Hospital foundation plans move forward

The Board of Trustees took their first look at the legal documentation needed to form a fundraising foundation for Crook County Medical Services District (CCMSD) last week.

The draft was presented by Kara Ellsbury, board attorney, who had been directed at the latter end of 2021 to begin the process of forming a new foundation as an internal arm of the district.

“As you’ll see, there are a number of things you’ll need to make decisions on,” said Ellsbury as she presented the document to board members.

For example, she said, trustees will need to decide the number of people who will form the board for the new foundation.

The most important thing, Ellsbury said, is making sure, “from an accounting perspective that we have it set up right.”

On this topic, she told trustees she has worked with CEO Micki Lyons, who has in turn spoken with accountants Casey Peterson to ensure the foundation will have the right tax selections and provisions.

“We’re working on that,” she said.

The foundation will also need to be registered with the Wyoming Secretary of State.

The board decided it was necessary to form an internal foundation after last year’s disagreements with the Crook County Medical Foundation (CCMF) over the Red Bluffs Clinic led trustees to feel that the goals of the two entities no longer align. Offering a contract to Campbell County Health to occupy the clinic was, to some, a clear demonstration that the foundation’s mandate is to support healthcare in the county, rather than CCMSD itself.

Board members expressed concern that someone who donated money to the foundation, intending it to be directed towards CCMSD, might not realize that there was nothing compelling the foundation to actually spend it on district needs. Ellsbury was directed to begin the legal process of setting up a foundation within CCMSD itself that would have a mandate focused solely on the district.

Trustee Sandy Neiman shared her initial thoughts about the document Ellsbury presented at last week’s meeting, noting it states that, when a foundation board member is given an officer position, such as treasurer, they will then remain in that position for the duration of their time on the board.

“Wouldn’t it be better if those people can elect their own positions?” she asked.

Ellsbury agreed that change could certainly be made. Neiman’s fellow trustees agreed that they like the idea of board members electing their own officers on an annual basis or as needed.

Ellsbury asked board members to review the document.

“Take a look at the drafts, let me know your thoughts and we can make revisions as needed,” she said.