July 2024 News Brief
President’s message
HELLO FELLOW MEMBERS!
While May snow has been a bit distracting, the warm days of summer are almost here along with opportunities for us to gather outdoors!
This past winter and spring, your Board of Directors has been working diligently to recruit new leaders and are thrilled to announce the approval of Jeannie Shroads as President-Elect. Following your July confirmation vote, Jeannie will take over this role in August when my term ends. Jeannie is smart, kind and laser-focused on WRWF’s mission – she will be a fantastic President!
We are also delighted to welcome new Board Members Carolyn Larson, Louisa Moats and Susie Zachman. Serving on the WRWF board is a three-year commitment typically followed by a second three-year term. The role of President is a two-year term. Keep reading to learn more about these and other new leaders in this News Brief!
The Board is also excited to share that it has approved the official creation of a new WRWF committee: the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. Establishing the DEI Committee is a major step in meeting our commitment to inclusion that launched in August 2022. More information will be forthcoming.
As we wave goodbye to early 2024, I wanted to applaud you all yet again for your incredible generosity to our 2024 Pooled Fund. Between your record giving of $400k and the unique post-vote boost, WRWF members awarded more than $500k to 27 well-deserving nonprofits! Our collective contributions will enable our community partners to deliver extraordinary results. Thank you for standing together to deliver our mission and congratulations on making an amazing impact!
With WRWF gratitude,
Sandy McCullough
Grantee Spotlight
In July, a small group of WRWF members joined Jason Shearer of the YMCA to witness the SummerBridge Program in action. This collaborative effort, run by the YMCA and involving many partners such as the Blaine County School District, offers a crucial lifeline for 257 children from grades 1 to 5 who are struggling academically.
The SummerBridge Program targets students who are one to two grade levels behind in reading or are English language learners. Nominated by their teachers, these children participate in a five-week program that blends academics with fun, camp-style activities from 8 AM to 5 PM daily. The mornings are dedicated to academic work, while the afternoons focus on games, experiential learning that reinforces the morning lessons and social-emotional learning (SEL).
SummerBridge uses the UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) reading program, praised for its systematic and research-based curriculum. Literacy Pods provide one-on-one reading tutoring through a collaboration with the Lee Pesky Learning Center. Students also benefit from much lower student-to-teacher ratios than they experience during the rest of the school year. SummerBridge also boosts self-esteem by placing children in groups with academically similar students so that participants feel on track.
Program staff includes 17 BCSD teachers, two of whom are STEAM specialists, and 54 aides. Twenty aides are interns from the College of Idaho that are supported by a Ph.D. academic supervisor, and receive housing and tuition benefits. For the first time, this year’s program also benefits from a full-time librarian.
Through initiatives like the SummerBridge Program, the WRWF continues to support the educational enrichment of our community’s young learners, fostering a brighter future for all.
Grantee in the news
Seeking volunteers for the WRWF grantee engagement team!
After the voting is in and our grants are awarded, the WRWF’s Grantee Engagement Team (GET), a key function of the Grants Committee, engages with the new grantees to provide WRWF value in addition to our grant funding. The team is looking for volunteers to do this rewarding work. Below is a description of their main responsibilities. Much of the work can de done remotely, and periodic meetings will always have zoom options.
The Grantee Engagement Team (GET):
If you think the work might interest you, please email Susie Zachman at SusieZachman2012@gmail.com
Event Recap
Member Tini
swiftsure field trip
Twelve WRWF members were inspired to see our grant dollars at work at Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equestrian Center. We were privileged to hear from a former rancher, paralyzed from the waist down, about his journey back into the saddle and the impact that journey has had on his life off the saddle. Swiftsure supports about 375 unique clients annually on their 191 acre property south of Bellevue with their 22 “therapists” (horses) and staff. Executive Director Mary Mitten noted that they always need volunteers to help do their important work (information is available on their website).
upcoming grantee community events
WRWF Calendar
Date: August 1st
Time: 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Hop Porter Park
126-312 Bullion St
Hailey, ID 83333
Come and join your fellow Future Forward Members and their families for a fun and casual get-together for the Summer Music Series and an evening with the Sheep Bridge Jumpers!
No RSVP needed.
Date: August 3rd
Time: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
J.McLaughlin
520 E. 4th Street
Ketchum, ID 83340
J.McLaughlin Sip-n-Shop to Benefit the WRWF - 15% of sales the day of will be donated to build our organization!
No RSVP needed.
Date: August 8th
Time: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Potiker-DePaul Home
530 Northwood Way
Ketchum, ID 83340
Invitations have been sent out, please register early! Contact our office if you need assistance.
Please RSVP by August 1st.
Date: August 19th
Time: 5:00 pm to 6:15 pm
Sun Valley Pavilion
300 Dollar Rd
Sun Valley, ID 83353
No RSVP needed.
Date: September 10th
Time: 10:00 am to 1:30 pm
Meet in Sun Valley Lodge Parking Lot
1 Sun Valley Rd
Sun Valley, ID 83353
IBC ED, Mat, will provide van transportation to/from IBC and provide lunch.
Approximate timetable:
Van takes 14 passengers, if more people are interested a second van will be provided.
**Registration will be required.
Septembernew members
We are delighted to extend a warm WRWF welcome this month to:
New WRWF members are invited to provide photos and a bit of information about themselves to share in the News Brief. We have so many interesting members and it is fun to read about everyone’s background. Thanks so much and we look forward to meeting you soon. Welcome!
New Member Spotlight
Monze Stark-Magaña, new WRWF member and the Dean of Enrollment Services at the College of Southern Idaho, has been honored as one of the 40 Under 40. Known for her innovative leadership and dedication to student success, Monze has significantly transformed the enrollment process, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. Her visionary approach has not only increased enrollment rates but also enhanced student retention and satisfaction. This recognition celebrates Monze’s exceptional contributions to higher education and her unwavering commitment to empowering students and shaping the future of the College of Southern Idaho.
We congratulate Monze on this prestigious recognition and are so grateful that she has agreed to serve as the Chair of our newly formed DEI Committee.
For more information on this recognition: https://idahobusinessreview.com/2024/06/04/monze-stark-magana-dean-of-enrollment-services-college-of-southern-idaho/
Calling all WRWF members! We’re here to remind you about our membership initiative program “BFF! – Bring Forth Friends!”
If two new members join WRWF under your encouragement, you will be thanked for your recruitment efforts with either a $25 coffee card or a bottle of wine. This is an opportunity to continue growing and strengthening our collective membership through your personal and unique networks. Remember, there is no limit to how many rewards you can receive in a year. Be sure your BFFs give you credit when they join so we can track your success towards a reward!
Keep spreading the word about WRWF and our mission!
This reward is being underwritten by a generous WRWF member.
THANK YOU, Sponsors!
We are grateful for our sponsors and extend a hearty WRWF thank you to Graybird Foundation, and Zions Bank!
THANK YOU TO OUR contributors
Thank you to this month’s News Brief contributors:
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