The Foundation History

Foundation History Based On The Minutes

After Cal Arts, I did a bunch of research about funding, trying to figure out how to realize my dream. One dance service agency was charging an enormous amount for umbrella services, and I thought, I need a non-profit. My then roomate said he had this idea, but he was over 42 at the time, and had been out of college for two decades or so, and hadn't taken any action. 

I went out and bought a nolo self help book at Chaucers, enrolled in Women's Economic Ventures for support, and had Sarah Wingren as my primary support. Any claims by another that they had significant input is a false claim. This is primarily my investment and work, with support of others. I gave too much. I gave of my own resources financially taking away from saving for retirement. I donated my labor. Opportunity cost of around 1.3 million. In 2019, the main dance collaborators decided to continue on without me, while I was sick in the hospital with a UTI. I resigned from the board of directors. The dance company didn't do another project. Other Board Members were brought on to the Foundation, and by 2025, it losts its 501 (c) 3 status. It broke my soul, and I lost all interest in dancing, and life at this time, beyond immersing myself in the Hawaiian language and going to the ceramics lab. It was devastating.

22 years of service, and currently without permanent housing, a small nest egg, and my small SSDI income.

I am focusing on celebrating my personal achievements and realizing, I'm done, this was too much.

I not only did 98% of the work over the years, for free (except towards the end there was some funding for travel and artist honorariums), I worked other job building this dream and invested in the education: a business economics undergraduate degree with a dance degree, and MFA, and additional training.

I worked as an aide for the mentally ill, as a receptionist for a geological firm, as a university assistant ombudsman, as a long term care ombudsman, as a life drawing model, and as a receptionist at a law firm.

The other members of the community did me a favor, at the age of 60, it was time to retire.

Now I'm 66, a free being, and able to examine this journey with some distance.

Here is the information from the minutes of The Future Traditions Foundation, a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation, as detailed in the collated documents from 1998 to 2004:

Foundation Overview and Key Personnel

• Establishment: The first meeting of the Board of Directors was held on June 9, 1998, at the Sojourner Café in Santa Barbara, California.
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• Founding Directors: The original board consisted of Theresa Hensen, David Hunt, Misa M.M. Kelly, and Sarah Wingren.

• Original Officers: * President: Sarah Wingren 

  • Vice President: David N. Hunt 

  • Secretary & Treasurer: Misa M.M. Kelly 

Significant Board Resolutions

• Bylaws & Status: The foundation adopted its initial bylaws on June 9, 1998. It received its state tax-exempt status as a charitable and educational organization on June 1, 1998.
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• Officer Compensation: The board initially resolved that annual salaries for officers would be $0.00. A per-meeting fee of $50 was briefly discussed but later waived and forgiven by the directors in November 1998.
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• Financials: The initial funds for the corporation were established via a loan from Misa Kelly's personal funds, to be repaid through future fundraising. The primary bank was Santa Barbara Bank & Trust.
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Key Projects and Initiatives

• Pilot Projects: Early efforts focused on the SonneBlauma Danscz Theatre, which included community classes and performances in Santa Barbara and San Francisco.

• The "Collective": A project aimed at mentoring young professionals in production, publicity, and fundraising.

• Islands of Joy: An initiative focused on promoting global peace and tolerance through diverse musical traditions.

• Adopt A Dancer (AAD): A program involving participant contracts, vision boards, and clarifies goals for local dancers.

• Art Shack: A community resource project discussed in later meetings to provide items like video and slide projectors to artists.
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Ongoing Governance (2000-2004)

• By September 2000, the board focused on using "intuition and judgement" to gauge which projects best fit the long-term vision due to limited resources.

• In May 2004, the "To Do List" included organizing files, formalizing board member duties, and re-evaluating the Art Shack as a primary focus.

The records indicate that for many of these meetings, Theresa Hensen and David N. Hunt were frequently absent, with Sarah Wingren and Misa M.M. Kelly primarily conducting the business and brainstorming sessions.

As I go throught this, I see, I sacraficed too much for a dream. 

Balance. 

Do less, enjoy balance.