Carolyn Hughes, left, Foellinger Foundation Board Chairman, joins guests from Cornerstone in congratulating Steve Hoffman, right, recipient of the 2009 Carl D. Rolfsen Stewardship Award in October.
Foellinger Foundation President Cheryl Taylor, left, and Foundation board members recognized 28 nominees (listed below) at the annual event that shines a spotlight on excellence in nonprofit board leadership.
Stewardship Award
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Foellinger Foundation is fortunate to have had board members – past and present – dedicated to preserving our donors' intent. One of those board members is Carl D. Rolfsen, who retired from the board in 2005 and still serves on the Foundation’s Investment & Finance Committee.
Throughout his 25
years of board service, Mr. Rolfsen
was
a voice of continuity and a direct link to our founders. Mr. Rolfsen was
one of Helene Foellinger's most trusted advisers. When the foundation
engaged in a comprehensive strategic planning process in 2002, designed
to balance the donors' values and principles with community needs, Mr.
Rolfsen led the Founders Interests Committee, a special subcommittee of
the board that was responsible for articulating the key interests of our
founders, Helene and Esther Foellinger.
We know that many other organizations have board members like Mr. Rolfsen who are committed to staying true to their missions. The Foellinger Foundation is proud to be able to recognize these leaders. The Carl D. Rolfsen Stewardship Award recognizes a local board member who has demonstrated at least three of the Ten Basic Responsibilities identified by BoardSource in its book, Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards, Second Edition. This book is available to local nonprofits at the Paul Clarke Nonprofit Resource Center
1. Determine mission and purposes.2. Select the chief executive.
3. Support and evaluate the chief executive.
4. Ensure effective planning.
5. Monitor and strengthen programs and services.
6. Ensure adequate financial resources.
7. Protect assets and provide financial oversight.
8. Build a competent board.
9. Ensure legal and ethical integrity.
10. Enhance the organization’s public standing.
The recipient's organization will receive a Foellinger Foundation grant of $10,000 operating support funds and up to $7,500 for special board development training.
2009 Carl D. Rolfsen Nominees
Ann Bobilya, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre
Dr. Barry Close, Mustard Seed Furniture Bank
Michael DeWald, Boy Scouts of America
Patsy Dumas, The Carriage House
Marie Eifert, Erin’s House for Grieving Children
Michael Erler, Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home
Richard Fox, Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities
Frances Ganaway, Girl Scouts of Limberlost Council
Fred Geyer, Lifeline Youth & Family Services
Steve Hoffman, Cornerstone Youth Center
Pamela Holocher, Allen County Council on Aging
William Kunkel, Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana
Bruce Lehman, Vincent Village
Edward Martin, Early Childhood Alliance
Michael McKay, League for the Blind and Disabled
Joshua Neal, Community Transportation Network
Debra Niezer, YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne
William Niezer, University of Saint Francis
Christopher Popp, Euell A. Wilson Center
Daniel Rifkin, Fort Wayne Center for Learning
Joel Sauer, American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana
Thomas Skiba, Embassy Theatre Foundation
Robert Slusser, Science Central
John Stein, Wellspring Interfaith Social Services
Anthony Stites, Harold W. McMillen Center for Health Education
Heather Herron Wilcox, Family and Children’s Services
Barbara Williams, YWCA
John Wolf, Community Harvest Food Bank
