Charlevoix-Emmet HSCB Char-Em Poverty Reduction Initiative

Charlevoix-Emmet HSCB
Char-Em Poverty Reduction Initiative
Workgroup/Steering Committee
March 23, 2010 Meeting Minutes

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