Present:

A meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community was held on Friday, June 9, 2006 at the Boys and Girls Club on Bedford Street in Fall River.  Chairperson David Weed was unable to attend.  BJ Valente called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM.

Minutes

The minutes of the May 12, 2006 Steering Committee were circulated in advance.

VOTED to approve the Minutes of the May 12, 2006 meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community as circulated.

Financial Report

VOTED to approve Financial Report as of May 2006

·        Work Group balances were not included on the financial report due to the fact that BJ Valente was too busy this month to update.   BJ Valente will review and report next month.  Each group knows what funds are available.

·        Joe Borges reported that the check amount for the approved donation to fund one of the buses for the Durfee HS Junior prom going to Boston was made out for $650.00 and is all set.  Students were overwhelmed with this generous donation.

·        Joe Borges suggested that the committee should consider conducting a 2-year audit, in light of the officer change in the near future.  He will ask the auditor for a quote as to what this would cost in comparison to a 1-year audit.  This was approved by members present.

Report of Work Groups

Access to Health Care

Pat Fanning reported that the proofs for the brochures look great!  She is quite pleased with the results.

New Fall Project:  Revival of visiting Fall River Soup Kitchens, where the video will be shown, health screenings will be conducted as well as education around illness prevention and treatment.

Healthy Lifestyles

Sue Sterrett reported that members did not meet.  Sue gave her time at this meeting to guest, Jane DiBiasio, who is a grant writer.  She circulated a draft for RFP’s which included 5 questions she brought to the group:

1. Do we want to use an application form perhaps on the Partners web site?
2. How will we publicize?  Newspaper, on-line, web site?
3. Do we want to specify # of copies?
4. Do we want to include specs in the RFP or refer them to web site or POC for an application?
5. Do we want to mention preference for projects that serve multi-cultural populations?

That committee will take back input received from this group and will revise and finalize the RFP application and process.  Will publicize in August, formally present at the September Steering Committee meeting to be released the following Monday, September 11, 2006 and announce recipients at October meeting Friday, October 13, 2006.

Healthy Youth

BJ Valente welcomed all to this special meeting which includes the Poster Award Contest!  The posters were already on display with a supply for anyone to take back with them.  This year catered food and beverages were offered.  Award recipients along with their parents/guardians/caregivers are expected to arrive at 10:00 AM.  BJ encouraged all to stay for the awards if they had the time.

Mike Coughlin reported that there was mention in the paper regarding the Police Department being awarded a State Grant = $370,000 for gang prevention.  Two outreach workers will be hired to work directly with at risk youth in areas of the city where there is known gang activity.  Goal is to turn these teens in other directions to get involved in appropriate activities.

Discussion followed on how there have been so many state funding cuts in sports and health education in the schools.  Students will have more idle time which could lead to negative behaviors.  Other states have recognized this situation and actually increased funds.  BJ Valente noted that this might be a good area to channel funds into from the CHNA grants.

Healthy City Initiative

Design Team met last week.  Talked about the Mini Grants coming out after July 4.  Looking for ways to get the grant info out to the community.  There will be a press release and the Mayor wants to be a part of this announcement which will be on July 13 at 10:00 AM in the Fall River Room on the 6^th Floor at City Hall.   There will be past recipients there to tell their success stories.  Jane DiBiasio added that perhaps this would be a good forum in which to mention the other grants that will be available this Fall.

Next Design Team Meeting is Thursday September 21, 2006 8:30 am – 10:00.  Location UMASS Fall River Building South Main Street.

Nominating Committee:

Committee met earlier today.  Discussed the responses they received from letters sent out.  They now have a complete list of slate for Steering Committee.  Nomination form will be attached to this list and mailed to all active members as defined in the by laws.   The group will present the slate of members and nominations for officers to be voted on during the August meeting with new officers taking over in September.  New members will be invited to the August meeting as an orientation.

Announcements:

It was decided that there not be a July meeting due to anticipated lack of attendance.

BOLD (Building Our Lives Drug-Free) is sponsoring a family fun day on Saturday, June 24 at SSTAR, 386 Stanley Street, Fall River – from 12-3PM.  Live entertainment, food and beverages available.

Saturday, June 17 is the wrap up for Fall River’s “Cultural Diversity Celebration” – There will be an organized march ending at Ruggles Park, activities at the park from 12-3 PM will be the Kickoff for the CD Recreation Summer Program.  Tables are available for groups to do a craft with children and display agency materials.

Neighborhood Summer Festivals begin July 11 from 3:30 to 6:30 and continue on each Tuesday until August 1.

August 1 is also “National Night Out Against Crime” so the Festival will move to Griffin Park that night.  Griffin Park is located near Vic’s Car Wash in the Corky Row Neighborhood

Committee agreed to donate $1000.00 to the Summer Festival Committee.

Diabetes Association raised $27,000. from their walk-a-thon to benefit Camp Kyle which is free for children with diabetes.  FYI- The location for the camp is being changed to the Boy Scout Camp in Rehoboth.

Next Diabetes Association fundraiser will be on June 15 and June 18 where specialty, hand crafted sterling silver jewelry and other jewelry will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the Association.

Diabetes Association is looking for a new Program Director.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:30AM

NO MEETING IN JULY

Next Meeting – August 11, at 8:30 AM

At the South Coast Hospitals Group – Charlton Site

Jackson Conference Room

Visit us at www.gfrpartners.com

Links to Minutes of Previous Meetings

minutes 5-12-06

minutes 4-14-06

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