Board of Trustees Meeting

December 10, 2014

8:00 to 9:30 a.m.

Leadership Columbus Office

175 S. Third St., 2nd Floor

Members Present:

Paul Davison, Dale Heydlauff, Bill Kiefaber, Brad Campbell, Laurie Aquilina, Brian Krichbaum, Adrienne N. Selsor, Edward Pauline, Andrea Schmitt, Darnita Bradley, Deanna Stewart, Laurie Beth Sweeney, Robin Grant,Bonny Fowler

Members Absent:

Michael Robinson, Josh D. Corna, Steven Fields

Staff: Laurie Marsh, Max Moore, Kevin Smith

Call to Order

Chair Paul Davison called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m.

Chairman’s Report – Paul Davison

  • Paul welcomed and asked for an introduction of board members.
  • All Board members introduced themselves for the benefit of our new board members and Paul Davison welcomed three new trustees to the table, they are:
  • Eddie Pauline(’12) Director, Buckeye Fellows Institute
  • Andrea Schmitt (’12) Development and Property Manager, Lincoln Construction
  • Laurie Beth Sweeney (’09) Vice President for Advancement, Columbus College of Art and Design
  • Paul made the motion to approve the minutes. Brian Krichbaum seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
  • Paul reminded the board that it is time for annual board contributions to be paid and it is most important this year that we have one hundred percent participation as we will be asking for financial support in our campaign and need to demonstrate the board is supporting us as well.
  • Relocation Committee Update - Laurie and Paul
  • Laurie reported that the executive committee approved that we should spend a little extra in rent so that Kevin could be moved from a cubicle into an office in closer proximity to Laurie and Max. This will promote better communication and facilitation of the team’s work and eliminate some of the challenges that Kevin and staff believed to hinder work effort if he were to stay in the common area.
  • The board agreed and approved the increase in rent for Kevin’s new office.
  • Laurie also reported that she had been talking to Otto Beatty, III of Intelligent Office to see about extending current lease beyond the initial termination date of February 28, 2015.
  • She also stated that Steven Fields offered to check what options might be available in real estate that is currently owned or leased by The Huntington. She has provided Steven, per his request, the needs of the office in terms of amount of space and other needs (such as still being able to maintain IT services, etc. with the Columbus Chamber).
  • Paul stated that he and Laurie were going to work together to develop a calendar of annual and obvious items that needed to be discussed at various time of the year and incorporate them into the agendas for board meetings.
  • Laurie also reported that she was going to update the board committees to reflect the work that needed to be accomplished during the 40th anniversary year. She also stated that she wanted to make sure each board member received a board assignment or assignments that were their preference.

Treasurer Report - Brad Campbell, Board Treasurer

  • The Finance committeemetand Brad reported the following:
  • Brad said the money we have spent on branding and print materials($49,958) can be transferred from our endowment fund by board directive (which was always an option we knew we could use when we began working with Conrad, Phillips Vutech on the new collateral material)
  • We have used foundation money before (for the strategic planning retreat and facilitator).
  • Also, initial conversations in marketing and finance committee meetings reflect that we were looking at the new branding materials as an investment that would aid in our fundraising campaign and last beyond the campaign cycle as a portion of it is general, collateral material that can be used after the campaign.
  • Brad said we will move the recruitment cycle up 30 days, in addition to enforcing an application fee of $40.00 to help lessen the time period where we are traditionally lean because of the timing issues of our tuition influx of funds.
  • The Finance Committee will be meeting next week to begin first round of budget discussion for 2015.
  • Paul asked for a motion (board directive) to transfer money ($49,958) from endowment fund to operating fund. Brad Campbell seconded the motion and the motion was passed.

Program Director Report – Max Moore

  • Max thanked everyone for their help and support this past year and said he is looking forward to great things in the coming year.
  • Max presented a Class of 2015 update. He said they continue to be engaged, curious and involved and that our last Program Day, and that SimSoc had definitely made a strong impact on this year’s class.
  • Max also stated that our Program Day, Human Services, is the next week and we are focused on the social services delivery system in our community. He stated that we appreciate Ernst & Young’s sponsorship of the day!
  • Max also reported on our recruitment efforts and said that because we are moving the timeline earlier, applications will be due the end of March with selection beginning in early April. He also said that we will continue to explore avenues and make outreach efforts to produce a class that is diverse and therefore, reflects our community.
  • Darnita Bradley asked whether there is a diversity ratio we are trying to hit and Max said that we didn’t have a number in mind – but our goal was to engage all kinds of diversity to enrich the learning experience of class members as they interact with each other and cultivate business and personal friendships with each other.
  • With Kevin hired,Max hopes that expansion (OnBoarding) will be possible.
  • Max said there are many advantages of OnBoarding.
  • Robin Grant said Biglots has a lot of new employees who would be good prospects for the OnBoarding Program.
  • AdrienneSelsor said nonprofit leaders would also be good prospects.
  • Darnita Bradley said it would be good for the Mayor to reach out to CEOs
  • Deanna Stewart said chief HR execs should know about this program.
  • Bill Kiefaber said from a historical standpoint OnBoarding was too much work for Laurie and Max given the return of investment.
  • Deanna added that we should view this as a new product launch as we have not offered it for a couple of years and we need a marketing campaign.
  • Brian Krichbaum asked if we haveOnBoarding collateral – this was confirmed and Laurie responded that this new material will help communicate the benefits of the program but a marketing plan was definitely needed to help “re-launch” the program.
  • Laurie reported that she has worked with HR professionals, real estate agents, The Columbus Partnership, etc. and still continues to struggle to get participants even though every graduate of the program raves about it and when we tell people, CEO’s or relocating executives about it, they all want to attend.
  • The messaging is critical, she added, and the culture of the company has to emphasize how much they value their employees learning about Columbus as much as they value them learning their new jobs. Therefore, taking two days out of their schedule for this seminar is expected. Laurie said this expectation has to be communicated by both HR department and most importantly, the CEO’s of companies, large and small.
  • Brad asked if we should think about this program for our 2015 fiscal planning.
  • Bill said he wants to make sure there is a focused effort to execute the program in concert with our fundraising plan before we insert it into the budget.
  • Max expressed his desire for more formal Leadership training and stated that Laurie has encouraged him to attend a facilitator’s training by Contemporary Consulting. These are trainers that Laurie had the benefit of learning from in her earlier years and hopes Max can attend one of their sessions.
  • Kevin and Max are participating in the Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) training by Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission.

Laurie Stein Marsh-Executive Director’s Report

  • Laurie thanked the Board for all their helpas well and said the board’s support in fundraising and role as ambassador for Leadership Columbus was more important than ever.
  • Laurie complimented Max on the program days and class engagement and is pleased that the evaluations all prove that the sessions are resonating with the class on a very significant level.
  • Campaign Updates:
  • Honorary co-chairs of the campaign will be Mayor Michael Coleman andJeni Britton Bauer. Laurie said that Jeni is very excited and willing to do many different kinds of projects to help mobilize the “giving quotient’ of the alumni. Laurie said this combination of co-chairs was perfect as the Mayor will appeal to corporate stakeholders and Jeni will be the voice for alumni.
  • Laurie Marsh and Laurie Beth Sweeney are meeting to discuss the structural plan for raising$400,000.
  • TylerSchleich (Ernst & Young) has around 5 members in his LC Group Project who are anxious to help with the development efforts of the alumni. Laurie reiterated how absolutely fitting it is for current class members to reach out and help support the program. Laurie said that her colleagues around the country all said the plan is sound to have the Group Project involved because so often we explore all the other nonprofits in the city but the class does not think of their community leadership program as part of the nonprofit category.
  • Laurie reiterated we have set the dates for recruitment
  • Deanna offered to assist with outreach through United Way of Central Ohio and can help with the network of other nonprofits.
  • Board Development
  • Laurie said that she was set to meet with Jonathan Moody of Moody Nolan (architectural firm). Jonathan is a graduate of LC and his father is a graduate also (Curt).
  • Robin described Jonathan as an “old soul in a young body” as she has met him.
  • Bill Kiefaber noted that he is in Kiwanis Club with Jonathan as well and is very impressed with him.
  • Laurie concurred and said that she was very impressed with him when he was a class participant – he is thoughtful, contemplative and very interested in “giving back” to the community.
  • Laurie also reported that we have been successful in securing Business First’s commitment to feature Laurie’s column once a month for 2015. She added that Kevin was instrumental in creating and securing this project. The first column is set to be in print the third week in January.
  • Laurie said the website and social are continuing to develop well, she asked Kevin to explain the process of the blog versus the articles and other social medium that we are beginning to utilize.
  • We continue to have a great relationship with the Buckeye Fellows Institute and collaborate on their luncheon series and facilitate some of their sessions.
  • Laurie also said that she is proud that the staff is “walking the talk” of community leadership. Max has various volunteer roles in the community (eg. Church and Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus) and she further stated that Kevin had attended a Capital Area Humane Society Event with her and was subsequently asked to be part of their event committee for Celebrity Chef.
  • Lastly, because Adrienne’s board term has come to an end, Paul expressed his deep appreciation for her board service and the entire board thanked Adrienne.
  • Laurie added that Adrienne’s heart as well as her skills and talent were obviously committed to LC and she presented Adrienne with commemorative artwork that symbolizes the “big heart’ and generous spirit Adrienne selflessly gave LC these many years. Paul added that Adrienne is a superior example of the true meaning of community trusteeship.

.

Other Business

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m.

1