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Meeting Minutes 9/16/2008

Posted Sun, 04/19/2009 - 14:23 by jsickles

Ravenna Community Educational Foundation
September 16, 2008
Meeting Minutes
Meeting called to order by President Karen Barker at 7:10pm.
Roll Call: Karen Barker, Dee Swanson, Jason Helsen, Brenda Jacobs, Laura Wagner,
Ken Patterson Sr., Ken Punter, Mike Pierson. Brandy Thompson-Bueche and Michelle
Straley arrived late at 7:20pm.
Approval of Agenda: Mike Pierson made a motion to accept the agenda for the
September 16, 2008 meeting. Second by Laura Wagner. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes: Mike Pierson made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from
the August 4, 2008 meeting. Second by Laura Wagner. Motion carried with Jason
Helsen and Dee Swanson abstaining from the vote due to being absent at the 8/4/08
meeting.
Correspondence: Received from Ravenna United Methodist Church. A donation of
$500.00 for the scholarship fund was received. Brenda Jacobs will send a thank you.
Finance Report: Brenda Jacobs reported no new updates. Quarterly report is still due to
come in.
Committee Reports
A. Giving and Donor Committee: Members of this committee presented the letter
they redrafted. The redrafted letter speaks to the target audience of donors. It
highlights the overall goal of RCEF to receive funds through donations in hopes
of being able to give two teacher and two student mini-grants in the amount of
$300 each and a scholarship in the amount of $500 during the year 2009. The
letter explains that only 4% of donated funds may be used. The letter continues
and lists the giving levels: Bronze <$100, Silver $100-$499, Gold $500-$999,
Platinum $1,000-$2,499, RCEF Champion $2,500-$4,999, Ruby $5,000-$9,999,
Sapphire $10,000-$24,999, Emerald $25,000-$49,999 and Diamond $50,000+.
Discussion among trustees resulted in a motion. Laura Wagner made a motion to utilize
the letter drafted by the Giving and Donor Committee to establish our giving goals for the
year 2009 and for this letter to be distributed to area businesses in late October to be
followed up by phone or in person the beginning of November. Second by Ken Patterson
Sr. Motion carried.
B. Annual Meeting/Event Committee: Members of this committee presented their
idea of “Celebrate Ravenna Schools” Showcase. The event would be held on
May 7th of 2009 at Moss Ridge. Tickets would be $10.00. The showcase would
display exhibits and works of art from individuals and groups such as FFA, BPA,
DI and others. A discussion of having an item for auction and a People’s Choice
Award was held. No final decision was made. It was also suggested that Karen
Barker as President of RCEF should speak and encourage gifts of giving in the
form of donations. Committee members suggested having a student design the
brochures for the event and have George from Ravenna Food Services do the
catering.
Discussion among trustees resulted in a motion. Ken Punter made a motion to hold
Moss Ridge for Thursday, May 7, 2009 for the “Celebrate Ravenna Schools”
Showcase. Second by Laura Wagner. Motion carried.
C. Alumni Data Base: Karen Barker has been working with Jeff on ways of
appropriately doing this. Discussion among trustees resulting in a decision to put
this effort on hold. Confidentiality was key.
D. Teacher Grant Deadline is October 31st.
Website: Ken Punter will continue to work on getting the RCEF website to appear
the way trustees want it to be. Ken will add the new giving levels to the website.
Old Business: Karen Barker reported that the Presentation to Ravenna Teachers of
RPS and St. Catherine’s went very well. Response was good and we will know more
as finance reports are available.
New Business: RCEF checking account needs to have a new signature card with
current trustees. Sharon Yonker and Matt Broton are currently on the RCEF checking
account.
Discussion resulted in a motion. Mike Pierson made a motion to remove Sharon
Yonker and Matt Broton from the check book register and place Ken Patterson Sr.
and Ken Punter with Karen Barker and Brenda Jacobs on the RCEF checking account
at Choice One Bank. Second by Dee Swanson. Motion carried.
Other: none
Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 7:00pm in the Computer Lab of
Beechnau Elementary School.
Ravenna Community Educational Foundation
September 16, 2008
Meeting Minutes
Meeting called to order by President Karen Barker at 7:10pm.
Roll Call: Karen Barker, Dee Swanson, Jason Helsen, Brenda Jacobs, Laura Wagner,
Ken Patterson Sr., Ken Punter, Mike Pierson. Brandy Thompson-Bueche and Michelle
Straley arrived late at 7:20pm.
Approval of Agenda: Mike Pierson made a motion to accept the agenda for the
September 16, 2008 meeting. Second by Laura Wagner. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes: Mike Pierson made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from
the August 4, 2008 meeting. Second by Laura Wagner. Motion carried with Jason
Helsen and Dee Swanson abstaining from the vote due to being absent at the 8/4/08
meeting.
Correspondence: Received from Ravenna United Methodist Church. A donation of
$500.00 for the scholarship fund was received. Brenda Jacobs will send a thank you.
Finance Report: Brenda Jacobs reported no new updates. Quarterly report is still due to
come in.
Committee Reports
A. Giving and Donor Committee: Members of this committee presented the letter
they redrafted. The redrafted letter speaks to the target audience of donors. It
highlights the overall goal of RCEF to receive funds through donations in hopes
of being able to give two teacher and two student mini-grants in the amount of
$300 each and a scholarship in the amount of $500 during the year 2009. The
letter explains that only 4% of donated funds may be used. The letter continues
and lists the giving levels: Bronze <$100, Silver $100-$499, Gold $500-$999,
Platinum $1,000-$2,499, RCEF Champion $2,500-$4,999, Ruby $5,000-$9,999,
Sapphire $10,000-$24,999, Emerald $25,000-$49,999 and Diamond $50,000+.
Discussion among trustees resulted in a motion. Laura Wagner made a motion to utilize
the letter drafted by the Giving and Donor Committee to establish our giving goals for the
year 2009 and for this letter to be distributed to area businesses in late October to be
followed up by phone or in person the beginning of November. Second by Ken Patterson
Sr. Motion carried.
B. Annual Meeting/Event Committee: Members of this committee presented their
idea of “Celebrate Ravenna Schools” Showcase. The event would be held on
May 7th of 2009 at Moss Ridge. Tickets would be $10.00. The showcase would
display exhibits and works of art from individuals and groups such as FFA, BPA,
DI and others. A discussion of having an item for auction and a People’s Choice
Award was held. No final decision was made. It was also suggested that Karen
Barker as President of RCEF should speak and encourage gifts of giving in the
form of donations. Committee members suggested having a student design the
brochures for the event and have George from Ravenna Food Services do the
catering.
Discussion among trustees resulted in a motion. Ken Punter made a motion to hold
Moss Ridge for Thursday, May 7, 2009 for the “Celebrate Ravenna Schools”
Showcase. Second by Laura Wagner. Motion carried.
C. Alumni Data Base: Karen Barker has been working with Jeff on ways of
appropriately doing this. Discussion among trustees resulting in a decision to put
this effort on hold. Confidentiality was key.
D. Teacher Grant Deadline is October 31st.
Website: Ken Punter will continue to work on getting the RCEF website to appear
the way trustees want it to be. Ken will add the new giving levels to the website.
Old Business: Karen Barker reported that the Presentation to Ravenna Teachers of
RPS and St. Catherine’s went very well. Response was good and we will know more
as finance reports are available.
New Business: RCEF checking account needs to have a new signature card with
current trustees. Sharon Yonker and Matt Broton are currently on the RCEF checking
account.
Discussion resulted in a motion. Mike Pierson made a motion to remove Sharon
Yonker and Matt Broton from the check book register and place Ken Patterson Sr.
and Ken Punter with Karen Barker and Brenda Jacobs on the RCEF checking account
at Choice One Bank. Second by Dee Swanson. Motion carried.
Other: none
Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 7:00pm in the Computer Lab of
Beechnau Elementary School.
Adjournment: Dee Swanson made a motion to adjourn at 8:35pm. Second by Jason
Helsen. Motion carried.
Helsen. Motion carried.

Regular Meeting Minutes 11/18/2008

Posted Sun, 04/19/2009 - 14:21 by jsickles

Ravenna Community Educational Foundation
Regular Meeting Report 11/18/08
*Called to order Tuesday November 18, 2009 at Beechnau Elementary School’s computer room about 7 p.m. by Ken
Punter.
*Attending were Punter, Treasurer Brenda Jacobs, Secretary Brandy Thompson-Bueche, Trustees Delores Swanson,
Jason Helsen, Ken Patterson Sr., Michelle Straley and Michael Pierson.
*Absent: President Karen Barker and Vice President Laura Wagner.
Celebrate Ravenna Schools
*The group discussed the upcoming Celebrate Ravenna Schools event to be held May 7, 2009 at Moss Ridge Banquet
Center. The purpose of the event is to celebrate and recognize the abilities and talents of students in our schools. The
evening will showcase the arts, oratory, poetry, woodworking, music, demonstrations etc. Much on the order of
“Showcase” in Muskegon.
Cash awards will be made to student winners in different categories with those attending able to vote for their favorite
presentation. Exhibits will be on display starting at 6:30 p.m. with a punctuation of music, demonstrations and short
skits. A program will commence at 7:30 p.m. with Brenda Jacobs as mistress of ceremonies. Willing exhibitions will receive
awards, donors will be recognized and foundation President Karen Barker will have remarks.
Treasurer’s Report-was given by Brenda Jacobs. She noted that the foundation’s assets had shrunk in the past few
months.
Alumni Data Base-is moving along under the direction of Karen Barker. It was estimated that the project might take
a 5 year cycle to complete.
December Meeting-was cancelled. Next meeting scheduled for Tuesday January 20, 2009.

Meeting Minutes 2/17/2009

Posted Sun, 04/19/2009 - 14:19 by jsickles

Ravenna Community Educational Foundation
Proposed Minutes-Regular Meeting 2/17/09
Call to order
*Called to order at 7:08 p.m. in the Beechnau Elementary School library by President
Ken Punter. Attending were Vice President Jason Helsen, Treasurer Brenda Jacobs,
Secretary Michael Pierson and Trustees Laura Wagner and Ken Patterson Sr.
*Absent: Dee Swanson, Karen Barker, Brandy Thompson-Bueche and Michelle Straley.
Agenda
*The proposed agenda was approved on motion by Ken Patterson and support by Mike 6-
0.
January Minutes
*Proposed minutes from the January meeting were approved, with a correction, on
motion by Mike and support from Laura 6-0.
Correspondence
*The 2008 annual financial statement was received from the Community Foundation of
Muskegon County and is posted on the web site.
Treasurer’s Report
*The treasurer’s report was presented by Brenda. She reported that there is $661 in our
checking account, $200 of which is from the Beechnau-Thieme fund and is committed to
the Celebrate Ravenna Schools event.
*Brenda noted that the annual post office box fee of $20 was paid from the account.
*All deposits must go to Brenda or directly to the foundation. A $100 donation from
Choice One Bank was delayed by not following this protocol.
*Brenda will contact Ravenna Ductile Iron Plant manager about a donation to the
foundation.
President’s Report
*Ken noted that the web site annual bill of $350 was paid by Karen Barker.
*There was a consensus that the web site was important for the functioning of the
foundation and should continue to be supported.
Old Business
*Celebrate Ravenna Schools event was discussed at length.
*Ken had posters made and Mike distributed them to the schools. We will have 20 more
of the larger posters made.
*Ken appointed committees for the event: Tickets-Ken Patterson with help from Kay
Punter the night of the event; project jury-Laura and Brenda; Advertising-Invitation list-
Mike, Jason will design an invitation.
*Tickets will be printed for distribution at the March meeting.
*Invitations will be sent to politicians, school board members, media, past donors and
school administrators.
*Follow up contacts will be made a the schools and to specific teachers about the event.
We would like to encourage students to start registering as soon as possible. Jason will
contact Scott McFarren, Laura will contact Sue Sharp about Beechnau Elementary
School and Mike will cover the high school.
*Ken Patterson has talked to Teacher Pat Ripley about National Honor Society students
serving the night of the Celebrate Ravenna Schools event.
*The Ravenna Chamber of Commerce has donated $200 for prize money.
*2008 RCEF Annual Report was presented and approved on motion by Brenda and
support from Laura 6-0. It will be posted on the web site.
*Annual Election of Officers-was conducted at the January meeting with 5 members
present. With 10 trustees, 6 are required for a quorum, therefore the board voted again to
re-affirm the election. Mike Pierson and Karen Barker were approved for new 3-year
terms, 6-0; Ken Punter-president, 6-0, Jason Helsen-vice president, 6-0, Brenda Jacobstreasurer,
6-0, Mike Pierson-secretary, 6-0.
New Business
*2009 High School Scholarship committee is Jason and Dee. Jason will start work on
selecting a 2009 recipient.
Next Meeting….will be Tuesday March 17, 7 p.m. in the Beechnau Elementary School
library. The April meeting will be Tuesday the 21st. Deadline for student registration for
Celebrate Ravenna Schools is Friday April 17. Brenda noted that the RHS Athletic Hall
of Fame banquet is Friday May 8, one night after the Celebrate Ravenna Schools event.
Adjournment
*Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p. m.

Minutes Regular Meeting 1/27/09

Posted Sun, 04/19/2009 - 14:16 by jsickles

Ravenna Community Educational Foundation
Minutes-Regular Meeting 1/27/09
Approved 2/17/09

Call to order
*Called to order shortly after 7 p.m. in the Beechnau Elementary School library by Vice
President Laura Wagner. Other trustees attending were Ken Punter, Jason Helsen, Ken
Patterson Sr. and Michael Pierson.
*Absent: Brenda Jacobs, Karen Barker, Brandy Thompson-Buech e, Michelle Straley and
Dee Swanson.
Regular Business
*The agenda was unanimously approved on motion by Mike Pierson and support from
Ken Punter.
*Notes from the November 18, 2008 meeting were approved on motion by Laura Wagner
and support from Jason Helsen.
*Treasurer Brenda Jacobs’ report was e-mailed to the members showing total
contributions at the end of 2008 quarter 4 of $35, 423.73.
Committee Reports
*The event committee of Mike Pierson, Ken Punter and Ken Patterson gave an update of
the Celebrate Ravenna Schools event planned for Thursday May 7, 2009 at Moss Ridge
Banquet Center.
*The $700 fee for the building has been paid by the Beechnau-Thieme Fund and the
Ravenna Chamber of Commerce is expected to approve $200 for prize money to award to
top student exhibits.
*All building principals have been notified about the event and have registration forms
for student exhibits.
*A poster is being designed and will be duplicated to be displayed in each school and in
classrooms such as science, art and AgScience where potential participants would be sure
to see it. Mike and Ken will finish the poster and have it duplicated.
*Ken Patterson is working on a ticket to be used for the event.
*Food will be provided by Chartwells with an initial estimation of 200 guests @$5 per
head. Cost of the food will be covered by the $10 ticket price.
Election of officers
*Karen Barker was unanimously elected to a 3-year term on motion by Mike with
support by Jason.
*Mike Pierson was unanimously elected to a 3-year term on motion by Laura and support
by Jason.
*Ken Punter was unanimously elected president on motion by Mike and support by Ken
Patterson.
*Jason Helsen was unanimously elected vice president on motion by Ken Punter and
support by Ken Patterson.
*Mike Pierson was unanimously elected secretary on motion by Ken Patterson and
support by Laura.
*Brenda Jacobs was unanimously elected treasurer on motion by Mike and support by
Laura.
Annual report
*Reports from the following committee chairs are due to be in K en’s hands in one week:
Finance-Brenda, Minutes-Ken Punter, Grants & Scholarships-Jason, Website-Ken
Punter, President’s report-Karen, Alumni-Karen, Marketing-Mike.
Next meeting
*Meetings will be held the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Next meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday February 17, 7 p.m. at Beechnau Elementary School library.
*Ken Punter will send out agenda one week prior to the meeting.

RCEF Website annual report 2007

Posted Sun, 04/19/2009 - 14:13 by jsickles

4 December 2007

To: RCEF Trustee Board

Subject: Annual Report for the Ravenna Community Educational Foundation (RCEF) Website

1. I was tasked with establishing a web site for RCEF that would allow the community to view the activities of the foundation in a passive mode, allow the board to give detailed RCEF information to the community and also give an opportunity for the public to donate on line to RCEF via the Community Foundation of Muskegon County. These mandates have been accomplished.
2. The website is www.RavennaFoundation.org or www.RavennaFoundation.com). It has an edit capability and certain parts of the pages can be edited as events change and as new information needs to be added.
3. No money has been spent to date on the website. The 20 August 2007 RCEF board meeting allocated $1,000 or less to be spent in calendar year 2007 for the establishment and maintenance of the website. Thus far, Sickles Consulting (Jeff Sickles) has not submitted for payment, though charges will probably be forthcoming around the first of the year. Sickles Consulting is located in East Hampton, CT.
4. There will always be annual costs associated with maintaining a website. There is a small annual fee to continue to own the website addresses. Most of the cost in a website however is found in building the actual website and any major revisions that are performed thereafter.
5. Goals for 2008. It is expected that the website will be utilized to allow people to signup for the upcoming flag football tournament. The site will allow participants to see the football rules, get directions and pay on-line. Another goal for 2008 is to establish an archival area where all past minutes of RCEF meetings will be housed. Additionally, any significant documents for RCEF will be housed there.

Respectfully submitted,

Ken Punter
RCEF Trustee

RCEF Grant Scholarship Committee 2007

Posted Sun, 04/19/2009 - 14:12 by jsickles

December 17, 2007

Ravenna Community Educational Foundation
Grants/Scholarship Committee
2007 Annual Report

Committee Members: Ken Punter, Jason Helsen and Karen Barker

We developed Grant and Scholarship applications. As we were just forming and financially we needed to get our first $10,000 donated to be a true part of the Muskegon County Community Foundation, we decided to only give out one student scholarship this year. It was as much a public relations issue as helping a senior get help with college. We wanted people to know the RCEF had been formed and in the process of taking donations to make a difference in our educational sites in the community.

Attached are the applications we adopted as a board. Our first recipient of the RCEF Student Scholarship was John Miller who is attending Grand Valley State University. The scholarship was in the amount of $500.

When the RCEF gets the $10,000 to be “established” according to Muskegon County Community Foundation we will talk about beginning our teacher and student grants that can be used in the schools and classrooms and increase the number of grants as money allows.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Barker, Chair
Grants/Scholarships Committee

A Year in Review from RCEF President 2007

Posted Sun, 04/19/2009 - 14:10 by jsickles

A Year in Review from RCEF President, Karen Barker
December 27, 2007

It has been a busy year forming the Ravenna Community Educational Foundation. This foundation is something that could have been beneficial sooner, but never got started until now. As the former high school principal, I knew other communities had their educational foundations and Ravenna needed to have one as well. I wanted to get this foundation started for our students. I see this being good for the future of Ravenna schools and its students.

We have partnered with the Muskegon County Community Foundation to help with getting established which was a very good move. To date, we have received donations to go above our first year goal of $10,000. We have the word out that RCEF is here and ready to help our schools and students.

We have a logo, mission statement, bylaws, brochures, membership categories, grants and scholarships, and even a website; but, we have only just begun. We have so much more to accomplish for the betterment of our educational process here in Ravenna. I can only hope our next year will bring in even more donations as more people hear that RCEF is here. Now that we are seeing how we are functioning as a Board we can review our bylaws, membership, and brochure to see that they are meeting all the needs for the betterment of RCEF. Remember, getting RCEF established was the first step. Keeping RCEF going in the right direction, for the benefit of Ravenna students is our next step.

I want to thank our Board members for making this a priority in their life as well. It takes a great deal of time and devotion to form an organization and make everything work and function correctly. We saw two people start, but couldn’t make RCEF their commitment. Then three others joined us. We don’t have a full Board, but we have ten people who have dedicated their efforts to help establish RCEF and get this Foundation off the ground. I thank you all for helping RCEF become a reality.

I hope 2008 will be a year to spread our news even further and RCEF will grow to great potential.

Respectfully,

Karen R. Barker
2007 RCEF President