November 16, 2021

Bakersfield College Foundation
Executive Committee Meeting

Tuesday, November 16, 2021 – 3:00 pm
Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Room 207 & by Confer Zoom

Meeting Minutes

Present:          Marko Zaninovich, Zav Dadabhoy, Billie Jo Rice, Jeff Bell

Absent:           Derek Yurosek

Staff:               Cheryl Scott, Susan Hubbell, Courtney Carter

  1. Call to Order – Meeting called to order by Marko Zaninovich, at 3:03 pm.

  2. Roll Call – Courtney Carter took roll, quorum was confirmed.

  3. Public Comments Statement – was read by Marko Zaninovich. There were no public comments received by the secretary.

  4. Approval of Meeting Minutes from August 17, 2021 – Motion – Marko Zaninovich asked for approval to accept the meeting minutes from the Executive Committee meeting held on August 17, 2021. Jeff Bell motioned to accept the minutes as presented. Zav Dadabhoy seconded the motion. None opposed. Meeting minutes from August 17, 2021, are APPROVED.

  5. Consideration of One Year Extension for Current BC Foundation Chair – Motion –Marko Zaninovich is willing to serve one more year as the Foundation Chair and Derek Yurosek has indicated that he supports the idea. Cheryl Scott spoke with Grant Herndon our legal counsel, he said we will discuss it at our normal nomination time in March 2022. If the nominating committee recommends Marko for one more year, then the nomination slate will include Marko Zaninovich as chair for one year. No action is required at this time. 

  6. Agriculture Gift – Possible Naming Recommendations – Motion – Cheryl Scott discussed a donor who is interested in putting together a $2 million gift for the college. Julie Beechinor, friends, family, and the foundation team are in their final stages of getting the donor agreement signed. Once the donor agreement is signed, we would present it to the KCCD Board of Trustees to recognize the $2 million gift for the naming opportunity “Billy Barnes Animal Science Institute” on the new Agriculture building. Jeff Bell had a question regarding the agreement if Julie Beehinor will sign individually or as a group, she is representing. Cheryl Scott’s responded, Julie Beechinor will be signing the bottom line, the donor will be listed as Julie Beechinor on behalf of the family and friends of Billy Barnes. Jeff Bell questioned whether the $2 million gifts are unrestricted donations. Cheryl Scott responded that 25% will be designated to animal science and 75% will go to the President’s innovation fund. Marko Zaninovich asked if the 75% can it used for better teaching tools within the Agriculture building. Cheryl responded with an example of the Valley Strong donation noting that the energy funds are not only for the energy institute but open for other possibilities such as advances in programs. Marko Zaninovich called for a motion to accept the naming of the Billy Barnes gift for $2 million for the recommendation to present to the KCCD Board of Trustees at their December 16th meeting. Jeff Bell motioned to accept, Dr. Dadabhoy seconded the motion. None opposed. Agriculture gift naming recommendation APPROVED.

  7. Overall 2021 Fund Development Update – Cheryl Scott discussed the fund development report. In February 2021 Chancellor Christian and Cheryl talked about a fundraising goal of $5 million – $10 million by the end of the year. In 2020, we brought in $4.25 million and $4.29 million in 2019. Currently, in 2021, miscellaneous donations $2.3 million, Rudy Salas state fund $6.0 million [a joint effort between college & Foundation], Pelletier funds [plus Mineral Rights] $678,099, Valley Strong Energy Institute $2.0 million, and with the finalization of the donor agreement with the Billy Barnes Animal Science Institute for $2.0 million, it will bring a total of $12.9 million.

  8. Sterling Silver 2022 Update – Reminder Sterling Silver will be held on March 19, 2022. Cheryl stated that Sterling Silver is at the $66,000 mark sponsorships. The goal is to reach $80,000. Some high-potential donors are still likely to give to Sterling Silver. Three Sterling level sponsorships at $10,000 are already sold. This is the first year with that level offered.

  9. Interim BC President’s Report – Dr. Dadabhoy announced Bakersfield College has been invited to compete for the Aspen Prize in higher education. Just 150 community colleges were invited to apply. It is an honor to be invited, three out of five thousand community colleges are selected. If Bakersfield College is selected in the top 15, Aspen representatives will take a tour of the campus and interview BC representatives. The winner will be announced in 2023.  

  10. Executive Director’s Report –  Cheryl announced a staffing update. The two new positions for Donor and Alumni Relations Coordinator are Courtney Carter and Alyssa Cross. Courtney and Alyssa will start their new positions on Monday, November 22, 2021. Courtney Carter was Executive Secretary for the Foundation team. Alyssa Cross is going to be a great addition to our team. She is an alum of Bakersfield College, she is full of energy and she will be a great part of the team. We are now searching to hire a new Executive secretary and we will finally be fully staffed. On April 23, 2022, the Alumni Association will have an event on campus called Renegade Promenade. The event will include a stroll of the campus, there will be food, beverages, music, and families are welcome. On December 2, 2021, the Board of Directors will meet via zoom, after the meeting is finished, we will have a reception mixer on the third floor. Instead of having our regular dinner in the Renegade room, this is a chance to see the view from the third floor.

  11. Other Business / Adjournment of Meeting – With no other business being brought forward, Marko thanked the committee for participating. He adjourned the meeting at 3:45 pm.