The Tipp City Foundation board is welcoming a new president whose face and works are known not only to the board, but to the community overall.
Dee Gillis is taking the reins as president from Heather Bailey, who will remain with the board working on fundraising and handling writing and the media for the foundation.
Gillis is a former Tipp City mayor and member of the city council. She also is active in the Tipp Monroe Seniors organization as treasurer and the Eastern Star organization.
She has been on the foundation’s board since 2016 and has been learning about the president’s role from Bailey.
“For a year now, Heather has had me under her wing, taking me to different meetings, sharing different emails with me so I get up to speed on what I am getting into,” Gillis said.
The transition was part of the strategic plan the foundation board initiated in fall 2018, Bailey said, adding, “It has been mindful and purposeful.”
The board holds a strategic planning session every two years. The purpose is to “look at the big picture and say, ‘What should we stop doing, what should we start doing and what do we need to reinvigorate that we might currently be doing?’” Bailey said
A strategic plan will be on the board’s agenda for this year, Gillis said. Her responsibilities will include running board meetings, serving as the face of the board, public relations activities and making sure committees are functioning, which usually isn’t an issue, Gillis said.
Bailey said the role would be similar to when Gillis served as mayor. “You were already involved in the ongoing working of the city but then when you became the mayor you elevated the city’s presence,” Bailey said during a joint interview with Gillis. “This was a way to bring additional positive light on the city.”
Gillis said she expressed interest in being on the foundation board. “It is an organization that I have admired. I felt like I wanted to learn more about it. I wanted to see how it worked from inside,” she said.
Her term as president will be for two years. She has no specific plans. “I hope to continue to take the foundation forward, as Heather has done,” Gillis said.
The board wants to look at challenges in the community and see what role it can play, Bailey said. “The conversation always comes to how do we make the best impact on the community because we want to be the barometer for addressing pressing, changing needs,” she said.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Tipp City Foundation is a member fund of The Troy Foundation. You can make a difference with your dollars in our community by:
- Donating online here.
- Making your check payable to the Tipp City Foundation and mail to P.O. Box 626, Tipp City, OH 45371.
- Setting up a fund or legacy plan by contacting Heather Bailey at (937) 528-2482.
STAY CONNECTED
We’d love to stay in touch. Stay connected with the Tipp City Foundation by:
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
All marketing activities of the Foundation is 100% underwritten by generous sponsors. Please contact us at info@tippfoundation.org for information on how your business or organization can become our partner in philanthropy.
- Silver Sponsor – Thrivent Financial (Matt Buehrer)
- Bronze Sponsors – Advanced Machinery Companies; Dunaway Family Foundation; Dungan & LeFevre; Ever-Green Turf & Landscape; Gibson Law Offices; Monroe Federal Savings and Loan; New Carlisle Federal Savings Bank; Pickrel, Schaeffer and Ebeling; Unity National Bank
- Friend Sponsors – Captor Corp.; Edward Jones (Neil Nehring); Frings & Bayliff Funeral Home; Minster Bank; RSM US; Turnstone Financial; US Bank
- Media Sponsor – Tippecanoe Gazette
GOOD NEWS IS WORTH SHARING
Use the links below to share the TIPPing Point with friends and neighbors. Not a subscriber? Sign up here! If there is something you would like to see in future installments, please email news@tippfoundation.org. Your input is welcome and appreciated!