Leadership Development

Date Lake Elsinore Valley Education Foundation

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Background of the organization

Lake Elsinore Valley Education Foundation (LEVEF) is a nonprofit organization that is based in Lake Elsinore, California. The organization was initially founded by local business, education and government leaders spear-headed by former LEUSD Superintendent Sharron Lindsay? It was founded in 2007 to honor the former LEUSD Superintendent Dr. Sharron Lindsay, who proposed it as a long-term solution for the community. Dr. Sharron Lindsay believed that the organization would help support students to pursue college education (LEVEF, 2019). Upon the demise of Mrs. Lindsay’s passing the organization’s board adhered to the organization’s mission by establishing an estate scholarship and presenting $1,000 yearly to students pursuing education and teaching. The organization aims at enhancing learning within the Elsinore valley community by giving thousands of dollars in scholarships to seniors from Lakeside, Elsinore, Temescal Canyon and Ortega High Schools. Statistics portray that the organization has donated $103,000 since it kicked off in 2007 (LEVEF, 2019). The students are selected by the organization’s board every year and each receives $1,000 scholarships that they utilize for college expenditures. To acquire the scholarship, students must submit their requests that include personal student essays and then partake interviews with the organization’s directors (Runquist & American Bar Association, 2005). The winners are then selected by a panel of judges who comprise members of the community, City of Lake Elsinore officials, elected representatives, school district representatives, and a few business representatives.

Prior to scholarships that cater for students’ college fees, the organization also grants the books to schools within the community. Several schools have benefited from the First Book program among them include Machado, Elsinore, Railroad Canyon, and Wildomar elementary schools. The books greatly enhance children’s capability of gradually building their home libraries at a tender age and to grant students a platform to utilize literature in interacting with their families.

Mission

The mission of the Lake Elsinore Valley Education Foundation is mainly to offer scholarships to college bound LEUSD students. More so, the organization aims at giving books to students of elementary age through their new program that commenced in 2018. Generally, the organization’s objective is to spearhead education from a tender age within the Lake Elsinore Valley community.

Funding

The Lake Elsinore Education Foundation heavily relies on donors for it to accomplish its mission. The organization is funded by Elsinore valley municipal water district (EVMWD). The organization which provides reliable and cost-effective water as well as water services drives part of its resources to the nonprofit organization. Another donor is the Schools First Credit Union which provides credit services to teachers in Orange County (LEVEF, 2019). Additionally, southern California Edison is among the donors that play a great role. Southern California Edison is the principal subordinate of Edison International; the largest electricity supplying company in Southern California. It offers power to 15 million citizens and offers services to a territory approximated to be 50,000 square miles. Similarly, First Book offers material support to Lake Elsinore Education Foundation. First Book is a renowned national, not-for-profit social enterprise that spearheads educational parity as a solution of eliminating poverty. It addresses factors barring education among children living in low-income and historically marginalized communities. To enhance education equity, the organization provides brand-new books and relevant resources to these children. LEUSD also plays a great role in supporting Lake Elsinore Education Foundation (LEVEF, 2019). Lake Elsinore Unified School District is a public school district based in Lake Elsinore. It highly collaborates with Lake Elsinore Education Foundation to ensure that needy students acquire quality education. Lastly, Elks Lodges offers resources to the foundation. Elks Lodges is an organization that grant great experiences to the community through amenities that go beyond golf and pool communities. It is a place where the community comes together to share families share meals and bonds.

The organization is also an affiliate of the Community Foundation, which offers a steadfast source of income. The organization also has annual activities that boost its funding. For instance, the organization holds annual golf tournament every April through partnership with local businesses (LEVEF, 2019). The “Driving Education” charity golf tournament grants attendees a fun day of dinner, golf as well as auction items. Further, the organization holds two annual fundraisings that help in raising money for scholarships as well as the First Book program.

Governance

Nonprofits are governed by the Internal Revenue Service since it’ is the best entity that protects the public from nonprofit organizations that fail to serve the interest of the public. For this reason, Lake Elsinore Education Foundation must safeguard its mission and ensure that it clearly articulates and guides the organization’s task (Runquist & American Bar Association, 2005). The mission statement for Lake Elsinore Education Foundation is well drafted and it clearly portrays aspects such as how the organization spends its funds and the activities it should engage in that enhance the purpose of the organization. 

Lake Elsinore Education Foundation has a diverse board that comprises of public servants who have previously served as Mayors, Planning Commissioners, active parents, 

School Board Members, City Council Members, Business Leaders and local leaders in public service (Runquist & American Bar Association, 2005). The organization is presently headed by Kevin Pape who acts as the chairman. The organization has 10 board members who are non-related. The policies outlined in the board manual states that all the directors are entitled to the right to vote. Their non-relation quo impacts their fiduciary duties in the organization because they act on the best interests of the organization (LEVEF, 2019). More so, the fact that they are ten makes decision making easier compared to an organization that has few board members. The high number of board members in Lake Elsinore Education Foundation balances the quorum even in cases where some directors are absent.

Board members of a nonprofit organization are obliged to the legal duty of loyalty of prioritizing the interests of the organization above their personal interests. Directors demonstrate such be evading conflicts of interest (Runquist & American Bar Association, 2005). Directors must adhere to the conflict of interest policies at all times. 

The directors are entitled to regular meeting and the articles of association mandate them to attend at least four regular meetings each year. Failure to do so will lead to actions stipulated in the Lake Elsinore Education Foundation articles of association, which is mainly removal from the board through voting or through other related disciplinary clauses.

References

Runquist, L., & American Bar Association. (2005). The ABCs of nonprofits. Chicago, Ill: ABA Section of Business Law.

LEVEF. (2019). LEVEF Charity Golf Tournament. LEVEF.