Maybe a YOUTH centered approach to SLUUD or Unversalists or UUA or Vetch(plandome) Long Island church, could open some doors.... Jeremy can really get to the hear of why the camp is so critical to UU Youth. We should also reach out to foundations that support Gay/Bi/etc youth... as the camp goes a long way to offer security and helps foster understanding in this area.. and may be some funding source related to those efforts.... which we have been doing for quite a few years now....

Devin

12-12-09

cc Phil, who we have asked to attend the next meeting with intention of nominating him for board slot...

Camp Unirondack <director@unirondack.org>Dec 12, 2009, 7:25 AM

to Devin, leaders, phil

Hi Devin-

I think the fund should be designated to maintain and improve our physical plant. I think the goal should be to raise $1,000,000 for this purpose, with the undertanding that the facility will be supported by the earnings from the fund, not the fund itself.

In terms of name, many ideas have passed through my head. Some ideas:

Unirondack Forever
Unirondack is Priceless
Keep the Dream Alive
A Million Dollars for Our Future

There is no question in my mind that others will have some better ideas, hee hee.

I believe the program should be supported by our fees, and that we should not look to this fund to support program. Part of my thinking is that we want to be motivated to create quality programs and to run the camp responsibly, and sometimes that motivation decreases if there is not the need to pay for those programs each year. That is not to say the fund should not be there in case of genuine emergencies, but it is my perception that often fees were kept low because we knew the endowment was there, rather than charging what was necessary to provide the programs, and this is partly responsible for putting us in our current bind.

In terms of aligning with the mission of the camp, I think that is more of a year to year question of the programs we provide. However, I understand for people to contribute that will need to feel the fund will be used to support that mission. I would suggest we approach that with statements about the community needing a "well cared for place" to be together, the environment needing our "unending guardianship", and carrying our traditions and values forward for "future generations" by guaranteeing Unirondack will be there.

Why do folks give?

I think there is no single answer. Some people give because they love Unirondack, it has meant a great deal to them, and they want to give back. Some people give because it makes them feel a part of camp in the present. Some people give because it brings them recognition. Some people give because they can't say no. Some people give because their friends are giving. Some people give because their children love the camp. Some people give because they were involved in starting the camp and want to see it continue.

When people give a lot, which is what we hope for, I think it is most often because they have it to give. I think that has implications for where our energies should go. While evryone's contributions will help and be important, i think from a strategic point of view it is very important that we identify folks who may be in a position to give a lot and direct our energies to approaching them.

Veatch turned us down (again) in our request for funds, this time for the pavillion. I had a long talk with Ned Wight, their Executive Director, and he suggested writing a letter to the board. The reason we don't get money is because they have made a conscious decision not to provide support to UU camps and conference centers. We need to address that issue with them and hopefully plant some seed for that to change. I have attached the letter I sent.

Hope this helps,

Dan

Fund Legacy foundation or Infrastructure needs?

Meg Salamack <amotn0@gmail.com>Dec 12, 2009, 12:12 PM

to leaders

Happy Saturday Moring to All,

Well said Dan.

I was a bit upset by Devin's email. This campaign is for the Endowment, not for physical projects. The income from the endowment would improve our physical plant, as Dan said. We have to be very clear about what we are doing. I know we have started fundraising for the endowment before and then ended up doing capital improvements. I can't speak to past decisions. However, I will speak loudly now.

We have a goal and a responsibility to increase our endowment. Camp has no financial security. This has to change. We must have one goal and we must work long and often to make it happen.

Dan has spoken often about his childhood camp, HomeStead, closing. My 200 year old college, Bradford, closed in 2000. Both of these loved and beloved places closed because of leadership and money. My goal is to make sure that we never, never have this happen to Unirondack. Fundraising for endowment is not an easy thing. It is much easier to fundraise for a building, for equipment. We are fundraising for camp's future. A future we call want camp to have.

Meg-

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>Dec 12, 2009, 7:16 PM

to leaders

The thoughtful responses will help us put a framework on what we are trying to do.

We have had discussions of raising money to be locked in a fund and then turnaround and make lists of the new infrastructure we would like to see to help the program.... pavilion/trucks/Overlook/boathouse/waterfront..... We have even gathered a commitment to fund part of a pavilion.... so clearly there are TWO roads we are driving on whether we like it or not...

Now that I see Dan/Meg's vision on paper we really need to Merge the roads in some way so we can say we are doing this and doing that... or This is how it works.... something.. can't just ignore that we need or desire to do more than the operating funds allow...

One concept for the Foundation could be to hold the funds and have the ability to Loan funds to the camp for larger projects if needed...

So in that case you can say ALL funds are going to the foundation... and the foundation has the ability to not only fund from earnings but for extraordinary requirements the foundation can loan funds - with a clear repayment plan..... Similar to the Loan we took from SLUUD for the new Dock system....

..........

So one question is how do we address the stated desire to fund a large endowment for our security/etc. ... while funding current desires and satisfying peoples desires who wish to donate for a greater Current State..

I like discussing these things on paper... not sure if others do but I think we can move forward if we can do it this way.... So when we are in person we can use time as wisely as possible.

Hope to hear from everyone...

Devin

Answers for Fund Raising

Rebecca Myer <rsfinlan@yahoo.com>Mon, Oct 4, 2010, 4:00 PM

to Devin

Here are the ones I noted during our session up at Unirondack:

1. Is the foundation looking to increase the # of campers?

2. Why now? The camp has been operating hand to mouth for a long time. We need to move to a difference financial model ...

3. What is concerning about your existing finances? Current model is not sustainable ...

4. Have you run campaigns before? If so, how is this foundation different?

5. How is the $ going to be spent and on what? Our goal will be to NOT touch the principal except if very special cases. In those cases the board would approve the spending …

6. Have you given and what leads you to want to donate (this is the prospect asking the canvasser)?

7.Is this an endowment? No this is a new foundation under the control of the BoD …

--- On Sun, 10/3/10, Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com> wrote:Mon, Oct 4, 2010, 9:41 PM

to Camp, Rebecca

quick answers for ya....

On Mon, Oct 4, 2010 at 5:00 PM, Rebecca Myer <rsfinlan@yahoo.com> wrote:

Here are the ones I noted during our session up at Unirondack:

NO any building plans are to allow more room for current campers, staff, guests. Camper numbers set by board limit.

1. Is the foundation looking to increase the # of campers?

NO any building plans are to allow more room for current campers, staff, guests. Camper numbers set by board limit.

2. Why now?

The camp has been operating hand to mouth for a long time. We need to move to a difference financial model ... We have very skilled, dedicated professional leadership which allowed our board to focus on Macro - long range planning and needs of the camp.

3. What is concerning about your existing finances?

NO Cushion for error, We have no pool of resources to tap in case of disaster or for capital projects. Lack of liquid capital puts the camp at grave risk if unforeseen events take place that hurt camp cash flow or infrastructure.

4. Have you run campaigns before? If so, how is this foundation different? We ran a successful Capital campaign 2000 - 2003 - which allowed us to replace the Leining infirmary with a 4 season 3 story building, a new $100,000 leach field and camp wide septic system, renovations to our kitchen, build a bathroom on the lower camp level and finally stop the drain from the art shop discharging direct to the lake.

5. How is the $ going to be spent and on what? Our goal will be to NOT touch the principal except if very special cases. In those cases the board would approve the spending with a written plan in place for replacing any principal borrowed and spent. Any spending of interest or earnings will be approved by the camp board on a project by project basis. Projects could include anything that will benefit the camp program. Building maintenance or replacement, new capital equipment, special grants for international staffing, special grants for camperships... the projects will be varied but all must impact the goal of securing the camp legacy.

6. Have you given and what leads you to want to donate (this is the prospect asking the canvasser)? YES, I really have experience the great value the camp has offered my family and I know how important this camp is.....

7.Is this an endowment? It is an endowment in that it is a fund that helps the camp.... but it will be separate from the origianl $150,000 endowment set up by the Universalists ... this is a new foundation under the control of the BoD … The corporation will have complete control of the foundation funds and but strict rules and guidelines are being crafted to assure future boards can only access and use the funds in ways we are envisioning today. This will assure that the funds will always be there which is our main goal... as a safety net as well as a ladder to build on our success..

Board crafting the wording for the new Foundation

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>Sat, Mar 13, 2010, 7:59 PM

to Russ, Leaders, Dan, Darren

MY comments/suggestions in RED

Help Zeke create the Unirondack Foundation

Unirondack was born out of a vision from a group of New York Universalists in 1951 (date?). only the property was purchased in 51.. the camping movement started 4 years before... the vision before that..not named unirondack til 52...... Zeke showed up in 1951 and our camp community befriended her and helped her feed her family. For 60 years now Zeke has helped the camp community........ Since that birth along the shore of Beaver Lake in Lowville (Number 4), we are not in lowville New York, Zeke and Unirondack have experienced much and witnessed many wonders during their years. Many, many people (and pets) have come and gone from all walks of life, ability and intention. But Zeke has always been there for all to experience the values and riches of Unitarian Universalism each and every day of their stay. Many relating that that gained identity lasted not only to their next visit to Unirondack but throughout their life. Thus, this has been and continues to be Unirondack’s greatest gift to not only its visitors but to the world.

It is the legacy of this life gift that brings the Unirondack community together at this time. The Unirondack board is establishing a foundation ........ explain workings...

just leave the existing endowment from 1967 out of the picture....

In 1951, Unirondack was established with an endowment of $150,000. At present the endowment is slightly less due to the fluctuating financial environment. This stasis in endowment has remained the same due to successful efforts of keeping camp tuition and other expenses at reasonable levels while having capital expenses come from the operating budget. The time has come to separate the two budgets and lay the groundwork for Zeke and Unirondack to last well into future generations.

Unirondack’s Foundation endowment campaign seeks to raise between $850,000 and $1,000,000 over the next three years to place the camp and its place in Unitarian Universalism in the hearts and minds of not only those that receive the gift now but for generations to come. Please consider giving generously to the Foundation campaign. You will help Zeke’s gift give for generations to come.--

Devin Hollands

Early version of the Foundation brochure

Final Brochure May 2010 Heather Smith-Prisco

Foundation Brochure Tri-fold version 2010 Heather Smith-Prisco

Weekend at camp to kick off the campaign

Securing Unirondack’s Legacy

On behalf of Unirondack’s Board of Directors, staff and family, we want to both thank you and

welcome you to the kick off of an exciting campaign to put Unirondack on solid ground for

generations to come. The week end will prove both informative and revealing as you will work

as both a team and individuals to start the achievement process of the campaign meeting its goal!

So what will the week end look like?

Remember it is September in the Adirondacks…dress appropriately and remember that

flashlight! It is a work week end so learning and pleasure will be melded to make the week end

memorable

Friday

Fri night will include an informal gathering at the new Stevens-Miles Performing Arts Center.

There will be entertainment; admiring Beaver Lake and an informal session of why we are

embarking on this journey and what it will do for Unirondack. The itinerary will be reviewed

explaining almost certain changes (after all we are UUs). A campfire will follow with stories,

star gazing and the best wishes for one and all

Saturday

This will be the day having meetings, alittle work and time to take it all in!

A hearty BREAKFAST providing the nourishment to carry us through the upcoming day will be

cooked up…maybe Dan will make his famous crepes with Russ flipping?

Morning will feature our consultant and friend, Julian Palmer, who will present on campaign

planning and looking at our literature. Your involvement and contributions will be welcome to

make it your as well as ours….making the product all of ours!!!

LUNCH

After lunch, we will dive into how to ask that question. Exercises and training on how to do “the

ask”

Then a time out to enjoy Unirondack anyway you want to enjoy it. You can hop into a work crew

(I like to clean the gutters), kayak, swim, hike….or take a nap listening to the Loons

DINNER-great conversation

After dinner questions and answers about what was presented and examining the lists and

congregation in which we will seek contributions

SUNDAY

Another great breakfast…Will Dan outdo Saturday? Stay tuned

Organization communication, distribution lists and support network will be presented

Remember there are no fees, nothing to bring…..just your energy, imagination and love of

Unirondack

Bi-Law Changes to INCLUDE the Foundation rules in the Camp Bi-laws 2013

Notice of Proposed Bylaw Changes to be voted upon at the Annual

Meeting of Unirondack, Inc. October 12, 2013 at 10am

Changes/Additions are bold and in red type.

ARTICLE VII Finance

Section 2: The Corporation is hereby granted the authority and power to be exercised by the

Board of Directors to borrow money and to secure the repayment thereof by a mortgage or

pledge of the assets of the Corporation or by assignment of sums due and to become due to the

Corporation, except as limited by Section 3 of this article. The amount, the interest rate and

repayment terms shall be approved by the Board of Directors as shall the nature of the

collateral given to secure the repayment of borrowings.

Section 3:

(a) The money collected for the Secure the Legacy Foundation Campaign initiated in 2011

shall be deposited in an account with the Unitarian Universalist Common Endowment Fund,

unless such fund becomes unavailable, in which event it shall be deposited as directed by the

Board of Directors.

(b) No money shall be removed from the Secure the Legacy account until after the

amount in the Secure the Legacy has exceeded $300,000, except that in the event that monies

are necessary to address damage to the Corporation or its facilities from acts of god, warfare,

vandalism, crime, or terrorism, then monies may be withdrawn to address such damage to the

extent such withdrawals are necessary to address the damage and continue operation of the

Camp.

account, only one of which may be an employee. The President, Treasurer, one additional

Director, and one employee shall be signatories on the Secure the Legacy account.

(d) After the date the Secure the Legacy account has exceeded $300,000, withdrawals

from the Secure the Legacy account may be made as approved by the Board of Directors,

except as limited herein. The amount of withdrawals from the Secure the Legacy account in

any fiscal year may not exceed 5% of the average value of the account calculated by averaging

the value of the 3 quarters previous to that fiscal year, except that a larger amount may be

withdrawn from the Secure the Legacy account if approved by a vote three fourths of the

Members attending a meeting of the Membership.

Notice of Proposed Bylaw Changes to be voted upon at the Annual

Meeting of Unirondack, Inc. October 12, 2013 at 10am (P. 2)

Board of Directors

PRESIDENT

Devin Hollands

VICE PRESIDENT

Phil Lewin

TREASURER

Mark Evans

SECRETARY

Renee Panetta

MEMBER AT LARGE

Michael Bikales

MEMBER AT LARGE

Lauren Hunt

YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE

Ben Havey

ALTERNATIVE YOUTH REP

Anna Brewer

Executive Director

Daniel Gottfried

Summer Camp Director

Kris Fiore

Winter Address: Unirondack, P.O. Box 795, Nyack, NY 10960 Phone: 845-675-9001 Tax ID: 16-0917160

Summer Address: Unirondack, 8722 Unirondack Road, Lowville, NY 13367 Website: Unirondack.org

Discussion on writing the rules for withdrawls from the foundation

Camp Unirondack <director@unirondack.org>Jun 1, 2013, 1:21 PM

to me, leaders@unirondack.org, Sarah

I thought we were only allowing withdrawals of the earnings from it, not the principal. I am confused.

Dan...

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>Jun 3, 2013, 9:54 AM

to Camp, leaders@unirondack.org, Sarah

under normal conditions you can only take 5% of the value in 1 year.. this number came from assumption that it will earn MORE than 5% each year. So you can take the earnings up to 5% and the remaining earnings stay with the fund... This is not spelled out but it would work this way.. if you earned say 7% SPEND 5% and it grows by 2%....

Devin Hollands

Camp Unirondack <director@unirondack.org>Jun 7, 2013, 9:17 AM

to me, leaders@unirondack.org, Sarah

I think the whole idea is to spell it out. Can we refine it?

Dan

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>Jun 7, 2013, 12:29 PM

to Camp, leaders@unirondack.org, Sarah

I think he wrote it that way as it is self evident.. you can only take 5%... of the value....

once interest is earned it becomes part of the whole and not segregated....

so to determine what is interest and what is principal.... can't really know.....

so we are Limiting withdrawls to an amount LESS then what we predict annual earnings will be...

the system as written works as we want...

not sure what you would add.

2010 Discussion on Main Title of Campaign

Martin C. Rothfelder <MCRothfelder@rothfelderstern.com>May 14, 2010, 9:33 AM

to Tracy, david, Dan, me, Fran

This is visually wonderful. It appears to be a great first draft. I will ponder all the wording more when I am not working but have one immediate comment. The opening focuses on securing the legacy “for future generations of Unitarian Universalists”. This may have been discussed to death, but if it hasn’t I question whether you want to instead want to be talking about securing “the legacy of Unirondack for future generations.” Yet better wording might be available, but my point is that:

1. There are many who are excited about Unirondack who are not particularly strong in their UU orientation (and of other faiths or of no faith) and,

2. Even UUs may prefer to see themselves as securing the legacy of the camp for all – not just UUs. I personally fall in this second category.

I think we want the opening words to resound with hopefully all who are excited about or love Unirondack.

Sorry for my sporadic participation in all this. Marty

to Martin

none of this has been worked over too much.. I second your observation and will pass it right on.. thanks!

Devin Hollands

to leaders, bcc: Martin

Marty has made a serious suggestion I think makes a lot of sense... about the main tag line...

I second his suggestion....

We worked on some of these words as a group so posting to everyone....

Devin

Devin Hollands

585-309-3898

.May 14, 2010, 11:26 AM

to DevinHollands

I had the same thought as Marty about this. Mom

I think we want the opening words to resound with hopefully all who are excited about or love Unirondack.

Sounds like a great suggestion.

Perhaps for the cover art we switch it around a bit to fit the current format? Inside copy would pick up Marty's wording.

Securing the Legacy

for Unirondack's future generations

Sent: Fri, May 14, 2010 10:41:45 AM

Subject: Fwd: EC Brochures

Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com>

ay 14, 2010, 4:28 PM

to Heather

there is the para that had the mis spelled unitarian universalist.. comment I got back was spelling it all out Twice is kind of a lot to read.. maybe just make one UU was an idea...

Devin Hollands

May 15, 2010, 7:02 AM

Loraine had suggested this change to me a while back but I was worried if we were not strongly stating our connection to the larger UU community we might lose some support. Anyone else concerned about that?

Dan

phil lewin <flipglen@cogeco.ca>May 15, 2010, 7:22 AM

to Camp, Heather, me, leaders

I would tend to agree with Lorraine, based on history with people like Joyce G and Harriet Sutherland.

Phil

At 08:02 AM 5/15/2010, Camp Unirondack wrote:

Dan

On Fri, May 14, 2010 at 4:45 PM, Heather Smith-Prisco <izzyb10@yahoo.com> wrote:

Sounds like a great suggestion.

Perhaps for the cover art we switch it around a bit to fit the current format? Inside copy would pick up Marty's wording.

Securing the Legacy

for Unirondack's future generations

If there are any other corrections or comments from the community please let me know. I'm going to hold off on immediate edits because I'd prefer to do it all at once (or as much at once as possible).

From: Devin Hollands <devinhollands@gmail.com >

To: leaders@unirondack.org

Sent: Fri, May 14, 2010 10:41:45 AM

Subject: Fwd: EC Brochures

Marty has made a serious suggestion I think makes a lot of sense... about the main tag line...

I second his suggestion....

We worked on some of these words as a group so posting to everyone....

Devin