CFC Cabinet Meeting

Minutes of March 12, 2008

Host:  Steve Tanner

EPA Caves Warehouse, Kansas City, MO

 

Cabinet Members in attendance:     

Gail Allen , GSA                                               Mike Brincks, GSA

Victoria Davidson, NTEU #66                          Velerie Eddleman, USDA

Craig Hampton, AFGE # 1336                         Cindy Hillman, FEB                                         

Larry Hisle, CFC                                              Ethel Johnson, SSA

Jason Parman, OPM                                        Joe Parnacott, NATCA           

Steve Tanner, USDA                                        Quo Tyler, USPS

Dorothy Witherspoon, DOL                             Col. Roger Wilson, USACE

                                                           

Cabinet Members on the phone: 

Dennis O’Connell, GSA                                   Don Sanders, USDA

Harry Strader, CFC- KS                                  Mara Whitaker, NTEU #264

 

Alternates & Others:

Carolyn Kelley, SSA

 

 

Welcome & Introduction– Steve Tanner:

Steve thanked the cabinet members for being involved in the campaign this year and is looking forward to the commitment in making CFC successful. Each member in attendance introduced themselves & their roles on the cabinet.

 

 

Cabinet Responsibilities & Progress Report – Steve Tanner

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

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

¨          The 2008 org chart was discussed

¨          Larry pointed out the successes of 2008 (Combined Campaign Totals)

o       Total Dollars up $53,294 or 0.86 %  (9 straight years of record setting amounts)  Increase of $1 million over that period of time

o       Per capita decreased by $2.00

o       Participation was down by almost 4%

o       Average Gift was up almost $30.00

o       Eagle Club continues to grow. Up 5% in 2007 amounting to 873 donors contributing $1,163,547 or 32.66% of the campaign

o       Soaring Eagle Program ($2,000+) increased from 61 to 108 donors this accounted $290,000 and was a $38,000 increase over continuous donations with a possible $50,000 in new donations (at least $20,000)

o       Day of Caring: 60 federal agencies working on 67 different projects. 

Also reviewed the Annual Report

 

2007 Annual Report

·          Annual Report was available to members at the meeting.

·          CFC’s report can be downloaded from our web site at: www.heartlandcfc.org

 

 

Recruitment & Agency Head Calls - Larry Hisle:

¨      Need commitments for ten (10) LE’s.  We have 1 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 28th. Over 220 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 the past three years, last year in Topeka.   The thought was to start the cycle over by inviting the agency heads of the largest accounts and hold a meeting in the Kansas City area.  The committee felt that was a good idea, so we will begin looking at options for this meeting. 

¨      Col. Wilson asked to consider the economy  in the fall when setting goals and soliciting donors

 

 

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 30th.

¨      Vote and discussion of a six week period will be for the 2008 campaign.

¨      New OPM’s regulations state that the campaign may run between September 1st to December 15th.  It was suggested to continue to maintain a primary six weeks to focus the campaign time period.

¨      After discussion, campaign time frame was tentatively set for the 2008 campaign from October 1st to November 12th. 

¨      It was also approved to allow fundraising activities outside these dates, if approved by the agency head.

           

 

Committee Reports:

 

Awards & Recognition – Larry for Debbie Schmidt

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

Items we have previously bought are:

 

·        Rally Kick-off Items:           10,000 items at             .60 to .75each

                                                            Last year’s item: back patters   

·        Campaign Coordinator :

Pre-gift                         1000 items at .85 to $1.00                   

Last year’s item: pocket stapler  

Post-gift                       350 items at .$3.00 to $4.00

                                                Last year’s item:  CFC Umbrella                                   Every Person Gift      15,000 items at .10 to .15 each

                                                Last year’s item:  Drink Coaster

 

2007 Gift Levels:         

·        $390 to $649 or 1% of a donor’s pay entitled them to our Pillar Club. A CFC Logo pin was awarded to them.  There was some consideration of doing a pen this year.

·        $650 to $999  or 2% of a donor’s pay entitled 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 new pewter descending eagle with gold tips for Eagle Donors recognized this level.

·         $2,000 or greater The Double Eagle “Soaring Eagle Club” for those people who donate at least $2,000.  They received the eagle and a nice rosewood Pen and Pencil set

·        Suggestions were encouraged for this year.

·        All gifts should be attractive to a younger audience

·        In the past we have used the same eagle for two years in a row.  This would be the second year.  A discussion was held whether to continue with the same eagle one more year or replace it.  The majority of the cabinet liked using the same eagle again this year.

·        There is also a need to purchase some individual items for Fort Riley.

·        We hope to present samples at the next meeting. 

·        Any suggestions or comments can be sent to debra.schmidt@kcc.usda.gov or larry.hisle@gsa.gov

           

 

Communications – reported on by Gail Allen

           

·        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 (recruitment from the attendees in the room of quality individuals in their organization)

·        Campaign Theme –  The national theme has not been decided upon yet (discussion of last year’s theme and what theme we would like to use this year) 

·        A listing of possible themes was passed out.

The committee requested to find out the National Theme which is “Be a Star in Someone’s Life” and then were requested to email their top three themes off the list back to CFC

 

·        Sub Committee Groups were discussed.  Volunteers 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 to get information out about the campaign

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

·         Local Film –  Victoria noted this was well received at the IRS

·         Newsletters (explained the timeline for the newsletters)

·         Web Site

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

 

Some items which we already have begun for this year:

                        Federal Employee Nights scheduled:

                                    Kansas City Brigade – April 19, 2008

                                    Kansas City Wizards – June 28, 2008

                                    Kansas City Royals – August 8, 2008

 

For many years we have been trying to put together an online pledge system.  It was announced that we will be a test market for OPM and the new Employee Express Online Pledge System.

                                               

Any suggestions or comments can be sent to gail.allen@gsa.gov or larry.hisle@gsa.gov

 

 

Eligibility Status – Dennis O’Connell

¨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 10th through April 11th.

¨   Letters directing organizations to the CFC website to download applications were mailed out to 350 Local Independent Organizations (LIO) and 7 local federations that make up an additional 250 agencies.

¨      We have held two eligibility workshops for non-profits, one on February 26th and March 7th.   

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

¨      A copy was available to those in attendance at the March FEB meeting.

¨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 23rd  and 29th at the CFC office, 1500 E Bannister, Kansas City, MO.

¨If there are agencies that you would like to see apply and 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 – Velerie Eddleman

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

¨      Campaign Coordinator Training (considering going to Guadalupe Center, Salvation Army Harbor Light Village in Kansas City, KS, Harvesters and looking at other locations)

¨      Loaned Executive Training

¨      Speaker Bureau Training

¨      A plea was made for recruitment of quality presenters.

¨      Talk about the proposed workshops, discuss possible locations, preliminary dates are August 7th & Aug 13th for the Kansas City area.

¨      Additional Workshops will be held in Topeka Area

¨      Enhance training to focus on participation

 

Other Committee Assignments –

·        Discussion of additional committees

·        Harry suggested a young donor committee to possibly fall under the Communications Committee to focus on the future of CFC

 

 

Other Discussions:

   Campaign Kickoff

¨      Voted on continuing the City-wide Kick-off.  Committee member, Gail Allen made the motion to continue with a second motion coming from committee member Ethel Johnson.  The motion was carried.

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

¨      The date will be decided by the Kick-off  Committee, but a later September date was suggested

¨      It was noted we need to do more about marketing this to a broader  employee base

¨      This is above and beyond local agency kick-offs

¨      Planning would begin immediately with prior committee

 

 

CFC Golf Tournament

·        Voted on continuing the Golf Tournament.  Member Jason Parman made the motion to accept this change with a second motion coming from  committee member, Craig Hampton, motion was 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 Jason Parman

made the motion to accept this amount with a second motion coming from  committee member, Mara Whitaker & unanimously passed by the cabinet. 

               

 

  Sponsorships for the 2008 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 of Kansas City sponsored the Kick-off

¨      Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas sponsored the Topeka Leaders Breakfast and Fort Riley’s Kick-off

¨      This year’s cruise was sponsored by GEICO Insurance and Ridge Prairie Travel. 

¨      Official Voting on continuing the Sponsorships. Committee member Jason Parman made the motion to accept this change with a second motion coming from committee member Dorothy Witherspoon & unanimously passed by the cabinet. 

¨      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 Dorothy Witherspoon made the motion to accept this change with a second motion coming from committee member Craig Hampton. Motion was carried.

 

   Union Partnership Meetings- Larry Hisle

            s¨  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 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the AFL/CIO Offices at 1021 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO.   Encouraged members to identify labor folks within their agency and get a commitment for the campaign.

 

Upcoming Events:

                        Eligibility Period                                    March 10th to April 11th

                        April Cabinet Meeting                           April 30th

                        Eligibility Review Meetings                    April 23rd & 29th

                        LE’s recruited                                       by April 30

                        Team Orientation                                  by May 9th

                        Agency Head Calls completed  by June 30th

                        Day of Caring                                       Saturday, June 7th