March 2016

President’s Message

March 2016 News Brief
President’s Message

Dear Members,

During our Winter Educational Forum, our informed speaker, Janet Boguch, spoke about the highest form of giving: inspired and intentional philanthropy. The word philanthropy means beneficial to humanity. On the screen in front of the overflowing audience appeared the saying, “Community leaders plant shade trees under which they know they will never sit.” This Greek Proverb, or a version of it quoted by so many, is an important one for those of us in the Wood River Women’s Foundation. Our grants fund many Blaine County non-profits whose actions today secure the future for the next generation. Over time, our young people who may have been beneficiaries of our grants, return to society what they have gained in education and better opportunities here and elsewhere.

Voting on our choice of grantees during this month of March is the action we take to realize the values and priorities in our hearts. The benefits of our “shade trees” enrich our valley now but will last longer than we will ever know.

Joanne Wetherell

WRWF President 

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EVENTS

WE ARE INTENTIONAL AND INSPIRED PHILANTHROPISTS!

 Leslie Silva, Joan Strait, Joanne Wetherell, Peggy Grove

“Philanthropist” from its Greek roots means “loving humanity.” “Philanthropy” involves actions that make life better for other people. At our Winter Education Forum, held on February 17th, we learned to be more intentional philanthropists.

Our consultant and guest speaker, Janet Boguch, addressed a packed house. After providing some interesting data on the scope and nature of philanthropic giving in the United States and Idaho, Ms. Boguch helped us identify and reevaluate our traditional giving habits in order to select priorities and choices that align better with our personal values.

Front row: Charlotte Unger, Esther Ochsman, Joanne Wetherell, Dick Wetherell; Second Row: Janet DeBard, Roger DeBard, Janet Boguch (winter forum speaker), Lisa Huttinger

She challenged us to consider what we want to change, preserve and enhance in the world, our community, and our neighborhood. What do we care about most? What do we want to be remembered for? And lastly, she challenged us to have fun and give joyfully!

Thank you to the Education Committee, Esther Ochsman, Chair; the Events Committee, Debra Levin, Chair; and the Membership team, Lisa Leach and Nancy Wasilewski, Co-Chairs. Great job!

Check out this highly recommended book: Inspired Philanthropy: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Giving Plan and Leaving a Legacy (2007) by Tracy Gary (Author), Kim Klein (Series Editor), Suze Orman (Foreword)

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GRANTS

View the Grants Finalists Presentations Before Voting!

On Wednesday, March 9th, from 1:00 to 4:00, the finalists presented summaries of their proposals to the WRWF at the Light on the Mountains Center. Summaries of all grant proposals will be included in the ballot you received. If you did not attend the presentation on Wednesday, March 9th, you can watch the live stream recording on-line. The live stream recording will remain on the web for several weeks so that you can watch it when it is convenient for you. Just log onto: https://livestream.com/lightonthemountains/3-9-16-wrwf-event

Be sure to complete your ballot by April 15th so your vote counts! Once the ballots are counted the applicants will be notified and we will announce to the WRWF which grants were awarded.

Grants Committee Co-chairs: Gina Wolcott, Gale Elkins, Penny Weiss, Sara Nelson, Sue Green, Susan Jackson, Debby Law

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MEMBERSHIP NEWS

New members welcomed to the WRWF gathering in February.

An Apres Ski Tea Orientation For New Members was hosted by Deborah Bohrer on February 17th.

Members clearly enjoying their camaraderie at the March Meet and Mingle.

March “Meet and Mingle” – Members convened at Velocio on March 10 for relaxed and informal social time. Watch for the next event and join us!

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Members in the Spotlight

Kathleen Phelan Britt and her fabulous landscaped gardens were featured in Rocky Mountain Gardening magazine in March. Not only is Kathleen a devoted philanthropist who has supported many non-profits, but she has shared her passion and talent for gardening with the Advocates and other worthy causes in the Wood River Valley. Photographs by her husband, Jim Britt.

Kathleen Eder served as Postmaster in Hailey for 27 years, retiring in 2009. While serving as Postmaster, she was involved with the Hailey Chamber, the American Cancer Society, Hailey Ski Team, the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation and the Wood River Medical Center. She served as President of the WRMC during the campaign for the new St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center.

Kathleen has been an active Rotarian for the last 28 years and is just completing a two-year term as President of the Hailey Rotary Club. The Rotary Club helps fund ski programs at Rotorun Ski Area and has donated to the capital campaign to install snowmaking.

Hailey Rotary is deeply committed to support of educational opportunity. In the last two years, Kathleen has had the honor of presenting over $50,000 in scholarships to local area high school students. Kathleen writes, “The club raises these funds at our annual ‘Road Apple Roulette’ during the Hailey 4th of July parade. Along with six other Rotarians, I have served as a presenter of the two-day CHOICES Program to the 8th grade classes at Wood River Middle School. This is a national program to motivate students to stay in school and focus on their studies since education opens more doors, and offers more choices for a successful future.”

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Upcoming Topics 

For CSI Nonprofit Classes

Sponsored By Marcia And Don Liebich
For more information and to register,
contact CSI at 788-2033 or www.csi.edu/blaine

Diversify Your Nonprofit, Strengthen Your Nonprofit

In this interactive workshop presenter, Leo Morales, the executive director of the Idaho ACLU, will provide you with the language and tools you need to diversify your board, your staff, your volunteers and your strategic plan. Work with the ACLU of Idaho to engage your stakeholders and explore the benefits of effective outreach.

Tuesday, April 19, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Tuition $25

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President’s Closing Statement

The Grant finalists have now made their presentations.  Soon we will announce the voting results for our 2016 Grantees.  The Grants Committees have done a fantastic job in evaluating each and every Letter of Intent in every category, as well as visiting the sites to meet with the applicants who submitted proposals.  And remember, if your favorite is not funded, you can plant that shade tree yourself by writing a check to the organization.  A small tree is just as viable and able to grow into the heritage tree that casts ample shade for the future.

Joanne Wetherell
President