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Women Transforming Sonoma County Through Collective Philanthropy - August 2020
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When we first entered SIP (Sheltering in Place) last March, would we ever have guessed that our situation would last so long, and with a future of such continued uncertainty? While the toll has been heavy, acts of dedication, compassion, and grace continue to astound and inspire us. Within Impact 100 RC, we could not have imagined the extent to which everyone would step up.
- For example, look at our use of Zoom, and the processes that the Marketing and Technology Committees have created and implemented to enable us to stay connected and engaged. Over 200 of our members have registered for at least one Zoom event over the past six months!
- Volunteers from our Membership Committee have continued to hold recruitment events, orient new members, and individually follow up with existing members as their annual renewals come up (checking in and getting feedback). As a result, our membership is holding steady at around 240 members, and we already have over $100K accumulated in our grant fund towards next year's Impact and Community Grants.
- The Community Grants Committee completed their work, and now we're hearing wonderful reports from the eight recipient agencies via Zoom.
- The Impact Grant Committee is moving through their evaluation and selection process, bringing us ever closer to our culminating November 7th meeting when we'll award our $100,000 Impact Grant.
- And the Impact Grant, Marketing, Events, and Membership committees are convening to figure out how to "virtually" hold our November 7th Annual Membership meeting.
Never underestimate the power of a group of women to do whatever it takes!
Update on Bias Study Group
As you know, we recently launched a Study Group to look at how race, class, inclusion, and power affect us, our community, and Impact 100 RC. We've heard that some of you are interested in knowing what we're reading/viewing/listening to. So, every month we'll include a short update in the Communique. We are also compiling a list of recommended resources, which we are happy to share with anyone interested.
Initially we have focused on exploring the topic of Bias. The resources we used included:
Next, we'll begin our discussion of Ibram X Kendi's book How to be an Anti-Racist
Jan Gilman & Suzy Marzalek, Co-Presidents
Impact 100 Redwood Circle
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Nominations for 2021
The Executive Committee positions to be considered are:
- Co-President
- Vice-President of
- Governance
- Vice-President for Nominating
- Secretary
- Treasurer
Click here to submit a nomination. Deadline for all nominations is 5 p.m. - Friday, August 28, 2020
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Stay connected by attending these upcoming
virtual** events
Meet our 2020 Community Grantees
Thurs, August 20
Tues, Sept. 1
Each is from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
ED Talk
Tues, August 25
12:00 noon
Presenter: Oscar Chavez,
Assistant Director, Sonoma County Human Services
Click here for details
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2020 Impact Annual Meeting!
The Impact Grant, Marketing, Events, and Membership Committees are enthusiastically preparing for our
November 7th General Meeting. Exciting plans are in the works to  bring us together for a truly fun and heartfelt experience as the culmination of our yearly mission to award $100,000 grant to a deserving nonprofit and celebrate our five-year anniversary. Stay tuned! |
Want to be a Better
Zoomer?
The membership committee is offering individual 45-minute Zoom sessions for any members who would like to learn more about Zoom.
Our virtual events have become a fact of life all too quickly and this tool will be used for upcoming events, including our annual meeting on Nov. 7. If you'd like a Zoom tutorial, don't hesitate to contact us at impact100membership@gmail.com |
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Hear From the Remaining Four 2020 Community Grant Recipients
 Meet them through Zoom!
Thursday, August 20 - 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Burbank Housing  Please join Janelle Wetzstein, Director pf Communications and Public Relations for Burbank Housing. For over 35 years, Burbank Housing has helped shape Sonoma County. Originally part of local government, Burbank Housing became a separate nonprofit to serve the North Bay and has built over 2,800 affordable rental units in over 60 properties, as well as building/ selling over 800 affordable homes. They've created vibrant local communities that are viable and sustainable but this talk will be looking to the future as there is much more to do in Sonoma County and beyond.
SRJC Next Up and Bear Cub Scholars
Also join Rebecca Levelle, SRJC Next Up and Bear Cub Scholars Coordinator The NextUp program, formerly known as CAFYES (Cooperating Agencies for Foster Youth Educational Support), works with Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) to tailor and expand on the services that are being offered to current and former foster youth attending Santa Rosa Junior College. Bear Cub Scholars Program is committed to improving the retention and success rate of foster youth in college. Their services include academic counseling, assistance with textbooks & supplies, parking passes, college trips and emergency gift cards. The Bear Cub Scholars Program is committed to improving the retention and success rate of foster youth in college, and includes academic counseling, assistance with textbooks & supplies, parking passes, college trips and emergency gift cards. Register here
Tuesday, September 1 - 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Verity Please join Christine Castillo, Executive Director for Verity as she discusses current virtual support for adults and children who have been sexually assaulted. Verity is committed to  ending sexual violence by collaborating with individuals, groups, and organizations. Founded in 1974 as Women Against Rape, a grassroots organization for those traumatized by the rape of women. Verity now serves people of all backgrounds who have been affected by sexual violence, with a special focus on sexual assault and abuse. Their services facilitate healing and promotes the prevention of violence by providing counseling, advocacy, intervention, and education in the community.
Jewish Community Free Clinic
Also join Donna Waldman, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Free Clinic. Drawing on Jewish traditions of Tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world) the Jewish Community Free Clinics offer free health care services to anyone in need, without regard to religion. Although the Clinic is physically closed until further notice, they are still holding consultations virtually. Regular volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurses rotate each week, and are supplemented by a referral network of volunteer physician specialists. Clinic volunteers offer not only medical and nursing care, but also social services, and referrals to other community resources. Register here
Ann Marie McGee & Mindi Lewis, Co-Chairs
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Updates From Our Grant Recipients
Artstart
What's Not to Love About Poppies!
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Artstart, a 2017 Community Grant recipient, needed to pivot quickly for the teens they mentor. Through creativity and collaboration, several projects surfaced. A recent installation of two poppy murals at Petaluma Hill and Snyder Lane is a fabulous example of one of these projects and displays the power of the Artstart community! Teens came to Artstart to pick up materials and directions to paint "poppies" and returned them upon completion. Painted on a special canvas for murals, the poppies were then installed as complete murals. During the installation, cars driving by took a moment to honk and cheer for the artists at work. Good news for all!
Forget Me Not Farms Children's Services
Ways to Help in The Garden & With Animal Art!
FMNFCS is still concentrating a lot of our efforts on their production gardens and getting food to our kids. They are getting ready to prepare for winter planting at the same time as the summer veggies are coming in. They could use garden help in the following ways:
- Seeding starts in 6 packs
- Harvesting veggies to take to our partner agencies
- Weeding any of the garden areas
- Delivering produce to our partner agencies - this is a NO contact project.
Art Project:
We are trying to make a little picture book of the animals at the Farm to use as a fundraiser and an incentive to donate. We have some pictures already good to go but need someone with time to edit photos and help put the book together. We will use an online service to get it printed
We would like to put together a calendar of the animals in the farm and have it ready to go by October. Again - anyone with artistic talent and the time to help select the right photos would be helpful.
NOTE: We are sharing fundraisers for past and current grant recipients this month. As you know many have had annual fundraisers cancelled due to COVID-19. The loss of that critical revenue has been challenging. Click here to see the list.
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Impact Grant Committee
12 Nonprofits Invited to Submit Full Proposals
The Impact Grant Committee is pleased to announce that we have invited 12 nonprofit organizations to submit Full Proposals for our $100,000 Impact Grant. These nonprofits, listed below, were among the 32 nonprofits that submitted Letters of Intent for the 2020 Impact Grant. The Full Proposals are due on August 21st. After scoring and evaluating the Full Proposals, our committee will select three finalists to be brought to our full membership for a vote. The top vote getter will receive our $100,000, Impact Grant and the other two finalists will receive $10,000 each.
- Ceres Community Project
- Community Child Care Council of Sonoma County (4 C's)
- Corazon Healdsburg
- COTS - Committee on the Shelterless
- Legal Aid of Sonoma County
- Northern California Center for Well-Being
- Pepperwood Preserve
- Redwood Empire Food Bank
- Restorative Resources
- The Center for Social and Environmental Stewardship
- The Climate Center
- The Living Room Center, Inc.
Vicki Groninga & Susan Milstein, Co-Chairs
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Education Committee
Recap of ED Talk - Community Foundation Sonoma County
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Please join us to hear Oscar Chavez, Assistant Director, Sonoma County Human Services Department.
When: Tuesday, August 25, 12:00 noon Click here to register
The Department of Human Services has served 1 in 5 Sonoma County residents through a variety of "safety net" support programs aimed at protecting and supporting vulnerable seniors, children and disabled members of the community as well as proving workforce training. The pandemic has not only impacted the ways in which services are delivered, but has created further hardship and health risks for these vulnerable populations, especially our Latinx, farmworker and indigenous communities. Oscar Chavez will provide data related to programs offered by the Department, as well as areas of emerging needs and gaps in services impacting our community. Prior to joining the County, Mr. Chavez led the Sonoma County Community Action Partnership as Executive Director, serves as Board President of Latino Service Providers; Chair of Sonoma County Community Development Commission and is involved in California and Sonoma County institutions supporting those most in need.
Thea Hensel & Laurie Parish, Co-Chairs
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Membership Committee
Impact 100 RC currently has 243 members, 44 of whom are Dyad members and 199 individual members. Retention rate remains very good.
The last two Cocktails and Conversation Zoom meetings were well attended (July 11, and August 6) by members and guests. The next C & C Zoom meeting will be announced soon, so watch for an email blast. We encourage members to invite friends and guests.
Important Reminder: Please remember to turn in a Dyad or Individual Membership Renewal Application when you send in your renewal donation. A copy can be obtained from the Impact 100 RC website. Just click on "Join us" to find the appropriate application. The New Member application and the Renewal application are one and the same. At the top, you will check "new member" or "renewing member". If you need to have an application mailed to you, please email Bev Curry at bcurry@prodigy.net or call her at 707-571-1672. All members, whether paying by credit card, check, or fund transfer need to mail in a renewal application. Otherwise the Community Foundation does not notify us of the renewal. Thank you for taking the time to complete this process.
Membership Committee members continue to notify renewing members of their completed renewals and are reaching out to members regarding pending renewals. Please email Impact100membership@gmail.comwith any membership questions or concerns.
Charlene Staples & Bev Curry, Co-Chairs
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NextGen
Looking for New Members!
The NextGen Committee is hosting monthly hikes to engage NextGen members and their friends. The morning hikes will be on the third Sunday of the month at Taylor Mountain Regional Park, with the first hike on August 16. Do you know a younger woman who would like to learn more about our growing NextGen program? Invite them to join you on a hike or send contacts to Robin Wendler, NextGen Chair rwendler@rocketmail.com 707-889-4497
The NextGen Committee is looking for new members. You don't need to be in the NextGen age range to join the committee. We need members who enjoy talking about Impact100 in the community and connecting younger women with our group. Contact Robin if you'd like more information.
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Contact our Newsletter Editor:
If you have questions or suggestions for The Impact 100 Redwood Circle Communique, please contact Editor, Jan Houts at impact100newsletter@gmail.com
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