April 2025 Board Meeting Notes
In attendance: Rachael Rennebeck, Jennifer Hisdorf, Barb Hickey, Christine Fueller, Bev Cwalina and Lisa Davidson
Meeting started at 7:35 pm
March minutes approved
Agenda:
Lisa McGinty: Cigna Community Ambassador Program and Scholarship. Up to 15 chosen per year to receive a scholarship for $20k to focus on a project tied to a non-profit. The project needs to be sustainable and profitable. Lisa will attend another meeting to gather additional information and then come back to the board with a recommendation.
Bev Cwalina:
Thriver Monthly Events:
March- Held in the East Thriver event was held at Helltown Brewery in Export, PA on Sunday, March 30 - we had planned on walking along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail but rainy weather stifled that plan. We had 7 Thrivers who came together to hang out at the brewery, chat, do a craft, and enjoy food from the food truck. Three of those in attendance had not been to a Thriver monthly event within the past year. Helltown Brewing provided tables for us and the manager, Rob Ungvarsky was very supportive. Chris Needles donated the materials for a craft. Total cost $105.04 for food.
April would be a Central location and 412Thrive Day is 4/12/2025. Bev thought the Room Concepts North and South locations were in person on 412Thrive Day so was planning get-togethers near each store but now we are thinking of doing a central location and getting food from Big Shot Bob's as part of the fundraiser. Hoping that the GNC location in the Strip District we had Friendsgiving last November will be available. Shooting for 3 or 4 to 6 PM.
May- North monthly Thriver event is being planned for Moraine State Park area. Still in planning stage, but thinking rent a pavilion and give Thrivers a chance to paddle kayaks. Several Thrivers have kayaks they could bring or we could rent.
Future months - need to gather ideas and get information out more in advance for people to plan. Once Bev gets survey results with those who would like to help plan events, will set up monthly planning meetings. Thinking the day after our board meetings so any updates on Fund Raisers and other events are fresh in our minds. All Board members will be welcome to join meetings.
June (West) - is this going to be the Vellum Prom event or should I plan something?
June (West) – June 22 Velum Par-tee event but separate Thriver event could be planned. I have a message from Hickory Hearth Highlands - Cow Farm in McDonald for us to come hang out with them and they are having a Coffee with the Cows event in June.
July (South) - Spoonwood Brewing has offered their Patio for us
August (East)
September (Central) - Retreat
October (North)
November (West) - Friendsgiving - Northway Christian Community - Robinson Hall (where we held Bingo) would be ideal with kitchen and large room with Stage.
December (South)
412Thrive Day Proclamations
Bev coordinated 412Thrive Day proclamations from the City of Pittsburgh Council, Allegheny County Council and the following County Boards of Commissioners: Beaver, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland. Each entity has committed to naming April 12, 2025 as 412Thrive Day in their jurisdiction.
Westmoreland County's meeting was held March 27th and two Thrivers were in attendance to accept the proclamation - Dana Tomko and Laura Cackowski. Dana spoke on behalf of 412Thrive and mentioned 10% of Thrivers live in Westmoreland County and that our March in-person Thriver event would be taking place in Westmoreland County. Their picture with the Board of Commissioners was shared in our social media. Laura brought Bev the proclamation so she has it.
Future proclamation presentation dates and volunteers planning to attend:
Washington County - April 3, 10 AM - Dana Lucas attending
City of Pittsburgh - April 8, 10 AM - Christine Fueller attending
Allegheny County - April 8, 5 PM - Mary-Clare Reynolds attending
Butler County - April 9, 10 AM - Lisa McGinty and Kristin Dershem attending
Beaver County - April 10, 10 AM - Katie Dudas, Holly Hamilton, Nikki Cox attending
412Thrive Retreat
Rachael will contact the retreat center to find out all of the cost and the board will discuss options for having the retreat.. Bev indicated that Thrivers will form a committee to plan and execute the retreat with Katie's direction. Bev has talked with many Thrivers who have expressed interest in paying their own way and holding fund raisers for those unable to pay.
Shirts for Pittsburgh Marathon
Bev is going to take orders for Nike brand shirts (women's or men's cut) from anyone willing to pay up front. Need 12 shirts ordered to do this. Working with Katie and Cara Bisegna to send something to others registered to raise funds for 412Thrive. Bev is in training with Thriver Chris Needles to walk the Pittsburgh half marathon and both expressed interest in an athletic fabric shirt to wear on race day. Bev taking orders for Nike brand wicking shirts (women's, men's or youth cut) at cost, this is not a fund raiser. Bev worked with Katie and Cara Bisegna to send this information to others registered to run/walk raising funds for 412Thrive. 12 shirts have been sold, no additional advertising is necessary but individuals can order a shirt until April 15. Cara Snyder’s Kids of Steel shirt sale is going on until April 30
Rachael:
Finance:
$200 check to be deposited from individual donation (thank you will be sent out)
NH Cheerleaders sending check from Pink OUT
Regular recap: Rocco/Mike Cwalina/storage/communication/insurance/Blackbaud/Lee/Carolyn
Jennifer Hisdorf discussed our reimbursement process and the need to revise it. The new process will be sent to the board for review/discussion. This will ensure we are tracking our spending and recording it accurately.
Board voted to remove Jill Bortz from paying 412Thrive bills and only process payroll for $58/payroll. Jenn will now pay the bills and manage the account for 412Thrive
Board voted (5 to 1) to remove Chelsea from 412Thrive payroll and eliminate the position, effective April 11, 2025.
Grants:
Prepared Snee Reinhardt Grant—care package based
Prepared AE—focused on a younger population for social outings
Working on Staunton
Didn't get Palumbo
Fundraising Process update:
Met with Barb, Christine and Katie for process
SPJS—Shayla Penn (Strawberry Pretzel)
Room Concepts
Bev offered to continue sending Thank You letters
Other Fundraisers: Online Pampered Chef party throughout August to earn double donation to 412Thrive.
Women Who Rock concert at Stage AE– Rachael is working with them to have 412Thrive participate in some way to potentially benefit from the event.
Major fundraiser for the year with Velum Update (in place of casino night):
Date of event -June 22 (Sunday)
All games etc. tee shirts/baskets etc.
Cost is $1K with open bar, tickets would be $55/ticket
Vote was taken – all were in favor
Other Fundraisers:
Please share the Kentucky Derby fund raiser. Race day is May 3, 2025. Horses on sale until that day at noon. $25 per horse. Shareable slides attached if you want to post on your Facebook or email to friends.
Sarris Candy fundraiser:
* week of 4-7-25 is the last week
* we are at about $300
Katie Dudas:
Volunteers
Bev and Jamie are going through the list to make sure all folks are still involved with Thrive. Barb will reach out to fundraising volunteers, Katie with marketing, and Bev everyone else
Christine Fueller is working on care packages and is looking to order a few things:
Travel Hand sanitizer
Scrubzz
Mastectomy Pillows
no plus size
4 left
one consistent person, gave her some fabric, she is just giving covers and Christine is stuffing and stitching
Mastectomy Pillows volunteer opportunities on the Highmark Enterprise “Your Cause” internal web page
Hope to get handwritten Care Packages cards on there too
Bev will take blank cards to Thriver events. Thrivers will like sending a note to fellow Thrivers
Regular recap: monthly expenses are roughly $5,000.
concluded at 9:07pm
Next meeting will be on Monday, May 5th in person (Lisa will confirm if Woods Run facility is an option)