Question 1

What is the Madera Elementary Foundation?

Accepted Answer

The Madera Elementary Foundation (MEF) is a non-profit, parent-run organization dedicated to raising funds in order to provide educational enrichment programs not funded by our school district.

Question 2

What does MEF do?

Accepted Answer

The MEF pays for educational enrichment activities that benefit students at Madera Elementary School.  These activities include, but are not limited to:  music program, garden program, reading support, assemblies, field trips, puberty education, library books, and classroom and office supplies.

Question 3

Where does MEF get the money to pay for educational enrichment activities?

Accepted Answer

The MEF relies on the support of its members and other volunteers to obtain donations from individuals and organizations.  In addition, the MEF depends on the effort of volunteers to organize events and activities that generate revenue.  These efforts may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Annual Giving.  The MEF will periodically solicit parents, legal guardians, family members, other community members and/or organizations to make contributions.
Madera Gala.  The MEF will organize an annual charity gala.  Funds will be generated by auctioning off goods and services donated by individuals and businesses.  In addition, funds will be raised by selling tickets to the Gala.
Madera Jog-a-thon.  The MEF will organize an annual event at which students raise money by obtaining monetary pledges from friends and family for running.
Business Sponsor. The MEF will solicit business sponsors at various cash levels, and in return  will advertise their business within the Madera community.
Madera Market.  The MEF will periodically organize events at which Madera Elementary students can sell goods and/or arts and crafts, with proceeds  deposited into the MEF’s account.
Restaurant Nights.  The MEF will partner with various local restaurants so that if the family of a Madera Elementary student eats at the restaurant on a designated date, the restaurant will donate a percentage of the cost of the meal to the MEF.
Shopping Rebates.  The MEF will partner with various local businesses and online businesses so that if Madera families buy goods or services from the business on a designated date, the business will donate a percentage of the proceeds to the MEF.

Question 4

How can I be a member of the MEF?

Accepted Answer

Please fill out the membership form and pay the membership dues, which are currently $5 per member.

Printable form > 
Online form >

Question 5

What do members of the MEF do?

Accepted Answer

The most important responsibility of the MEF members is to elect the Directors of the MEF.  The election occurs during the MEF’s annual meeting, which is held in May or June.  Members may also call special meetings to vote on filling vacant Director positions, removing Directors, amending the MEF’s Bylaws, and whether to dissolve the MEF, sell its assets or merge with another organization.

Question 6

Who runs the MEF?

Accepted Answer

The directors of the MEF run the organization.  They decide which enrichment activities to fund, and they organize fundraising activities.  The directors meet at least monthly.  The term for a director is one year.

Question 7

How many MEF directors are there?

Accepted Answer

The Bylaws require that there be at least eight directors, but no more than 18 directors.  That number includes the President of the Madera PTA and the Madera Principal, both of whom are automatically Directors.

Question 8

Does the MEF have officers?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  The directors are required to select from among themselves a President, a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer.  The bylaws also provide that there may be co-Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, and one or more Assistant Secretaries.

Question 9

How can I be one of the directors of the MEF?

Accepted Answer

Because all directors (other than the Principal and Madera PTA President) are elected by the members, a member that wants to be a director must be nominated as a candidate for the election at the annual member meeting in May/June.  There are two ways to be nominated:  (1) any member may nominate a person to be a director at the annual member meeting; (2) the MEF President is required by the Bylaws to appoint a committee to select candidates for election to the board of directors, generally at least 90 days before the annual member meeting.   The candidates that receive the most votes become directors (up to 16 candidates may be elected).

Madera Elementary Foundation

Your Impact: Enriching Student Learning

2026 – 2027 MEF Board of Directors

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