The 2014 NFWFWF Annual Meeting : January 10, 2015
Introduction
President Lori Cohen convened the meeting at 5:05 p.m. and gave opening remarks. She stressed the importance of why we should give money to the organization. NFWFWF gives help to lesbians on the north fork of Long Island via grants that have a maximum of $3,000. She gave an overview of the revamped HelpHer, how it works and it’s importance.
Lori also spoke of the NFWFWF survey that was done in 2010 and that socialization was the most important item they wanted the organization to provide. NFWFWF gives to people what they need to the best of the organization’s ability and that we will try to put them in contact with other sources if we can’t directly help them.
HelpHer Committee Report
Robin Imandt spoke about the HelpHer committee. She passed out informational HelpHer cards that told of how one could contact HelpHer or be a volunteer. Robin told of the importance of HelpHer, that volunteers can supply cooking, pet sitting, transportation, shopping, etc. Robin emphasized that people should be good neighbors to other members who may be homebound or recuperating from a procedure.
She stressed the importance that socialization can have on someone. Robin also informed the membership that there were 12 volunteers who were eager to help, but because of pride, many people did not call for help. The committee is ready to serve but is underused. HelpHer is confidential.
Scholarship Committee Report
Susan Forbes spoke for the Anne MacKay Scholarship. Susan gave the names of all the public schools on the north fork who participated (Riverhead, Mattituck, Cutchogue, Greenport and Shelter Island.) The parameters of the application and the process of how the scholarships are given were reviewed. She spoke of how previous winners were very articulate and worthy of the scholarships.
Part of the scholarship process was to fund raise for the awards. Money was needed to replenish the fund so awards to be given out in the spring. Information on this was forthcoming.
There were questions of proper recognition and to who the awards given. Ellen Neff spoke of how important it is that the NFWFWF name get out to the public. Karen Sauvigné suggested we choose a winner from each school. Sandra Benedetto seconded the thought. Susan Forbes said NFWFWF has plans to take an ad out in the Graduation section of the Suffolk Times that congratulates the winners and recognizes NFWFWF as the benefactor.
Grants Committee Report
Karen Sauvigné told of how the organization was started around awarding monetary grants to lesbians on the north fork who were in need. She described the process of getting a grant and the strict rules she follows in recommending a grant to the NFWFWF board. Susan said we are getting more visible in the community by Southold senior services. They know to refer a person to us when someone appropriate comes their way. Karen said it was a privilege and honor to do her part in the grant process.
Lori spoke of how we just don’t give grants, and that we also provide hands-on services. Pride, again, was a factor in giving fewer grants than we could.
Treasurers Report
Treasurer Kathy Bresnan spoke of the numbers in the Profit and Loss statement and the Balance Sheet. She gave kudos to Judith Woodard at Christopher Street Financial, where the NFWFWF funds are invested, who takes care of the account on a pro bono basis.
Kathy spoke of how NFWFWF funds were invested like we were a 75-year-old and not a 40-year-old. She met with Judith Woodard and discussed how we should be invested. Judith made slight changes to NFWFWF investments based on their discussion.
She spoke of how the Anne MacKay Scholarship Fund is a completely separate account from the general operating account. It was observed from the financial reports that donations were down and needed to be better. Kathy spoke of how the largest contributions came from board members and that they floated the organization.
A large problem with the lowered income was the lowered participation in the Auction. Donations and bidding did not occur that was depended on, though it was a great social event. NFWFWF will need to come up with other means of income and not put all their eggs in one basket. The Gay Pride Dance made more money this year than last and hopes to progress.
Kathy said that next year the Scholarship Fund will be on a separate line in the financial statements. She would love the funds to be self sufficient.
Lori said NFWFWF can’t exist if there is not support. People need to step up and help out. She said the board spoke of the future of the organization and possibly about making NFWFWF a grants-only organization.
Open Discussion
The following comments were made from the audience in the open discussion part of the meeting:
• The question was raised if we knew the participation at NFWFWF events. She felt we have drifted away from the origins of the organization. Our levels of participation have diminished. Organizations that work have higher levels of volunteerism. Our malaise has to do with diminished volunteerism. She wanted to know the board’s analysis of how to get commitment up.
• An attendee spoke that she agreed with the person who questioned member participation. She does not participate in NFWFWF events — but noted we don’t have the right to disagree with the organization if we don’t participate in the organization.
• A former president said many members were second-homeowners. She said that we are aging as an organization. We are hinging ourselves on one event and we need to do something different. It should not be on the shoulders of the board only.
• A board member said the usual Auctioneer did not want to MC the event last year because she just didn’t want to do it — and we needed to try something different. The world has changed. Those changes bring us closer to the mainstream. NFWFWF is not exactly the same.
• An attendee said she knows how hard people work on the auction. She has been at almost all of the auctions through the years. If we only made $10,000 at the last auction is it worth doing at all? If she had the money she would write out a check for $10,000 and save us the aggravation. What is NFWFWF all about?
• A former board member told of how much work went into a small amount of grants. Why?
• A NFWFWF founding mother spoke of how the organization started in her living room. She gave kudos to Jan Swanson. She said times were different when NFWFWF was created. She said “This is such a delicious moment” — that we were able to have this discussion. Things change and evolve. No one can assail anyone. The people who comprised the original board didn’t need money. We have no diversity in our outreach. She thinks the time has come for NFWFWF to help all women – not just lesbians.
• An attendee said being on the board is a burnout job. It is why she has not yet been on the board. Staff is important but we need more.
• A person from the audience said how impressive the group is. She comes to our events and works for a nonprofit in Connecticut where she lives. She said the same thing is happening all over among gay organizations, monetarily and regarding their identity. We should not feel strange about it. We need to re-invent ourselves.
• An attendee said she has a love/hate relationship with the organization. NFWFWF started with a passionate group of women. We don’t have the same passion. She thinks we should get more data from other nonprofits and see how they are coping. What we are going through is normal.
• A meeting goer thinks there is a danger in being professional. People and their circumstances change. We have a small pool of people that we tap into.
• A meeting attendee congratulated the board. She thought as we get older it’s more difficult to volunteer.
• There was a question of there not being enough transparency. What did we spend grant money on? Where is the money going? She gave less than ever before. What we give to needs a better explanation.
• The meeting leader responded to the person saying she gave less to the organization saying she new of the problem and we are working on it.
• The Grants chair described the grants, what we did and where the money went — without revealing identities.
• Upon the summation of the grants it was said that those grant descriptions were essential to our success, it was compelling.
• An audience member wanted to know how we could know what was going on and where the money was going.
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Barb Pfanz