Date: April 12, 2022
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88948353750?pwd=VTJCMEZKeHhnd2tkR3Z4V05RWDAzdz09
The meeting of the Board of Directors of the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, Inc. was held on April 12th, 2022, via video conference.
Board Members in Attendance: Dion Cartwright, Chair; John Morris, Treasurer; Kirsten Allen, Vice Chair; Jacqueline Caldwell, Secretary; Marcus Pollock; Larry Carlton Simmons, Jr.; Keiona Gorham; Lisa Molock; Lanaye Drake; Louis Williams III; Jon Gray; and Darius X.
Board Members Absent: Catherine Benton-Jones and Aaron Brown.
The Meeting was called to order by the Chair, Dion Cartwright, at 6:36 p.m.
Welcome & Review of the Agenda – Dion Cartwright, Board Chair
Cartwright welcomed the Board of Directors and public to this meeting of the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund, Inc. (BCYF, Inc.).
Cartwright reminded the attendees of BCYF, Inc.’s purpose: to create new opportunities for the
city’s young people to learn, thrive and succeed. Cartwright also stated BCYF, Inc.’s status and
responsibility as a nonprofit organization stewarding public funds.
Cartwright shared the purpose of the meeting: to welcome the new youth Board of Directors
members, update the Board and the public on BCYF, Inc.’s finances, hear from BCYF, Inc.
President Alysia Lee, and update on organizational policy development. She outlined the
following items of the meeting agenda: introduction of youth Board Members, a review of the
previous Board meeting minutes, a treasurer’s report, a president’s report, and board policies on
organizational culture.
Introduction of Youth Board Members – Dion Cartwright, Board Chair
Cartwright emphasized that BCYF, Inc. is committed to being an organization that has youth
leaders and reminded attendees that BCYF, Inc. developed the Avis Ransom Institute to serve as
a principal vehicle for leadership development across the organization. Cartwright invited the
five (5) youth members of the BYCF, Inc. Board to introduce themselves. Darius X, Gray,
Williams, and Drake each introduced themselves and provided a brief explanation of what
brought them to participate in BCYF, Inc.
Cartwright applauded the work that the youth members have done as participants in the Avis
Ransom Institute and thanked them for their commitment to serve as BCYF, Inc. Board
Members over the next two years.
Meeting Minutes from February 8th, 2022, Board Meeting – Dion Cartwright, Board Chair
Cartwright announced that the Board had received the draft of the meeting minutes from the February 8, 2022, meeting of the Board. Cartwright asked if there were any amendments or comments on the minutes, and there were none.
Allen moved for approval of the minutes. Morris seconded the motion. The February 8, 2022, BCYF, Inc. Board meeting minutes were unanimously approved by all Board members in attendance.
Treasurer’s Report –– John Morris, Board Treasurer and Dana Cole Moulden, Lead for Operations and Finance
Morris stated that BCYF, Inc. is committed to transparency and public accountability in the use of public dollars and is continuing to be a good steward of public resources. He introduced Dana Cole Moulden, Lead for Operations and Finance, to provide an overview of BCYF, Inc.’s finances and a recommended resolution from the Finance Committee for cash management. Cole Moulden presented BCYF, Inc.’s current Statement of Financial Position, and budget documents from July – December 2021.
Morris thanked Cole Moulden for the overview of BCYF, Inc.’s current finances and asked if there were any questions about the resolution. No amendments were made to the resolution. Pollock moved to approve the resolution and Morris seconded the motion. The resolution to apply for a business credit card and open a checking account with M&T Bank was unanimously approved by all Board members in attendance.
President’s Report – Alysia Lee, President
Cartwright introduced Alysia Lee, BCYF, Inc.’s President, and explained that the President’s Report is an opportunity for the Board to learn about the organization and for Lee to highlight key priority areas and engage in dialogue with the Board about current operational policies.
Lee reviewed her 90-day plan and discussed the first grantmaking cycle for BCYF, Inc. The 90- day plan includes three phases of Observation, Listening, and Analysis, all anchored in learning. Lee shared her goals for each phase: develop an understanding of the people, vision, and standing of BCYF, Inc. by examining the infrastructure and internal ecosystem, examine the external partnerships and ecosystem that intersect with the work of BCYF, Inc., and finally, build the capacity of the leadership team’s collective work. She highlighted BCYF, Inc.’s first grant cycle launch.
Lee further explained BCYF, Inc.’s current priorities: The Grassroots Fund, FY23 Annual Plan, executive leadership team hiring, orientation and learning agenda design, and Public Assembly (Needs Assessment). Lee also highlighted the Summer Funding Collaborative, sharing that $5.3M was awarded for Summer 2022, 90 summer programs were funded from 190 applications, with 9,110 projected youth served. BCYF, Inc. provided $2M in grant funding through the Summer Funding Collaborative.
Lee outlined that BCYF, Inc. is moving forward with hiring an executive assistant, Vice President of Community Engagement, Vice President of Finance, and Vice President of Administration & Finance.
Lastly, Lee reviewed the Fiscal Year 2023 goals: 1) develop and release the innovation fund; 2) build new collaborative learning models for technical assistance and capacity building; 3) continue staffing; 4) launch strategic planning process, and 5) integrate technology and data tools.
Board Policies on Organizational Culture – Dion Cartwright, Board Chair; Dorcas Gilmore, General Counsel
Cartwright introduced Dorcas Gilmore to present on Board policies revolving around the organizational culture and the values of racial equity and a culture of care. Gilmore discussed the policy framework for Board members, staff, and consultants. These policies will come before the Board in the fall.
Adjournment – Dion Cartwright, Board Chair
Cartwright adjourned the Board meeting at 8:18 p.m.
