ComNet seeking board members to continue fiscal aid to local non-profits

DAYTON—Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Since 1995, the Columbia County Community Network, ComNet, has provided “umbrella” agreements under its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status to local organizations that cannot afford or maintain non-profit status or waiting to file for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt determination.

ComNet Board President Vicki Zoller explained that under the ComNet umbrella, smaller entities can apply for grants as a 501(c)(3) and accept tax-exempt donations.

“We felt that it was time to let even more people know about us,” Zoller said. “There are a lot of great little organizations out here that might need to slide underneath our umbrella.”

Groups including the Dayton-Waitsburg Community Health Foundation Fund, Friends of the Fairgrounds-Columbia County, and Friends of the Pool (Dayton) have partnered with ComNet for fiscal sponsorship for programs, events, and fundraising.

The cost to utilize ComNet is minimal, Zoller shared. Events or organizations that raise or have more than $1,000 in their bank account are charged a $50 administrative fee per year.

“If you have a little event and raise, say, $900, there will be no fee,” she explained. “It’s so minimal. The charge just offsets sending our information out for taxes and keeping a good eye on the money, so everyone knows that we are legit.”

ComNet is currently seeking new board members to join Zoller, Martha Lanman, Joe Huether, and Alicia Walker to continue providing non-profit coverage to the organizations of Columbia County and surrounding towns.

The board meets every other month, typically via Zoom, Zoller said. Meetings are laid-back, with board members reviewing ongoing projects, any needs that the organization is overlooking, or areas of improvement that need focus by ComNet.

“It’s not a huge time commitment,” Zoller shared. “It’s a great way to participate in your community and get familiar with all these little charities in our towns and what they are doing. It is so easy to forget the good in the world, especially right now, with how messy the world is. There is still so much good, and you see it when you get tied in with a board like the Community Network.”

Anyone interested in becoming a Community Network board member should contact Secretary Joe Huether via email at colcocomnet@gmail.com. Zoller said reaching out to any of the current board members will work, as well.

Current board members have varying reasons for getting involved, but they all share the same goal of improving the community. Director Alicia Walker said she was drawn to the organization early on, wanting to continue her involvement in the developmental disabilities community.

“I have served on a handful of volunteer boards and committees, one of which is the Columbia County Developmental Disabilities service advisory board. That group is historically made up of individuals who work in the field (of developmental disabilities) or have an otherwise vested interest (friends/family members of individuals with DD.) Each year the county has an opportunity to apply for ad valorem dollars for the betterment of lives of individuals with DD living in the community,” Walker explained. “The Community Network has allowed for dollars to be received and disbursed for the approved intents and purposes of that program. Many movies, arts and crafts, and cooking events have occurred with the financial oversight of ComNet. I am happy to be a part of the group and love seeing the positive impact it has in the Dayton area.”

Treasurer Martha Lanman said that she first learned about ComNet in 2017. Dayton resident Peggy Gutierrez was providing resources for the community through a Drug-Free Communities Grant in 2018 and 2019.

“I joined the Board as Treasurer in 2018. I think this non-profit is a great asset to our community with the multiple grants it has managed throughout the years. One of my favorites is the Friends of the Pool support and the funding provided to the kids at The Club to be able to swim at the Prescott pool while investigating and planning for a future pool in Dayton.” Lanman shared.

One of the organizations that have utilized the ComNet umbrella, Friends of the Fairgrounds-Columbia County, has stepped up to take over improvements and maintenance at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. Not only does this help bridge gaps in county budgets, but it has made parts of the fairgrounds safer for users.

In the past five years, the Friends of the Fairgrounds has worked in the Youth Building and put new ground in the arena for horses and riders. The arena has attracted a broad range of local equestrians, including barrel racers, show horse trainers, and 4-H clubs.

“Those are people who live in our community. They are not the government,” Zoller said. “There seems to be a growing concern of government interference, but these are just our neighbors and community members doing the work.”

Zoller said that the Columbia County Community Network is one of the simplest ways to get involved in the Touchet Valley community and a way to give back and help local organizations flourish and create real, tangible change in our small towns.