April 2003

Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wiltse's Restaurant, Oscoda

Friday, April 11, 2003

The meeting was called to order by President Dale Huggler at 12:45 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present: Stuart Bartlett, Terry Beardslee, Jim Bricker, Jim Charboneau, Frank Cowger, Bob Cudney, Mike Davis, Ann Denis, Pauline Hall, Bob Harden, Rev. Bill Hipwood, Marcia Hopcroft, Dale Huggler, Rev. R.C. Knight, Jean Kroll, Jack Mahank, Daniel Marcrum, Melissa McCallum, Tehea Minke, Boyden Olson, Sheila Phillips, Larry Sabin, Clyde Soucie, Rose Walsh, Gary Wozniak, and Leonard Zolnierek

Excused: Jami Demasi, Donna Dietz, William Ellingboe Joseph Pellens, Dianna Schafer, Gerald Wall, and Bob Spencer

Absent: Terry Nimtz

Quorum present.

Staff Members Present: Lisa Bolen, Laura Budreau , Laurie Sauer , Sue Schuler, Barbara Dault , Lisa Slupecki , Jim Robarge, Kathy Goddard, John Briggs , John Swise , Karen Godi, Jeanne Chisena , Tricia Grifka, and Julie Smith

Bob Harden led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

Motion by Rev. Bill Hipwood to approve minutes of the March meeting. Support by Frank Cowger. All ayes, Motion carried.

Rev. Bill Hipwood presented reflections and asked for prayers for the war and those involved .

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND PUBLIC COMMENT

Guests present were introduced.

COMMUNICATION

Dale Huggler read communications including a letter from the Office of Services to the Aging, which indicated that the Area Agency on Aging monitoring found no non-compliance issues; a letter from the Northeast Michigan Consortium in response to the Michigan Works! North fiscal monitoring also found no non-compliance issues.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Head Start Policy Council – Marena Markel

No meeting report, Tehea explained that the purple ribbons distributed prior to the meeting were to represent the month of the small child. Tehea asked the board members to wear them in support.

Regional Council on Aging – Rev. Bill Hipwood

No meeting report.

VOLUNTEER SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL

Senior Companion Program – Rev. R.C. Knight

No meeting report. Next meeting is scheduled for the 28th of April.

Foster Grandparent Program – Jean Kroll

No report. Jean read a response letter from Lt. Allen who conducted the workplace safety trainings for the volunteers. The Foster Grandparent Recognition is scheduled for May 6th and will be held at Garland in Lewiston .

NEMAH Board – Marcia Hopcroft

Al West was approved as the new Executive Director for NEMAH. An Executive Board meeting will be held soon to discuss the Alpena rental rehabilitation RFP and determine if NEMAH wants to apply. Various other partnership meetings will be taking place in regard to similar services. Al is trying to initiate a self-help housing program.

Client Services Advisory Council – Boyden Olson

No meeting report.

Program Planning and Evaluation Committee – Rev. Bill Hipwood

The committee met prior to the Board meeting and discussed two items for presentation to the Board. The Early Head Start item will be discussed following their presentation further down on the agenda. The committee discussed the recommendations for the remaining Tobacco Settlement Funds, which were distributed in the Board packet. The committee presented them to the Board for action.

Motion by Rev. Bob Knight to accept the recommendations for the remaining Tobacco Settlement Funds as presented. Support by Jim Charboneau. All ayes, Motion carried.

Dale indicated that committee appointment letters were mailed and he hadn’t heard from anyone indicated their inability to accept the appointment. All committees are in place.

Personnel Committee – Clyde Soucie

No meeting report.

Membership Committee – Jim Bricker

No meeting report.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Financial Report – Jim Robarge

Jim Robarge presented the financial report, which included funds for Agency wide Revenue and Expenses for the first six months of the fiscal year, as well as Head Start and Early Head Start funds.

Motion by Frank Cowger to receive and file the financial report as presented. Support by Jack Mahank. All ayes, Motion carried.

Early Head Start Program Overview – Jeanne Chisena

Jeanne Chisena introduced two Early Head Start Area Managers, Tricia Grifka and Julie Smith who both would be assisting her with the presentation. Tricia provided a PowerPoint presentation as a program overview of the Early Head Start Program. Julie presented information on program Outcomes. Information packets were distributed reviewed how the program measures outcomes of the service provided to the families. Tricia further explained some of the summary results from the very start of the program. Jeanne concluded by discussing the financial status of the program and the upcoming grant application to re-compete for the funds in order to continue providing services. The program is currently full and has a waiting list of families. The program will soon pick up some families in Ogemaw County. If the program is refunded through the re-competition grant, it will only need to submit a continuation grant for all future refunding. Jeanne asked for support and approval to submit the submission of the re-competition grant for Early Head Start.

Motion by Larry Sabin to approve the submission of the re-competition grant for the Early Head Start Program. Support by Ann Denis. All ayes, Motion carried.

John Swise indicated that next months meeting at the Sterling Head Start Center would be a little crowded and indicated that a map and parking directions would be sent in advance with the Board packets. Head Start students will be at the center until noon on the day of the meeting.

Motion by Clyde Soucie to adjourn the meeting at 1:43 p.m. Supported by Boyden Olson. All yes, Motion carried.

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Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wiltse's Restaurant, Oscoda

Friday, April 11, 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 - Jami Demasi

2. Regional Council on Aging – Rev. Bill Hipwood

3. Volunteer Programs

a. Foster Grandparent Program – Jean Kroll

b. Senior Companion Program - Rev. Bob Knight

4. NEMAH Board - Marcia Hopcroft

5. Policy Advisory Council – Boyden Olson

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

1. Approval to submit Early Head Start Re-competition Application

2. Approval of Recommendations for remaining Tobacco Settlement Funds

8. INFORMATION ITEMS:

a. Director’s Report

1. Financial Report – Jim Robarge

2. Early Head Start Program Overview - Jeanne Chisena

9. NEW BUSINESS

10. ADJOURNMENT

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TO: NEMCSA Board Members

FROM: John Briggs, Chief Operating Officer

DATE: April 11, 2003

RE: Meeting Information - April 2003

Enclosed is the meeting notice for our Friday, April 4, 2003 Board of Directors’ meeting to be held at Wiltse’s Brew Pub and Family Restaurant 5606 North F-41, Oscoda, just east of the entrance to the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Please refer to the enclosed directions and map. In addition to the tentative agenda and the minutes of the March 14th meeting, your packet contains the specifics on our two action items and other program information.

Our first action item requests approval to submit the Early Head Start Recompetition Grant Application. On August 31, 2003 , we will have completed our five-year funding period and must recompete to continue providing services to 148 families in six counties: Alpena, Arenac, Bay, Cheboygan, Iosco and Cheboygan. The request is for $1,298,548 annually for a five year period. The Head Start Policy Council will have acted on this request at their March 28th meeting.

The second action item requests approval of recommendations for remaining Tobacco Settlement Funds. This request to award the remaining $21,425, completes the award process that we initiated in January. The Regional Council on Aging will be asked for their concurrence at their April 14th meeting.

Our Director’s Report this month will feature Jeanne Chisena, Early Head Start Assistant Director along with Area Managers Tricia Grifka and Julie Smith. This presentation coincides with our request for approval to submit the Early Head Start Recompetition Grant Application. The presentation will include a program overview, a national research project summary, 2002 ROMA outcomes final report and the 2002 parent satisfaction survey summary report. Please review the enclosed material and be prepared to ask questions.

I believe that you are all well aware of the competitive environment that currently exists for organizations that rely on scarce federal and state resources to address community needs. The recompetition to continue Early Head Start Services is just one such example. We also anticipate stiff competition as we submit applications to continue as the deliverer of Workforce Investment Act and Welfare-to-Work services for both the Northeast and 7B Consortiums. We also expect a fairly competitive situation with some of the Area Agency on Aging funds. Tough times for sure, but we have great people doing good and measurable stuff. Thanks for your support, encouragement and good counsel.

Our only news article features two of our staff, Carol Shafto and Susan Bowen doing “Daring” things in their non-NEMCSA lives. You can’t turn off that “let’s just do it” attitude when you leave work. Way to go Carol and Susan! The last item in your packet is the April 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 Wiltse’s! 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

Monday, April 14 Public Hearing on Area Agency on Aging Multi-Year Plan at NEMCSA main office

Alpena, 10:00 AM-Noon

Tuesday, April 15 Public Hearing on Area Agency on Aging Multi-Year Plan at Otsego County

Commission on Aging, Gaylord 10:00 AM - Noon

Friday, May 2 Board Meeting at Sterling Head Start Center , Sterling

Tuesday, May 6 Foster Grandparent Recognition at Garland Resort, Lewiston

Friday, June 6 Board Meeting at Coyles Restaurant, West Branch

Wednesday, June 18 Senior Companion Recognition at Garland Resort, Lewiston

July No Board Meeting Scheduled

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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