37 Forever Foundation: Last Call

[Bob Dole]

It is with a heavy heart that I post this information, and it's serious enough that I'm going to drop the third person schtick long enough to communicate it.

The current board of directors of 37 Forever Foundation has decided that we can no longer try to make a go of things, and unless some others (minimum of 3, I believe) wish to sign on and accept responsibility for the foundation, we will soon be disbanding 37 Forever as a legal entity. We've managed to accomplish some things in the past few years, but we feel that we, as a leadership group, have accomplished all that we're going to be able to accomplish, and the time has come to either hand over the reigns, or dissolve the charity. We're scatterd around the country and all of us have other responsibilities, and we are simply unable to devote the time and energy necessary to get over the hump. (It's probably not a bad idea to point out at this point that none of us ever claimed to have any particular expertise in this sort of thing, which certainly would have helped...)

If people care enough and have the time and energy to devote to a cause I firmly believe to be a good one, now is the time to step forward.

If not, we've put some children through lessons and I believe played a large role in securing Joe a spot in the Chiefs Ring of Fame, which should ensure that never again will anyone have to ask: What about Joe Delaney?

[Tribal Warfare]

Is their a branch in Louisiana that could pick up the slack?

[FAX]

I just want to say how much I admire you guys for doing this in the first place. Having served on several charitable boards, I understand how difficult this was and the amount of time and energy that must have gone into it.

As others here, I am far too occupied with current matters to take on any additional responsibilities at this time. However, I have an old friend who was very involved in child drowning prevention (due to a family accident) and I plan on speaking with him in regard to what options may be available such as turning the foundation over to another, active organization that might be interested in retaining the name and pursuing the mission. If this effort turns up anything, I'll get in touch with you, Mr. Bob Dole, and let you know.

Again, I bow deeply to all involved and credit you for what you have done. Regardless of how this turns out, those involved should be proud, not saddened.

FAX

[booger]

Mr. Fax's old friend sounds like an avenue to explore.

That avitar rocks bye the way!

[Bob Dole]

Originally Posted by booger

If the goal is to keep the Foundation alive and at least the name of it out there what about talking with someone with the organization?
The only things I know of about the team charities is what I read on the team website and occassional coverage within the KC Star. Are any of you familiar with or have had any contact with the team community relations department or their director Brenda Sniezek?

Phil and I met at length with the Chiefs PR people two years ago, and while they weren't ever going to stand in the way, they weren't willing to actively and openly support the organization as an "official Chiefs" cause.

Phil might remember more details than I do, but the bttom line was pretty much another dead end.

[Bob Dole]

Originally Posted by FAX

As others here, I am far too occupied with current matters to take on any additional responsibilities at this time. However, I have an old friend who was very involved in child drowning prevention (due to a family accident) and I plan on speaking with him in regard to what options may be available such as turning the foundation over to another, active organization that might be interested in retaining the name and pursuing the mission. If this effort turns up anything, I'll get in touch with you, Mr. Bob Dole, and let you know.

Please let me know how the conversation goes.

[Stinger]

Originally Posted by Stinger

My question to those who have served with or on the board of the 37 Foundation is what are/were you trying to do. Were you trying to fund a program that would or could be picked up by area swimming or youth organizations on water safety? Or were you just providing funds for area youth organizations to conduct water safety courses?

Since this thread was brought back up I was wondering if my question could get answered?

The reason is it seems to me that if you were trying to develop a program that is very time intensive and not cheep. Although if done right their might be a great reward on the back end. If you provide area organizations help with a program they already run it seeems to me that would still meet the criteria for your mission with less of the problems of having to develop a program. Then again that may not what the board or the founders of the foundation had in mind when this was concieved.

[Bob Dole]

Originally Posted by Stinger

Since this thread was brought back up I was wondering if my question could get answered?

The reason is it seems to me that if you were trying to develop a program that is very time intensive and not cheep. Although if done right their might be a great reward on the back end. If you provide area organizations help with a program they already run it seeems to me that would still meet the criteria for your mission with less of the problems of having to develop a program. Then again that may not what the board or the founders of the foundation had in mind when this was concieved.

We weren't trying to reinvent the wheel. We tried to find a way to make existing summer swim lesson programs available to children whose families might not otherwise be able to afford them.

[Stinger]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

We weren't trying to reinvent the wheel. We tried to find a way to make existing summer swim lesson programs available to children whose families might not otherwise be able to afford them.

Ahhhh thanks for the clarification. Was the foundation trying to reach a certain number of kids or have a quota to fill? Or was it we will try to help as many as we can at the time? Was the main cause of the possible stoppage of the foundation money, time, lack of effort, or all of the above.

Not to be nosey but was the 37 foundation fundraising weekend a success as a fundraiser or not. I am assuming (dangerous I know) that this was the major donor base/event?

If this is too much info for the public forum throw me a smoke (used to be in the fundraising business so to speak) maybe have a lead or two.

[Tribal Warfare]

have you contacted Delanies former college, and see how they would want to intergrate 37forever on their campus? Get ahold of the college's PR director, and I'm sure they'll find away to keep it alive

[Bob Dole]

Originally Posted by Stinger

Ahhhh thanks for the clarification. Was the foundation trying to reach a certain number of kids or have a quota to fill? Or was it we will try to help as many as we can at the time? Was the main cause of the possible stoppage of the foundation money, time, lack of effort, or all of the above.

Not to be nosey but was the 37 foundation fundraising weekend a success as a fundraiser or not. I am assuming (dangerous I know) that this was the major donor base/event?

If this is too much info for the public forum throw me a smoke (used to be in the fundraising business so to speak) maybe have a lead or two.

We wanted to put as many through as we could afford. We never really set a specific goal of X children this year, which may have been one of the mistakes.

Others are more qualified to speak to the actual profitability of the weekend events.

[Nzoner]

Originally Posted by Stinger

Ahhhh thanks for the clarification. Was the foundation trying to reach a certain number of kids or have a quota to fill? Or was it we will try to help as many as we can at the time? Was the main cause of the possible stoppage of the foundation money, time, lack of effort, or all of the above.

Not to be nosey but was the 37 foundation fundraising weekend a success as a fundraiser or not. I am assuming (dangerous I know) that this was the major donor base/event?

If this is too much info for the public forum throw me a smoke (used to be in the fundraising business so to speak) maybe have a lead or two.

I don't think sharing this info on a public forum is too much,in fact I think it's good to show what we've done and what were planning on doing.

I can only speak for St Joe but the Saturday event last year coupled with the donations I was able to raise from some of my local clients netted a little over $2000.This being only my 2nd year here I thought that was rather good.

The biggest challenge I've faced here is getting the local agencies to work with me,so I've since been in contact with the much smaller town of Savannah,Mo just north of me and they were elated.

We are now working on a list of underprivledged kids in this area who will be getting swimming lessons later this Summer at only $25 per kid so we're going to be able to help alot of kids.