The 2013 Annual Fall Gathering of the Eau Claire Community Foundation was a great time to learn about philanthropy in the Chippewa Valley and some people who have made a long-lasting impact in the Chippewa Valley.  One of those people is Betsy Barnes who was honored with the 2013 Leadership Award at the Fall Gathering.

Barnes' history with the Foundation stretches more than a decade.  She began serving as a Trustee in 2003 and as Treasurer from 2006 till the end of her Trustee term in 2009.   During her tenor she served on the Development Committee and in 2006 she joined the Investment Committee and is still an active member.

When the Women's Giving Circle, a fund of the Eau Claire Community Foundation, was established in 2007, Barnes served as the Board of Trustee liaison.  When the then Chair Pamela Macal's family relocated, she stepped in as Chair of the Circle for the remainder of 2009 and 2010.  Barnes is also a member of Educational Team, and has been since inception.  She says she is also excited about turning 65 in two more years so she can be a life-time member of the Women's Giving Circle.

Barnes has more than 40 years of experience in fiduciary accounting, estate and income tax return preparation.  Barnes is a CPA and has worked in Wipfli LLP's tax department for over 24 years and received her Master of Science degree in Accounting from UW-Oshkosh.  Barnes has worked with clients to structure their charitable giving with their estate plans to ensure their wishes are met and assisting them in setting up legacy gifts

She continues to give presentations about the WGC when the opportunity arises.  Just recently, she attended the first Women's Giving Circle event for the Dunn County Community Foundation.  She represented our Foundation as a Women's Giving Circle Founder, past chair and continuing Founding member.  On October 7, Barnes will be speaking at the WGC Educational Event along with Laurie Klinkhammer and Kari Hulke.  Their topic, "Estate Planning and Charitable Giving".