Community Vitality Center Board Minutes

July 15, 2010
Scheman Building, Room 204, Iowa State University, Ames IA

Members Roll Call; 11 present

Staff and Guests in attendance - 8

Meeting preceded by joint program with the Iowa Foundation for Microenterprise and Community Vitality (IFMCV).
Presentation by Jason Yates on experiences with developing a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) on the Crow Creek, South Dakota Indian reservation.  The CDFI is The Harvest Initiative of Hunkpati Investments.  Lunch follow the presentation.

Meeting called to order by Carol Richardson Smith at 1:30 PM.  Minutes from the April 8th, 2010 Board meeting were distributed and Smith asked for comments or corrections.  Motion made by Raber and seconded by Pantini to adopt minutes as presented.  No further discussion, motion carried unanimously.

Dan Otto and Michael Hudak gave an update on the Iowa Tax Facts project.

The nominating committee report was presented.  David Osterberg and Susan Skora will allow their terms to expire without renomination.  The committee suggests Maureen Collins-Williams and Ellen Huntoon as new Board members.   Heidt moved and Erb seconded to reappoint to the CVC Board these members who have agreed to continue: Rita Frahm, Bonnie Meiers, Rick Morain, Mike Wells, Jane Halliburton, and Ed Raber.  Motion carried unanimously.  Heidt moved and Erb seconded to accept as new Board members Maureen Collins-Williams and Ellen Huntoon.  Motion carried unanimously.  Halliburton moved and Morain seconded to elect Ed Raber as CVC Board President and Curt Heidt as CVC Board Vice-chair.  Motion carried unanimously.

Angie Dethlefs-Trettin reported on the four pilot philanthropy capacity projects that were partnering with the CVC.  There were four different approaches taken among the projects.

Edelman gave the CVC Director’s report.  The USDA funding was approved with the exception of one subcontractor which requires a change in proposed consultants.  There is an effort by Bill Menner and Joe Folsom to reinvigorate the Iowa Rural Development Council.  Issues that are common across the North Central Region are: local food systems, renewable energy and efficiency, broadband communications, and entrepreneurship and business development.

Downs presented an IFMCV update.  IFMCV did receive the SBA TA grant and two new staff members have been added for TA with more staff likely coming.  IFMCV submitted an application to RMAP, the new USDA microenterprise program.  The new Iowa Small Business (ISB) loan program developed by the General Assembly will start August 1.  As a move to assure complementarities with existing programs, IFMCV became involved with ISB program.  The IFMCV Board has requested additional funding authority up to $50,000 from the CVC if needed for staffing and related ISB activities.  Edelman said that could be made available from the CVC operations budget due to salary savings and other external sources.  Edelman said the CVC intent would be to provide $25,000 spread out over several months and the remaining would only be made available if a severe backlog develops.  The contract between IFMCV and IDED for the ISB program is not yet final as the IFMCV Board and IDED are still negotiating.  Heidt moved and Erb seconded to give authority to reallocate existing funds up to $50,000 as may be needed to sustain the ISB program administration to the contractual performance level.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Maureen Collins-Williams gave an overview of MyEntrenet, a statewide provider of online services for entrepreneurship.  The online community is free.  She described the “Dream Big, Grow Here” monthly contest for an idea/dream submission.  She has been asking organizations to contribute $2,000 to fund the monthly contest.  Morain recommended and moved that the CVC contribute $2,000 for the Dream Big, Grow Here contest.  Seconded by Ehrig.  Motion carried with Halliburton opposing. 

Edelman discussed potential themes for this year’s round of minigrants.  Community Energy Efficiency Projects, Local Foods Projects, Equity tools for Entrepreneurs, Philanthropy Capacity and Development of Microenterprise Network Collaborations with IFMCV.  Edelman suggested that since the Latimer coalition had not followed up on the initial concept that the minigrant that was for Latimer could be directed to the Green Initiative in Fairfield.  Erb moved and Halliburton seconded to redirect the minigrant funds from Latimer to Fairfield.  Motion carried unanimously.

Raber moved and Erb seconded to adjourn.  Motion carried.  Meeting adjourned at 3:25 PM.