Presidents Club

The Presidents Club (PC) is a group of philanthropic business owners who raise money for Community Medical Centers, specifically benefiting its new state-of-the-art Community Cancer Institute, located on the campus of Clovis Community Medical Center. Theirs is a fraternal bond of men who are fighting for a common good, while sharing a common tragedy: all have been affected in some way by cancer. Their objective is simple yet inspiring—each is doing their part to eradicate cancer.

Under the umbrella of the Community Medical Foundation (CMF), the organization serves the greater Central Valley in a number of compacities. “CMF exists to advance the mission of Community Medical Centers by generating private support for healthcare programs and services like cancer care, neurosciences, burn and level 1 trauma—the highest level in this region,” boasts Katie Zenovich, Senior Vice President of Development & External Affairs and Chief Executive Officer at the Community Medical Foundation. “Everyone in this Valley deserves to have access to top medical care and not feel that they have to drive 3-4 hours north or south to find it. We work every day to provide the resources to fix that problem … Philanthropy helps make things like this possible. It is a big piece of the financial equation and people in the Central Valley (like the PC) are very caring, generous people. For that, we’re eternally grateful.”

The Presidents Club stands as a pillar of the Community Medical Foundation—befitting, given that its members are all leaders. “They represent a myriad of backgrounds and all have found success, so they want to make a difference in our community for themselves, their families, their friends, their neighbors, and for generations to come,” states Zenovich. “They work hard in order to accomplish a lot—both as a PC member and in their careers. This is a fantastic example of good will and giving back. It’s not for everyone, but this group has really stepped up and shown what can be done with a strong partnership.”

Presidents Club White Hot Summer image 2

As the Founding President, Mark Astone had a clear vision for the organization from the beginning. “If I’m doing it, I’m motivated to direct it at cancer,” he told Zenovich. “If there’s a better mission, I’d be willing to debate that.” But when the core group assembled, a pattern of experience emerged. “When it first started, it was about helping the mission of Community Medical Centers, but since we have all had an experience with cancer, it was logical to make our focus about cancer,” relays Astone.

Established in 2017, the Presidents Club was a combined effort of origin in many ways. “In short, a couple of guys in the community (now PC members), who had been active as volunteers with other organizations over the years, approached me and asked what Community Medical Centers had for them in terms of volunteer opportunities,” remembers Zenovich. “They were extremely impressed with the progress of Community’s healthcare system and its plans to build a world-class cancer institute right here in the Valley. I had no such volunteer group for them to join at the time. But, after several private conversations, they insisted that they could bring 25-30 guys—so I committed to working with them to put something unique and impactful together.”

Today, the Presidents Club is 40 members strong with vast diversity. Ranging in age from 35 to 60 years old, they represent an extensive list of professional backgrounds: technology, finance, insurance, construction, environment, medicine, engineering, real estate, transportation, law, and business/marketing. Yet 100% of membership has been adversely affected by cancer, and nearly every one of its founding and existing members have been or currently are president of some sort of organization or business—hence where the name “Presidents Club” came from.

Not just anyone can join the Presidents Club. It is currently maintaining a strict membership count, though a vote from the highly democratic group might allow expansion eventually. “You can express interest, but you must be invited in. You have to be sponsored,” and the sponsor (an existing Presidents Club member) “is responsible for making sure you do your part,” Astone says of new membership. “If you don’t fulfill your requirements, you can be asked to leave.” According to Astone, they are, however, always adding to the wait-list. “It’s not who you are, it’s what you’re willing to do.” One’s willingness to get involved dictates whether or not the PC is a good fit for that person.

Upon formation of the Presidents Club, the bar was raised in a lot of ways. “The group voted on a focus area and agreed that all dollars raised will benefit the Community Cancer Institute. And, they set a lofty goal of $500,000 in three years,” Zenovich clarifies. “Each member has their own ‘skin in the game’ and is responsible for a minimum of $5,000 annually. They can donate this directly or satisfy it by selling sponsorships to the White Hot Summer Night (WHSN) event. In just two years, they blew their goal away! They’ve raised just under $800,000 and the WHSN event has become one of the most anticipated around.”

White Hot Summer Night is the Presidents Club’s annual fundraiser. “The plan was to do one major event per year, and make it the event that people would plan their calendar around,” Astone recalls. “We liked the thought of doing something during the summer,” and the idea to do a white party emerged. “There is no status around here,” says Astone, referring to the set-up and preparation for WHSN, which club members do themselves to save money. “You roll up your sleeves and work.”

In just a few years, White Hot Summer Night is proving to be a financial success, with each event growing in proceeds over the year prior. Most of the club’s money is raised from that event. “It also really brings some good publicity to the Community Cancer Institute,” relishes Astone. In fact, the evening is held in view of the Community Cancer Institute, which draws attention in a way that makes the building a sort of rallying cry.

Despite current social constraints, the Presidents Club’s adaptation mentality has helped them find ways to carry on with preparations for the 2020 WHSN, though it won’t be held on its traditional July date. In compliance with state and Community Medical Centers’ protocols, the club members are not meeting in-person (they usually meet monthly), yet they are managing to still make an impact on their own. “We are kind of business as usual,” Astone reveals of planning the event, as they are still finding donors and potential sponsors—they are keeping fingers crossed for a reschedule date in September. “We’re just doing it differently with Zoom instead of in-person. People have stayed pretty generous and supportive,” much like the PC members themselves.

Their commitment is deep. Similar to the closeness cultivated by men in the trenches, so be the Presidents Club members—truly, they are a “band of brothers.” All community-minded and hardworking, “their hearts are big and their commitment is rock-solid. Advocating and fundraising for the Community Cancer Institute is not a chore to them,” assures Astone. “The fraternal bond creates a closeness and trust that allows the group to achieve extraordinary results with a limited number of people.” Our community can support their ongoing work by helping to sponsor the White Hot Summer Night event, of which there are numerous ways: “Buy tickets, or donate money—all the money goes to the Community Cancer institute. Support the event. Make a donation. Get in touch. Be a part of it. Be active,” Astone urges.

Community Medical Centers
PO Box 1232
Fresno, CA 93715
www.communitymedical.org/presidents-club

Managing Editor Lauren Barisic

Photographers Danny Cameron, Reannon Cook & Precision Civil Engineering