September 28, 2015 Meeting Minutes
Attendance: Lynn, Caroline, Tracie, Diane
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BF Friendly Business Decals: Discussed quantity to order– suggested 250 for $71, if that is possible. Will ask for $1 per decal from each business to defray cost of printing more.
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Rock ‘N’ Rest (Mom and Baby): Willow Tree may be able to provide Rock ‘N’ Rest stations at events– discussed what supplies are currently available. The BabyWearers group currently staffs the Mom2Mom sales, and use the chairs and changing pad that the Coalition has, plus 2 chairs that are Lynn’s and 2 chairs that are the coalition’s. (There are currently 8 chairs– not sure if someone owns the other 4?)
Tracie said that Ingham County WIC can print Resource Guides for the Rock n Rest stations.
Willow Tree will look into seeking donations for supplies.
Tracie may be able to store supplies at Ingham County after WIC moves to new space.
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BF Support Options in the Community.
Caroline may look into options for a support group at LCC if space is available. There are many young moms and there is a child development center.
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CABC Fundraising/Planning
Discussed Washtenaw County Business Awards– they have a website nomination form, then have a ceremony and add the business names to a plaque, and give the business a certificate. Nominations can be submitted by employers, breastfeeding employees, or customers. See form on-line at http://www.washtenawbfcoalition.org/
Reviewed the fundraising items from the August meeting minutes. Also added Appleby’s, which needs food runners. At Culver’s, you don’t have to say you are there for a cause, so everyone’s meal counts during the time. La Seniorita also does Help Out Dine Out. Noodles & Company in Okemos is the easiest and best. Tony Sacco’s and Max & Erma’s will also do it.
Coalition “fun” gathering for CABC members and moms– will be discussed at the October 26 meeting, to be held early in 2016.
5. MI Breastfeeding Network:
Diane reported on the Webinar on Fundraising and Fiscal Sponsorship. The webinar is posted on the MIBFN website: http://mibreastfeeding.org/quarterly-coalition-webinar-resources. See notes, below. Many good suggestions. It appears that the MI BFN may be able to be a fiscal sponsor for local coalitions in limited cases, due to staff and time limitations. Next webinar is October 22 at noon, “Introduction to the MDHHS Workplace Lactation Accommodation Grant”. Future webinars are listed on the Coalition/Webinar Resource link on the Michigan BF Network website: http://mibreastfeeding.org/workplace-webinar-series
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Ingham County– Tracie had the “right to breastfeed” cards laminated– they were given to members present to distribute to moms at Baby Cafe, etc. Ingham has MCH Block Grant funds to pay for breastfeeding incentives– prenatal, 1 month, 3 monts, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year. Ingham also funded breastfeeding billbords. Ingham County WIC posted a part-time WIC peer counselor position.
Next Meeting: Monday, October 26, 5:30 – 7:30. Lynn will send out minutes and Diane will post on CABC Facebook page.
*****Notes from September 24 Webinar, “Fundraising and Fiscal Sponsorship”
Important to clarify the reason to fundraise– is it for projects? for expansion? for sustainability of the coalition? Is the money really needed? A small amount might be sufficient.
Projects: If it is for a project, define the project (a walk, a picnic, to purchase breastpumps, etc.). Before you go to funders, they may ask who else is supporting you? What are the members doing to support for printing, P.R. time, potlucks? List the organizations that are supporting you.
Expansion: Are there free events that you can exhibit at that do not have a fee? Printing– in-kind donations, use inexpensive services. Use materials that aren’t dated and won’t go out of date. Include name, faceook page and website.
Sustainability: food for events, location for meetings, give-aways, Ask location to provide food; alternate locations; one-time opportunities– make sure they are sustainable.
“How much money do you actually need, and make that as small as possible”
Three speakers from 3 counties:
Use funding for: Lactation Consultant services, Lactation scholarships, BF Resource Guide, Website, Monthly support group, 2 days/week walk-in clinic for BF moms, Tool Kit– handouts for OB doctors, outreach to physicians, “Pink in the Rink” Breast cancer and Breastfeeding fundraiser by Lake State hockey team; insulated bags, with phone number of the warm line, gifts, BF equipment.
Grant for the warmline– $2,480– 3 people rotate on evenings and weekends; planning to develop text messages on breastfeeding
Oakland County — How-to’s for Grant applications: Use the Common Grant Application — Google it– use it to put something on paper for grant apps. Read the directions, twice. Assess capacity and areas of need. Need a fiduciary if you are not a 501c3 organization. Need a match in some cases. Spell out acronyms. Seek out experts to write proposal if needed. Partnerships with hospital, WIC. Find out if the money is up front or on a reimbursement basis.
Oakland has “Reducing Disparities in Breastfeeding through Peer and Professional Support”. Meet, Nurse, Love meets at the Mother Nurture Center.
Lactation Interns; Mother Nurture Lactation College.
Hiring and increasing the diversity of Lactation professionals.
Bay County area: Breastfeeding coalition has taken on smaller projects. Coalition rotates meeting locations. Annual Tall Ships Rock N Rest Tent; Midland County Fair Rock and Rest. Got Milk? T-shirts. Prizes donated by physician’s offices. $100 grant from Kiwanis Foundation– need a Kiwanis member to sponsor the grant. Benefits children. Needed funding for “Family Friendly Spaces and Places Projects. Rock N Rest, Printing, certificates to businesses. Need an Employer ID Number to Open and account in the organization’s name. Funds restricted to direct client needs– changing table, chair for rock n rest, diapers, wipes, Not for advertising, printing, or certificates.
Fiscal Sponsorship Options
A 501c3 organization may sponsor a project for an organization that may lack exempt status. This usually require a contractual agreement. Fiscal sponsor usually receives a percentage of the funding to cover their costs.
MI BFN is a 501c3, but is very limited in their ability to offer fiscal sponsorship to community breastfeeding coalitions, due to limited time and personnel. Need to draw up a contract, financial reporting, supervision responsibilities. Local coalitions may ask, but don’t count on it. See what other non-profits in the community can suggest., such as a community foundation, local united way, other non-profits.