20/20 Cold Spring Vision Team

Minutes from February 21, 2005

Members Present: Betty Johnson, Liz Kruger, Mary Steil, Michelle Prow, Ann Doresy, Jan Luthens, April Stadtler, Eileen Froehle, Karen Minnerath Liz Brannan, Becky Hooper

1. Letter regarding our memorandum of understanding
-Michelle went to RSFIA board meeting and received a lot of information
-According to this information, Jeff is at the end of the funding from Faith In Action, and has not yet filed forms to become 501c3.
-The committee has many concerns regarding the comments from Jeff as well as how this process is working.
-It appears that there are no policies in place and that Jeff wants us to sign on with him before we see any type of procedures or other policy issues are shown.
-It appears that Jeff needs our ‘hub’ to maintain FIA funding
-There is a fear that there might not be sustainability in forming a relationship with Jeff and RSFIA.
-There is a massive confusion about what fees are required and what types of things we get with these fees.

2. Conference call with Jeff Fromm
-After some discussion about the comment letter from Jeff, the committee decided to call him to try and clear up some miscommunications. After issues with the phone system, Michelle agreed to conduct a conversation with Jeff one on one.
-Jeff said that the 8% fee was for the use of the RSFIA name, logo, ECT.
-There is a 2-10% fiscal hosting feel given off of grant money along with the 8% fee for a total of 10-18% of our money going toward fees.
-When asked about writing grants, Jeff said that he would be doing some grant writing, but that he had expectations of someone on the committee doing some writing also. This is not the impression of what the committee was paying the 8% for, and will need to be cleared up.
-As far as sustainability goes, Jeff said that he was about 2/3 of the way done with getting his 501c3 status.
-Jeff discussed that he wanted to develop tools, procedures and standards with the committee. The committee is wondering what he is using up to this point if he has none in place. Also, the committee is wondering why he can’t use the paperwork in place at the St. Cloud Faith In Action.

3. The committee’s response
-The committee needs more specific details about where Jeff is on procedures as well as what his plans are for sustaining funding.
-The committee also is concerned about gaps in information as well as information that has been contradictory.
-Jeff has been asked to come to the next meeting, February 28, 2005 to discuss the committees concerns.

Questions: for Jeff Fromm

• What funding does the 8% hub use fee come from exactly?
• What exactly do we get with this 8% fee? Please be specific and if you have examples please bring them with.
• What specifically is included in the 2-10% fiscal host fee?
• Who decides what percentage we are going to be responsible for?
• Are there ANY other fees that we may be assessed upon entering a business relationship with you?
• What are you specific expectations regarding our group doing grant writing?
• Will you be training us at all in grant writing? If so, what specific tools will you be using?
• Specifically, how far are you in development of policies and procedures? Please bring any tangible examples you may already have.
• Do you have any training modules or standards in place? If so, please bring examples with you.
• If we are to be developing training modules, standards and any other procedures with you, what roles will you have, and what roles will we have?
• If we are to be developing training modules, standards and other procedures with you, what are you currently using? Please bring examples to share.
• You mentioned that you are about 2/3 done with attaining a 501c3 standing. What have you done specifically and what do you have left to take care of?



• We are beginning to feel uncomfortable with the information we are receiving. We have had many gaps in information and what we have received has had a history of being contradicting. At this point we are not sure if this is the type of relationship we want to get in to. Please be as complete and specific as possible at the February 28, 2005 meeting. We would like this to work out for both parties.