The Emma L Wilson King Foundation ●PO Box 457●East St. Louis, IL 62202-0457 ●
1-866/766-1991 Toll Free ● 1-818/766-1991 Fax ●
“Pathways to Peaceful Waters”
Board of Directors Quarterly Meeting
Sunday, July 22, 2007 ~ 2:30 p.m. - 4:10 p.m.
Attendees: President-Willa King Allen, Vice President-David King, Executive Administrator/Secretary-Jerome King, Board of Directors: Katherine Frazier, Edna Farmer, Virgia Watkins; Honorable Carl E. Officer, James King, Bernard King, John R. Watkins, Jamie Jones and Richard A. Frye.
The second 2007 Board of Directors meeting for the Emma L. Wilson King Foundation was held on Sunday, July 22, 2007 from 2:30 p.m.-4:10 p.m. at:
Officer Funeral Home - Metro-East Chapel
2114 Missouri Avenue
East St. Louis, Illinois62205
Foundation PresidentMs. Willa King Allen formally assumed lead role for the meeting due to the transition period of the Chairman’s post. She provided an opening prayer. Minutes from the previous meeting were requested for review. The Executive Administrator/Secretary (Jerome King) distributed hard copies of the March 18, 2007 Board of Directors minutes for review and approval. A motion to accept the minutes as presented was provided by Mr. Bernard King and second by Mr. David King. Approval was unanimous.
In lieu of treasure Ms. Ingrid Mosley’s absence, Board member Ms. Katherine Frazier provided a financial update. Payments for scholarships and the P.O. Box renewal were noted along with donations and brick sales for the quarter. Funds transferred from the First Illinois Bank account to State Farm Insurance Bank continue to providea better level of interest on deposits. It was noted that future Foundation funds will be transferred from the First Illinois account to State Farm or other aggressive interest bearing accounts. It was also noted a possible additional depository may be the future Advantage Federal Credit Union under construction in downtown East St. Louis.
PresidentAllen next asked for a review of old Foundation business:
All raffle tickets distributed are due at the drawing. There are eight prizes with the top three listed as cash prizes. Ticket stubs should be sent to President Allen or brought to the golf tournament. The drawing will be held in conjunction with the Celebrity Golf Tournament. The date of the Celebrity Tournament has been moved to September 15, 2007 at Grand Marais. The change in date was proposed by the management at the Golf Course to allow additional time to assist the Foundation in securing golfers and promotion of the tournament.
A souvenir brochure program for the Tournament will be prepared by Renee Jacobs and the Foundation will continue to solicit ads. Hole signs can also be purchased. Currently, golfers are needed.
President Allen discussed the continued push to promote the Buy-a-Brick campaign in the area. VP David King noted he will work to reestablish contact with the public schools to encourage purchases as well as area churches. Ms. Frazier shared the Saturday activity at the Jones Park Boathouse Pavilion was an event she passed out literature on the Foundation. She further suggested the Foundation look at other high profile activities to share our literature with the public. An activity at the fountain was also suggested. Mr. Jerome King noted during his meeting with Park District Executive Director IrmaGolliday, she suggested the Foundation look at a clean-up day at the fountain site and alert the public. The Park District will assist with tools and supplies for the clean up.
President Allen reminded the Board the IRS annual filing for 2006 taxes will be done by September 18th. She also noted the Foundation efforts to secure District 189 students to participate inUniversity of Houston PROMES (Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies) Program which is free and available to African-American students interested in majoring in Engineering at the Promise Summer Camp. The PROMES program participants did not materialize due to a lack of follow-up and interest from East St. LouisSr.High Schoolcounselors. The Foundation will continue to work with the School District for 2008.
President Allen moved onto new business items:
As noted, the date of the Celebrity Golf Tournament has been moved to Saturday, September 15, 2007. The Belleville News-Democrat(reporter Cara Anthony) and Fox2 News (reporter Andy Banker) both featured very favorable stories on the Foundation on Monday, July 16, 2007. A link has been posted to the Foundation web-site.
Mr. Richard Fryeoffered to work with the Foundation and assist with grant writing applications. Mr. Frye formally worked with the City of East St. Louis and has extensive experience in grant writing. The Board accepted his offer. He was provided copies of past grant proposals. Special Assistant Renee Jacobs will forward onto Mr. Frye, electronic copies of Foundation information packages and featured news articles.
President Allen noted Chairman Parks was elected Mayor of the City of East St. Louis this past May and the Chairman hasinformed the Executive Administrator/Secretary he would relinquish his chairmanship but will remain supportive of the Foundation work and efforts. President Allen acknowledged his past support as Chair. Vice President King asked for the floor and also acknowledged the service to the Board of Chairman Parks.
After discussion of the vacant Chair role there was a brief discussion on filling the Chair. Vice President King asked to be recognized and presented the Board withthe recommendation of former Mayor Carl E. Officer, who was in the building andhad acknowledged if asked by the Board to serve as Chair of the Foundation, he would. The recommendation for Mayor Officer to serve as Chair was placed before the Board. It was noted that all members of the Board would be notified of Mayor Officer’s interest to serve as Chairman of the Board. The Board will then submit their recommendation. Board members will be notified of results by the October Board of Director’s meeting. Acting Chair Allen closed the meeting at 4:10 p.m. Central Standard Time.
Addendum to Chairmanship Post
On August 10, 2007, recommendations were received in the majority from the Board in favor of former Mayor Officer assuming the Chairmanship. His selection will be effective immediately and the Executive Administrator/Secretary will inform the public via a press/news release. His name will be listed on all new Foundation letterheads with the distinction of “Honorable” due to his past civic leadership role. Former Chairmen Parks name will be listed as “Past Chairman,” and also with the distinction of “Honorable”.
The next Board of Directors meeting is Sunday, Octobery 21, 2007, 2:30 p.m. at the Officer Funeral Home Metro-East Chapel.
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Executive Administrator/SecretaryAugust 20, 2007
Jerome Francis King
The Emma L. Wilson King Foundation is recognized as a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization by the Internal Revenue Service. Federal Tax ID No: 52-2447831