Members present:  Dorothy Wurster, Stephanie Murphy, Sharon Rich, Sheryl Butikofer, Dave Runyon, Linda Watson, Cathy Molumby, Jenni Elsbernd, Malinda Riley, Eli Pollock, Kathy Schwartzhoff, Deputy Matt Seitz.

A. Financial Report—Stephanie reported that the Coalition checkbook has a balance of
$ 4,372.67.    Everyone looked at the current Request for Funds form and an updated version.  The updated version includes all categories that expenditures are made in.  They include:  General Coalition, Youth Center SODA, Community Grant, Tobacco Coalition, Supporting Players, and  Get A Grip.  A new from was developed for Deposit to track which funding area they should be documented in.  These forms were approved for use.

B. Reports from Sub Groups--
1)  Youth—Eli reported about the inspirational and motivational speaker, Craig Hillier that did assemblies at the school and a community presentation.  SODA did a great deal of work inviting students to the leadership breakouts that took place after the assemblies.  The feedback from students was very positive that he was different from normal speakers—not a lecture.  He taught things like stretching yourself and to not go beyond the breaking point, to work with other people, challenges are opportunities, and it was fun!  $75 of resources were purchased from Craig Hillier.  SODA youth selected the resources they thought would be most helpful.  These resources are at the VCC office.  Titles of the resources will be sent to Valley staff.  The Planet X trip had 24 kids attending with 8 students attending their first VCC event.  Risky Business will be May 4th with 8 students and 3 adults attending.  Al & Janice Knox have offered their van for transportation purposes.  April 24th is the Adventureland trip with over 30 kids signed up.  Summer activity suggestions include:  Noah’s Ark in July; Beaulahland Campout in June; tubing in early August; Elgin Homecoming June 17th.  SODA membership cards are coming.  The Get A Grip conference will be July 13-15.  A team of 5 youth and one adult are required to go.

2)  Parent Education—Linda will take over this sub-group as Amy has transferred to the Dubuque Helping Services office.  The March meeting was cancelled.  There has been a purchase of a video entitled “Talking to Your Teen About Alcohol”.  The Child Pick Up Policy was approved.  It was suggested to notify parents through a mailing the policy.  Next agenda will have how we will  implement the policy.

3)  Community—The report was given by Dorothy Wurster.  This sub-group is working on signs to be distributed to businesses that encourage Iding of customers.  The next all VCC meeting will be Focus on Community with speakers talking about Meth. and work is being done to secure an emcee.  Each sub-group will do a short report.  The Community sub-group is working on keg registration and getting ideas from Keokuk County.  The Youth Center will be cleaned on April 19th from 5-6.  May 24th the Clermont Neighborhood Watch will host a 3 hour session on Meth with the same speakers as we have at the all VCC meeting.  It will be at the Opera House.  Kathy will present at the Elgin Neighborhood Watch’s formation meeting being held 4/22 at 7 p.m. at the Elgin Legion Hall.

4)  Mentoring—Across Ages has 5 mentors signed up in the second round of mentors.  Their training will happen in May.  Youth are scheduled to take their pre-tests.  The second kick-off party is coming soon.  Donations have been received towards the Kick-off party from Tre-Ore Club and the Wadena Presbyterian Church.  March 20th was the date for the skating event for mentoring.  Many matches were busy, so the group was small, but they had fun!  Valley Mentoring has one new youth signed up.  One new mentor requested an application on 3/30 and returned their application by 4/5!  Things are going well!  Across Ages participated in a Community Project on 4/3 at the Fayette County Early Childhood Fair.  They made popcorn, helped run the prize booth, and gave popcorn to every person at the fair.  All four pairs attended and enjoyed looking at the booths, watching Just for Kix, and popping corn!  Each participant received a Subway gift certificate for helping out.  Cathy Molumby shared her enthusiasm for the mentoring programs and congratulated Jenni on her hard work.

C. Logo and Sign Update—The sign has been made and the Coalition will pay for the $ 10 pole.

D. Volunteer hours need to be turned in to Kathy—A huge thank you was expressed to the staff who keep excellent records of volunteer hours they see in the community.  Recording hours is something mentors in Across Ages do on a weekly basis and is something everyone must remember to do.

E. ISU Extension Summer Programming--.  ISU will not be using the Youth Center for their summer day camp activities.

F. Interview Process and update—An ad has been in area papers.  Encourage others you know to apply.  It is anticipated that interviews will happen at the end of April or early May.

G. Communications—This will be discussed more at a later meeting.

H. Other--

1) Insurance—Don Bleu (may be incorrect spelling) will attend the June meeting on 6/8 at 5 p.m. at the Methodist Church and report about our liability insurance and will answer questions.  We were recently informed that we must do Background Checks on all volunteers on a yearly basis.

2)  DARE request for funds—DARE takes Valley 6th graders to Adventureland and is requesting $ 630 from the Coalition.  Sharon expressed concern that the Coalition, through grant sources has already given DARE $ 500.  It is also difficult to give out money that the community has given the Coalition to another source.  This will be discussed further at the next meeting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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