CFC Cabinet Meeting

Minutes of April 30, 2008

Host:  Host:  Steve Tanner

USDA Regional Complex

6501 Beacon Drive, Kansas City, MO

Cabinet Members in attendance:     

Gail Allen , GSA                                               John Askew, EPA                               

Jackie Beard, EPA                                           Mike Brincks, GSA

Victoria Davidson, NTEU #66              Velerie Eddleman, USDA

Cindy Hillman, FEB                                          Larry Hisle, CFC

Yvette Lewis, IRS                                            Stan Mosier, USACE

Joe Parnacott, NATCA                                    Dave Ragan, NTEU Chapter 217

Don Sanders, USDA                                        Debbie Schmidt, USDA

Harry Strader, CFC                                         Steve Tanner, USDA   

Quo Tyler, USPS                                             Mara Whitaker, NTEU # 264

Joan Wissbaum, GSA                                       Dorothy Witherspoon, DOL                

Cabinet Members on the phone: 

Dori Farrow, Ft. Riley                                      Jason Parman, OPM

Alternates & Others:

Lt. Col.  Mike Fitzgerald, USACE for Col. Roger Wilson

Carolyn Kelley, SSA for Ethel Johnson

Terry Penland, USPS for Terry Freeman

Adele Vine, GSA for Dennis O’Connell

Welcome & Introduction– Steve Tanner/ Dave Ragan:

Steve introduced Dave.  They both thanked the cabinet members for being involved in the campaign this year.  Dave expressed the support of labor & partnership.  Each member in attendance introduced themselves & their roles on the cabinet.

Cabinet Recruitment & Team Leader or LE Recruitment Status – Steve Tanner

Steve made a pleas for additional volunteers for committees and finalizing the LEs

·          Each Division Chair has been identified

·                    Each Division reported status of recruitment and introduce the LE’s which were in attendance

·                    Division 0:  Yvette Lewis, IRS

·                    Division 1:  Jackie Beard, EPA?

·                    Division 2:  Will be using Team Leaders for the calls, LE will be named at a later date. 

·                    Division 3:  Joan Wissbaum, GSA

·                    Division 4:   Mark Nelson, USDA

·                    Division 5:   Terry Penland working to identify these individuals

·                    Division 6:  Stan Mosier, USACE

·          Still need  5 LEs.

Union Partnership Council – Dave Ragan:

·    The first meeting was April 24th. 

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

●    Up-dating of the Union Listing is an on-going process

•         Discussed a lack of a Union Chair Person, Dave Ragan, HHS-ACF was volunteered for the job in 2008

•         There was discussion of campaign experiences from 2007 and suggestions for this year

•         Downtown kick-off was good, but not communicated enough

•         Fundraising Events and Carnivals spice up the campaign

•         Spread the campaign events out more, don’t try to do so much in two weeks

•         Lack of communications from campaign coordinators or agency heads to the masses

•         More direct communications to the Union Heads

•         Campaign events should be sent down from Agency Heads as well

•         Try to teleconference City-Wide Kick-off for those who can not attend

•         Allow for more conferencing

•      Campaign Barriers

•         Lack of support from Management – in terms on letting the unions get involved

•         Lack of support from Middle Management, message is not flowing

•         Difficult to get approval for materials

•         Exposure of unions in the campaign

CFC will have more direct information sent to the labor contacts

•         Other issues:  

•         Union should sign up for Day of Caring to get recognition,  go to the Heartlandcfc.org website

•         Larry suggested for unions to recruit younger donors, to obtain or up-date a local website, he had an inexpensive contact to get one started.

•         Suggestion to have a discussion on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Shared Neutrals Program at the next meeting

•         Next Steps

•         Follow-up meeting in July

•         Other additional meetings may be called during the year

•         Labor Division Co-Chairs with make peer calls on the Bargaining Units in their area.  Labor Co-Coordinators were to be encouraged in all Agency Head Calls

Agency Head Calls Training – Larry Hisle:

·          Training is to take place for Division Chairs & Loaned Executives on May 7^th at Kansas City Hospice House. A tour of each facility will be available after the training session. 

·          A save the date email has been previously sent and a follow-up email will be sent out requesting that Division Chairs RSVP to attend the training.

·          Agency Head Call Sheets will be available at the training event. Information on the Agency Head, Campaign Coordinators and account history will be on each sheet.

·          Division Chairs will pick the top ten (8) agencies in their division and make the Agency Head visit.

·          Loaned Executives (LE’s) will cover the remaining Agency Head visits.

·                    Agency Head Calls are to start in May and will take place during May and June.

·                    Plans are underway to have an agency head breakfast on May 28^th at the Kauffman Foundation.   The agency heads at the top twelve accounts have been invited, RSVP’s are slow so far.  We did a similar event in 2005 for these accounts and had a good increase.  These agencies account for 62% of the dollars raised, but have 75% of the employees

Committee Reports:

●          Awards & Recognition – Debbie Schmidt:

Here are the items which the Awards Committee are suggesting for choices for this year.

EVERY DONOR GIFT           -  Computer Calendar chosen

idea                                                     cost                 vendor            

Wooden Ruler (12”)                             $0.145             ArtCraft

Plastic Ruler (6”)                                  $0.14               CPI

Emery Board (Heart)                            $.09                 Artcraft

Emery Board Plain                                $0.14               Sales Service

Lollipops                                              $.056               JackN

Computer Calendar                              $0.06               Artcraft

KICK-OFF RALLY GIFT - Chosen item: Flying Discs

idea                                                     cost                 vendor            

Hand Sanitizer                                      $0.73               CPI

Lip Balm                                              $0.89               ArtCraft

Flip Flops                                             $0.75               CPI

Flying Discs                                          $0.75               Sales Service

Lanyard                                                $.75                 Sales Service

Pre-GIFT-

idea                                                     cost                 vendor             .

In Stock Items -  Travel Mugs and Inspirational Magnets

Post-GIFT- Chosen item: Travel Tote

idea                                                     cost                 vendor            

Autograph Football                               $4.25               CPI

Flat Metal Clock                                  $4.20               Artcraft

Clock Rocker                                       $3.05               JackN

Photo Framer and Clock                      $4.25               Sales Service

Travel Tote                                           $3.79               Sales Service

It was also suggested to narrow the Pillar Club Awards as follows:

Pillar Club pen:          Chosen item:  Metal Heart Key Tag

Fold-A-Light Pen                                 $1.17               Artcraft

Logo in Motion Twist Pen                     $.089               Artcraft

Metal Heart Key Tag                            $1.46               Artcraft

Flag Pen                                               $.097               CPI

Commanders Coin:    Chosen item:  Business Card Case       

Coin – modify existing:  color, shape, text etc…..

Turn-Style LED Key Tag                      $3.49               JackN

Business Card Case                              $3.00               Sales Service

Stress Eagles                                        $1.75               Image

Eagle Club:                 $1000 or greater

It was decided in the March meeting to use the same eagles again this year.  The price has gone up a bit, but they are still less than $10.00 each.  We would be ordering 780.

Soaring Eagle Award Chosen item:  Wood Laminated Travel Mug

Letter Opener & Pen Gift Set               $7.30               JackN

Wood Laminated Travel Mug               $6.50               Sales Service

Communications – reported on by Gail Allen

            Campaign Theme –

Several themes were presented to the committee:

Bea Star in Someone’s Life                               Dare to Care

Give till it Helps                                                A Hero Lies within You

Go Green, Give Green                          Shine Brightly, Give Hope

Change the Climate of Hope                             Give Hope- Give Boldly

In the end committee chose to put tow of these together, so this year’s theme to be :

Dare to Care…A Hero Lies within You

We are currently recruiting committee members to work on the following:

·        Graphic Design:  Create graphics to brand and market the Heartland CFC Theme used in catalog, newsletters, posters and on the website. Primary Designs:  Header/Footer, Catalog/Posters

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

·        Primary Writing Assignments:  Newsletters, Speeches, Scripts, Proof Catalog, Tidbits

                                    Newsletters Key areas

                                    1.  Standard Dates

                                    2.  Reactive Story

                                    3.  What's new in CFC

                                    4.  Success Story

                                    5.  Why CFC - CFC Facts

                                    6.  Coming Soon Section

·        Communications Liaison:  Establish contacts with local media, used to get information out about the campaign and sit on kick-off committee

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

·        Local Film:  Awaiting the arrival of the national film.  Script the intro or the whole thing (will explore this option)

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

·        Web Design:  Help with design work on the CFC Web site and help develop an online pledge process Primary Task:  Review Web Sites and attempt an online pledge system.

·        Campaign Materials:  Pledge Card, Coordinator Notebook, Retiree Pamphlet

Committee Recruitment

·        We are in need of members to help complete these tasks

·          First meeting was April 10^th and the next is in May.

·          More information will be available at the next meeting.

A plea was made for individual with Web Design experience, please contact Larry or Gail if you someone in mind.

Eligibility Status – Adele Vine for Dennis O’Connell

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

·        The eligibility period began Monday, March 10^th, and ended Friday, April 12^th .

·        Applications were sent to 7 federations and 300 local independent organizations.

·        We received a record 250+ applications for review, including 33 new agencies for consideration. 

·        We had 30+ volunteers from various agencies help with this process this year.

·        Our review meetings were April 23^rd and yesterday, April 29th at GSA and we have completed the initial review for this year.  Unfortunately since we just finished up yesterday, we are not able to give you the final outcome for 2008, but will report on this at the next meeting.  Letters of acceptance or denial must be out on Friday.

·        We will be scheduling a final meeting to review any appeals in Mid-May.  There is still a possibility of appeals going to OPM in Washington.  The order of the federations and local independent organizations will be  randomly drawn

Events – Larry Hisle:

                        ·          Kick-off

·          We do not have a chair for the Kick-off Committee yet this year. 

·          Preparing for Sponsorship after the theme has been selected and voted on by the committee members.

·          Will report more on the Kick-off at the next meeting.

                        ·          Golf Tournament

·          Golf Tournament Committee met at the end of March to discuss this year’s tournament.

·          Tournament has been scheduled for October 13^th (Columbus Day).

·          Requests have been sent out to every golf course for the best deal. 

·                    We do have two courses really vying for our business, Blue Springs Country Club and Hillcrest Country Club

·          Currently looking for ideas on incentive items, etc.

·          Tournament will be open to all federal employees.

·          Championship aspect (which was used for last year’s tournament) will be done again this year.

·          Encouraged agencies who host their own golf tournaments to incorporate theirs into CFC’s tournament.

Training Committee –Valerie Eddleman

This committee was formed to look for ways of improving training and workshops and to determine how to raise awareness of the importance of CFC to federal agencies with low participation and donations.

            ·          Two Campaign Coordinator trainings are scheduled for the Kansas City on August 7th at the Harvesters and on August 13^th at the Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Village.

·                    A workshop is scheduled for August 27th in Topeka at the Topeka Rescue Mission

·                    Additional trainings will be considered at other locations in Kansas

·          Here are the items that still need to be completed

o       Complete and confirm training locations for the Loaned Executive training.

o       Obtain additional trainers.

o       Finalize all training outlines and plans. (Team Leaders, Coordinators, Loan Executives, & non-profits)

o       Finalize all training materials

·                    A plea was made for recruitment of quality presenters.

¨      More information will be made available at the next meeting.

Other Discussions:

Agency Head Breakfast

As stated earlier, plans are underway to have an agency head breakfast on May 28^th at the Kauffman Foundation.   The agency heads at the top twelve accounts have been invited, RSVP’s are slow so far.  We did a similar event in 2005 for these accounts and had a good increase.  These agencies account for 62% of the dollars raised, but have 75% of the employees.  We request that the Division Chairs follow-up on the accounts in their division which have been invited.  Larry will email you the invitees shortly.

Day of Caring Update

·        Currently have 43 federal agencies and labor groups at 73 locations volunteering for Day of Caring.

·        Day of Caring is Saturday, June 7th.

·        A plea was made to get agencies to sign up ASAP

Employee Express-Online pledging options

·        As stated at our March meeting, our CFC has been doing testing on Employee Express’s online pledge system.  As of this campaign, 32 campaigns will be mandated to offer Employee Express within their IRS Offices.  We would like to offer this to other agencies this year to test.  Besides Employee Express, should we look into an alternative online pledge system?    Please also see the Merger Requests and Options below.

Sponsorships for the 2008 Campaign-Larry Hisle

·          A request was sent out to GEHA to sponsor the CFC Victory Awards Breakfast, and they did respond and agreed.  They upped their gift $500 to $3,000 for this year.  This will allow us to continue to comp the campaign coordinator their breakfast in Kansas City and Topeka

·                    A request was sent out to GEICO to sponsor the Cruise Giveaway and Leadership Breakfast, and a query of the Kick-off Breakfast.  They also responded favorably with an increase of $1,000 to a grand total of $5,000 for this year.   This will allow us to pay for the agency head breakfast, have the Cruise Give-away and sponsor the kick-off. 

·          A request has been made to Blue Cross and Blue Shield to be a sponsor for our Kick-off, we have not heard back from them yet.

·                    A request went out to Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Kansas and they have provided $500 sponsorship for kick-offs in Topeka and Fort Riley.

·          Letters will be sent out to hotels requesting donations for the upcoming campaign.

·                    Cabinet Members are urged to share ideas of possible sponsors for this year

Merger Requests & Opportunities

·                    OPM suggests that local campaigns should regularly identify opportunities for partnerships and campaign mergers and focus on efficiency and cost savings.  With that in mind, Steve Tanner emailed both the Leavenworth Area CFC and South Central Kansas CFC to gauge their LFCC's interest in exploring that possibility or merging opportunities between our two areas.  Neither areas were favorable

·                     With the advent of Employee Express, the Office of CFC Operations in encouraging campaigns to pick up counties which are not currently being served by any local campaign.  One such area is Chillicothe, MO which has a hand full of IRS employees and several other federal agencies not currently able to participate in a CFC campaign.  In order to service them, we would need to incorporate Carroll, Caldwell and Livingston Counties.  A motion was made by Mara Whitaker to send this to the FEB for consideration, seconded by Dorothy Witherspoon.  Passed by the entire cabinet.

·                     Another area which was pointed out was Cape Girardeau  and Popular Bluff, MO where there are IRS employees which should be participating.  In order to do that, we would need to merge with Ozark Area CFC.  A motion was made by Mara Whitaker to explore this option, seconded by Dorothy Witherspoon.  Passed by the entire cabinet.

May Cabinet Meeting will be on May 28^th after the breakfast

Upcoming Events:

                        LE’s recruited                                       by April 30

                        Agency Head Training                          May 7^th

                                    Kansas City Hospice House

                        Team Orientation                                  by May 11^th

                        Leaders Breakfast - Topeka                 May 28^th  

                        May Cabinet Meeting                           May 28^th  

                        Agency Head Calls completed  by June 30^th

                        Day of Caring                                       Saturday, June 7^th