Community Vitality Center Board Minutes

July 16, 2009

Meeting called to order by Bill Menner @ 1:00 AM

Members Roll Call: 15 present

Staff and Guests in attendance - 3

Chairperson’s Report

1. Discussion of April 2, 2009 Minutes. Motion to approve minutes was made by Susan Skora and seconded by Sandy Ehrig: motion carried
2. Bill Menner announced that he was selected to be the new USDA Rural Development Director for Iowa.

Directors Report

1. Edelman announced that the Senate approved $250,000 for CVC in FY2010-2011, which is higher than the amount approved last year.

ARRA HHS ACF Proposal Submission Presentation and Discussion

1. Motion to approve submission of ARRA HHS ACF Proposal was made by Jim Erb and seconded by Burt Chojnowski; motion carried

Ghana Microenterprise Project

1. Prescott indicated that he has been asked to work on the Millennium Challenge Program in Ghana as the Financial Services Manager for a 5 million dollar revolving loan fund to assist 60 farmers in Ghana. Prescott will generate 100% of his salary coverage and generate sufficient funding to hire a graduate student for CVC assistance.
   1. Motion made to hire a graduate student to assist CVC by Burt Chojnowski and seconded by Don Chaplain.
   2. Foster commented: How the Ghana project may negatively impact future new funding with CVC having an international focus and asked does this activity relate to the mission of CVC?
   3. Edelman commented: As most of the experience for microcredit is international, Prescott’s experience has been applied to the domestic development for Iowa Microloan.
   4. Prescott commented: As CVC has been struggling to find budget for salary it seemed like a great opportunity to cover all my salary and more, while still working half time for CVC at no cost.
   5. Hamilton commented: Sources of funding for CVC are few and far between and when funding is located it should be utilized.
   6. Foster commented: As CVC is evolving; how much of a national or international profile should CVC have?
   7. Edelman commented: In the past, as a federally funded Center, CVC has been downgraded by reviewers because CVC is only a 1 state project in comparison to FAPRI, RUPRI, CARD, etc.
   8. Halliburton commented: Comfortable supporting project for immediate term and needs but wants to review ongoing and further future needs.
   9. Chojnowski commented: Had a 3 day workshop for New Guniea person which was an indirect outcome of CVC and recognizes the impact of CVC from across the country and the World.

Emerging Issues

1. IDED: authorization for microenterprise program at last weeks state advisory meeting. Call for proposals will come from the regions for the Microenterprise Projects.
2. Rural Summit: Halliburton commented that the Obama campaign had a national rural summit in 2007. A Rural Summit could be the beginning step towards a Rural Center
   1. Erb commented: CVC needs to be talking to Secretary Vilsack right away.
   2. Edelman commented: Perhaps a schedule in 2010 as ISU has offered to host the event and possible set aside $10,000 for future sponsorship of the Rural Summit.
   3. And a list of topics should be worked upon in preparation for Rural Summit discussions.
      1. Sustainability; green & lean
      2. Infrastructure: Broad Band
      3. Preparedness & Response to rebuilding Iowa
      4. Financial Structure of Rural Communities: heavily stressed tax base
      5. Technology transfer
3. Endow Iowa: Skora commented that the change of tax credits up to 25% deductibility of contributors has resulted in small gift growth.
   1. Hamilton comment: The loss of County Extension Directors will impact county foundations and Philanthropy groups.
   2. Ehrig comment: Recommends assess to what is happening in counties as a result of the Extension changes.

Adjourned

Motion made to adjourn by Sandy Ehrig and seconded by Burt Chojnowski, motion carried.