• Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
  • default color
  • green color
  • red color

California Special Districts Association

Thursday
May 17th
Mt. View Sanitary District Announces Dorothy M. Sakazaki Environmental Endowment Fund PDF Print E-mail
Dorothy Sakazaki was extremely active in the community, and was a longtime Mt. View Sanitary District (MVSD) board member (retiring in 2008 after 29 years of service, Dorothy died in August of 2009).  She fully embraced the ideals of community service and public leadership. She lived an unselfish and giving life. She was dedicated, diligent, and devoted in her quest for good public service.

Dorothy was involved in public programs benefiting the Mt. View Sanitary District and had a special interest in protecting the environment and was actively involved in the creation and development of the District's Wetland's Field Trip Program.

The curriculum, designed in partnership with the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek, CA, addresses many of the California State Science Standards for third, fourth and fifth grades with an emphasis on pollution prevention and wetlands conservation.

During the four-hour long program, students are divided into small groups that rotate through four stations including a treatment plant tour, a dip-netting activity, an exploratory wetlands hike and either an animal study activity for younger students (1st-3rd grades) or a water quality assessment activity for older students (4th grade and above).

MVSD was proud of the pioneering efforts and accomplishments that have taken place during Dorothy's terms in office. Dorothy's attendance, knowledge of constituents, and leadership were exceptional. She gave unselfishly of her time and wisdom for the benefit of the residents and property owners of MVSD. Dorothy's contributions toward the acquisition, restoration and rehabilitation of the McNabney Marsh will continue to be of benefit to hundreds of children, students, residents and visitors from around the world each year.

The growth and accomplishments of the district during her tenure in office will stand as a testament to her loyalty, dedication, and service. There are many contributions Dorothy has made; the one that she was most proud of was the Interpretive Center Program, and the In-Class Education Program in the schools the growth and accomplishments of the district during her tenure in office stand as a testament to her loyalty, dedication, and service.

The Board of Directors of the Mt. View Sanitary District directed the creation of the Dorothy M. Sakazaki Environmental Endowment Fund to posthumously honor Dorothy for her devotion to the environment and in particular, the district's Wetlands Field Trip Program.

At the December 8, 2011 Regular Board Meeting, MVSD staff presented a detailed report outlining the results of its research and a suggested plan of action in order to establish the creation of the nonprofit organization.

Creating this nonprofit public benefit corporation would allow the District to more actively seek grants and other gifts to support the Districts Environmental Programs and to clearly account to the public for the expenditure of donations. An endowment is generally defined as a financial asset donation made to a nonprofit group or institution in the form of investment funds or other property that has a stated purpose as suggested or requested by the person or entity making the donation.

At the January 12, 2012 regular board meeting of the Mt. View Sanitary District the board adopted a resolution honoring Dorothy M. Sakazaki and created the Dorothy M. Sakazaki Environmental Endowment Fund.

Director Stan Caldwell was elected President of the Dorothy M. Sakazaki Environmental Endowment Fund, and Director David Maggi was elected Secretary.

For the past 16 years the Wetlands Education Program has been funded primarily by corporate sponsors, not the ratepayers.  As the program continues to grow we will now need to seek additional sponsors and donors.  One of the primary benefits of being considered tax-exempt under IRC Section 501(c) (3) is the ability to accept contributions and donations that are tax-deductible to the donor.

MVSD hopes that future contributions to the Dorothy M. Sakazaki Environmental Endowment Fund will increase and possibly open the door for additional corporate sponsors, grants, gifts, and individual donations.
 
 
Banner

Find us here also:

Facebook: Facebook Twitter: Twitter

2011 Annual Report

Review major accomplishments CSDA has made in the last year related to legislative advocacy and public affairs, professional development opportunities and member services. Click Here