12 Jun Foundation board meets for annual board retreat
The McPherson County Community Foundation (MCCF) Board of Directors held its annual retreat Wednesday, participating in a four-hour session designed to strengthen board engagement and deepen understanding of the foundation’s operations and potential impact.
As part of the retreat, board members explored hypothetical community crisis scenarios and brainstormed how the foundation could respond. While the scenarios were unlikely, the goal was to stretch strategic thinking and broaden awareness of MCCF’s role in supporting McPherson County.
In breakout groups, board members discussed the potential impact of each scenario, identified possible partner organizations, outlined action steps the foundation could take, and estimated the level of funding that would be required.
One scenario asked board members to consider the effects of a major tornado striking local communities.
Board members identified possible consequences including the loss of utilities, homes, businesses, and essential services, as well as supply chain disruptions and a strain on local resources. They also listed potential partners in the response effort, including the Red Cross, United Way, FEMA, hospitals, EMS, churches, and local schools.
Proposed action steps for MCCF included:
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Acting as a communication hub for response efforts
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Opening a disaster relief fund to receive and distribute donations
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Helping coordinate volunteers
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Supporting temporary housing
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Forming a disaster response committee
The group emphasized that having a well-funded disaster relief account would be critical to the foundation’s ability to provide timely and effective support.
In another exercise, board members reflected on words commonly associated with foundations and what those words meant to them.
Board Vice Chair Richard Baldwin was assigned the word legacy and shared that he sees it as a gift, tangible or intangible, that leaves a lasting impact for multiple generations.
Board Chair Trent Ruxlow, reflecting on the word endowment, said, Endowments create the floor for what a foundation can do, not the ceiling.