Annual Meeting 2009
Azalea Charities was proud to present
Beth Frank, Potomac Regional Director for Special Olympics with a $4,000 check to support her organization's efforts in Fredericksburg; Prince William; Loudoun, and Fairfax/ Arlington/ Alexandria.

 

Azalea Charities Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of Azalea Charities was held on Sunday, July 26, at Giorgio’s Family Restaurant in Montclair, VA.  Officers, directors, members and friends gathered for an excellent meal and an update on the organization.  The following are highlights from the agenda.

Vision for the coming year

Frank Lasch, Chairman and CEO of Azalea Charities, outlined the organization’s vision for the next fiscal year.  These points provide a roadmap that will support the goals and mission of Azalea Charities into the future.

  1. Strive to identify new funding opportunities in support of our dual mission areas

  2. Concentrate on expanding support through the National Capital Area Chamber of Commerce network

  3. Reach out to Corporate Businesses to create partnerships supporting our mission areas

  4. Leverage media opportunities to increase exposure of our support missions

  5. Solidify strategic partnership with Greater Washington Sports Charities, Inc. growing new opportunities of support for our respective mission areas, e.g. Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs, etc…

Bylaw Changes– Doug Taggart, President

Although the mission of Azalea Charities as it was conceived in 1999 remains consistent with the original Bylaws, the structure and management of the organization has outgrown the scope of those Bylaws.  Updating the Bylaws to reflect a more structured approach on how the organization functions is necessary to ensure that Azalea Charities, Inc. will continue to fulfill its underlying purpose and our missions. The following are highlights of the proposed changes:

  1. Structure and Membership:  A Board of Directors “Board” is elected each year by voting members of the Corporation at the annual meeting and not by the Chief Executive Officer.

  2. Frank Lasch is a permanent Director and will serve as the Chairman of the Board as long as willing and able.

  3. Officers of the Corporation are the President, Treasurer and Secretary and are also elected at the annual meeting.

  4. The Board can appoint Committees.  The President, Treasurer and Secretary comprise the “Executive Committee.”

  5. The Board can elect a Board of Advisors to serve as an advisory body to the Board.  The Board of Advisors has no power to bind the Corporation.

Financials – Tom Rachele, Treasurer, presented a summary of the financial activities of Azalea Charities for the past fiscal year.

Membership – Sue Hebert, VP Membership, presented an action plan to increase community and business membership.  Her plans include increased media exposure, local Chamber of Commerce participation, formation of a membership committee, creation of a master list of friends, relatives and business associates, mailing of annual membership letters and corporate outreach.

Aid for Wounded Soldiers – Doug Taggart presented the year’s highlights pertaining to Aid for Wounded Warriors.  See details.

Team Azalea Charities – Norm Albert, Vice President Special Projects MCM, has done a great job this year organizing Team Azalea Charities.  In 2008, Team Azalea Charities fielded 63 runners in the Army 10 Miler, Chicago Marathon, Marine Corp Marathon and 10K and collectively raised more than $56,000 from more than 600 donors.  2009 Team members are entered in same races as last year, plus the Marine Corps Historic Half (Fredericksburg) with a goal to raise $150,000 ($38,000 has already been raised). New this year is a partnership with the British Army Benevolent Fund America. See details.

Public Relations – Frank Lasch presented his accomplishments and goals to promote Azalea Charities.  Last year’s efforts included webpage updates,  Marine Corp Marathon focus, Aid to Wounded Warriors webpage, enhanced on-line Credit Card donations, an on-line store for Proud Warrior & Side by Side prints and advertisements placed in Pros and Hackers Magazine.  In 2009, Azalea Charities will continue to use website as a key part of our outreach and acknowledgement of contributions, generate new membership and promotional brochures, continue to leverage Proud Warrior and Side by Side prints, and sponsor a satellite golf tournament in August at Old Hickory with 5 additional tournaments in the planning stages.

Election of Officers for FY2010 The last item on the agenda was the election of the Officers and Board of Directors for the term from July 2009 to 30 June 2010. The slate of candidates was approved. and their names can be found by See details.