citizens for Fairfax Community September Minutes

Citizens for Fairfax Community, Inc. (CFC)
9/21/11 Meeting Minutes:

HEADLINES:
▪   VCDP has decided not to award us the planning grant. Overnight, VCDP’s attention has shifted from routine projects to emergency flood relief to facilities in central and Southern VT. The focus on these urgently needed infrastructure repairs is likely to continue for the foreseeable future –not only for VCDP, but for all state funding agencies. So our chances for obtaining any grant to pay consultants to help us on our project seems slim for the next couple of years. And we have found that accomplishing what we need to do next to move toward creating a community center (evaluate the Baptist Building’s renovation and upgrade costs in more detail, create a sustainable business plan for the community center, and plan and execute a capital fundraising campaign to purchase and renovate the building) is beyond the available time and expertise of the volunteers who have stepped forward to help. We are left with the reality that we cannot pull this off as a grassroots independent nonprofit organization –at least not at this time.
▪   In researching how other towns have accomplished similar projects, we found that every one that was successful –with one exception– was done as a municipal project. We must conclude that it is only with greater involvement from the Fairfax Town itself (i.e., its elected officials and taxpayers), that we will be able to create a community center –not as an independent organization. So it’s now up to the Town to decide if, how, and when to proceed.
▪   The question for CFC is whether our continued existence as an independent nonprofit is likely to be of any benefit in such a process. Is there an advantage to keeping CFC alive as an organization? A few possible advantages were discussed; and we will investigate further.
▪   In light of the questions outlined above, we tentatively decided to hold the annual meeting in November this year to give us enough time to first gather information and input and decide, at our October meeting, about whether to continue our operations. If we decide to continue, we will need some new Trustees, as at least two current board members will be leaving. Suggestions for replacements are urgently needed.
▪   If some logistical concerns raised by the Masons can be satisfactorily addressed, we will move ahead with the Haunted House fundraiser, in partnership with the Recreation Department.

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Called to order: 7:05 PM
In attendance: Corey Hinton, Amanda Duling,* Barb Duval,* Mary Taylor,* Mark Hunziker,* Susie Posner Jones,* and Katrina Antonovich* (* indicates Trustees)

The Board-meeting minutes of June 15, 2011 were approved unanimously. (Moved by Mary, seconded by Barb.)

VCDP Planning Grant:
The CFC Board had received word, a few days prior to the meeting, that VCDP had decided not to award us the grant. From their email and additional information relayed by Susie, it was clear that two overarching factors had worked against our chances. For planning grants VCDP’s priorities are to first support affordable housing projects, then economic development; and community facilities such as a Fairfax Community Center come last. (I.e., if they still have funds to give after tending to the two higher priorities.) The second, and much bigger, factor was the flood damage from hurricane Irene. Overnight, VCDP’s attention shifted from routine projects to emergency relief, such as repairs to buildings that were damaged or destroyed. A third factor was also mentioned that we would need to address if we reapply. They would like to see more of the work on the capital campaign planning part of our proposed projects done through volunteer efforts, and the $6,000 consultant’s fee thereby reduced.

The focus on repairing central and southern Vermont towns’ severely damaged infrastructure is likely to continue for the foreseeable future –not only for VCDP, but for all state funding agencies. So our chances for obtaining any grant to pay consultants to help us on our project seems slim for the next couple of years. And we have found that accomplishing what we need to do next to move toward creating a community center (evaluate the Baptist Building’s renovation and upgrade costs in more detail, create a sustainable business plan for the community center, and plan and execute a capital fundraising campaign to purchase and renovate the building) is beyond the available time and expertise of the volunteers who have stepped forward to help. We are left with the reality that we cannot pull this off as a grassroots independent nonprofit organization –at least not at this time. Furthermore, in researching how other towns have accomplished similar projects, we found that every one that was successful –with the exception of one very wealthy town– was done as a municipal project. We must conclude that it is only with greater involvement from the Fairfax Town itself (i.e., its elected officials and taxpayers), that we will be able to create a community center.

So it’s now up to the Town to decide if, how, and when to proceed. The question for CFC is whether our continued existence as an independent nonprofit is likely to be of any benefit in such a process. Obviously, interested CFC members can help in any Town-led effort. But is there an advantage to keeping CFC alive as an organization? A few possible advantages were discussed; and we will investigate further. Susie will look into the technicalities; Mark will seek advice from the Preservation Trust of VT; and Board Members will discuss the question with the Selectboard as soon as possible.

Annual Meeting and Board Elections:
Our Bylaws require us to hold our membership meeting in Oct, Nov, or Dec; and to elect our Trustees at that time. In light of the questions outlined above, we tentatively decided to hold the annual meeting in November this year to give us enough time to first gather information and input and decide, at our October meeting, about whether to continue our operations. If we decide to continue, we will need some new Trustees, as at least two current board members will be leaving. Suggestions for replacements are urgently needed.

Haunted House:
Katrina will be meeting with Corey to try to iron out some logistical concerns expressed by the Masons. If these can be satisfactorily addressed, we will move ahead with the Haunted House fundraiser, in partnership with the Recreation Department.

Meeting adjourned: 7:55 PM (Moved by Amanda, seconded by Barb.)

Next Meeting: Wed Oct 19, 7:00 PM at the Hunzikers’ home

October agenda in brief:
▪   Whether and how to continue our work
▪   Annual meeting arrangements
▪   Board nominations
▪   Haunted House

Respectfully submitted,
Mark Hunziker, Secretary