
● The Foundation’s current financial position includes total assets of $2,645,588.
● S. Myers drew attention to FY 2018-19 Remaining Balance from Westlake Baja event of
$47,194. Motion to move that balance to Legacy Teacher Fund, Staff Gift Cards bucket, by
M. Dorr, second by W. Greenwood. Motion carried.
● S. Shope and S. Myers presented WAF Budget for 2020-21. Motion to approve budget by D.
Kraska, second by W. Greenwood. Motion carried and budget passed.
● Budget for 2020-21 will be loaded for next month per M. Rutledge. There are still some
outstanding receivables for 2019-20.
● S. Shope provided update on Investment Committee, which met recently with RBC.
Endowment investment value has rebounded well from April downturns. Asset allocation is
still effective and in compliance.
IV. Marketing Committee
● W. Greenwood presented Blacksmith Annual Fund marketing review with goals, strategies,
and results. Overall strategies have included videos on social media and emails,
postcard/mailers, the Academy’s Communique, class participation signs on campus, garden
flags as gifts to donors and website donor thank you recognition.
● Next steps for BAF will include promoting $10k Challenge for the next 100 donor families.
● Discussed marketing plan for Westlake Baja to include 5 weeks of solicitation for donations
(11/9 to 12/9).
● Next steps for Baja will be social media campaign, video, gift card delivery to staff for
teacher appreciation.
● A. Sieg reported social media stats for 8/24 to 10/17, which include 90 posts, 128 average
reach, 603 likes and 596 followers.
V. Development
● Blacksmith Annual Fund
o A. Sieg reported that BAF is currently at $852,244 gifts/pledges and 62% parent
participation, 57% new families.
o S. Myers will reach out to non-donors who traditionally give. J. Kelly will provide non-
donor lists for Grade Captain to call.
● Westlake Baja
o S. Myers discussed 1:1 match challenge on donations and that there will be no actual event
this year due to pandemic.
o She will work with M. Colby re. strategy to contact last year’s donors.
o A. Sieg will work on eCart on WAF website to accept donations to the three initiatives of
the Legacy Teacher Fund (e.g., Teacher of the Year awards, Thank You gift cards,
Increased Coach/Club Advisor stipends).
VI. Grants Committee
● S. Myers presented grant request to fund “Angst: Raising Awareness around Anxiety” digital
film screening.
● W. Greenwood moved to approve the grant up to the requested amount of $950.00, second by
A. Sieg. Motion carried and grant funding approved.
● M. Bryson provided updates regarding past and ongoing grants. The WA Drumline has
recently made additional purchases of supplies. Regarding Literacy grant, staff is working on
options to share best practices with teachers.
VII. President’s Report
● C. Ross thanked Board for helping with Blacksmith Annual Fund promotion and
participation, volunteering as Grade Captains and assisting with the Foundation’s multiple
Marketing efforts.
VIII. Executive Director’s Report
● S. Myers commended the Board for the success of the Foundation that would not be possible
without their volunteerism.
● She reported that Zan Jones has resigned as a Foundation director, and expressed gratitude for
Zan’s many years of service on the Board and to the Academy.
Other Business
None
S. Shope moved to adjourn the Board meeting, second by A. Sieg. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at
9:29AM.
Next Meeting: Monday, November 16, 2020 at 8:30 AM, via remote call