CFC Cabinet Meeting
Minutes of March 22, 2006
Host:  Rob Cowan/Sharon Al-Uqdah
 1500 E. Bannister Road , Kansas City , MO

 

Cabinet Members in attendance:      
Mokhtee Ahmad, FTA                                   Sharon Al-Uqdah, APWW
 Gary Beets, FMS                                            Rob Cowan, DHS-NBC
Patrick Bustos, EPA                                       Lee Cason, IRS
Linda Day, USPS                                           Mark Giddens, APWU
Melvin Hawkins, NTEU #264                        Andrea Henry, AFGE
Cindy Hillman, FEB                                        Larry Hisle, CFC
Fred Hodge, IRS                                            Mike Jaromin, DHI-CIS
Ethel Johnson, SSA                                        Nadine Johnson, FDA
Ed Kolodiej, USACE                                     Matt Mitchell, USDA    
Samm Skare, GSA                                          Carol Starnes, VA Med                   
Bill Turbitt, USDA                                                           

Alternates & Others:
Christine Bennett, NTEU #66, for Sandra Champion
Joe Marvil, GSA,  Holly Ross, SSA,  Randall Hawkins, USDA

Welcome & Introduction– Rob Cowan & Sharon Al-Uqdah:

Rob thanked the cabinet members for being involved in the campaign this year and is looking forward to the commitment in making CFC successful. Sharon welcomed everyone and urged continued and enhanced Union & Management collaboration for the 2006 campaign year. Each member in attendance introduced themselves.

 Cabinet Responsibilities & Progress Report – Rob Cowan & Sharon Al-Uqdah

¨         Each cabinet member received a notebook with information pertaining to job descriptions, timeline, meeting notes and agenda.

¨         Rob went over the tabs in the booklet and explained their purpose

¨         The 2006 org chart was discussed

¨         Larry pointed out the successes of 2006

o       Total Dollars up $242,826 or 8.7%
o       Both per capita & average gift was up
o       Participation was up by 1%
o       Eagle Club continues to grow. Up 22% in 2005 amounting to 764 donors contributing $962,830 or 31.7% of the campaign
o       Day of Caring: 68 federal agencies working on 92 different projects.  This was up from 62 and 85 in 2004  

Recruitment & Agency Head Calls - Larry Hisle:

¨      Need commitments for nine (9) LE’s.  Currently have four (4)   identified at this time.

¨      Purpose of Agency Head Calls were discussed, 1) The commitment of support from the Agency Head  2) Identification of an internal campaign coordinator  3)  financial commitments (goal) for each agency

¨      Agency Head Calls need to be completed by June 23rd. Over 200 calls will be made during the next few months.

¨      LE’s will continue to make calls vs Team Leaders

¨      Training for Team Leaders/LE’s will be scheduled for early May. 

¨      Training will be done at a non-profit agency.  Dates, times and locations will be forthcoming.

¨      There was discussion on having a critique breakfast for Agency Heads as was done in 2005.  The thought was to invite the team 20 accounts. This would happen in May.  An original motion was made by Linda Day & seconded by Patrick Bustos to go forth with this program.  We will attempt to acquire sponsorship for this event.  

Campaign Timeline/ Meeting Schedules – Larry Hisle:

¨      Cabinet Meetings –          

¨      Larry went over the timeline

¨      It was decided that cabinet meetings would directly follow the monthly FEB meetings (3rd Wednesday of every month) when ever possible

¨      Each month you will receive an email regarding the meeting time and location.

¨      Next meeting was set for April 19th.

¨      Vote and discussion of what the six week period will be for the 2006   campaign.

¨      OPM’s regulations are that the campaign must run between the six week periods anywhere from September 1st to December 15th.

¨      After much discussion Time Frame was set for the 2006 campaign from October 4th to November 15th  .  An original motion was made by Carol Starnes & seconded by Nadine Johnson.  It was also approved to allow fundraising activities outside these dates, if approved by the agency head.                     

 

Committee Reports:

Awards & Recognition – Nadine Johnson

Requests have been sent out for bids have been sent to vendors, due by March 31 

Items we have previously bought are:  

·         Rally Kick-off Items:        8000 items at   .60 to .75each
                                                        Last year’s item: retractable pens       

·         Campaign Coordinator :
Pre-gift                        1000 items at .85 to $1.00              
    Last year’s item: Memo Pad & Pen  

Post-gift                      350 items at .$3.00 to $4.00
                                            Last year’s item:  Magic Calculator

Every Person Gift      15,000 items at .10 to .15 each          

                                                Last year’s item:  Magnetic Photo Frame

 Pillar Club Gifts:         Last year we changed the pillar club criteria, eliminating the Bronze, Silver, Gold concept.  We went with a pillar club and commander club levels.

·         All donors received a Magnetic Photo Frame

·         $350 to $600 or 1% of a donor’s pay entitles them to our Pillar Club. An Every 1 of Us pin was awarded to them.

·         $600 to $999  or 2% of a donor’s pay entitles them to our Commanders Club level and was recognized with a coin

·         $1,000 or greater entitles this special giver to be included in the EAGLE CLUB.

A beautiful laser cut crystal with a flying eagle illuminated recognized this level.

·         A suggestion was made to increase the Pillar and Commanders Levels to $390 & $650 respectively.  These amounts would work better for payroll deduction ($15 & $25 per pay period)  An original motion was made by Bill Turbitt & seconded by Matt Mitchell.  Motion carried forward, one opposed.

·         Suggestions were encouraged for this year

·         It was suggested to modify the Eagle Slightly to show the world globe in place of the US Flag. 

·         There was discussion of a Double Eagle Award for donors that give $2,000 or more.  We hope to present samples at the next meeting. 

·         It was decided that the Leadership Report needs to be up-dated to better educate donors, that they do not have to accept the awards.

·         There will be ongoing discussion of these levels for this year.

·         Any suggestions or comments can be sent to nnanko@ora.fda.gov or larry.hisle@gsa.gov

           

Communications – Patrick Bustos

·         Purpose:  Prepare information to tell the CFC story

·         Target Audience:  Federal Employees and community at large

·         Projects:  Annual Catalog, Newsletters and speeches, website, public service, public service announcements, News Releases

·         Responsibilities of the Communications Chair are the newsletter, media coverage (public relations), video, graphics and website.

·         Activities:  Monthly meetings, Work on Projects, Attend Events

·         Committee Recruitment (recruited from the attendees in the room of quality individuals in their organization)

·         Campaign Theme – (discussion of last year’s theme and what theme we would like to use this year)  The following themes were discussed and were to be emailed to the cabinet to pick their favorite.  Once the top three have been chosen, the communications committee will proceed with a design. 

·         Building Lives, Building Communities

·         Give the Gift of Hope  

·         Giving Makes Great Things Happen

·         Hope Lives … When You Give

·         Imagine…..A Better World

·         Invest for A Better Tomorrow

·         Neighbors Caring and Sharing

·         One Nation of Heroes … Daring to Care  

·         Reaching Out, Raising Hope

·         Rebuilding Lives, Rebuilding Communities  

·         The power of Us

·         We’re All In This Together

·         Your Gift to the CFC … Priceless

·         Sub Committee Groups were discussed.  People Needed

·         Graphic Design:  Create graphics to brand and market the Heartland CFC Theme used in catalog, newsletters, posters and on the website

·         Writing:  Complete Research, write stories and speeches, help with proofreading used in all CFC Communications

·         Media Liaison:  Establish contacts with local media, used to get information out about the campaign

·         Photography:  Take photographs and videos at CFC events and at local charities used in newsletters, on the website, produces the local film

·         Special Events Planner:  Plan employee appreciation outings, build team spirit, celebrate accomplishments

·         Local Film –

·         Newsletters (explained the timeline for the newsletters

·         Web Site

·         Federal Employee Appreciation Nights (special discounts for federal  employees) 

·         Online Pledging  (we would like to test run this year)

·         Any suggestions or comments can be sent to bustos.patrick@epa.gov or larry.hisle@gsa.gov  

Eligibility Status – Samm Skare

¨   The eligibility process involves the annual review of all local agencies listed in the CFC Catalog for Caring.

¨   The eligibility period runs for 30 days from March 13th through April 14th.

¨   Letters directing organizations to the CFC website to download applications were mailed out to 280 Local Unaffiliated Agencies (LUO) and 7 local federations that makes up an additional 200 agencies.

¨   An email was sent to all past campaign coordinators, announcing the 30 day application period.  This was also enclosed at the FEB Meeting.

¨      A copy was available to those in attendance at today’s meeting.

¨      A Public Notice was posted in the Sunday, March 12th KC Star broadcasting the application period to the public.

¨   Letters are currently being sent to agency heads to solicit volunteers to review the applications for this year. The dates of those meetings are set for April 18th and 26th at the CFC office, 1500 E Bannister, Kansas City , MO.

¨   If there are agencies that you would like to see apply to be included in the Catalog for Caring this year, please have them contact the CFC office at (816) 823-2010 or the materials can be downloaded at the CFC website: www.heartlandcfc.org .

           

Training Committee – Larry Hisle

¨      We are currently recruiting for a committee chair for this year.

¨      Up-date the cabinet on what we hope to do this year.    

¨      Campaign Coordinator Training (considering going to Alpha Pointe and the 18th & Vine District)

¨      Loaned Executive Training

¨      A plea was made for recruitment of quality presenters.

¨      Talk about the proposed workshops, discuss possible locations, preliminary dates are August 2nd & Aug 10th

¨      An original motion to accept these dates and locations was made by Linda Day & seconded by Patrick Bustos.

¨      Enhance training to focus on participation  

Other Committee Assignments –

·         Discussion of additional committees

·         Discussed having a Leadership Chair to oversee recognition items, ways and events for the Eagle Donors and a Strategic Committee to review opportunities in the future.  This will be carried over until the next meeting

 

Other Discussions:

   Campaign Kickoff

¨      Voted on continuing the City-wide Kick-off Committee member: Patrick Bustos made the motion to accept this change with second motion coming from committee member Linda Day the  motion so carried.

¨      Decision was made to may the event at the Ilus Davis Park again.

¨      The date will be decided by the Kick-off  Committee

¨      Planning would begin immediately with Events LE.  

CFC Golf Tournament

·         Voted on continuing the Golf Tournament member Mokhtee Ahmad made the motion to accept this change with second motion coming from  committee member Pat Bustos motion so carried.

·         A request for volunteers was made               

   Dollar Limit for Allocations of Designated Funds-Larry Hisle

            ¨  Official LFCC vote for the minimum check payment amount to agencies(one time payment of $500 or less). Committee member Linda Day made the motion to accept this amount with second motion coming from  committee member Bill Turbitt. Motion so carried.  

   Sponsorships for the 2006 Campaign-Larry Hisle

¨      For the last several years GEHA has sponsored the CFC Victory Breakfast. Do we want to continue this?  All those present agreed that Larry should make the “ask” again for GEHA’s sponsorship of the breakfast.

¨      Blue Cross/ Blue Shield sponsored the Kick-off

¨      This year’s cruise was sponsored by GEICO Insurance and Ridge Prairie Travel.  Everyone thought that cruise giveaway was a nice touch to the campaign and would like to continue the giveaway. (If sponsors agree again for this year’s campaign).

¨      Official Voting on continuing the Sponsorships, committee member Mokhtee Ahmad made the motion to accept this change with second motion coming from  committee member Sharon Al-Uqdah.   Motion so carried.

¨      Other sponsorships were encouraged. 

¨      If you have any suggestions on sponsors for the upcoming campaign please call Larry at (816) 823-2010.  

   Federation Involvement -Larry Hisle

¨      Official LFCC vote on continuing to have monthly meetings without federation involvement. 

¨      Committee member Sharon Al-Uqdah made the motion to accept this change with second motion coming from committee member Matt Mitchell. Motion so carried.  

   Union Partnership Meetings-Sharon Al-Uqdah /Larry Hisle

            ¨   The purpose of the Union Partnership Council is the support of                                            representatives from more than 20 area federal employee unions.

¨      The council has played a major role in increasing employee awareness and support of CFC.

¨      Once again urged the Division Co-Chairs (Management & Union) to work together for a stronger campaign.

¨      A Union Partnership Meeting has been scheduled for April 27th from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the American Postal Worker Union Hall at 3824 E 16th St . , Kansas City , MO.    Encouraged members to identify labor folks within their agency and get a commitment for the campaign.  

 Upcoming Events:

                        Eligibility Period                                 March 13th to April 14th
                               April Cabinet Meeting                        April 19th
                        LE’s recruited                                     by April 29
                        Team Orientation                                by May 12th
                        Agency Head Calls completed           by June 23rd
                        Day of Caring                                     Saturday, June 24th                                  

An extra meeting will be scheduled in late April to discuss proposed regulation changes by OPM which will posted for comment in April.  Details of this meeting will be forwarded in the near future.