October 2021 News Brief

Our board of directors met on Saturday, Oct. 16 for a board retreat. LeeAnne Linderman, Interim VP- Leadership, opened her lovely home and we all had a chance to re-engage, re-focus, socialize and plan our future.

We started the day with a reminder that we are a TEAM.

T – tolerance (of one another’s weaknesses. We all don’t know everything)
E – encouragement (toward one another’s creativity and ideas)
A – acknowledgement (that each of us has something to offer)
M – mindfulness (that we need each other to be a whole TEAM)

Our retreat focused on two important survey responses: Graybird Foundation’s Stakeholder survey and our own Board survey. We looked at opportunities to improve ourselves and how we operate through the lens of staying mission-driven and impactful in our community.

Key takeaways from the day included a robust discussion around volunteer burnout, especially at the leadership team level. The last several years—which included the execution of our Strategic Plan—have been a heavy lift for our leadership team as we put in place a structure that enables good, solid governance and fiduciary responsibility as a 501(c)(3). Fortunately, that work is behind us.

As we continue to review our staffing requirements, we are also looking at our committee leadership structure as well as the workload of the president and the two vice president positions. Finally, we are considering reducing the frequency of board meetings.

Other takeaways discussed were issues of Inclusive/Inclusion and Diversity. We came away with great ideas, thoughtful conversation and some immediate actions that we all can do now. Let’s all remember to pay particular attention to new members and guests during our gatherings. We should welcome them not only with open arms, but with voices that embody friendliness, community and the spirit of who we are and what we do. We are eager to understand the diversity in our community and seek ways for education and outreach with those directly impacted by our grants.

We also had trusting and candid conversations about how we relate to one another as board members and ways in which we can build more trust and camaraderie. We have done great work to break down silos in our and among committees, and will continue to build on that progress.

As formal decisions are made, you will continue to hear how we are moving forward and improving what we already do so well. In the meantime, please know that I am always open for a coffee, a walk and talk, or an email from you.

Until next month –
Terri Bullock

WRWF will begin accepting online applications for 2022 grants on 11/1. Organizations and individuals can find the proper documents under the “Apply for a Grant” tab on the Foundation’s website, www.woodriverwomensfoundation.org.
The Foundation offers grants that range in value between $5,000 and $20,000. Applicants until Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 to submit the necessary materials. Grants will be awarded in June of 2022.
“After a challenging 2021, we are grateful to our members for their philanthropic contributions that make this 2022 cycle of our grants possible,” said our President Terri Bullock. “After celebrating 15 years, we are more committed than ever to supporting the Blaine County nonprofits.”

About 25 WRWF members and guests gathered in Ketchum Town Square for coffee, homemade goodies, and conversation. Kathleen Eder, Membership Chair, welcomed those in attendance – which included a number of new members & Future Forward members – and opened the floor for discussion. Terri LeFaivre, Impact, and Sally Halstead, Grants, covered the upcoming Grants season as well as the functions of the Grants and Impact committees. Both women invited Future Forward and new members to get involved in this process, as it is the best way to understand our organization and the root of our efforts. After this informative conversation, members mingled and shared their involvement and what keeps them engaged in the WRWF.

This Coffee Talk was a helpful way for new members to continue their education about the Foundation, its functions, and how the committee work impacts the community.

Thank you to the Limelight Hotel for hosting the WRWF during the research results presentation by Graybird Foundation on 10/7. The presentation set the stage for WRWF members to gather for a catalytic conversation on how to maximize their impact in the Wood River Valley. To access a recording of the presentation click here.

Help Spread The Word! The Community Report is in the mail and on its way to our nonprofit partners, business leaders and industry influencers! If you know someone you would like to receive the report, please email their name and mailing address to carol@graybirdfoundation.org. Reports can be sent until the end of the year or while supplies last.

November 3, New Member Orientation, Virtual on Zoom, 11AM to 12:30PM (MT)

November 16, Meet & Mingle, Sun Valley Culinary Institute, 5PM to 6:30PM (MT)

February 15, State of the Valley Forum, The Community Library, 3PM to 6PM(MT)

November 3rd, 11AM-12:30PM (MT)

Welcome New 2021 Members!
The WRWF is excited to invite you to join our Zoom Membership Orientation on 11/3 at 11:00 AM MT. We look forward to getting to know you and having you meet our board.
As a volunteer-run organization we look forward to sharing with you how each committee and member contribute to our success. As a new member you will have a minute or two to introduce yourself, share a bit about how you came to the Wood River Valley, your personal interests and career background.
This session will be recorded if you are unable to attend.
Please RSVP to Maija Eerkes: meerkes@msn.com.

Join us for a Meet & Mingle at the
Sun Valley Culinary Institute
November 16th 5:00 – 6:30pm

Here’s an opportunity to meet some of our newest members, tour this great addition to our community and raise a glass to our upcoming holiday and grants season!
No host bar
Renewal forms will be available, so bring your check or credit card to make your annual contribution!

February 15, 2022, The Community Library, 3-6PM (MT).

WRWF member, Aimée Christensen is the Founder and CEO of a locally-based and globally-focused sustainability advisory firm, Christensen Global. As a holiday gift to her team, Franny Wood and Sara Lichtenberg, Aimée sponsored each of their memberships to the WRWF. “We are so fortunate to live in this special place that is home to an incredible natural environment and caring community. As Christensen Global carries out our global work to build a better world, I wanted to enable our team to be part of giving back here at home. I am grateful that my team, Sara and Franny, can bring their generation’s lens to WRWF, sharing their skills and perspectives to the communications committee and beyond.” Sponsoring memberships is a great way to introduce new members to the wonderful women and grantees of the WRWF network.

“It’s not about being a generous person, it’s being an informed and intelligent investor in your community.”  – Barbara Thrasher, Co-Founder, WRWF

What began as a conversation between two women on a Sun Valley, Idaho chairlift in 2005 has transformed into a diverse, thriving community of 300+ women with a shared commitment to informed grantmaking.

In 2006, the Wood River Women’s Foundation created a collective giving pool of $30,000 between 30 members. Today, that pool has increased by ten-fold, generating powerful ripple effects in the nonprofit sector.

To hear the full story from Past President Barbara Thrasher about how the women’s funding movement got its start and found lasting support in the Wood River Valley click here.

This is the first in a series of articles from our Past Presidents—extraordinary women who helped shape our organization.

We are delighted to extend a warm WRWF welcome all new members who joined this month!

Carol Gullstad
Pat Hoffman
Megan Pepin
Bev Robinson
Sarah Uhlenhopp
Rebecca Ybarra
Emily Jones

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.

Patsy Pinney is a community volunteer and advocate for the arts after careers as an industry analyst for the Capital Group Companies and as an advertising executive in New York City. She earned an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a BA from Stanford University. Her community volunteer activities include leadership positions at the Pasadena Art Alliance, the Pasadena Museum of California Art, the Villa Esperanza Capital Campaign and Descanso Gardens Guild.

Patsy and her husband, William, have lived in La Canada, CA since 1994. They have twin 24 year old daughters.  Patsy’s family has enjoyed winter and summer vacations in Sun Valley since she was a child.  Her father, Jim Vaughn, lived here part-time for almost 30 years.  Patsy and William were married at Trail Creek, have a house in Ketchum and are spending more and more time here.  Patsy loves to read, cycle, hike, ski, knit  and spend time with her family.

The Board unanimously approved Karissa Price-Rico as a Board Member at Large during this month’s Board Meeting. Karissa grew up in the Wood River Valley and is currently VP of Marketing for a division at Walmart, Inc. Look for more information about Karissa in an upcoming newsletter.

A heartfelt thank you to Penny Weiss who has decided to step down from the Board of Directors. Penny has served as a grants team leader for several years and as Chair of our Events Committee. Penny has been an integral member of our organization and will continue to support the work we do to make our community more healthy and vibrant. Thanks to Penny for her service.

New and renewing members of the WRWF may now use our convenient online form to complete the membership process. Simply click on this link and fill out the form. You may submit your payment by credit card or check. If paying by check, make payable to the Wood River Women’s Foundation and mail to: WRWF, P.O. Box 3686, Ketchum, Idaho, 83340.