November 2003
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Northeast
Michigan Community Service Agency, Inc.
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Tawas Bay Holiday Inn, East Tawas, Michigan
The meeting was called to order by President Dale Huggler at 12:56 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Excused:
Absent:
Quorum present.
Staff Members Present: Lisa Bolen, John Briggs, Laura Budreau, Kathy Goddard, Karen Godi, Laurie Sauer, Lisa Fought, Dawn Jacobs and Jeanne Chisena
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Motion by Frank Cowger to approve minutes from the October 2003 meeting. Support by Joseph Pellens. All ayes, Motion carried.
Stuart Bartlett led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. Rev. Bill Hipwood presented reflections.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND PUBLIC
COMMENT
John Briggs, Dale Huggler, Frank Cowger, Rev. Bill Hipwood, Rev. Bob Knight and Boyden Olson each introduced their wife. Shelia Phillips introduced her mother and Tehea Minke introduced her grandmother. Milt Berry, President of the Rogers City Area Seniors was also present as a guest.
COMMUNICATION
President Dale Huggler read two letters of correspondence. The first was from Representative Matt Gillard thanking the Board for their interest in expanding the RSVP program. The second was from the Office of Services to the Aging indicating they had accompanied Region IX staff to an on-site assessment and found no concerns. John Briggs read a letter from the Office of Audit Services, which indicated that the audit review was complete and the agency audit met federal standards. No follow up was required.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Head Start Policy Council - Jami Demasi
Early Head Start was discussed as well as inkind, enrollment, funding and the new Great Start program. Planning for Policy Council training is underway and is scheduled to take place later in November. The Head Start/Early Head Start continuation grant application was also discussed.
Regional Council on Aging
The last meeting was held on Monday, October 27, 2003. The council received an updated membership list showing several new members. Mark Grantner, representative for the Region IX Senior Center Directors resigned from the Council. A brief report regarding changes in the Ombudsman program was received. Attorney Dave Bisgrove, reported on the proposed Estate Recovery program which is mandated by the Federal government. Michigan is one of only 3 states left that have yet to implement this program. Ken McGuire was appointed to serve on the Legal Services of Northern Michigan Board of Directors.
VOLUNTEER SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCILS
Senior Companion Program
A representative from U.S. Representative Bart Stupak’s office spoke to the volunteers at their last in-service. All volunteers received a free kit explaining what to do if your wallet is stolen. The Statement of Grant Award for 2004 funding was received from the State Office. The Council discussed the lower age limits and higher income limits being proposed to offer program eligibility to more seniors. The agency wide Client Satisfaction Survey card was reviewed. The structure of the Advisory Council was discussed indicating that it will become less structured in the future and will be referred to as the Community Advisory Group Two senior companions are being recognized by Tendercare as Volunteers of the Year. A celebration of their achievement will take place on Thursday, November 13 at Tendercare in Tawas.
Foster Grandparent Program
Several volunteers have retired from the program and all vacancies created by them have been filled. The volunteer programs were represented at an expo in Gaylord which was co-sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging. A child psychologist presented information at the last in-service meeting. All volunteers were offered a one-on-one or group discussion with the presenter if they chose to. The Statement of Grant Award for 2004 funding was received from the State Office. The Council discussed the lower age limits and higher income limits being proposed to offer program eligibility to more seniors. The agency wide Client Satisfaction Survey cards were discussed, distributed, completed and returned by all volunteers. The structure of the Advisory Council was discussed indicating that it will become less structured in the future and will be referred to as the Community Advisory Group.
CLIENT SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL
No meeting, no report.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
The committee met in August and again in September to discuss the renewal of the CEO contract. Committee recommendations were mailed with the November board packet. Clyde reviewed the committee recommendations indicating that under a 3 year contract renewal the first year would include a 1.5% COLA increase and a $5,000 salary adjustment, the second year would include a COLA increase, if available, and a $5,000 salary adjustment, and the third year would include a COLA increase, if available. Clyde stated that the CEO’s current salary is $96,000 annually. Approval of the committee recommendations would bring the CEO salary up to approximately $111,000 at the end of the third year. The CEO is currently responsible for a $38 million dollar agency wide budget.
Motion by Clyde Soucie to approve the Personnel Committee recommendations for the CEO contract renewal as presented. Support by Rev. Bob Knight. Discussion.
Roll Call Vote.
Stuart Bartlett, yes, Jim Charboneau, no, Frank Cowger, yes, Bob Cudney, yes, Mike Davis, yes, Jami Demasi, yes, Donna Dietz, yes, Pauline Hall, yes, Bob Harden, yes, Rev. Bill Hipwood, yes, Dale Huggler, yes, Rev. R.C. Knight, yes, Jean Kroll, yes, Jack Mahank, yes, Daniel Marcrum, yes, Tehea Minke, yes, Boyden Olson, yes, Joseph Pellens, yes, Sheila Phillips, yes, Larry Sabin, yes, Clyde Soucie, yes, Rose Walsh, yes, Gary Wozniak, no, and Leonard Zolnierek, yes.
22 yes votes, 2 no votes. Motion passed.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
No Meeting, no report.
PROGRAM PLANNING AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE
No Meeting, no report.
DIRECTORS REPORT
Financial Report – Jim Robarge
John reviewed the financial report for the Rural Community Assistance Partnership and the Safe Drinking Water Act program as well as the Agency wide Revenue and Expense.
Motion by Frank Cowger to receive and file the financial report as presented. Support by Jack Mahank. All ayes, Motion carried.
PROGRAM REPORT
Lisa Fought, Environmental Programs Specialist for NEMCSA presented information on the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) and a new program entitled the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI). Lisa indicated that a part-time position has recently been added to work with her on the RCDI program. Lisa reviewed the focus of her programs indicating they provide assistance to communities in regard to grant writing, technical assistance and such relative to water and sewer projects. The programs are federally funded but contracted through a regional office and funneled down to the Michigan Community Action Agency Association (MCAAA) who in turn contracts with NEMCSA to provide the services. These programs are offered statewide. NEMCSA’s service area for these programs is larger than the agency service area. Lisa distributed a brief overview indicating the projects and communities she is currently involved with. The RCDI program provides free planning to communities using the Good Start process. In order to be eligible for RCDI funds, the community needs to be enrolled in RCAP. Currently, the City of Onaway is the only community enrolled in RCDI. Services provided are at no cost to the communities. MCAAA subcontracts these funds to several state agencies that also provide this service. Lisa is part of a statewide network offering these services to eligible communities across the State.
NEW BUSINESS
President Dale Huggler introduced Linda Yaroch, Director of Planning and Regional Health Services with Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency. Linda provided a presentation on the Dental Clinics North. Clinics were developed with a grant about 3 – 4 years ago. Linda explained how they were developed and why. Linda also touched on the new challenges these clinics face as the statewide funding cuts take place.
John Briggs talked about the Senior Magazine that was distributed prior to the meeting indicating that it included an article about the Region IX MAPP Volunteer Program. John also indicated that the Homelessness and Hunger Coalition was currently conducting a fund raiser and invited the Board members to donate to the cause.
President Dale Huggler indicated that the December 5th Board of Directors meeting would be held at the Alpena Holiday Inn.
Rev. Bob Knight indicated that beginning in January, AARP would be holding trainings for volunteers to assist with income tax filing. Training will be held in both Alpena and Grayling. The program has some computers available so e-filing is now an option. AARP is still looking for volunteers and also any printers to be used with the computers. A driver’s safety course through AARP is now being made available. The program is looking for an area to hold classes.
Rev. Bill Hipwood talked about a meeting he recently attended where Governor Granholm was the speaker. Rev. Hipwood felt that the audience got the point across to her that Senior programs were important and should not be cut.
Motion by Boyden Olson to adjourn the meeting at 2:13 p.m. Supported by Rev. Knight. All ayes. Motion carried.
Northeast
Michigan Community Service Agency, Inc.
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Tawas Bay Holiday Inn, East Tawas, Michigan
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
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
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 –
d. Program Planning and Evaluation Committee - Rev. Bill Hipwood
8.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
a. Director's Report
1. Financial Report - Jim Robarge
2. Rural Community Assistance Project (RCAP),
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and Rural Community Development
Initiative (RCDI) Programs - Lisa Fought
9.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
10. ADJOURNMENT
TO:
NEMCSA Board Members
FROM:
John Briggs, Chief Operating Officer
DATE:
RE: Meeting Information - November 2003
Enclosed is the meeting notice for our Friday, November 7, 2003 Board of Directors’ meeting to be held at the Tawas Bay Holiday Inn in East Tawas located at 300 East Bay Street (US 23). Please refer to the enclosed directions and map. In addition to the tentative agenda and the minutes of the October 3rd meeting, your packet contains the specifics on one action item from the Board Personnel Committee and a variety of program information and updates.
A special thanks to all of you for your enthusiastic participation in our Community Action Expo. The staff was pleased with your support and interest. The only action item in your packet requests approval on a recommendation from the Personnel Committee for the renewal of the Chief Executive Officer’s (CEO) contract. If you have any questions, please contact Clyde Soucie, Personnel Committee Chairman or any other committee member.
Our Director’s Report this month will feature Lisa Fought, Environmental Programs Specialist. She will report on the Rural Community Assistance Project (RCAP), the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) programs. These limited resources, combined with Lisa’s expertise and persistence have resulted in significant sewer and water infrastructure improvements in northern Michigan.
Next in your packet is a copy of the resolution approved by you at your October 3rd meeting regarding the elimination of Medicaid adult dental services along with information on Dental Clinics North, a 20 County Collaborative and the Medicaid populations they serve. Immediately following are updates on the Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent Program and a news article on honors being accorded to two of our senior companions at Tendercare Tawas. Congratulations to Wayne Himes and Ed Cherry!
On the enclosed flyer, you will note that Saturday, November 8th is the 2003 Walk for Homelessness and Hunger. This year, funds collected will be given to homeless shelters, specifically Sunrise Mission in Alpena and Emmanuel Mission in Oscoda. I will be collecting at the Board meeting so please feel free to bring your checkbooks or serious money. Thanks for your support!
The last item in your packet is the November 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 Tawas Bay Holiday Inn in East Tawas! 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, December 5 Board Meeting at Alpena Holiday Inn, Alpena
Friday, January 9 Board Meeting at Alpena Michigan Works! Service Center
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.