Friends of Middlesex Fells Reservation, Inc.

Friends of Middlesex Fells Reservation, Inc. General Information 235 West Foster Street Melrose, MA 2176 (781) 662-234 Website www.fells.org Organization Contact Joyce Calabro friends@fells.org Year of Incorporation 1986 1

Statements & Search Criteria Mission Statement The Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation is dedicated to the protection and harmonious use of the Fells, promoting awareness, policies and programs which honor and preserve the landscape and heritage of the 3,4 acre Middlesex Fells Reservation for current and future generations. We sponsor natural and cultural history lectures and recreational hikes year-round to increase public awareness and appreciation of the Fells. We assist local youth groups in community service projects and work with local conservation groups to help develop policies through collaboration with local and state agencies and elected officials. We sponsor Fells clean up events and raise money to rehabilitate Fells structures. Background Statement Formal organization of the Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation dates from a July 14, 1989 Memorandum of Understanding between the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) Reservations and Historic Sites Unit and the Cooperating Association of New England Parks, Inc. (CAENPI) which established the purposes and responsibilities of the Friends in relationship to the Fells Reservation, its managing agency and the public. In 1994 the Friends of the Fells status as a 51 (c) 3 tax-exempt public charity was confirmed in a letter sent to the Friends by the Internal Revenue Service. The Friends of the Fells headquarters is located in Melrose, Massachusetts at the Beebe Estate, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Friends offer a variety of programs throughout the year that are attended by people of all ages from the communities north of Boston. The 3,4 acre Middlesex Fells Reservation contains a wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources. Within and surrounded by the Massachusetts communities of Malden, Medford, Melrose, Stoneham and Winchester, the Fells provides a natural oasis in an urbanized metropolitan region. Each month over 12 guided hikes explore various parts of the Fells. In addition, the Friends promote an active program of invasive species removal and trail maintenance. Several times a year, in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Friends hold cleanup drives. The Friends also offer a periodic lecture series and programs on topics related to the Fells. Our most popular program celebrates the solstices and equinoxes. Led by "Boot" Boutwell, a naturalist, this family oriented program is a lively mix of stories, songs, lectures and activities. The Friends also actively partner with other organizations to offer special programs. For example, last fall, the Friends collaborated with the Medford Historical Society in offering a hike that explored the uses of the Fells over the past 2 years. 2

Impact Statement This past year, the Friends received an unprecedented number of requests from school and youth groups seeking assistance for visits to the Fells. Over 3 youngsters between the ages of 8 and 18 took instructional hikes in the Fells last spring and summer. The groups included the Stoneham Cub Scouts, Medford's Andrews Middle School, the Malden YMCA summer cap and the Eagle Eye Institute of Somerville. The popularity of our signature program, Babes in the Woods resulted in the formation of an Advisory Group of dedicated attendees that help secure volunteers and funding for the program. The Babes in the Woods program grew from once a week to three times a week. The Friends of the Fells plans to expand its current programs and offer monthly 9-minute walks through the Fells specially designed for seniors beginning in the spring of 213. These walks will offer seniors an opportunity, not otherwise available, to enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits of walking through the woods with a leader knowledgeable in the ecology and history of the area. Needs Statement Strategic Plan Development - $5, Database System Upgrade - $25 Database System Administrator Event Coordinator Fund Raising Plan Service Categories Environmental Education Alliances & Advocacy Forest Conservation Geographic Areas Served rth of Boston area: The 3,4 acre Middlesex Fells Reservation contains a wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources.within and surrounded by the Massachusetts communities of Malden, Medford, Melrose, Stoneham and Winchester, the Fells provides a natural oasis in an urbanized metropolitan region. According to the 2 Census, 76,357 people live within a half mile of the Middlesex Fells Reservation and over 1.8 million live within a 1-mile radius. Please review online profile for full list of selected areas served. 3

Programs Beyond the Classroom - Youth in the Fells Description This program is to create a part-time staff position with the Friends of the Fells to develop, coordinate and sustain a robust youth program that focuses on fostering healthy, active children by providing otherwise unavailable opportunities to experience and learn about the outdoors and the environment. This person will work with Stoneham-based youth organizations (e.g. schools, boys/girls clubs) to develop new programs and presentations for youth education, a Teach/Train the Teacher program, field programs targeted to specific youth groups, interpretive trail guides, youth volunteer programs and youth community service projects. They will also develop a marketing strategy and fund raising campaign to recruit the needed volunteers and secure the needed funding to evolve and sustain the position and programs beyond the life of this grant. This program would cover two years and allow the Friends of the Fells to expand its current youth programs to meet ever increasing demands. Budget 6 Category Population Served Program Short Term Success Youth Development, General/Other Youth Development, General/Other K-12 (5-19 years), Infants to Preschool (under age 5), Families The results of this program will be increased access to fun, healthy youth activities locally and free of charge. In addition to the health benefits and improving the over-all well-being of children, these programs will provide new opportunities for socialization.the first year will be focused on coordination with and support to various Stoneham-based youth organizations. The goal will be to develop a good set of programs that can be expanded in subsequent years by bringing in other local youth groups ((e.g. Eagle Eye Institute, Family Networks) to increase connections between the Town of Stoneham and the surrounding communities. By creating this position, the Friends will also be able to coordinate needs and requests across the various communities and help to build stronger youth networks and alliances focused on providing youth experiences beyond what can be accommodated in a classroom environment. 4

Program Long term Success Program Success Monitored By Physical activity and contact with nature have a great impact on children (see www.childrenandnature.org). The concept of green exercise (activity in the presence of nature) is being studied with the conclusion that it is essential to human health and can in fact help children with disorders such as obesity and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders. The 211 Massachusetts Youth Health Survey states that only 14.7% of middle school youth and 17.2% of high school youth who responded were considered to have met the new 28 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans which is 6 minutes or more of physical activity each day for children. Our long-term goal for this program is to instill a love of nature and exercise, beginning at a young age, to at least double these statistics, as well as to educate and enrich the stewards of tomorrow by encouraging families to get outside and enjoy nature today. The Friends currently has a database and baseline of metrics for number of members, hike/cleanup attendance, presentation requests, programs and volunteers. Surveys will be conducted periodically to identify program successes as well as areas for improvement and expansion. Project success will be measured by: Expansion of current youth programs and number of new programs initiated. Increased partnerships with other youth organizations sharing common goals. Increased youth attendance at hikes and cleanup events. Increased volunteer assistance with youth programs. Increased membership. Increased sponsorship and funding sources for youth programs. We believe that by building awareness of these spaces we help educate and encourage the future stewards of our public lands. The Friends of the Fells hopes that such aware individuals will join our organization as members and volunteers so that the Friends may continue its advocacy and protection programming. Examples of Program Success We have much experience in successful youth programs such as Babes in the Woods. This program offers free, guided nature walks and hikes in the Middlesex Fells to parents and their children. Since 1999, hundreds of parents and young children have participated, and the program has increased from one to three times per week to accommodate the growing demand. Last spring and summer the Friends partnered with the Stoneham Cub Scouts, Medford s Andrews Middle School, the Malden YMCA and Eagle Eye Institute of Somerville to introduce over 3 youth between the ages of 8 and 18 to the nature and beauty of the Fells Reservation. Quotes: My children will grow up always knowing the Fells and I am teaching them that this natural blessing is one to care for. Happy memories of tromping through the woods, turning over rocks to find bugs, and watching birds flit through the trees may grow into a desire to preserve and nurture those spaces for others to enjoy. 5

Management CEO/Executive Director Executive Director Mr. Mike Ryan Term Start May 23 Email mike_ryan@comcast.net Experience Director has a long history of being involved in environmental causes. Before becoming director, he was on the Board of the Fells. Staff Information Full Time Staff Part Time Staff Volunteers Contractors Retention Rate 2 25 1% Staff Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black Asian American/Pacific Islander Caucasian 2 Hispanic/Latino Native American/American Indian Other Staff Demographics - Gender Male Female Unspecified 1 1 Formal Evaluations CEO Formal Evaluation CEO/Executive Formal Evaluation Frequency Senior Management Formal Evaluation Senior Management Formal Evaluation Frequency nmanagement Formal Evaluation Annually N/A 6

n Management Formal Evaluation Frequency Annually Plans & Policies Organization has a Fundraising Plan? Organization has a Strategic Plan? Years Strategic Plan Considers Does your organization have a Business Continuity of Operations Plan? Management Succession Plan? Organization Policy and Procedures ndiscrimination Policy Whistleblower Policy Document Destruction Policy Directors and Officers Insurance Policy Registration Permit? Under Development N/A Under Development Under Development Exempt 7

Board & Governance Board Chair Board Chair Mr. Bryan Hamlin PhD Company Affiliation New England Botanical Club Term May 211 to Apr 213 Email bryanthamlin@gmail.com Board CoChair Board CoChair Sandra Pascal Company Affiliation Wentworth University Term May 21 to Apr 213 Email pascals@wit.edu Board Members Name Affiliation Status Joyce Calabro retired Mayor Robert Dolan Affiliation Exofficio Bob Ghika TBS Bryan Hamlin PhD New England Botanical Club Voting Dana Jewell Affiliation Voting Heidi Kelf Affiliation Voting Walter Kittredge Affiliation Voting Carol McKinley Affiliations Voting Mike Oliver Affiliation Voting Sandra Pascal Affiliation Voting Mike Ryan Affiliation nvoting Rich Sanford TBS Robert Weggel Affiliation Voting Board Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black Asian American/Pacific Islander Caucasian 13 Hispanic/Latino Native American/American Indian Other Board Demographics - Gender 8

Male Female Unspecified 9 4 Board Information Board Term Lengths Board Term Limits Number of Full Board Meetings Annually Board Meeting Attendance % Written Board Selection Criteria? Written Conflict of Interest Policy? Percentage Making Monetary Contributions Percentage Making In-Kind Contributions Constituency Includes Client Representation 3 3 12 75% 1% 1% Standing Committees Development / Fund Development / Fund Raising / Grant Writing / Major Gifts Executive Youth Additional Board Members and Affiliations Name Anita Brewer-Siljeholm M.S. Representative Paul Brodeur Matthew Burne M.S. Senator Katherine Clark Susan Dalelio Mayor Robert Dolan Barry Fogel Esq David Kourtz Dominica Nichols PHD Tinie ordzi Professor Michael Romero PhD Ted Wright jr Affiliation Massachusetts House of Representatives Massachusetts Senate Posse Foundation City of Melrose Keegan Werlin LLP HR-ROI Solutions, LLC Winchester Trails Association Tufts University State University of New York at Albany Comments CEO Comments One of the major challenges is to increase board capacity in order to meet new demands. Going 9

forward, board developement will become a standing agenda item at each board meeting. 1

Financials Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Start May 1, 212 Fiscal Year End Apr 3, 213 Projected Revenue $6,. Projected Expenses $55,. Endowment? Spending Policy Income Only Credit Line? Reserve Fund? Months Reserve Fund Covers 3 Detailed Financials Revenue and Expenses Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Total Revenue $52,692 $51,488 $55,553 Total Expenses $51,484 $56,364 $71,137 Revenue Sources Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Foundation and Corporation -- -- -- Contributions Government Contributions $ $ $ Federal -- -- -- State -- -- -- Local -- -- -- Unspecified -- -- -- Individual Contributions $31,418 $26,899 $36,154 Indirect Public Support -- -- -- Earned Revenue $6,2 $5,138 ($44) Investment Income, Net of Losses $9 $21 $114 Membership Dues $14,885 $18,998 $19,513 Special Events -- -- $212 Revenue In-Kind -- -- -- Other $378 $432 -- 11

Expense Allocation Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Program Expense $4,22 $47,64 $5,153 Administration Expense $11,264 $8,724 $2,984 Fundraising Expense -- -- -- Payments to Affiliates -- -- -- Total Revenue/Total Expenses 1.2.91.78 Program Expense/Total Expenses 78% 85% 71% Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue % % % Assets and Liabilities Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Total Assets $35,224 $34,16 $38,892 Current Assets $25,86 $22,613 $23,986 Long-Term Liabilities $ $ $ Current Liabilities $ $ $ Total Net Assets $35,224 $34,16 $38,892 Short Term Solvency Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities -- -- -- Long Term Solvency Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets % % % Top Funding Sources Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount -- -- -- Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar -- -- -- Amount Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount -- -- -- Capital Campaign Currently in a Capital Campaign? Comments CEO Comments For the organization to grow, it must diversify its revenue stream. To seek new sources of revenue, the board formed a development committee. To date the committee has engaged in an active round of grants and partnered with two other organizations to raise money Foundation Staff Comments Financial summary data in the charts and graphs above is per the organization's IRS 99s. Contributions from foundations and corporations are listed under individuals as the breakout was not available. Created 2.5.218. Copyright 218 The Boston Foundation 12