DVG Hosts 23rd Annual Members' Meeting

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photos from the event

On March 8^th, representatives of Delaware Valley Grantmakers (DVG) gathered at the Top of the Tower in Philadelphia to celebrate the association's 23^rd Annual Members' Meeting. The program featured remarks from DVG's leadership, election of the association's 2011 officers and new directors, a conversation with Chronicle of Philanthropy editor Stacy Palmer, and a fun Member Appreciation Ceremony.

Opening the program was DVG executive director Debra A. Kahn, who welcomed the 120-plus individuals in attendance, and thanked those organizations who helped underwrite the event – lead sponsor Brandywine Health Foundation and supporters First Hospital Foundation, Green Tree Community Health Foundation, Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation, Two Rivers Health & Wellness Foundation, North Penn Community Health Foundation, and Phoenixville Community Health Foundation.

Kahn offered greetings to DVG's newest members who have joined since last year's Annual Meeting: Cephalon, CITI, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Hess Foundation, Inc., Homeless Assistance Fund, Inc., Christopher Ludwick Foundation, Nemours Health & Prevention Services, Philadelphia Health Care Trust, QVC, Inc., and SQ Foundation. A special "welcome back” went to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which recently renewed its membership following a brief hiatus due to a local leadership transition.

Kahn went on to present a brief report to the membership recapping highlights of the past year and previewing what's in store for 2011. She mentioned some of the key programming from 2010 that included two sessions with the region's top new cultural leaders, several programs on environmental issue to respond to members' new interests, a second summit co-produced with the United Way and Wharton to foster nonprofit collaboration, and DVG's Breakthrough fall conference.

Other notable activities of last year were the launching of DVG's new web platform, which was extremely well-received by members, and completion of an in-depth Member Survey. Kahn said that the survey revealed a desire by members for more in-depth issue programming, and identified three top priorities for DVG's work: 1) to facilitate more interaction and learning between grantmakers and nonprofit organizations; 2) to be a source for data and research on regional philanthropy; and 3) to have more influence on public policy issues relevant to philanthropy.

Focusing on the current year, Kahn remarked that DVG has gotten off to a quick start with over a dozen programs on range of topics members care about, including education, homelessness, financial literacy, and even the Marcellus Shale. More exciting programs are on deck for coming months, including a summer trolley tour to see the successful work of several community development corporations and a bicycle tour of the Schuylkill River. Following a well-attended session in January on the state budget, Kahn reinforced DVG's commitment to keeping members informed about the impact of government budgets on the work of philanthropy and promised continued responsiveness to members' growing interest in supporting community engagement and policy advocacy.

Kahn then invited to the podium DVG President Ronnie Bloom, William Penn Foundation, who officially called the business meeting to order. Bloom opened by thanking her fellow board members for their service and support, and offered brief reflections on her first year as president and the one ahead.

Following Bloom on stage was Governance Committee Chair and board Secretary Sara Moran. Moran began by extending thank-yous to her fellow Governance Committee members Russ Johnson, North Penn Community Health Foundation, and Tami Wise, Vanguard Group Foundation for their diligent work, and to Wes Somerville, Prudential, who has served with distinction for the past three years as DVG's treasurer. Appreciation was also given to Michael DelBene, Wells Fargo who completed a three-year term on the board.

Moran then presented the 2011 slate of officers and directors to the membership for approval by voice vote. Two motions were offered –one for first- and second-term directors and the second for 2011 officers. Unanimously approved for service commencing on April 1 were:

Officers:

• Treasurer: Valerie Martin, Chief Financial Officer, John Templeton Foundation
• Secretary: Sara S. Moran, Trustee, Seybert Foundation

Second Term Directors:

Newly-elected board member Meredith Huffman, Genuardi Family Foundation

• Heidi McPherson, Chester County Fund for Women and Girls
• Sara S. Moran, Seybert Foundation
• Gregory T. Rowe, The Pew Charitable Trusts
• Susan Segal, Lincoln Financial Foundation
• Mailee Walker, Claneil Foundation, Inc.

First-Term Directors:

• Jennifer T. Bohnenberger, Independence Foundation
• Meredith A. Huffman, Genuardi Family Foundation
• Beatriz F. (Bia) Vieira, The Philadelphia Foundation

President Bloom returned to the podium to offer special recognition and thanks to outgoing board member and immediate past President Frances M. Sheehan, President and CEO, Brandywine Health Foundation. Bloom detailed some of the contributions Sheehan has made to DVG during her six-year tenure, including her leadership of the Pennsylvania Health Funders Collaborative and Chester County Funders Group, and board service as President, chair of the ad hoc Communications Committee, and co-chair of the board's ad hoc Personnel Committee.

Attendees were then treated to a lively conversation about top trends in philanthropy with special guest Stacy Palmer, editor at The Chronicle of Philanthropy, who was interviewed by Larry Eichel, a journalist formerly with the Philadelphia Inquirer and now director of the Pew Charitable Trusts' Philadelphia Research Initiative.

Larry Eichel and Stacy Palmer		Posing a question is Bruce Melgary, The Lenfest Foundation

The event concluded with the light-hearted Member Appreciation Ceremony. Kicking off this segment of program was Mailee Walker, Vice President of DVG's Board and co-chair of the Member Services Committee, who announced the two organizations who had reached the 20-year membership mark -- Connelly Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline. Walker noted that this brings to 30 the number of DVG members who have earned this distinction, whom we collectively refer as A League of Their Own.

Next Debra Kahn was joined on stage by Christina Edleman, DVG Member Services Director to honor the DVG Doers, to whom we offer special recognition in acknowledgment of the acts of extra effort, energy and generosity that members exhibit throughout the year. Spotlighted this year were:

TOP Trekkers, who are among the most frequent attendees at DVG programs and events around the region:

• Ron Bernstein, Foundations Community Partnership
• Ruth Clauser, Sunoco Foundation
• Sandra Pfaff, Emergency Aid of Pennsylvania Foundation

TOP Teachers, who have generously shared their considerable knowledge and experience with other members:

• Louis Beccaria, Phoenixville Community Health Foundation
• Nina Cohen, The Glenmede Trust Company
• Helen Cunningham, Samuel S. Fels Fund

TOP Techies, who have been leaders in adapting to DVG's new website:

• Jennifer Pedroni, North Penn Community Health Foundation
• Frances Sheehan, Brandywine Health Foundation

With honorable mention to:

• Beth Dahle, Impact 100 Philadelphia
• Virginia Frantz, Montgomery County Foundation

TOP Connectors, who power our network with ideas and relationships and keep projects and activities forging ahead:

• Beth Feldman Brandt, Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation
• Alison Hastings, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
• Joe Pyle, Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation

With final thanks to these star performers, and to all our members for their continued support and engagement, the meeting was officially adjourned. The event was capped off by a high-spirited reception where members chatted with friends and colleagues, while enjoying refreshments and the spectacular view of the city skyline from the 50^th floor.

Staff from The Philadelphia Foundation enjoying the reception are (from left): newly-elected DVG board member Bia Vieira, Patricia Meller, Kate Hyzer and Alyson Leigh Miksitz