Board of Directors 2023 – 2024
Officers:
Susan Schweitzer – President
Danielle Sparavalo – Vice President
Sher Cosgrove – Secretary
Mike Seljan – Treasurer
Directors:
Sharon Cornwell
Sher Cosgrove
Norma Gonzalez
Katie Graton
Caleb Johnson
Kate Perschon
Susan Popa
Nancy Rech
Adam Robertson
Susan Schweitzer
Mike Seljan
Danielle Sparavalo
Louise Tallent
Molly Waldier
Melody Wolff
Zach Seljan
Non-Voting Directors:
Lake Central School Corporation Liaison: Dr. Larry Veracco
Lake Central School Board Liaison: Dr. Janice Malchow
Committees
Have some free time and want to help the Lake Central Schools? Interested in participating in a not-for-profit organization? The Lake Central Education Foundation is always in need of volunteers to participate on various committees.
Mike Seljan, Chair
PURPOSE
The Finance Committee (the “Committee”) oversees the financial condition of the Foundation and safeguarding and monitoring the Foundation’s assets. The Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities in respect to accounting, financing, investing, budgeting, managing risk, and financial practices and policies for the Foundation.
COMPOSITION
The Finance Committee will be chaired by a Board member designated by the Chair of the Board. The Committee may have five (5) to seven (7) members, in addition to the Chair. At least one member, preferably the chair, shall be literate in nonprofit finance and control, including knowledge of tax and regulatory requirements, and should have past or current experience in finance or accounting, or other comparable areas. Members on this Committee may be from within or without the Board of Directors. Committee members are appointed by the Chair of the Board with approval by the Board of Directors for a one year term commencing with the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors. The Board Chair/President and Treasurer shall serve as an exofficio member of the Committee. Any member of this Committee who shall have check signing authority shall not oversee or conduct an audit or review of the Foundation’s books and records.
AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
The Committee shall:
- Develop, in conjunction with the Treasurer, present to the Board for approval, and monitor the Foundation’s annual budget.
- Review and analyze monthly and YTD financial statements in comparison to budget and prior year.
- Oversee and recommend additions or changes regarding the Foundation’s board-designated fund.
- Oversee and monitor compliance with any restrictions or requirements of donor endowments, if any.
- Develop, implement, and monitor appropriate accounting, investment, and internal control policies and procedures.
- Monitor investment performance and make recommendations regarding the Foundation’s investments.
- Oversee/monitor adherence donor endowment restrictions.
- Seek and monitor any insurance coverage in order that the Foundation can manage its risks.
- Perform, or cause to be performed, an annual review/audit of the Foundation’s books and records and report such review/audit findings and recommendations to the Board.
- Educate the Board about nonprofit financial reporting and risk management.
- Participate in the formulation of the Foundation’s goals, objectives and policies.
- Identify and track internal and external trends and developments and determine what effect they may have on the Foundation’s financial future.
- Develop projections for the future to guide the Foundation’s strategic planning and policy.
The above tasks are not inclusive and other tasks may be assigned by the President or Board, as needed. The Committee shall not have the authority to act in place of the Board of Directors.
Susan Schweitzer, Chair
PURPOSE
The Governance Committee (the “Committee”) supports the Board by developing and enhancing the capacity of Board members to govern and lead the Foundation toward achieving its goals. The Committee focuses on ensuring that members, both individually and collectively, have the competencies necessary to perform their tasks as Board members. The Committee also ensures that Board evaluates its work and modifies its governance process to model nonprofit best practices.
COMPOSITION
The Governance Committee will be chaired by a Board member, preferably the Secretary, designated by the Board President. The Committee may have five (5) to nine (9) members, including the Chair. Members on this Committee may be from outside the Board of Directors. Committee members are appointed by the Board President with approval by the Board of Directors for a one year term commencing with the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors. The Board President shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Committee, but shall not participate in the vetting and selecting of potential board members.
AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
The Committee shall:
- Create and implement a comprehensive Board development plan, which includes methods and tools to recruit, train, educate and evaluate a diverse, skilled and knowledgeable volunteer force, including the board.
- Maintain an inventory of skills, capabilities, and other desirable characteristics of present members as well as members we are seeking to enlist and manage appropriate board diversity.
- Meet quarterly to identify and review the cultivation status of potential board members, including monitoring board vacancies and enlist new board members who fit the Foundation’s current needs and are passionate about the Foundation’s mission, values, and goals.
- Develop and conduct Board Director/Officer training, including new member orientation.
- Conduct periodic evaluations of all strategic governance documents and policies, board processes, and board committee structure, responsibilities, and composition and make recommendations to the Board as needed.
- Conduct at least annually a Board performance self-evaluation and governance process evaluation as part of Board education and performance enhancement
The above tasks are not inclusive and other tasks may be assigned by the President or Board, as needed. The Committee shall not have the authority to act in place of the Board of Directors.
Norma Gonzalez, Chair
PURPOSE
The Friend Development/Marketing Committee (the “Committee”) shall develop and oversee cultivating Friends in our community who support and/or are passionate about our Mission and program(s) to provide financial resources. The Committee also oversees the development and promotion of the Foundation’s brand with stakeholders to effectively raise awareness of the Foundation, its mission, its vision, and its values. The Committee provides the Board with guidance and counsel on support/revenue-generating plans by reviewing, discussing, evaluating and helping to implement proposed financial development and marketing strategies. The Committee focuses on ensuring that all appropriate print and media outlets are used to achieve the highest level of effect.
COMPOSITION
The Friend Development/Marketing Committee (the “Committee”) shall develop and oversee cultivating Friends in our community who support and/or are passionate about our Mission and program(s) to provide financial resources. The Committee also oversees the development and promotion of the Foundation’s brand with stakeholders to effectively raise awareness of the Foundation, its mission, its vision, and its values. The Committee provides the Board with guidance and counsel on support/revenue-generating plans by reviewing, discussing, evaluating and helping to implement proposed financial development and marketing strategies. The Committee focuses on ensuring that all appropriate print and media outlets are used to achieve the highest level of effect.
AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
The Committee shall:
- Identify, evaluate, and cultivate Friends (prospects, donors, and volunteers) to build a support base for the Foundation.
- Engage and enlist leadership and key volunteers to reach out to Friends in our community to use our mission and passion to solicit gifts and donations.
- Develop, recommend, and implement a comprehensive Friend development plan.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and communication plan that targets various stakeholder groups (business community, teachers, parents, alumni).
- Develop and promote the Foundation’s brand identity to community stakeholders.
- Prepare press releases and distribute to/on appropriate media.
- Maintain, update, and redesign, if needed, the Foundation’s website and other social media sites, if any.
- Plan, implement, and conduct special Friend events.
- Develop and maintain a Friends database.
- Participate in the formulation of the Foundation’s goals, objectives, and policies.
- Identify and track internal and external trends and developments and determine what effect they may have on the Foundation’s future Friend development.
- Develop projections for the future to guide the Foundation’s strategic planning and policy.
The above tasks are not inclusive and other tasks may be assigned by the President or Board, as needed. The Committee shall not have the authority to act in place of the Board of Directors.
Melody Wolf, Chair
PURPOSE
The Grant Committee oversees the development and implementation of the Foundation’s educational grant funding program(s) with in the Lake Central School Corporation boundaries.
COMPOSITION
- Members of this committee are appointed by the president, with final approval by the Board of Directors for a one year term commencing with the Annual Meeting. Members of this committee may be from outside the Board of Directors.
- The Grant Committee will be chaired by a Board member(s).
- The Committee may have a balance between business / community members and Lake Central School Corporation staff or administration, in addition to the Chair(s).
AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
The Committee shall:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive educational grant funding program / process, including application, and reporting /monitoring requirements necessary for LCEF accountability.
- Monitor grant awards and projects for completion, use of funds, and results / outcomes of the project.
- Enhance and conduct appropriate grant application / submission training for potential grantees.
- Recommend to the Board when grant round should be held, if a grant round will be an open round or for a specific purpose or theme, total dollar amount available for a particular round, and the maximum amount of an individual grant.
- Participate in the formulation of the Foundation’s goals, objectives, and policies.
- Identify and track internal and external trends and developments and determine what affect they may have on the Foundation’s future program(s).
- Develop projections for the future to guide the Foundation’s strategic planning and policy.
The above authority and responsibilities are not inclusive and other authority and responsibilities may be assigned by the President or Board, as needed. The Committee shall not have the authority to act in place of the Board of Directors.