Martin Quirk, the Director of Climate and Culture, introduced himself to the Committee and explained his role at City on a Hill. Quirk shared the intersection of family engagement and Development events, as well as the efforts he and the leadership team at City on a Hill have made in School Year 2020-2021 to increase positive culture and student/family engagement.

Jordan Pina, Chief of Staff, shared a presentation that highlighted the current School Year 2020-2021 donations, a year-by-year comparison of donations historically, as well as individual Board Member donations. Pina shared that with a Board of 12 members, City on a Hill Board member giving is currently at around sixty percent in School Year 2020-2021.

The Committee discussed the year by year comparison of school year donations, specifically grant money due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

Pina also provided an update about the School Year 2019-2020 Annual Report, sharing that City on a Hill worked with designers and printers of color to create the document that was sent to recent and historic donors, Board members, and government representatives in January.

Pina also shared information about upcoming Development Events, which include Black History Month Trivia on February 24, as well as City on a Hill's event with TRILLFIT, a mission driven local wellness business, on February 25. The Committee discussed current ticket sales for the TRILLFIT event, as well as sharing the information to register with their networks.

Jack Gearan, Committee Chair, opened discussion about planning City on a Hill's 2021 Virtual Gala. The Committee discussed that the virtual aspect of the upcoming gala will increase inclusion and open up opportunities for individuals who may have not been able to attend otherwise.

The Committee discussed finding a prominent keynote speaker to drive participation in the Virtual Gala. The Committee also discussed securing a City on a Hill alumni as a potential speaker. Gearan shared that it would be helpful to start a Gala Committee, and the Committee discussed individuals who have either participated in the past or would be potentially interested.

Pina shared that City on a Hill is in the early stages of working with a consulting firm to create a strategic base of what other charter partners are doing for Development efforts right now. Pina shared that they will be interviewing other charters with similar models as City on a Hill to gather best practices for Development events. Pina shared that the deliverables from the consulting firm will be finished in April 2021, allowing for the Committee to leverage that information to plan the Virtual Gala.

The discussion concluded with the Committee making plans to reach out to individuals in their network who could help secure a keynote speaker for the Virtual Gala.