Steering Team Meeting Minutes

May 1, 2007

5:00-6:30

Valley Media Center

Attendance: Sheryl Butikofer, Sharon Albers, Dwight Albers, Alice Schaer, Ruth Schemmel, Linda Watson, Cathy Molumby, Sharon Rich, Stephanie Murphy, Michelle Rothlisberger, Connie Popenhagen, Joyce Friederich, Allen Knox, Dave Runyon

A. Financial Reports - Elgin State Bank, Period Ending 4/11/2007     ~ $7,382.23. 

-         Evaluate Valley Mentoring Needs:  We owe $3,200 to Helping Services, which will deplete the mentoring funds.

-         Grant Awards: VCC received two additional grants.  ACE grant $851.59 (SODA) and INS grant $250 (mentoring).

B. Reports from Subgroup – Cassie was at a Mentoring Conference and unable to attend the ST Meeting.  Malinda was at Risky Businesses Conference and unable to attend the ST Meeting.

            1. Youth

             - Cassie and Malinda attended the Governor’s Conference in April.

             - Neighborhood Watch’s potluck went really well.  Several students assisted with the Fatal Vision Goggles.  The kids received a great response. 

            - Malinda, Tim, and three SODA students attended the Risky Business Conference.

            - Sunday, May 6, the SODA students will be going to Adventureland.  They need 25 students signed up in order to go, currently there are only 12 students signed up. 

            - Monday, May 7, the 8^th graders have a Tobacco Retreat at Ewalu.

            - SODA elections in May.       

            2. Parent/Community

            - We are doing “Substance Free” Graduation Party signs again this year.  Letters have gone out to all seniors and parents.  They can sign up at the HS office or VCC office. 

            - Looking into getting area businesses to consider going smoke-free.

            - Helped with organization and implementation of Alcohol Forums.

            - Cassie is working with Shad Roys to get a Tobacco Server Training on June 12^.

                ^- 10 coalition members helped clean up our adopted portion of Hwy 18.

            3. Mentoring

            - Currently have 8 mentor/mentee matches.  2 new mentees in the process of being matched and one is being re-matched. 4 mentors waiting.

            - Fayette County Mentoring Partnership, discussed event planning with TAKO for t he rest of the year. 

            - Mentoring Event at Bill Bennett’s house was a lot of fun and had over 30 mentors, mentees and family members.

C. DFC grant application update – June 5^th, 4:30 pm meeting at the Quarry Lodge to discuss: How we want to orientate new people to the coalition?  

D. All-VCC Meeting, June 6^th, Focus on Mentoring

            - The VCC meeting will be held in the Clermont Park.

            - Barney is unable to attend the June meeting, but can come in August. 

            - Past and Present Mentors will be recognized at the meeting

            - Looking into another pork/beef individual to provide meat at the meeting.

            - Will be contacting someone about having ice cream.

            - Speaker??? Dan Barens, radio announcer???? Ideas…..

E. Office Heat, review draft of letter

            - Letter is on hold

            - Community Foundation is taking action.  Experts have been in to look at the system and note it needs to be fixed and safety is a big concern. 

F. Guidelines for printing copies 

            - In order to save money the DFC Grant will no longer cover color ink cartridges.          - VCC staff can print color at Helping Services on the color copier.

            - Allen Knox Associates is making color copying available to the VCC.

            - The VCC General fund can also be used to buy color cartridges.

G. May 19^th Fund Raiser

            - The Community is coming together to host a fund raiser for the Mitts family after a fire took their home.  The VCC has been asked to provide plates, napkins, cups, and silverware.

            - * Note: this was not brought to attention at the meeting:  Do we want to do another activity along with the day ( i.e. Bake sale in the park,) and then the proceeds will go to the Mitts family?  Malinda said that option was discussed at the Fund Raiser meeting. Comments…..

H. Turkey River Classic Golf Tournament

            - Things are progressing… 

            - Experienced golfers are being asked to assist with the mentees (and mentors) who may need some guidance that day.

            - Lex Group is calling all businesses and asking how they want to donate to the fundraising, and calling all homes to invite them to the fundraiser.

            - Brent Johnson will be giving $2500 to the tournament, and will see how the tournament is going. 

            - Thank you to all of those who are working hard on the fundraiser!!!!!

I. VCC Fund Development update/report

            1. Online store/fundraiser – no report.

Other Reports and Information………………

-         ISU extension at the Youth Center is finished.  90% 5^th and 6^th graders went to the YC once a month.

-         Is there another agency we want to do this next year?

-         Media Campaign.  There is still money left over.

-         Cathy Molumby brought to our attention the concern that there are not a lot of boys involved with the VCC and a group of students not getting reached. These kids are not involved in activities.  How do we reach them???

Next Meeting:  June 5, 2007   5:00 pm  * Quarry Lodge