HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-21-2016 Item 15 Contribution to Leadership San Luis Obispo L 25 FundMeeting Date: 6/21/2016
FROM: Monica Irons, Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT: CONTRIBUTION TO LEADERSHIP SAN LUIS OBISPO L 25 FUND
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize City Manager to contribute $10,000 to the Leadership San Luis Obispo (Leadership
SLO) L 25 Fund, based on determination by the City Council that there are ongoing
contributions and benefits to the City and local community derived from leadership opportunities
provided by the Leadership SLO program.
DISCUSSION
Background
Founded in 1991, Leadership SLO is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization governed by the San
Luis Obispo Community Leadership Foundation, Inc. with an independent fifteen member Board
of Directors. Because of its non-profit status, Leadership SLO does not take any political
positions and income is derived primarily from tuition, fundraising, and sponsorships. The San
Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce contributes less than ten percent of Leadership SLO’s
income.
Leadership SLO resulted from a need to have an ongoing flow of informed and motivated
community leaders, instead of calling upon the same pool of people to serve in community
leadership positions. The program is designed to provide graduates with increased knowledge of
San Luis Obispo County issues, to contribute potential solutions to these complex problems, to
enhance their own leadership style, and to effectively communicate with current community
leaders. Some of the benefits of participation include increased community networking;
improved ability to interact with diverse people representing diverse opinions; increased self-
confidence; and increased understanding of civic responsibility.
Each year, a diverse mix of approximately 35 people participate in the 10-month Leadership
SLO program, which meets for a two and a half day opening retreat in January, then meets once
monthly from February through October. Each session is highly participatory. Participants are
taught to recognize their leadership style and practice basic leadership skills including public
speaking, consensus building and critical thinking. Each class is encouraged to discuss typically
divisive issues in a non-hostile, supportive environment and each class is asked to do a Legacy
project with community benefit.
What is the L 25 Fund?
With over 800 graduates, Leadership SLO is now in its 25th year and has launched a campaign to
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raise $250,000 to ensure the program is sustainable for the next 25 years. Leadership SLO costs
are defrayed through tuition charged to each participant, contributions from day sponsors, as well
as other fund raising efforts throughout the year. In 2016, tuition charged was $1,750 per
participant while published per participant costs are $3,000. The difference in cost is absorbed
by sponsorships and donations. In addition, Leadership SLO approves full scholarships for some
participants. The L 25 Fund goal will not eliminate the needs for sponsorships and donations,
but will help offset costs. The request to contribute to the L 25 Fund is provided in Attachment
A, Request to Contribute to the L 25 Fund.
Why Contribute to the L 25 Fund?
Each year the City encourages employees to participate in Leadership SLO. City employees
have participated in at least 22 of the 25 years of the program with anywhere from one to five
employees selected each year. Tuition is paid by the City’s training and development budgets.
Over the years, the City and local community have reaped benefits from the program as
participants develop a thorough understanding of the diverse nature of our broader community,
enhance public speaking and leadership skills, and grow their professional networks. For several
years it was the only leadership program available to City employees. More recently with
Council support of the Leadership and Learning Academy and partnership with the Centre for
Organization Effectiveness, participation in Leadership SLO is a complimentary program. The
knowledge of and exposure to various aspects of the community that participants may otherwise
not fully develop is invaluable. Further, it is a venue to put to use the skills developed in the
Leadership and Learning Academy and to discuss leadership philosophy and techniques.
In addition to sponsoring participation for employees as part of the City’s investment in
professional development, the City benefits from the program by recruiting leadership graduates;
both as employees and as advisory body members as well as ad hoc committee members.
Further, many City Council members over the years are Leadership SLO graduates. Community
involvement and civic engagement is a key outcome of the program that enhances the dialogue
around critical City issues. A recent community impact survey found that more than 75 percent
of Leadership SLO alumni volunteer their time at local nonprofits, and more than 37 percent
increased their charitable contributions since completing the program, all directly contributing to
the quality of life in the community. Most Leadership SLO classes contribute legacy projects to
the community. Again, the impact of these projects is difficult to quantify but is undeniably
large. Attachment B, Legacy Project Guidelines and Previous Legacy Projects, provides an
overview of the results of these efforts. Not only is there a focus on the sustainability of the
Leadership SLO program in these projects but also in giving back to the community. From tree
planting, to preschool programs, or trail maintenance, legacy projects supplement community
work that may otherwise be provided by City staff and resources.
The City’s Charter, Section 805, authorizes the Council to budget City contributions “…for
grants, subsidies, contributions, subventions and the like to economic, promotional,
environmental, cultural, or other agencies whose operations are unrelated to those of the City but
who contribute largely to the quality of life of the City,” following an opportunity for public
consideration of such requests. The Charter does not require a formal, “noticed public hearing,”
as is required by other provisions of the Municipal Code, largely relating to land use decisions
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(i.e., SLOMC Sections 16.10 (tentative maps); 5.45 (Mobile Home Park Conversions)). Thus,
although expenditures of this amount would normally be within the discretion of the City
Manager, staff has placed this matter on the Council’s public meeting agenda and is
recommending Council approval based on the Council’s concurrence that the expenditure
advances the community benefits outlined above.
What Have Other Organizations Contributed to the L 25 Fund?
As of writing this staff report the Leadership SLO website indicates approximately $170,000 has
been raised towards the $250,000 goal. PG&E, Glenn Burdette, and the Harold J. Miossi
Charitable Trust are recognized as contributing $25,000 each. Cal Poly, Wacker Wealth
Management, and Cannon are recognized at the $10,000 contribution level.
The staff recommendation of $10,000 is based in part on considering listed donations of other
organizations. While no other cities in the county or the County of San Luis Obispo are listed as
major contributors at this point, staff considered the number of City employees who have
participated and the numerous benefits of the program to the City in recommending a
contribution level. Further, the City has ten departments so the contribution could be thought of
as a $1,000 contribution per department.
Contributions to Other Non-Profits in San Luis Obispo
The City of San Luis Obispo supports a variety of non-profit organizations through grant
programs. These grant programs are administered by the Human Relations Commission (HRC)
and Promotional Coordinating Committee (PCC) with support and recommendations by Staff
liaisons. These are annual grants in aid programs (funded through Community Development
Block Grants and General Fund) by which the advisory bodies make recommendations to the
City Council to fund specific projects or programs administered by local non-profits or other
eligible applicants. The Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) contributes to non-
profits and other organizations that promote particular events with a tourism nexus. TBID funds
are used to fund these types of events.
The City also funds non-profits directly and indirectly with housing funds. These funds are from
in-lieu housing fees and contributions to non-profits are to facilitate specific affordable housing
projects or indirectly assist with program overhead. In the case of indirect assistance, the City
provides funds to support administrative costs of the Housing Trust Fund so they have continued
capacity to advance a variety of housing programs and projects that benefit the City.
Other than the grant programs described, the City provided a challenge grant to the Homeless
Foundation of San Luis Obispo County to fund the one-time construction costs of the proposed
Homeless Services Center. The City also provided funding towards the Pismo Preserve. The
funding for these two efforts were not associated with a City grant making process.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds exist in the Ventures & Contingencies account #26100.7303 which is available
for unanticipated requests such as this. There is currently a balance of $117,346.00 in the 2015-
2016 Ventures and Contingencies budget.
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ALTERNATIVES
Leadership SLO requested the City make a $25,000 contribution to the L 25 Fund. There is no legal
requirement to make a contribution and therefore, Council could direct staff to make no contribution
or to contribute any amount within budget policies.
Attachments:
a - Request to Contribute to the L 25 Fund
b - LSLO Legacy Project Guidelines and Project History
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L25 Cabinet
Chair
Jon Jaeger
L25 Fund Chair
Barry VanderKelen
L25 Parties & Alumni Reunion
Dwyne Willis
Patty Carpenter
Erica A. Stewart
Marketing Chair
Peggy Carlaw
Ambassadors Chairs
Jeff Lee
Sue Roberts
Staff
Sandi Sigurdson
Executive Director
Jazmin Cortez
Accounting Manager
Leadership SLO
895 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805.786.2765
sandi@slochamber.org
Monica Irons, Human Resources Director March 8, 2016
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Dear Monica,
Thank you for the opportunity to introduce you to Leadership SLO’s 25th Anniversary plans and
the role you and the City of SLO can play in ensuring another impactful 25 years.
The City of San Luis Obispo has a long and rich relationship with Leadership SLO boasting
many members of your team as graduates of the program including this professionally diverse
group of Pam Oulette, Hal Hannula, Christine Dietrick, Freddy Otte, Molly Cano and Fire Chief
Garret Olson. A very extensive list of additional graduates is attached.
Data from a recent alumni survey (with a 50% response rate!) illuminates the powerful results of
a year spent in Leadership SLO. Take a look at the attached infographic. To reference just one
data point here: 75% of alums volunteer for nonprofit organizations on a regular basis.
We cleave mightily to the hallmarks of Leadership SLO: diversity, respect, and civil civic engage-
ment. All critical values, but diversity of voices in each class is the key to Leadership SLO’s suc-
cessful community impact. And the key to ensuring diversity is affordability through scholarships
and a reasonable tuition. The Leadership SLO Board of Directors is committed to ensuring the
program’s financial security and have launched The L25 Sterling Anniversary Fund.
We are about half way to our $250,000 goal and proud to claim significant contributions from
Glenn Burdette, Cal Poly, Cannon, PG&E, Wacker Wealth Partners and many more. We are
counting on steadfast supporters like the City of San Luis Obispo to show off their leadership
and join 100% of the Leadership SLO Board in this campaign. We ask that you consider a one-
time gift of $25,000 payable over five years.
This is the future of Leadership SLO and now is the time to invest.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration. We are at your disposal for follow up dis-
cussion and questions.
Yours in leadership and service,
June McIvor Barry VanderKelen
Board Chair L25 Sterling Anniversary Fund Chair
Board of Directors
June McIvor
Board Chair
Jeremy Howard
Class 25 Chair
Dan O’Hare
SLO Chamber Chair
Ryan Caldwell
Treasurer
Ermina Karim
SLO Chamber CEO
Stacy Axan
Cheryl Cuming
Erik Justesen
Lee Johnson
Jeff Lee
Lisa Horowtiz McCann
Lisa Mumford
Bettina Swigger
Barry VanderKelen
Dwyne Willis
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Leadership San Luis Obispo
Legacy Project Guidelines
Purpose of the Legacy Project
To give class members a real world opportunity to use their new leadership skills and strengthen their
bonds with other class members.
To leave a long-lasting, positive benefit to the community.
To strengthen Leadership San Luis Obispo and its long term viability.
Essential Elements of a good Legacy Project
Direct community benefit (not a community benefit through another non-profit)
Uses the skills and talents of all of the class members; there’s a role for everyone.
Is an active project involving hands-on effort; not just fund raising.
Is fun and enjoyable for class members!
What isn’t acceptable as a Legacy Project
A project that’s political or controversial.
A project that’s a fund raiser for another non-profit.
A project that excludes any class member.
The Legacy Project approval process
The LSLO Foundation Board of Directors has delegated approval of Legacy Project proposals to Chamber
president/CEO Ermina Karim. As projects are considered, informal discussions with Ermina are
recommended. When a final proposal is ready, it should be submitted to Ermina in writing before any work
begins.
Funding the Legacy Project
Leadership SLO’s 501c3 tax status is its number one asset. The designation allows Leadership SLO to operate
and serve our community. Therefore it is guarded closely and not typically available for legacy project use.
In addition, tuition covers less than half of the costs of a Leadership SLO year. Donors (some forty-two day
sponsors, scholarship sponsors and major donors in 2014) make up the difference and their generosity keeps
the program affordable. Other reasons to avoid use of the Leadership SLO tax status is the potential for
double teaming established donors, providing donors with IRS receipts and uncertain responsibility for donor
recognition follow-through.
Finally, the part-time accounting team at the Chamber cannot take on additional responsibilities of processing
and tracking legacy donations.
If donations need to be collected in order to ensure completion of the legacy project, the benefitting entity
(City, County, nonprofit) has typically assumed the bookkeeping role.
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Previous Legacy Projects
Class I- Focused on recruiting a class for the following year and keeping LSLO alive.
Class II- No project. Class III-No project.
Class IV- Class IV did thousands of hours of community service in the community. They created
a community service legacy list.
Class V- Class V built the first wall at Wonder Valley.
Class VI- Class VI created a fund that funded a Leadership SLO scholarship for the next 5 years.
Class VII- Class VII printed Leadership SLO logo t-shirts for sale as a fundraiser for the program.
Class VIII- Class VIII produced a video about Leadership SLO that could be used to help find
sponsors and recruit for the program.
Class IX- Class IX coordinated the first Leadership Alumni Mixer and the first Alumni award.
Class X- Class X took on a three-weekend clean-up/fix-up/paint-up of an old restored Victorian
home on Pismo Street, which houses youth who are runaways, or in rehab, or other
tough circumstances. They performed minor repairs, painted, put in new landscaping,
installed new appliances (stove and fridge), and other touch-ups just to make it more of
a home away from their original homes…and in this case, a better home that would put
them on a new path after they left.
Class XI- Class XI set up the Foundation for the ongoing Leadership SLO Endowment, they held
several fundraisers to create the start up fund.
Class XII- Class XII re-created the wall at Wonder Valley.
Class XIII- Class XIII focused on Literacy. They collected used books to donate to several
organizations including Prado Day Center and the EOC. They r aised money to buy
new books for the Library. They developed and printed a Children’s coloring book that
told the history of SLO County. Classmates also volunteered to go into classrooms to
read to kids and distribute the books.
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Class XIV- Class XIV had three projects. First they planted trees at Damon Garcia Sports Complex.
Second, they helped to construct Santa’s House in Mission Plaza. And third, they
coordinated a leadership day for high school students at Hearst Castle.
Class XV- Class XV worked on restoring the Healing Garden at Transitions Mental Health's
Growing Grounds out off of Johnson. They restored the garden and gazebo as well as
built three mosaic benches.
Class XVI- Class XVI worked on redoing the Tiny Tigers Preschool at San Luis Obispo High
School. This included landscaping, moving trash dumpsters to behind the preschool,
created a gate for the area, moved the old shed and got a new shed for storage,
overhauled the sandbox and created a cover, put in a new sink for the kids. They
focused most of their work on the entrance of the preschool.
Class XVII- Class XVII worked on the hiking/mountain biking trail out at the Johnson Ranch,
located within the City of SLO. They worked on building the trail, coordinated
workdays, developed the interpretive signage, etc.
Class XVIII- Class XVIII worked with the three Rotary Clubs in the City of San Luis Obispo to
establish/enhance community gardens at Mitchell Park.
Class XIX- Created an outdoor classroom environment for the toddlers at the Child Development
Center, a child abuse intervention, prevention, and treatment program for families.
Class XX- Created a human sundial at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens. This project reflects
the class interest in sustainability, the arts, education and leaving a lasting legacy.
Class XXI- Created an interactive window box showcasing the riches of San Luis
Obispo County, to be displayed in the state capitol in Sacramento. The project is on
display at the California State Capitol Museum.
Class XXII Restored the Lemon Grove Trail on Cerro San Luis, planting 22 lemon trees and
agreeing to maintain the grove for 5 years.
Class XXIII- Created a Monarch Butterfly Garden Way Station in Santa Margarita of milkweed and
native plants to help preserve California’s threatened Monarch population.
Class XXIV- Is creating a water demonstration landscape plan and garden at City Hall in SLO.
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