CAMP Connect

Founders’ Circle. When the Community Center Project and Founders’ Circle Capital Campaign were established, we knew that raising $1,000,000 over five years was a feasible but ambitious goal. We also knew that we would have to build momentum to reach success. But, we had an unwavering love for our community and confidence in the friendships and support that we have worked hard to build over the years. However, nothing could have prepared us for the outpouring of love and support from individuals in our community, local businesses, and private foundations. Our Founders’ Circle members have bigheartedly pledged a total of $630,434 as of the third year of the Capital Campaign. Their love and support are incredible gifts to our community.

How are the Capital Campaign monies being used? These monies are restricted and are used for capital expenditures only. A portion is being used to help pay the mortgage on the current Community Center location. The remainder of the monies that have been and will be raised will be used to redesign and expand our current location into a full-service Community Center. We are working with our architect, Bob Hotes, of DPK&A, to create a design that will adequately accommodate our needs. The preliminary design is for three levels plus a full, below ground basement. The basement level will include storage space and project/work rooms. The first floor will house the reception area with a gift shop and display area; the CAMP Rehoboth offices; and the CAMP resource center with a lending library and computer terminal(s) with internet access. The second floor will house a multi-purpose room (100 person maximum) and a kitchen. Conference rooms and flexible office space will be on the third floor. The new Community Center will have elevator access to all floors to accommodate all members of our community. We will continue to solicit feedback from the community on its design and use as we work toward a completion date of May, 2006.

So, we urge you to join our 244 Founders’ Circle members in the spirit of love and celebration as we move toward our goal of building a full-service Community Center that will meet our communities needs and will be a home for all. Becoming a member is as simple as filling out the pledge form included in this issue of Letters and sending it to the CAMP office. You can pay by cash, check or by credit card (American Express, MasterCard and VISA). We have payment plans that suit most any budget. Gifts also may be paid in securities or other property, including real estate. Your membership gift is tax deductible as well. CAMP Rehoboth is a 501(c)(3) organization and contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For those of you who work for companies with matching gift programs, you may be able to take advantage of those programs to help with your membership pledge or to pledge at a higher level. You can upgrade your membership at any time during the campaign by letting us know of your desire to do so. Memberships also make great gifts for family and friends who are interested in community projects. For your generosity, your name or the name of a loved one will be inscribed in our official Founders’ Circle records, and depending on your level, on an actual part of the Community Center (a brick, a tile, a door or a room). Members also receive great member gifts and an invitation to our wildly popular Founders’ Circle Black & White Beach Ball. Join today and receive lots of cool stuff, recognition, and, above all, community friendships!

Speaking of the Founders’ Circle Black & White Beach Ball—get ready for another fabulous event at the Atlantic Sands on Saturday, June 5, 2004. We’re working right now on the event details, including the art auction, entertainment and special guests. It’s a really great time for a really great cause so we hope to see you there. Watch for more details in subsequent issues of Letters.

Founders’ Circle House Parties are a great way to have a fun time, meet new people and raise money for the Founders’ Circle Capital Campaign. We have at least two parties planned during the summer and fall. More details on these events will be released soon. If you are interested in having a House Party, call me at the CAMP office for more information.

Women’s Conference Weekend. One of the most exciting weekends of the year is almost here! Our Women’s Conference Weekend will be held April 16-17, 2004 and it promises to be better than ever. We’ll start off the weekend on Friday evening being dazzled by the brilliant comedienne, Suzanne Westenhoefer, who is back again this year by popular demand. The Women’s Conference on Financial, Health and Legal Issues on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. will have workshops that are sure to attract a diverse group of women. From educational and informative workshops on financial, health and legal issues by highly regarded professionals in their fields to varied and entertaining workshops on "Healthy Entertaining with Martha" (no, not that Martha!), "How to Achieve that Yoga High" and "Feng Shui for Home and Garden," among many others, there is something for everyone. We’ve increased the number of workshops this year to accommodate a sell-out crowd. Plans are also underway for women’s events before and after the entertainment both evenings.

You won’t want to miss hearing our outstanding keynote speaker. We are honored to have Melanie Mills, Founder of Higher Ground, Inc., and a nationally recognized, award winning speaker on the issues of change and personal effectiveness, as our speaker this year. In 1990, she earned the designation of CSP from the National Speakers Association of which only 7% of national speakers earn this distinction. She works with Fortune 100 companies such as American Express, Apple Computer, AT&T, 3M, Hewlett Packard, and Kennedy Space Center. She has equally inspired audiences in Canada, Asia and Australia. She and her partner, Dr. Sue Morter, live in Indianapolis. Dr. Morter, a Chiropractic healer, has generously donated her time to do a workshop for us on healing the mind and body. Watch for an interesting profile on Melanie in our next issue of Letters.

Women’s Conference Sponsors. The Women’s Conference is a high profile event each year with attendees from all over the Mid-Atlantic region. From its inception in 2001 to now, it has grown from 75 attendees to nearly 175. Our workshops are conducted by experienced and dynamic professionals in their fields who contribute their time and energy to educate and inform women on how to live healthy and balanced lives. Our Women’s Conference will continue to grow and gain recognition and become one of the most significant community service events for women in our region. Becoming a sponsor of the Women’s Conference event will include recognition in all of our event press releases, your name on the CAMP website which was accessed by 320,000 unique visitors last year, your name on the Women’s Conference brochure that is mailed to over 1,000 individuals and your name(s) displayed and acknowledged throughout the conference weekend. Sponsor tickets to all events are also included. The cost of sponsorship is $500 or you can choose to underwrite a portion of the event such as the keynote speaker, luncheon, entertainment, etc. If you wish to partner with us and become a sponsor of the event, please contact me at the CAMP office no later than February 20, 2004.

CAMP Grants. Capital grant applications are being worked on and submitted to various foundations to raise additional monies for our project to redesign and expand the current Community Center location. Throughout 2004, grant applications will also be submitted for general operating expenses and for specific programs and services. As we are awarded grants, there will be news on them in future issues of Letters.

Community Grants. The following grants may be of interest to individuals or groups in our community:

• Anthony Radziwill Documentary Fund—Provides grants to emerging and established documentary filmmakers in the form of development funds for specific projects at the earliest stage of new work. Proposed films and videos on the arts, humanities, societal issues, contemporary political issues, history, and personal documentaries are all encouraged. The grantee must be 18 years or older. Projects should be intended for general audiences and for wide distribution via theatrical, television and festival markets. The deadline date is March 1, 2004. Visit www.ifp.org website for details.

• Rockefeller Foundation Multi-Arts Production (MAP) Fund—As part of its Creativity & Culture program, the Rockefeller Foundation established the MAP Fund to foster work in the performing arts that explores the dynamics of contemporary culture and to support a diversity of artists and arts organizations. This highly competitive annual grant program invites applications from U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that have been in existence for at least two years and who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in the creation of new work. The deadline date is March 27, 2004. Visit www.rockefellerfoundation.org for more details.

Foundation Directory. CAMP Rehoboth subscribes to the online Foundation Directory which is part of the Foundation Center. The Foundation Center began 45 years ago with a mission to support and improve philanthropy by promoting public understanding of the field. It tracks over 60,000 grantmakers and offers free and fee-based training seminars to help any grantseeker succeed. It is a key source of information for nonprofit organizations as well as for student artists, researchers and other individuals who are seeking funding. Contact me at the CAMP office if you wish to use our computer resources and access the Foundation Directory to enhance your understanding of the grantseeking process and explore various aspects of funding research.

To all of our sweethearts in the community, happy Valentine’s Day, and thank you for sharing your hearts and a part of your lives with us.