•  Mifflin Grant update:    MM : No word yet .    
• Transportation update:  LD connected with Sam Edwards and Modesto will also reach out to her next week to follow up on her transportation thoughts.  LD: Mercedes may not be willing to donate a van as they have denied this request before.   
• KF: Final newsletter (quarterly update) to go out soon.  Kari reviewed and made suggestions on KF's drafted update. KF to send this draft to committee by EOD 5/5

 

• Solicitation next steps :
  • Final newsletter (quarterly update) going out soon (see above).
  • Small gift with handwritten thank you to all of those who have given, to go out at end of year with a "Happy summer" & thank you message! This will help plant the seed for impending capital campaign .  Message to donors who have given this year should be different from those who have yet to give.  

Dana shared that he and Holly have a new granddaughter in their family!  Together they have 6 daughters and 6 granddaughters. Congratulations on newest addition Grace !  

68.4 progress to goal to 150k goal.  Remaining to raise : $46,746.83

DB wondered how we got about raising this 46K?  

• LD mentioned it may be OK to not hit this goal as we are in good financial position and we have a capital campaign on our horizon next year.  
• Kari wondered if the remote factor made people less likely to give and visualize how their funds were being used.  
• Laurie affirmed that people have had other giving priorities and much financial stress;  Much need everywhere.  
• DB highlighted that its been hard to get new donors as the most effective tool we have is getting people into the school.  
• Kari pushed that we should still do a final email solicitation in June.   Keep it short and sweet!   Laurie to send KF a version of Link to Libraries" short and sweet" end of year message.

MM updated the group on Mifflin Grant request and transportation/ playground needs: 

• MM: Mifflin Grant was submitted for playground needs. TBD if grant is approved. Playground costs depend on what we do with it (lower end 20k, higher end 60k ; removal of asphalt, rubber mat, fencing etc) .  
•  Transportation is needed for after school programming which will include sports (especially importation b/c LACS doesn't have a gym thus it will cost too much to bus students to area gym daily. This puts LACS at a disadvantage when recruiting students).  LACS needs 2 (50 passenger) buses which will equal approx: 48k per bus.  

Community Partnerships next steps/ update: 

• Mass Mutual & Dennis Duquette reach out:  Committee decided to wait to approach Dennis until he can get into the school.  LD will reach out over the summer to connect with Duquette to get on his schedule (assuming we have received word that we can have  visitors this fall physically at the school)
• Institution update : Fellow Trustee Dr Seymour @ Westfield : MM has connected with her regarding a summer academy partnership .  MM stated he had not hear back from Elms College however is at a meeting with Dr. Cooke on May 10th and will reach out again.  

 

• Kari asked about our impending capital campaign plans .  Modesto would like to hire a professional team to help with this as the scope is beyond the capacity our committee has.   MM also relayed the need of a facilities committee which he is in the works to put together (launching next year).

Final words courtesy of Dana :  Currently on month 6 of a capital campaign at Redgate Farms and month 2 working with selected consultant.  DB has gained great insight into what everyone does to get this all done! No question having a professional guide the campaign is HUGE and necessary !