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October 2003

Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Alpena Recreation Center, Alpena, Michigan

Friday, October 3, 2003

The meeting was called to order by President Dale Huggler at 1:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present: Stuart Bartlett, Terry Beardslee, Frank Cowger, Bob Cudney, Jami Demasi, Ann Denis, Donna Dietz, Bill Ellingboe, Pauline Hall, Bob Harden, Rev. Bill Hipwood, Marcia Hopcroft, Dale Huggler, Jean Kroll, Jack Mahank, Daniel Marcrum, Tehea Minke, Terry Nimtz, Boyden Olson, Joseph Pellens, Larry Sabin, Dianna Schafer, Clyde Soucie, Bob Spencer, Gerald Wall, Rose Walsh, and Gary Wozniak

Excused: Jim Bricker, Mike Davis, Rev. R. C. Knight, Shelia Phillips and Leonard Zolnierek

Absent: Jim Charboneau

Quorum present.

Staff Members Present: Lisa Bolen, John Briggs, Laura Budreau, Barbara Dault, Kathy Goddard, Karen Godi, Linda McGillis, Diane Price, Jim Robarge, Laurie Sauer, Sue Schuler, Lisa Slupecki, Carol Shafto, and John Swise

Frank Cowger lead the Board in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

Motion by Daniel Marcrum to approve minutes of the September meeting. Support by Joseph Pellens. All ayes, Motion carried.

Rev. Hipwood presented reflections.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND PUBLIC COMMENT

Joseph Pellens, Rev. Bill Hipwood, Boyden Olson, and Frank Cowger each introduced their wife. Gerald Wall introduced his wife and two friends. Tehea Minke introduced her Grandmother, and Jami Demasi introduced her husband.

COMMUNICATION

None

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Head Start Policy Council - Jami Demasi

At the last council meeting, Linda asked for attendance ideas from the council members, new council member training will be held in November. The next meeting will be held on October 17, 2003.

Regional Council on Aging – Rev. Bill Hipwood

No meeting, no report.

VOLUNTEER SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCILS

Senior Companion Program – Rev. Bob Knight

No meeting, no report.

Foster Grandparent Program – Jean Kroll

No meeting, no report.

CLIENT SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL – Boyden Olson

No meeting, no report.

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE – Clyde Soucie

Clyde indicated that the issue scheduled for discussion was tabled until the November meeting.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE – Frank Cowger

No Meeting, no report.

PROGRAM PLANNING AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE – Rev. Bill Hipwood

The committee met and discussed the continuation grant application for Head Start and Early Head Start. The grant provides comprehensive services to the children in the program. Rev. Bill Hipwood asked Linda McGillis to address the board in regard to the grant application.

Linda indicated that the amount requested was larger than past years, because Head Start and Early Head Start have been combined into one grant and one budget. The grant amount does not reflect any change in funding for either program. The COLA increase recently received has also been included in the grant award amount. Funding is based on $5,900 per child; however, Head Start is comprehensive and provides more than just educational services including health, nutrition, and others. NEMCSA is one of the lowest funded programs in the state of Michigan, second to the bottom of the list. NEMCSA operates at $800 per child below the national average, $700 per child below the State average and $1,000 per child below our counterpart to the West, Northwest Human Services. Linda stated that many factors play into why the agency is low in their spending per child. Linda addressed some of the changes that have taken place and how they have affected the NEMCSA Head Start program funding. NEMCSA Head Start operates in 21 counties, between Head Start and Early Head Start serves 2605 children, and the two programs employ approximately 250 full-time and 200 part time staff. As of Wednesday, October 1, 2003, the Head Start reauthorization had not been finalized. The program continues to operate under continuing resolutions.

Rev. Bill Hipwood indicated that the committee reviewed and discussed the grant application and recommended approval

Motion by Frank Cowger to approve submission of the Head Start continuation grant application. Support by Joseph Pellens. All ayes, Motion carried.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Rev. Hipwood provided an update on Jim Bricker indicating that he is beginning to make slow progress.

DIRECTORS REPORT

Financial Report – Jim Robarge

No report was presented.

NEW BUSINESS:

Clyde Soucie presented information on the Northern Dental Clinics North established to serve underprivileged Medicaid children. As of October 1, 2003, Medicaid funding to allow these clinics to continue was cut putting the clinics in danger of closing. At their last meeting, the Regional Council on Aging passed a resolution to support continued funding for these clinics. Clyde indicated that other agencies have also passed resolutions in support of this funding. Clyde will invite someone from Dental Clinic North to present information at the next NEMCSA Board meeting. Clyde asked the board members to send resolutions in support of funding these clinics to the Director of Community Health, as well as State Representatives and Senators.

Motion by Rev. Bill Hipwood to send a resolution in support of this funding. Support by Frank Cowger. All ayes, Motion carried.

John Briggs expressed his appreciation to the Board members for attending the Expo and also thanked staff for all the work they put into planning for this event.

Motion by Joseph Pellens to adjourn the meeting at 1:38 p.m. Support by Boyden Olson. All ayes, Motion carried.

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Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Alpena Recreation Center, Alpena, Michigan

Friday, October 3, 2003

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL

3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND REFLECTIONS

5. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND PUBLIC COMMENT

6. COMMUNICATION (S)

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Advisory Committees

1. Head Start Policy Council – Terry Nimtz

2. Regional Council on Aging – Rev. Bill Hipwood

3. Volunteer Program Advisory Councils

a. Senior Companion Program – Rev. Bob Knight

b. Foster Grandparent Program – Jean Kroll

4. Client Services Advisory Council – Boyden Olson

b. Personnel Committee - Clyde Soucie

c. Membership Committee – Frank Cowger

d. Program Planning and Evaluation Committee - Rev. Bill Hipwood

1. Approval to submit Head Start Continuation Grant Application

8. INFORMATION ITEMS:

9. NEW BUSINESS

10. ADJOURNMENT

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TO: NEMCSA Board Members

FROM: John Briggs, Chief Operating Officer

DATE: September 26, 2003

RE: Meeting Information - October 2003

Enclosed is the meeting notice for our Friday, October 3, 2003 Board of Directors’ meeting to be held at the Thunder Bay Recreation Center, 701 Woodward Avenue, Alpena just past the Alpena Community College Campus. Please refer to the enclosed directions and map. In addition to the tentative agenda and the minutes of the September 5th meeting, your packet contains the specifics on our one action item and other program information.

Please remember that NEMCSA’s 2003 Community Action Expo will also be taking place that same day from 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon at the Thunder Bay Recreation Center. Plan to come early and spend time learning more about NEMCSA’s programs from the experts; our staff. We have also invited many of our community partners and friends. Immediately following lunch, we will have some brief remarks by our special guests and then a short Board meeting. Hope you can join us for the day!

Our only action item requests approval to submit the Head Start Continuation Grant Application. After 34 years of continuous operation, our Head Start Program is anything, but routine. The program continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of children, parents, schools, and communities. This year, Early Head Start is folded into the basic Head Start application as a permanent component. At nearly $20 million, this program represents over 50% of our agency budget. The application must be reviewed and approved by the Head Start Policy Council prior to submission.

Included in your packet is a summary of the application request to provide Comprehensive Head Start services to 2,457 children and families in 21 counties and a listing of sites, options and enrollment by county. Also included is a similar summary of Comprehensive Early Head Start services to 148 children and families in six counties and a listing of sites, options and enrollment by county. These numbers do not include children served by NEMCSA with Michigan School Readiness funds at these and other sites. Program options and site determinations also take into account programs operated by others in the community; including public schools, other community action agencies, family Y’s, etc.

Our Director’s Report this month is being replaced by the Community Action Expo. The last item in your packet is the October issue of Board and Administrator which discusses priority issues and confidentiality. As usual, if you have any questions or require additional information about any of the items in this packet, please contact John Swise, Karen Godi, specific program staff or me. See you at the Thunder Bay Recreation Center for both the Board meeting and the Community Action Expo! Please remember to bring your Board packet, nametag and include the odometer readings for your mileage reimbursement. The Board stipend form with space for claiming mileage reimbursement is included in your packet.

Important Dates to Remember

Friday, November 7 Board Meeting at Tawas Bay Holiday Inn, East Tawas

Friday, December 5 Board Meeting at Alpena Holiday Inn, Alpena

If you are planning to bring your spouse or any other guest with you, please notify

Karen Godi, Executive Assistant in advance, so that we can arrange for adequate seating and meals. Thanks!

NOTE: We need to have odometer reading on mileage reimbursement forms to satisfy our audit requirements! Please check your readings before leaving and arrival at the meeting, and then double that for the estimate of the return trip. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

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