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January 2003

Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michigan Works! Alpena, Michigan

Friday, January 10, 2003

The meeting was called to order by President Dale Huggler at 12:40 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present: Stuart Bartlett, Jim Bricker, Jim Charboneau, Frank Cowger, Bob Cudney, Mike Davis, William Ellingboe, Bob Harden, Rev. Bill Hipwood, Marcia Hopcroft, Dale Huggler, Jean Kroll, Marena Markel, Tehea Minke, Boyden Olson, Larry Sabin, Dianna Schafer, Clyde Soucie, Bob Spencer, Jessica Sting, Rose Walsh and Leonard Zolnierek

Excused: Ann Denis, Donna Dietz, Jack Mahank, Joseph Pellens, Shelia Phillips, and Gerald Wall

Absent: Terry Beardslee and Jamie Hunt

Quorum present.

Staff Members Present: Lisa Bolen, John Briggs, Laura Budreau, Barb Dault, Kathy Goddard, Karen Godi, Linda McGillis, Diane Price, Laurie Sauer, Sue Schuler, John Swise, and Genevieve Hoskey

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

Motion by Frank Cowger to approve minutes of the December meeting. Support by Jim Charboneau. All ayes, Motion carried.

Bill Ellingboe led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. Rev. Hipwood presented reflections.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND PUBLIC COMMENT

Lisa Bolen introduced Genevieve Hoskey, Career Advisor for Michigan Works! South.

COMMUNICATION

John Briggs indicated that Kevin Murphy, from the Corporation for National Service, had asked the Michigan Volunteer programs to submit the name of a senior volunteer that deserves special attention in his report to Washington D.C. Barbara Dault, Program Director, recommended to Kevin that Jean Kroll be selected to receive such recognition. Kevin approved the recommendation and will be featuring Jean and her efforts in his report. It is uncertain how many others from Michigan will be selected. Congratulations goes out to Jean Kroll on her being selected as NEMCSA’s special FGP volunteer featured in the CNCS Michigan report to Washington D.C.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Head Start Policy Council - Marena Markel

The second phase of new member training was conducted. Items covered in the training were a review of the Head Start center locations, communication using the blue sheets and program policies and procedures. Discussion of parent involvement activities and the selection of NEMCSA Board representatives also took place. Jamie Hunt was selected as a Policy Council Representative to the NEMCSA Board.

Regional Council on Aging - Rev. Bill Hipwood

The Council accepted two new members who were appointed to fill vacancies. A report received from the Michigan Senior Advocates Council (MSAC) representative indicated that issues that have been in front of the legislature continue to be in front of the legislature.

NEMAH Board – Marcia Hopcroft

Kathy Whitford continues to be the Interim Executive Director until someone can be hired. MSHDA has committed all the funds and bid proposals for contractors have been let out. NEMAH will have an opportunity to receive a $30,000 bonus if five houses can be put in place by October of 2004. James Espinoza is the new MSHDA Representative replacing Jeri Lyn Gibbs. James will be in attendance at the next NEMAH meeting. A new board representative for Cheboygan will be affirmed at the next meeting. Several grants are being submitted for funding and the NEMAH board is continuing to work on the Employee Handbook and Policy Manual.

VOLUNTEER SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCILS

Senior Companion Program – None

No report, no meeting held.

Foster Grandparent Program – Jean Kroll

No meeting held. Election of officers will take place at the next meeting.

CLIENT SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL - Boyden Olsen

No report, no meeting held.

PROGRAM PLANNING AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE - Rev. Bill Hipwood

Rev. Hipwood discussed a National TRIAD Conference he attended in Orlando Florida with Darlene Dobis from the Area Agency on Aging. He and Darlene were trained as instructors and will be working to establish a TRIAD in the 12 county region of the AAA. The purpose of TRIAD is to try and make the lives of seniors better. Rev. Hipwood displayed some items that he brought back; these items are designed to help make seniors feel safe.

The Committee reviewed, discussed and recommended approval of the staff recommendations for the Tobacco Settlement Funding. The recommendations were distributed to the Board members for review prior to the meeting. All funds need to be spent by the fiscal year end.

Motion by Bob Spencer to approve the staff recommendations for the Tobacco Settlement funding as presented. Support by Bill Ellingboe. Discussion. It was suggested that the remaining $19,533 in funding be dispersed elsewhere within the Region IX service area in order to create some additional services instead of dividing it between the two existing programs. All ayes, Motion carried.

Rev. Hipwood indicated that recent discussion at the Program Planning and Evaluation Committee concluded that the committee would only be responsible to review and recommend action on items brought before Board. It will be the responsibility of the remaining Board members to act on the issues.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Financial Report - Jim Robarge

The financial report was distributed and reviewed by John Briggs in the absence of Jim Robarge. Budgets reviewed were for the Michigan Works! contracts.

Motion by Clyde Soucie to receive and file the financial report as presented. Support by Stuart Bartlett. All ayes, Motion carried.

Michigan Works! Program Review – Laura Budreau, Lisa Bolen and Genevieve Hoskey

Lisa Bolen discussed the Step Up program for Older Youth crediting Diane Price for its creation. Lisa indicated that the program was designed to target youth age 16-21 who are low income, not enrolled in school and have some specific barriers. The program was designed to help eligible youth obtain and achieve goals in regard to employment as well as whatever skills are required to obtain such employment. Genevieve Hoskey, Career Advisor for Clare County, discussed how she works with the program enrollees to help them achieve success in their lives. Recruiting efforts for this program were also discussed indicating that the program is not in direct competition with Adult Education programs.

Lisa Bolen and Laura Budreau updated the Board on the WIA and Welfare-to-Work programs indicating that it will soon be necessary to submit RFP’s to the area Consortiums for program refunding. Laura also updated the Board members on the unemployment problems that continue to increase. The frustration and confusion continues for those applying for unemployment. Michigan Works! staff have had contact with Tony Stamas with hopes that the situation will be carefully reviewed. Staff continue to try and help people as best they can but have no answers to the questions being asked.    John Swise commended Lisa and Laura and their staff on the efforts they have put forth to get through this difficult time as the situation has created extra work to their daily job duties.

President Huggler congratulated Bob Cudney and Leonard Zolnierek on their re-election to the chairmanships of their respective county commissions.

John Briggs mentioned that the upcoming Board training is for all board members not just new members. The orientation will be held at the NEMCSA main office in Alpena and a per diem will be paid for attendance.

Motion by Frank Cowger to adjourn the meeting at 1:50 p.m. Supported by Bob Cudney. All ayes, Motion carried.

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Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michigan Works! Alpena, Michigan

Friday, January 10, 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 - Jessica Sting

2. Regional Council on Aging – Rev. Bill Hipwood

3. NEMAH Board – Marcia Hopcroft

4. Volunteer Program Advisory Councils

a. Senior Companion Program – Vacant

b. Foster Grandparent Program – Jean Kroll

5. Client Services Advisory Council – Boyden Olson

b. Program Planning & Evaluation Committee – Rev. Bill Hipwood

8. INFORMATION ITEMS:

a. Director’s Report

1. Financial Report – Jim Robarge

2. Michigan Works! Program - Laura Budreau and Lisa Bolen

9. NEW BUSINESS

10. ADJOURNMENT

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TO: NEMCSA Board Members

FROM: John Briggs, Chief Operating Officer

DATE: January 3, 2003

RE: Meeting Information-January 2003

Enclosed is the meeting notice for our Friday, January 10, 2003 Board of Directors’ meeting to be held at the Michigan Works! Service Center, 315 W. Chisholm (US 23), Alpena. Please refer to the enclosed directions and map. In addition to the tentative agenda and the minutes of the December 6th meeting, your packet contains other program information. At the time of this mailing, there are no items scheduled that require Board action.

We hope that during the Holiday Season, all of you have taken some time to rest, relax, reflect and re-energize yourselves. 2003 promises to be a year of many challenges, but also perhaps some opportunities to benefit our communities and citizenry. We will be welcoming a number of new Board members over the next couple of months. In an effort to bring these new Board members up to speed, the Program Planning and Evaluation Committee will be hosting a New Board Member Orientation Session on Monday, February 17th from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM at the NEMCSA Administrative Office. More information will be forthcoming, as the date gets closer.

Our Director’s Report this month will feature the Michigan Works! Program Directors, veteran Laura Budreau and newcomer Lisa Bolen. This will be a critical and challenging year for them and the programs that they administer. We are in the final year of our second three-year contracts with both the Northeast Michigan and 7B Consortiums and must go through the competitive bidding process again. To make it more interesting, the State of Michigan’s fiscal crisis and the many expanded priorities for Federal dollars severely limit the resources available to get the job done. Finally, the employment and general economic outlook for the region is not encouraging in the short term. Yes, there are challenges, but our staff is hopeful and upbeat! After a brief overview of programs and services, the focus will be on the Step Up Program for Older Youth that we developed and operate under contract with 7B Consortium.

Next in your meeting packet is a news article featuring one of our Head Start Dads and his daughter in the Oscoda program participating at a family night activity that promotes both literacy and male involvement. Immediately following is an excerpt from a report which demonstrates NEMCSA Head Start’s role in financial, student participation and volunteer support for this community arts activity. Good job Vicky Rutledge, Head Start Area Manager!

The last item in your packet is the January issue of Board and Administrator. 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 Michigan Works! Service Center in Alpena! 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, February 7 Board Meeting at Comins Senior Center

Monday, February 17 New Board Member Orientation Session at NEMCSA Administrative Office, Alpena 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Friday, March 14 Board Meeting at B.J.’s Restaurant, Gaylord

Friday, April 4 Board Meeting at Wiltse’s Restaurant, Oscoda

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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