Community Vitality Center Board Minutes

August 29, 2006
1:00 pm

Board members present: Dal Grooms, Lars Petersen, Burt Chojnowski, Bill Menner, Manuel Silva, Severin Robert, Mike Wells, Mark Hamilton, Jane Halliburton, Maureen Collins-Williams, Rick Morain, Carol Richardson Smith, Debra Houghtaling, Jim Erb, Sandy Ehrig, Roxanne Carisch, Marybeth Foster, Curt Heidt, Tim Borich. Guest Ellen Huntoon. Staff present: Mark Edelman, Sandy Burke, Craig Hertel

A telephone hook-up with board member Nancy Van Milligan was attempted, but we could not sustain a connection.

Hamilton moved, second Peterson to approve minutes of last meeting. Approved.

See board packet of materials.

Administrative and board sharing reports were given

1. Ellen Huntoon offered Senator Harkin’s and her support of the CVC
2. USDA communication received. Subcontracts will be receiving their paperwork
3. CVC selected for “2006 Scholarship and Discovery/Engagement Partnership Award”
4. Pink sheet is the one page talking points prepared for Extension report.
5. Excitement about Bio Based conference(s) noted.
6. UNI published a new publication for Latino immigrants for economic development
7. "Harvesting Resources for Great Places" handout highlighted (4 locations in October ’06)
8. University of North Carolina researcher scholar recent visitor to Fairfield
9. Expanding the Rural Economy announcement handout shared (for 10-24 & 10-25-06
10. Burt C. mentioned example of the recent Forbes of Quality of Life/Business article
11. Rural Minnesota Journal books on Education were passed out by Heist.

Philanthropy Reports

1. Legal research project, beige sheet, August 24, 2006 letter from Willard Boyd III was presented.
2. Philanthropy Best Practices Awards determined by board committee on recent teleconference, see goldenrod sheet, 4 success stories Still in discussion on philanthropy two other applicants
3. Philanthropy Wealth Transfer PowerPoint template in cooperation with Iowa Council on Foundations, nearing a final template. Example of Clayton County shared, 8 page, white handout, few edit suggestions were made, and discussion about how long the transfer of wealth data is good. ICOF wishes to release this PowerPoint to their network first. Need a state version of this ppt for state policy makers.
4. State Philanthropy Work Group will be meeting in September
5. Webtools project by ICAN moving forward, hope to upload information by September 15th

Entrepreneurship Reports

1. Mid-may workshop in Fairfield noted
2. 2006 CVC/University of Iowa JPEC High School business plan handout (pink)
3. 17 schools participated ---- first year in competition
4. Statewide Entrepreneurship Academy tentative agenda for Oct. 19, 2006 (beige)
5. Discussed local food issues project, food system mapping and local wealth creation, Dave Swenson study
6. Kitchen incubator proposal mentioned
7. “Foodpernereurs” – finding a market, branding, labeling
8. Pappajohn Centers
9. MyEntreNet and Decatur County example shared

Rural Urban Policy Update

1. Migration study, reports coming. Discussed rolling out this information.
2. Iowa Farmer Preference Survey --- 27 other states colleagues --- we have Iowa data – Oct-Nov release
3. Listing sessions --- Center for Rural affairs --- listening sessions in 5 states -- Oct. Nov time frame

Nominations committee report presented

Presented and approved by consent acceptance the report of four new board members for three year terms. Bill Menner, Roxanne Carisch, Marybeth Foster, Debra Houghtaling.

Nominating committee presented Jim Erb as Chairperson for 2 years officer term. Motion seconded by Borich. All ayes, approved.

Vice Chair: no recommendation was submitted by nominating committee. Morain encouraged nominations. Hamilton nominated Carol Richardson Smith. Move to cease nominations by Halliburton. Petersen seconds and to cast a unanimous ballot. All Ayes, approved.

Board Committees

Chair encouraged all board members to participate on one or more committees, and let their interest on topics to be known to staff.

Rick Morain thanked for members of the committees and the work of the board, making an impact,

Erb mentioned that on the mover’s survey, after results are seen, CVC may want to have a new committee that focuses on demographics and trendlines, and then suggest strategies to enhance population. Perhaps this is an overlap with Iowan’s for a Better Future?

Other Old Business

None noted.

New Business

1. "New Microenterprise Development Programs in Underserved Rural Areas" grant proposal. See white 10 page handout. Create a new venture with the listed partners. Marshalltown and Ottumwa ---- communities with newer cultures.
   Motion to approve by Ed. Burt second. See budget final budget next time. All Ayes, approved.
2. Shorebank Midwest: "Enhancing entrepreneurship and business development in rural Iowa: Roles for ShoreBank and other CDFI Initiatives" See blue PowerPoint handout.
   Motion by Halliburton to explore with no budget allocation yet. Second by Chojnowski. All Ayes, approved.
3. New Iowa New Foods Project Pre-proposal. salmon colored . Asking for $20,000 a year for community food networks. Funds would be used to build a state-wide support system and capacity for new foods.
   Heidt moved, Foster second to approve support of this proposal. All ayes.

Next scheduled meeting is Tuesday November 21, 2006
3:30 pm Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted by Hertel.