Present:

A meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community was held on Friday, April 14, 2006 at SouthCoast Hospitals Group – Charlton Site.  Chairperson David Weed called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM.

Minutes

The minutes of the March 10, 2006 Steering Committee were circulated in advance.

VOTED to approve the Minutes of the March 10, 2006 meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community as circulated.

Financial Report

VOTED to approve Financial Report as of March 2006. 

§         Audit will be performed after 4/15/06. Financial information will be gathered by Family Service from Jen’s records and given to Joe.

§         David Weed encouraged members to review past minutes from February, as there are many good ideas on how to effectively spend funds in treasury.

David Weed proposed a meeting will be held to review our bookkeeping procedure

Report of Work Groups

Access to Health Care

They are moving along with the brochures but there was a hold-up at the printer due to the use of the winning poster design. 

Health First has a Khmer speaking worker who will assist with translation.

Other Initiatives:

-         Soup Kitchen – revisiting the area Soup Kitchens with  “Health Education” information.

-         Collaborate with the Access Committee in New Bedford to brainstorm on a project.

Healthy Lifestyles

There was no March meeting, nothing to report.

Healthy Youth

Poster contest still going on involving 7 area groups.  Poster Award Contest will be Friday, June 9, 2006 from 10- 11:30 AM following the Partners Meeting from 8:30 – 9:30 AM.  This will be held at the Boys and Girls Club, 803 Bedford Street, Fall River, MA.

Involved in the Mayor’s Youth Forum Planning – May 4^th   2:45 – 7:45 PM at BCC.

Theme for this year is “Teen Leadership”.

Health City Initiative

The Second Celebration of “Healthy City Initiative” was a success.  It looks like we will soon be looking for a larger room due to growth of the Partners.

We have come to an agreement with Johnson & Wales University where the Students will do a live demonstration at Salvation Army on Bedford Street in Fall River - May 10, 2:00 PM.  The plan is to demonstrate healthy food preparation that will incorporate items regularly distributed at the food bank.

Next Design Team Meeting is Thursday, June 1 – 8:30 AM @ UMass Dartmouth Extension on South Main Street in Fall River, MA.

Other Discussions

Nominating Committee:

David Weed asked for volunteers to put together a small group to work on this committee.  The Committee would be chaired by BJ Valente as next in line for the Chairperson of the CHNA.

Marcia Picard and Pat Fanning volunteered.  Anyone else interested contact BJ Valente.

Nominations will be presented in June 2006 for election in July.

Other:

-         Fall River Police Department, in conjunction with other groups, have applied for a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety that will provide street outreach workers to work with “at risk” youths involved in gangs.  If we are awarded the grant we will obtain resources and training from a very similar active group model from Dorchester.

-         Actively involved with the Southeast Community Foundation and Craig Dutra in order to help him build relationships in the Greater Fall River area, linking their funding with the appropriate need.

-         “BOLD” Coalition -  Katy Dutille is actively working on their Strategic Plan and will be having a daylong planning workshop in June, including all 12 sectors required by their grant.

-         Fran Fuller read a letter announcing that a set of 4 youth videos is available from South Coast Hospitals addressing the issues of children living with AIDS, violence and teen success stories.  They are available by contacting Kerry Mello at South Coast Hospitals 508-961-5273.

-         2006 Southern New England Heart Walk, Saturday May 6 at Colt State Park, Bristol RI.

-         Health First “Walk Off Winter” – Every Tuesday at noon from April 18 – June 20.  Call Lois Peterson 508-679-9376 X 259.

-         “Spring Sprint” Supporting CD Rec Programs – 5K Walk – on April 29.  David Weed presented the flyer to make it available to solicit sponsors for this event.  A motion was made and approved to donate $100.00 to support this cause.   [Any future decisions on monetary requests for support will be reviewed based on the mission and vision of the CHNA]. 

Meeting Adjourned at 10:00AM

Next Meeting – Friday, May 12, at 8:30 AM

SouthCoast Hospitals Group – Charlton Site

Jackson Conference Room

Visit us at www.gfrpartners.com

Links to Minutes of Previous Meetings

minutes 3-10-06

minutes 2-10-06

minutes 1-13-06

minutes 12-9-05

minutes 11-4-05

minutes 9-9-05

minutes 8-12-05

minutes 6-10-05

minutes 5-13-05

minutes 4-8-05

minutes 3-11-05

minutes 2-11-05

minutes 1-14-05

minutes 12-10-04

minutes 11-12-04

minutes10-8-04

minutes 9-10-04

minutes 8-13-04

minutes 5-14-04

minutes 4-9-04

minutes 3-12-04.html

minutes 2-13-04.html