Attendees: Amy Roling, Sharon Rich, Kathy Schwartzhoff, Allen Knox, and Dave Runyon

A. Reports from Sub-Groups

1)Youth-

Malinda Riley was unable to attend because of All Stars, report by Amy Roling SODA membership cards were viewed and approved. SODA will move forward with these, hopefully getting local business to donate and create discounts for active SODA members. Snowball dance: DJ contract approved and initialed off on. DFC will pay for, not checkbook. Youth Center letter for sponsors-ok’d. Idea of getting more sponsors there were suggestions by Sharon and Dave for PSA, news release, and of course All newsletter and All VCC e-mail. Dave suggested putting a human interest/success story about one sponsors experience in the newspaper to get more people interested. Ask current sponsors how they hear about sponsoring. Calendars that Malinda created were handed out.

2) Parent-

Parent Ed. SG purchased glowsticks for Halloween and these were handed out to youth at Corn Maze and Elgin party. Glow-bracelets featured tag with VCC and Parent Ed. SG advertised on. Thanks Brian Smith for your help! Brian is also currently working on a second-hand or environmental smoke piece for next VCC newsletter. Currently brainstorming team-building activities for next All VCC. Amy R. is working on a letter and response card to be sent with Malinda’s calendar to the faith communities/churches. Background check letters and forms are going out to 5th and 6th grade y.c. night volunteers and anyone who is currently volunteering or would like to, as this is a requirement of VCC insurance. All VCC e-mail going out twice monthly, please send updates to Amy R. aroling@helpingservices.org Discussed how to bury addresses. Al said BCC instead of put in addressee line?

3) Community-

Community SG has moved their meeting and cleaning of the Youth Center
To November 24. Community Presentations are going to be done at local businesses with the main message being “ you can engage in the coalition, be an active community member, and get to know the youth of the Valley”. Presentations by SG and SODA youth will be on Nov 12 Emma’s Sweets at noon, Nov 17 Quarry 7 PM, and Nov 24 Wadena Library 7. Beverage Server Training will happen 12/4 at 3-5 and 7-9 in Elgin at the Legion Hall. Community Subgroup also working on thank yous to SODA students. Community SG members also helping with All Stars.

4) Mentoring-

Jenni Elsbernd was unable to attend so report given by Amy R. Mentoring has exciting things going on- Elgin Echo is going to feature 2 mentoring pairs stories. Did you hear the interview on the radio? Across Ages currently has 4 kids with applications in and 4 who are hopefully going to get theirs in soon. Mentors are still needed: 55+ yrs. Valley Mentoring mentors were trained on Nov. 10 and 4 pairs will be matched on Nov 21. Jenni is close to meeting the goals of these programs. Mentoring SG is helping out by distributing table tents, recruiting new members, and providing input on advertising, etc. Mentoring letter for hopeful mentors approved. Group discussed ways to get information on possible mentors 55+, such as buying mailing lists, contacting different resources.

B. Snowball Hall and DJ – covered during Youth report. Money from DFC not from checkbook.

C. Financial Reports-

Dave reported on DFC & SIG. DFC spending same as last yr. SIG last year + whatever dollars roll over, unsure of carry over at this point. Sharon reported Checking Balance $3048 but there are a few outstanding bills. TJ pizza $64, ACE $20.68, Water $20.06, Alpine $29.59, Drivers license guides $360, but will be reimbursed. Need soda, but comes from donations.

D. Advertising-

Is the calendar in the paper worth it? Sharon asked price $90 Union, $35 Echo. Decided to leave out for a month or so and see if there is a response to this. Dave said add tagline to other ads to check out calendar on the web. Al: put calendars up in Library, Post Office, etc. Dave: Ask Arley how churches could use calendar, maybe use backside for mission statement. Al: Rick Trum, get in touch with he can help with 4 Lutheran churches.

E. Stationary and prices-

Steering Team Leaders want towns listed after their names. Decide when color stationary is appropriate and when black/white is fine. Sharon: web address should be on everything that goes out. Al: check out printshop in Waterloo. Dave: what about looking into technology for watermark on e-mail so it’s official web mail that can’t be copied or re-used online. Kathy showed different papers from Jeff Bradley. Group decided to try newsprint for this next newsletter and go from there.

F. Turn in volunteer hours to Kathy.

G. Opportunities for training-

                      1. Prevention Symposium in Des Moines Dec 10-11 Cost paid by DFC grant topic: Coalition
                          Building. Would be great for coalition members to attend. Amy and Kathy are going for sure.

                      2. CADCA in Washington D.C. 20-23 should we pay dues? Only worth it if people are attending conference, it
                          would be best for staff and coalition members to go together. Cost $1500 before memberships dues for each
                          person, but DFC allows $300 for 2 people.

H. Supporting Players-

Do we want to look into having someone be a booking coordinator? Maybe we aren’t to this step yet? All feedback is quite positive.