The Impact100 Sonoma Annual Meeting is the place to hear all the news – and on January 27, literally reflecting the meeting’s theme of Growing Together, extra chairs had to be brought in to accommodate the room full of members who attended. All were eager to hear an update about our organization and community, welcome new members and greet long-time friends and colleagues.

After a brunch feast, not only organized but prepared by Tracy Reynes, Assistant Membership Chair (and former professional chef), Co-President Gera Vaz announced our 2018 member count and Grants Chair Claudia Sims “did the math”:

2018 Membership = 304 Members

304 x $1,000 = $304,000 to fund grants in June 2018

Providing grant funds to benefit Sonoma Valley is our purpose and our honor.

More math from Claudia:

Grants funded 2010 – 2017

82 Impact and Community Grants

32 Organizations

$1.75 million

1.75 million thanks go out to every Impact100 member! This is your accomplishment. The 2018 grants that will be announced in June to nonprofits serving Sonoma Valley will be the result of your caring and your stepping up to make a real and positive impact with your philanthropy dollars. Congratulations!

Co-President Judith Walsh introduced keynote speaker Beth Brown, President and CEO of Community Foundation Sonoma County. Beth shared insights she has gained during and since the October 2017 fires and described her staff’s efforts to create an effective and inspired recovery effort.

One of the big lessons she learned is, “Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes communities five to ten years to fully recover from a disaster. Long term operational funding for community recovery requires attentive grant-making, and both large and small grants can have a huge impact.”

Beth commended our organization saying, “The Impact100 model is evidence of inspired giving being contagious. You are role models to your peers and to your daughters and sons, colleagues and community leaders.”

After enthusiastic applause for Beth’s presentation, Assistant Communications Chair Angela Ryan spoke about the recent expansion of our organization’s outreach using social media. The goals and benefits? Increased awareness and visibility of Impact100 in Sonoma Valley and beyond; Effective member recruitment tools, particularly for younger audiences; Engage members and the community in our mission of supporting nonprofits that serve the valley.

Here’s how to connect and share our work with your friends, family and colleagues:

Facebook.com/impact100sonoma

Instagram:@impact100sonoma

Linkedin.com/company/impact100sonoma

Angela was joined at the mike by Chelsie Runnings; both are members of the first cohort of the NextGen Program now enjoying their second year as Impact100 members. They announced and led the entire membership in saluting and welcoming:

• Our new 2018 NextGenners: Sarah Carroll, Casey Chavez, Anya Everett and Nicole Moktan to Impact100.
  
• Betzy Chavez, Susana Garcia and Veronica Vences, partial-membership grant recipients of the Morgridge Family Foundation.
  
• A new $10,000 matching grant from the Vera C Hendry Foundation to fund 50% of 12 NextGen member’s annual donation for up to 3 years
  

Learn how you can support our NextGen and Sponsorship programs.

Next Meghan Marsh King, Marketing & Business Development Chair, piqued everyone’s curiosity by telling the crowd that plans are in the works to celebrate our organization’s  “10 Years of Impact” in 2019. Stay tuned!

Meghan’s other big job is expanding Business Sponsorships to help defray the costs of running our active and growing organization. If you are a business person, or know someone who is, here’s how you can help:

• Sponsor an Employee as an Impact100 member
  
• Sponsor or Underwrite an event
  
• Become a 10th Anniversary Sponsor – a once in a lifetime opportunity!
  

Treasurer Helen Bohl keeps us on track financially with experienced and vigilant oversight – and with humor and spirit as well. Along with an overview of 2017 operations expenses and income, Helen highlighted a big need of our own organization – which is also a nonprofit! If possible, she asked, please become a Member Plus. Help to defray the necessary expenses of running our organization. Any amount is greatly appreciated. Learn more here.

In closing the 2018 Annual Meeting, Co-President Lynne Lancaster quoted a trusted mentor from her early years: “Don’t give until it hurts. Give until it feels good.”

Special thanks to Union Bank which underwrote the event.