Char-Em PRI will provide pathways out of poverty through people helping people connect with solutions that respect their dignity and build on their strengths.

Location: Department of Human Services conference room
Meeting called to order at 1:00pm

In Attendance: Brandi Wolf, Cheryl Bauman, Shirley Gillespie, Roger Srigley, Martha Lancaster, Jamie Winters, Pam Ovshinsky, Jim Rummer, Mary Gaudard, Deb Stutzman, Therese Green, Ken Allen, Marge Bley, Kathy Hart, Sara Ward, Roman Hank, Lynne Zimmer, Elaine Roach, Ken Rapelje, Maureen Radke, Sarah Cleary, Lorraine Manary and Ann Chastain.

Welcome/ Introductions- Lorraine Manary
Additions to agenda: Advisory committee

a.Navigator Training review: The Navigator system is being built to model the Traverse Bay PRI and things are on target. Barb Lemcool, from TC, facilitated the Navigator training Friday March 19 at NCMC. There were 53 people that attended and 28 signed up to be Navigators. Overall there were positive comments about the training although most trainees still felt unsure of their role. To help with this Lorraine Manary will meet with Navigators an hour before they join the Opportunity Conference to answer questions and provide a list of all General, Specialty, and Advisory Navigators. Also there will be a follow up training/reflection for Navigators on May 11- 12pm at DHS.

b.Community Presentations: Lorraine Manary has presented to 5 community groups about PRI and the April 22 and 23 conferences. Groups include DHS staff and Board, Kiwanis clubs, Lions, and Rotary groups. Roger Srigley will do a presentation for a faith group. The group talked about ideas to raise awareness of the Donna Beegle Opportunity Conference. Some ideas were presenting to a ministerial committee meeting; posting information on high school websites; sending fliers home in “Friday folders” at elementary schools; and the committee telling staff and friends about it. Volunteers will call all registered participants just before the Conference to remind them and get a final headcount.

c.Opportunity Conference Updates:

a.Incentives: Deb Stutzman and Cheryl Bauman continue to collect incentive/ give-aways for the Opportunity Conference. Roger Srigley has spoken to Taylor’s, Kring’s and the Sheriff’s Dept about getting a used car donated. He was optimistic that we will have a used car to give away. As soon as we know for sure we’ll be able to advertise and draw people in. Brandi Wolf collected $75 to use towards candy/food to put in give-away bags. Dr. David Ellsworth, DDS will donate plastic bags. Brandi’s mom will donate centerpieces that can also be give-aways. We could possibly get a flat-screen TV or bicycles from the Sheriff’s Dept.

b.Finance: Most money for the Conference is earmarked for the venue and presenter. Any registration fees collected will support the cost of the meal and some registrations for small non-profits are requesting scholarships. Donations received so far total $260.00 and this money is available to purchase incentives, table gifts, etc.

c.Address Books-content area and assembly: Mary Gaudard reported that progress is being made for the address books that will be given to every participant at the Opportunity Conference. The books will have the phone numbers of all general navigators and information on local resources. The books can be assembled at Char-Em ISD the week of the Conference. Martha Lancaster, Sara Ward, and Mary will meet as a sub-committee to continue plans.

d.Childcare: Sommer Poquette has this area covered.

e.Decorations: The centerpieces will be donated by Brandi Wolf’s mother and can be used as give-aways. We hope to have balloons and gift cards for give-aways and these may be included in balloons for a ‘fun’ drawing. If anyone has other ideas for decorations contact Lorraine Manary.

f.Job Fair: Held from 12-1:30pm. Meagan from Boyne Mountain is coordinating the job fair with cooperation from Jim Rummer. Jim has a list of possible vendors to call. Please tell him if there is a business you can contact to join the job fair. The fee is $25 for all vendors; checks can be made to Child Abuse Council with Memo: Job fair.

d.Other events related to Poverty Awareness

a.The Charlevoix Library will host “Your Story and Mine: A Community of Hope”, a traveling exhibit sponsored by the Michigan Historical Museum that features art, poetry, photography and music of homeless shelter guests. The exhibit will run April 1 – 21, with a closing program the evening of April 21. Ron Fowler from the Petoskey District Library agreed to have a story-time focused on poverty awareness. The Petoskey District Library has provided a list of books related to poverty, and we plan to develop a bookmark to promote awareness and promote the Donna Beegle conference.

b.Petoskey News Review has a run of full page poverty awareness public announcements printed on Fridays. The PSAs have agency resource phone numbers as well as Lorraine Manary as a contact for PRI.

e.Advisory Committee
There are 25 confirmed members of the Advisory Committee, listed below. The committee will meet two times a year. Martha Lancaster will schedule the first meeting in early May, 2010- possibly a breakfast.

Advisory Committee List

Alexis Kaczynski – North Country CMH
Fred Mulhauser – Probate court
Gerry Chase – Health Dept.
Bill Jackson – CAH
Lyn Johnson – Emmet County
Cameron Brunet Koch – NCMC
Bob Tambellini – CCCF
David Jones – PHSACF
Elaine Wood – Northwest MI Council of Gov
Bill Denemy – DHS
Sherry McGuffin – Cross of Christ Lutheran
Dan Gilmore – Charlevoix Ministerial Assn
Bill Lovett – Char. Kiwanis
Jane Millar – PT Noon Rotary
Chris Etienne – Bay Harbor
Carlin Smith – PT Reg. Chamber
Erin Bemis – Char. Chamber
Doug Byron – LT Assn of Home Builders
Doug Caldwell – Northern Michigan Review
John Stephenson – NMCAA
Gary Fedus – Mitchell Graphics
Keith Williams – Chase Bank
Reezie DeVet – NMRH
Mark Eckhardt – Char-Em ISD
Jan Mancinelli – WRC

f.Chairperson & Homeless COC
a.Jamie Winters asked the group their feeling on the idea of joining the PRI and CoC groups. Both have different, yet similar missions and goals. After a discussion of how it might look the PRI group agreed this is worth investigating and Jamie will ask the CoC if they are agreeable at their April meeting. If so, the groups will begin the process of merging meetings in June. The CoC meets every other month while PRI meets monthly so every other month the meetings agendas would need to be combined.

b.The PRI was sorry to hear that Carolyn Penniman is no longer with MSU-E and will no longer be available to chair the workgroup. Brandi Wolf from NMCAA has agreed to act as the Chairperson for PRI. If the group merges with the CoC she and Jamie will be co-chairs. If the merge does not take place a co-chair or vice chair will be needed.

Next meeting: Tuesday, April 13 at DHS conference room, 1:00 – 2:30 PM to prepare for Donna Beegle.
2010 meeting dates: April 27, May 11 (Navigator Brown-bag), May 25, and June 22, 2010
Meetings will be on the fourth Tuesday of every month from 1:00 to 2:30 PM, at the DHS office.

Respectfully submitted by: Sarah Cleary & Lorraine Manary

In attendance: Bill Lovett, Densise Aungst, Carolyn Belknap, Kathi Clancy, Kolleen Homuth, Jenilee Whisler, JoAnna Kolodziej, Lorraine Manary, Pat Fralick, Phyllis Hess, Shirley Gillespie, Marcia Campbell, Carol Stephan, Sommer Poquette, Jill Hann

New Members Molly Kirtcher and Gretchen Crum from Boyne USA resorts.

Social Emotional Development Resource was shared; more can be ordered if this is found valuable.

Great Start Parent Coalition
a.    Application to business for family friendly sticker through the Chamber of Commerce
b.    Help business think about being family friendly
c.    Parents have shared what they feel makes a family friendly business
d.    Window cling would brand Great Start and let families know what to expect from that business
e.    Advocacy-using social networking sites to talk with families about recent legislative decisions.  Working to educate families on early education facts and the impact of cuts

Questions/Suggestions:  How will we know businesses are family friendly?  Can we involve the Chamber?  It is a great idea to promote that we are a family friendly community.  Are we going to ask questions about job sharing, time off, etc.  Put an article in the newspaper about the Family Friendly Business project.  Talk with other groups about suggestions for what makes a family friendly business i.e. fine tuning and standardization of the criteria.

Frey Foundation Update-The Frey Foundation has decided to support our area in the needs of social emotional development. They will provide money to figure out the infrastructure as well as possible dollars for getting started.  Currently they have a 6 month planning grant to study the system and then develop a proposal to fund the system (implementation grant).

A parent focus group is a huge piece.  They will meet once a month for about 2 hours to figure out the needs and to offer a plan and suggestions for the system.  They had their first meeting and it went very well.  Parents shared stories.  It was a diverse group who really connected and may form their own support group.

*2 family members live in our area which is why they have an interest in investing

History:  Behavior issues in toddlers and preschoolers have risen as a need in the area.  There is a gap in service for children who do not qualify for special education services. A group was established to study the system and see what the needs are and brainstorm solutions.

Early Head Start is going for a huge grant and would provide Infant Mental Health services for qualifying families.  Maybe we could somehow work together for universal access.

Action Agenda

Marcia Campbell reported out on numbers of teens being served.
Denise Aungst-Provided numbers of children in different age groups and numbers in terms of service to children in preschool. See attached on childcare costs from Pam Ward.
Jill Haan-Stepping Stones is now Great Start.  The name was getting to be a challenge with a preschool located in Petoskey with the same name.  Funding was also a consideration for the change since the original dollars to fund the grant have been expended.  There was discussion about 211 which is a national number for human services.
Sommer-Website is being updated, Great Start will present before the steel drum band and provide an introduction, Great Start will also have a booth at the Venetian Festival, a weekly add about the parent coalition is a possibility and the radio add will be up July 1
Kolleen-legislative update, we were going to take this community wide, but exploration showed that there is not a firm foundation.  We need to have a conversation with community members first.  Petoskey School district is going to meet with local community members.  They can then serve as a model and facilitate the process with other schools.
The  September forum is on hold.

Broke into groups for work and goals to be accomplished and reported on at August Meeting:

Physical Health:

Radio advertisement to increase awareness on MI child and Medicaid
Printed flyers and brochures for area agencies, churches, school, etc to be passed out to increase exposure of these services.

Social and Emotional Health:

Continue to work with the Frey Foundation and the behavioral flow char is done.
Work on a question and answer resource library.

Families and high quality child care and education:

ECIC quality improvement grant will help guide us with this area of work.
Bill Lovett will be speaking with the Charlevoix Chamber the 1st week of August and will take Great Start information with him.
Link MI works and Jet Training.

Families support and guide the early learning of their infants and toddlers:

Packet for homeless families
Meet with the court on court ordered childcare.
Assist with the family friendly business window clings.

Jill Hann formally has resigned as the chair of the executive committee. The executive committee consists of:

Director: Sommer Poquette
Chair:___________________
CoChair: Shirley Gillespie
Secretary:________________
Parent Coalition Coordinator:  Jenilee Whisler

If you would like to be on the executive board or nominate someone for this position please email sommer at greatstartforkids@gmail.com

Misc:

•    Medicare-There are brochures available for Health Care.
•    Contact legislatures regarding the cuts….get out information on how these cuts impact people and provide names of the legislators who support Early Childhood and who do not. See attached email lists and documents for legislative assistance.
•    Email any formal committee recommendation to greatstartforkids@gmail.com

Next meeting:  August 26th after the HSCB   10:45 – 12:15

Motion:  moved by Bill, 2nd Marcia

July 29th-make up meeting, business/parent coalition. Tentative and more information will soon be emailed.

Great Start Collaborative Minutes

May 26, 2009

Attendees

Jill Haan-Char-Em ISD, Carol Stephan- 4C Char-Em, Nicole Lindwall- WRC, John Norton- Parent, Carolyn Bellnap- Early On Coordinator, Audrey Shapiro- Charlevoix Public Library, Judy Wojck- NMH Hospital, Joanna Kolodziej- NCMC ECE Program, Deinsie Aungst- MSU Extension, David Jones- PHACF, Bill Lovett- Charlevoix Kiwanis, Elanie Roach- Child Abuse Council, Shirley Gillespie- DHS, Kathy Kundrant- NMCAA Head Start, Sommer Poquette- Great Start Parent Coordinator, John Knowles- Great Start Director

Scribe

Sommer Poquette

Agenda

• Sommer Poquette/Great Start Parent Coalition
  • The Great Start Parent Coalition added a few new members recently published a newsletter with some great photos that were posted online via a link for those that missed it in their inbox or for further reference. See Link Here for further details: http://community.icontact.com/p/sommer/newsletters/greatstart/posts/happy-mothers-day-from-the-great-start-parent-coalition

A letter was sent to Jason Allen along with hundreds of stars made by children and a big green board signed by parents and community members to support 0-5 funding. His response was posted at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52111610145 Sommer will be attending his office hours please email greatstartforkids@gmail.com if you would like attend these hours with Sommer, she is working on bringing three tools that we would like to provide him for advocacy besides funding requests.

Recently Sommer created a survey to help create a plan/vision for the coalition long term. It was suggested that the coalition do something like a March of Dimes walk or some other volunteer activity to further brand and involve the coalition. Sommer is working on putting something together and if you have suggestions please email her.

• • Ideas for education program or speaker this summer or early fall:

When John first began as the director of the Great Start Collaborative we spoke of having each collaborative meeting surrounding special speakers or guests to inform and educate our collaborative. Sommer loved this idea but also loved the idea of engaging the collaborative and parent coalition members, bringing in a speaker or two that adds to all the collaborative partners and members but also invites others to join our cause and support early childhood programs and services in our counties. The speakers range in cost but are mentioned as a spring board for further brainstorming and discussion on what the collaborative would like to do in the future.

1. Donna Beagle.

Donna M. Beegle provides inspirational, motivational, informative speeches customized for your Organization. This is Donna’s 18th year of providing Keynote presentations. Donna weaves personal experiences with research to provide insights for communicating and working more effectively across race, poverty, gender, and generational barriers.

http://www.combarriers.com/about

2. Dr. Adolph Brown III

He was recommended to Jim Rummer of the Char-Em ISD by the Wexford ISD as an amazing motivational speaker who tells it like it is, is real, easy to listen to and relates well to everyone. He has been described as hilarious. Dr. Adolph Brown, AKA Doc overcame an upbringing of extreme poverty, violence, welfare, fatherlessness, and a single-mother household. He uses his experience as a tenured educator, administrator, business owner and psychotherapist, trainer and speaker to present to us on a variety of topics.

One LOCAL KEYNOTE per month will be offered to the non-profit of our choice, or to certain marketing opportunities at a reduced fee. His fees begin at $7,500 but they are NOT in stone.

http://www.docspeaks.com/aboutdoc/default.html

3. Sabrina Jackson: She was a speaker at a conference Sommer attended in Traverse City and she really enjoyed her. She was informative, genuine, and inspirational and I learned about “true colors” and working with people who are all shades. She has many different topics she’s well versed on but she recently did a two day grant writing workshop and does this for local communities.

http://www.sabrinajackson.com/services.htm

• John Knowles/GSC Director
  • Star Power Report: 1400 attended, 10 from Charlevoix, Emmet, N.Antrim Counties, met with Gary McDowell, Jason Allen and Kevin Elsenheimer. See http://www.ecic4kids.org/ for more information on the Star Power Rally or see the video from our day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybjBefQ9RWc
  • Communication Plan: Moves forward with a radio advertisement next month. Two ads were made one with a female voice and one with a male voice. The collaborative liked the idea of using both voices so gender is not an issue, adding a website, repeating the phone number and making sure the number is listed.
  • ECIC Technical Training June 16 & 17: The conference is at Boyne Mountain Resort and 5 members of the collaborative may attend. The tentative agenda can be seen here: http://www.ecic4kids.org/events/June09TA_Agenda_TENTATIVE.pdf If you’re interested please email greatstartforkids@gmail.com

Presenters and Special Guests

• David Jones/ Petoskey Harbor Community Foundation and Great Start Collaborative Member:

David presented on some upcoming changes with the Community Foundation. Marie Nicholson will be retiring and David Jones will become the new director. The PHSCP began in 1992 and it is a dynamic resource for local dollars that serves local needs, not just education. The community foundation would like to offer more of a capacity building for non-profits and is currently working on land use; entrepreneurship; fostering economic development; youth substance abuse prevention.

The community foundation has a unique group of decision makers called the Youth Advisory Committee that is made of local teens who see all grant applications that have to do with education. The committee meets Fall through Spring and in makes decisions for roughly $50,000 worth of grants yearly.

Advice to the collaborative for effective grant writing includes telling your story well on paper, avoiding jargon and doing your homework to not waste time. David suggests the college for grant writing courses or the Library for finding grants. The Petoskey Public Library is a foundation center that can help agencies and individuals find grants.

• Carolyn Belknap/ Early On and Great Start Collaborative Member:

Carolyn spoke on the importance of Early On and it being a federal law (IDEA) that 0-3 with developmental delays receives free and appropriate in home early intervention. Her call to action for the group is to care, be open to help and educate yourself and offer public support and input when it is needed. Early On was proposed to do some restructuring where many large counties would receive more money and rural areas would significantly be cut. This did not pass and they are now forming a “imaginary committee” to create a new vision and redesign for Early On.

Currently Carolyn receives $90,000 but to effectively do what she has to do $140,000 is what she needs. Historically the formula for Early On funding was to receive $50,000 for each ISD and then the remaining funding coming from a count of who is served. The $50,000 provides the administrative costs (data collection, admin. work, measurement, grant writing and training).

Vote: Feet Transportation Initiative

• FEET stands for Friends Enhancing Emmet Transit. The plan calls for an expansion of public transportation through a dial-a-ride limited fixed routes; secure funding through state and federal resources; fold the Friendship Center bus system into the new system and coordinate with the Charlevoix Transit and Straits Regional Ride. The proposed operation will run M-F for 12 hours and some weekend hours. The cost with will be affordable between $2-$3 and a .25 mill millage request on the 2010 ballet – costing a home owner the cost of one take out pizza a year. For more information see http://www.char-em-hscb.org/special-projects/tranportation.htmlor email Lorraine Manary at info@char-em-hscb.org
• The Great Start Collaborative motioned to support this initiative, Kathy Kundrant second the motioned and all was in favor unanimously. The GSC supports the FEET Transportation Initiative.

Next Meeting

TBD: The collaborative must have three more meeting before Oct. 1, 2009

Adjournment

Closing Comments: Kathy Kundrant announced that the stimulus money will add Head Start funds and in the next few weeks she will be reaching out to members of the collaborative for letters of support.

John Knowles says good-bye as the GSC director. He has accepted a position in Naples, Florida and thanks the collaborative members for their warm welcoming, support and understanding.

Great Start Collaborative- Charlevoix, Emmet, and Northern Antrim Counties

Bylaws

ARTICLE I: NAME

Section 1.1 Name. The name of this committee is the Great Start Collaborative- Charlevoix, Emmet, and Northern Antrim, hereafter referenced as either the GSC or “the collaborative’.

ARTICLE II: AFFILIATION

Section 2.1 Affiliation. Under the direction and guidance of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC), this is the official collaborative committee engaged in the planning and enhancement of the Charlevoix, Emmet, and Northern Antrim Counties early childhood education, care and parenting services system.

Section 2.2 Charlevoix/Emmet County Human Services Coordinating Body (HSCB). The HSCB agrees to be involved with the GSC at Level One of the HSCB program operating guidelines.  As per the designation the HSCB will encourage collaboration, provide leadership, and assist in direction and program planning.  The GSC will provide regular communication of strategic goals and end results.  In cooperation with the GSC, the HSCCB will:

• commit the Coordinator and/or one active member to serve on the GSC to assure the responsible implementation of the ECIC Grant;
• invite the Chairperson, coordinator or designee, of the GSC to give progress reports semi-annually;
• include GSC as a financed initiative within the structure of the Community Collaborative and will provide leadership and direction in the development and implementation of the strategic plan for serving the children, youth and families of Charlevoix and Emmet Counties.
• be provided a consumer representative from the GSC to serve as a regular member subject to the HSCB bylaws.

ARTICLE III: PURPOSE

Section 3.1 Great Start Collaborative Purpose. The purpose of this collaborative committee is to:

1. Participate in the on-going process of making decisions about the nature and operation of early childhood-related programs and services in Charlevoix, Emmet, and Northern Antrim Counties.
2. Assist the local Great Start Collaborative Coordinator in accomplishing early childhood-related tasks, goals and objectives to improve the local system.
3. Assist in the development and implementation of a local early childhood and parenting services action plan.
4. Initiate suggestions for local systems improvement.
5. Encourage parent participation to:
   1. Assist in building public support and will for early childhood investments; and
   2. To support and be engaged in the assessment and strategic planning work of the Great Start Collaborative.
6. Assist in recruiting volunteer efforts and local support, including philanthropic, faith-based, public and private support.

ARTICLE IV: GREAT START COLLABORATIVE MEMBERSHIP

Section 4.1 Great Start Collaborative Membership. Composition of the GSC will be:

• ECIC-prescribed standing members with delegated alternates and
• At-large members who will be considered on a per request basis.

A. Standing membership shall include:

• A minimum of 20% of the membership will be parents representative of the diversity in the area, (birth, adoptive, foster, non-custodial or legal guardian) of children ages 12 and under
• At least one business leader, chamber president, or commerce leader in the community
• Philanthropic and charitable organizations
• Faith-based organizations
• Intermediate school district
• Locally funded, health, mental health and human services
• At least two directors of organization that provide services on behalf of the minority populations in the county
• Managed care health plans and health care providers
• Family court and juvenile court
• Early On Michigan and preschool special education
• Early care and education professional development providers, including Community Coordinated Child Care (4C’s)
• Head Start and the Michigan School Readiness Program
• Director of the 0-3 Prevention Program
• Child care providers
• The K-16 education community, including the local education agencies and community colleges
• One Elementary School principal
• Local policy makers, and other elected officials from municipal government
• Other members the Great Start Collaborative deems appropriate and necessary to the work of the Collaborative

B. Members-at-large are not eligible to vote and are considered ex-officio.  They bring with them varied and valuable input on discussions and should represent diverse interests of the community. Their membership differs from standing members in that:

• they are not required to attend 5 out of 6 meetings annually and
• they are not counted in the membership total that applies to the 20% rule for parents.

Section 4.2 Parent Membership. Parent members must be reflective of the ethnic and racial makeup of the community and be parenting children aged twelve (12) or younger.  Parent members must receive the same supports and resources available to non-parent members.  This will include financial reimbursement for expenses incurred as a member, access to professional development, and mentoring opportunities.

Section 4.3 Attendance. Members agree to attend a minimum of 5 out of 6 meetings. In the event a GSC member cannot attend a Great Start Collaborative meeting, he/she will designate an alternate with the authority to vote on behalf of the member. Notification of this substitution should be provided to the GSC Coordinator prior to the meeting. It is the responsibility of the alternate to report the actions of the Collaborative to the member and/or the member’s organization/agency.

Members who miss two (2) consecutive meetings will be contacted to ascertain their interest in continued participation. The member organization may be asked to appoint another representative from the organization that can attend the meetings regularly, who has the authority to represent the organization and will actively participate. Such action will be noted in the Executive Committee’s minutes.

Section 4.4 New Non-Categorical Members. Parents and professionals may request, in writing, inclusion in the Charlevoix, Emmet, and Northern Antrim Counties Great Start Collaborative. Requests will be reviewed by the GS Executive Committee and recommendations will be prepared for the GSC regarding Standing or At-Large Membership for the requestor. Such membership will be approved with a simple majority vote of the members present at the next scheduled Great Start Collaborative meeting.

Section 4.5 Term. Members shall be asked serve a term of at least three (3) years in accordance with membership requirements.

Section 4.6 Resignation. Members may resign at any time by giving written notice to the chairperson who shall advise the Collaborative of such resignation as soon as possible. It is the resigning member or their agency’s responsibility to fill the position on the committee. Exceptions may hold true for parents and child care providers who are not part of an organization.  In these cases, the GSC Coordinator may assist in finding a replacement. Until the position is filled, the member’s alternate will fulfill all responsibilities.

Section 4.7 Removal. Any member may be removed from the Collaborative by the vote of a majority of Executive Committee members at any Executive Committee meeting.

Section 4.8 Officers. Great Start Collaborative officers will serve the same role for the GSC as they do for GS Executive Committee (see Section 5.3).

ARTICLE V: GREAT START EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 5.1 Purpose. The purpose of the GS Executive Committee is to assist the GSC by having the authority to:

• act with full authority of the GSC between meeting when necessary;
• review and make recommendations to the GSC regarding issues of funding;
• act as a sounding board for the GSC Coordinator, serving as a source of ready advice on executive decisions;
• monitor GSC and staff issues;
• report to GSC at each meeting on committee activities; and
• review annually the GSC Coordinator and recommend any changes to the GSC.

Section 5.2 Membership. Membership will be comprised of individuals serving on the Great Start Collaborative. Representation will be:

• the GSC Coordinator as non-voting staffing;
• at least one (1) parent liaison and (1) parent;
• one (2) Great Start Collaborative Members serving as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
• Any current serving standing committee chairpersons.

Section 5.3 Elections GSC members will be asked at an annual meeting to volunteer to be considered for the GSC Executive Committee membership. This will make up the slate of candidates for consideration.

1. Elections will be held for both the Executive Committee membership as well as the officers for the committee.
   1. Committee- Every two (2) years, three (3) non-prescribed positions will be refreshed though a voting process.

1. From the slate of names offered for consideration, three (3) members will be selected by:
   1. An anonymous Response System voting process to be completed by a majority of the membership;
   2. Members receiving the most votes will be elected.
   1. Officers

a. From the Executive Committee membership, three (3) officers will be elected by anonymous majority vote to be taken within the GSC Executive Committee during a regularly scheduled meeting:

1. Chairperson
2. Vice Chairperson
3. Secretary

B. Vacated positions will be filled by special election for the remainder of the term.

Section 5.4. Terms. Terms of office will be staggered through elections scheduling:

1. 1. 1. Committee
         1. Members will hold these positions for two (2) years.
      2. Officers
         1. Chairperson will serve for one (1) year.
         2. Vice Chairperson will serve one (1) year as vice, then assume the responsibilities of the Chair for a second year.
         3. The Secretary will serve a two (2) year term.

Section 5.5 Attendance. Attendance to four (4) out of six (6) meetings is required.  Executive Committee members who do not notify the chairperson in advance of an absence or have more than two (2) absences, will be contacted by the chair to assess their continued interest/availability.  In addition, members are required to serve on Ad Hoc committees as needed. No alternate attendance will be accepted for Executive Committee meetings.

Section 5.6 Duties of the Officers. Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Prepare meeting agendas with Great Start Coordinator;
• Assure completion of attendance roster and minutes;
• Conduct all meetings using good techniques of leadership;
• Call special meetings of the subcommittees; and
• Act as the spokesperson for the GSC when requested by the Great Start Coordinator.

ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES

Section 6.1 Great Start Collaborative Ad Hoc and/or Standing Committees.

• Committees will be established as needed/required.  Recommendations for additional committees should be submitted to the Great Start Collaborative Chair to be considered at the next regularly scheduled GSC meeting.

A. Great Start Collaborative Standing Committees are permanent committees that are formed to address matters as defined by ECIC contract requirements.

B. Great Start Collaborative Ad-Hoc Committees will be formed to deal with particular issues, and disbanded after the issue is resolved. These committees provide stop gap or temporary measures to solve problems that are not resolved by ordinary processes of the Great Start Collaborative.

ARTICLE VII: VOTING

Section 7.1 Voting.

1. 1. 1. Standing members of the collaborative, with the exception of parents, must have sufficient authority to commit funds, staff, and other resources on behalf of their organization.
      2. Each standing member organization and parent has one vote.
      3. Standing members who deem that they have a conflict of interest on a topic shall excuse themselves from the vote and/or the discussion.
      4. The GSC Coordinator will be a non-voting standing member.
      5. At-large members may be present during voting, but may not vote themselves.
      6. Decisions will be made by virtue of a simple-majority vote.
      7. If expedited decisions need to be made between regularly scheduled meetings, simple-majority vote can be taken using phone or e-mail.

ARTICLE VIII: GSC OPERATIONS

Section 8.1 Operations.

1. A quorum will equal 75% of standing/alternate GSC members.
2. Formal action will not take place unless parents are participating.
3. Attendance shall be facilitated by the use of a conference calling alternative.
4. Members of the Collaborative will join in efforts to make the public aware of the Michigan Early Childhood Investment Corporation, the Great Start Initiative, and the Charlevoix, Emmet, and Northern Antrim Counties’ Great Start Collaborative.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS

Section 9.1 Amendments. Amendments can be made to this document with a 2/3rds vote of the representatives present. Notice of the meetings to consider amendments shall be given in writing at least two weeks in advance of the meeting.

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Created on 5/8/2008 10:43 AM