Present:

A meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community was held on Friday, September 9, 2005 at Southcoast Hospital – Charlton Site.  Chairperson David Weed called the meeting to order at 9:00AM.

Minutes

The minutes of the August 12, 2005 Steering Committee were circulated in advance.

VOTED to approve the Minutes of the August 12, 2005 meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community as circulated.

Financial Report

Reviewed the financial report.  Report covered activity from June, July and August. 

VOTED to approve the Financial Report as presented for September.

The financial audit that has been in the works is completed and everything seems to be in order.  It was suggested that this be done annually, as it is required when applying for grants.

            VOTED to accept the Financial Audit and agreed to repeat this on an annual basis.

In gathering information for the financial audit, it was somewhat difficult to get copies of needed information.  It was suggested that we close our bank account at Bank America and transfer the funds to Webster Bank.  Our treasurer is an employee of Webster Bank and this would be more convenient for us. 

            VOTED to approve switching our bank account to Webster Bank

REPORT OF WORK GROUPS

Access to Health Care

The group is working on the brochure to coincide with the video.  There will be contest among area school children to design the cover of the brochure.  The videos have been distributed and being used in several locations including area hospitals.  There will be a press release on the availability of the video.

Healthy Lifestyles

The group will be sponsoring the Durfee Hilltop with information dedicated to health issues.  All school must have a wellness policy by June 2006.  A committee will be forming geared toward nutrition.  We would like to a representative from Healthy Cities as part of this committee.  There was a “Restore the Trust” rally at the statehouse, in support of reinstating tobacco education and cessation money.  There were very powerful testimonies given.  There is a website, www.tobaccofreemass.org where you can get involved with tobacco cessation in mass, get alerts, contact legislators, etc. 

Healthy Youth

Meetings have switched to the first Wednesday of the month at Admin. South.  We have not established goals for the upcoming year as of yet.  There is another local youth coalition, BOLD, and we are not sure what their goals are, and do not want to duplicate interventions.  We will be working further on coordination with BOLD.   There is grant money that we received in the past that has not been spent yet.  This money should be spent on evaluation, research and development.  We are working on a plan for this grant.

Health City Initiative

A draft of the 45 projects was reviewed.  HCI is awarding 11 minigrants.  The group has been working with non-English communities and there is great interest from leader of these communities.  We are planning an event in conjunction with the Spanish-speaking community sometime in November.  The hope is to plan a much larger scale Spanish festival in the future.  We are looking committee members to help plan such an event.  HCI brochures are being translated into Portuguese, Spanish and Khmer.  The next design team meeting will be on 9/29 at 8:30 at the UMASS professional building.

Legislative Breakfast

The breakfast is scheduled for Friday, October 14^th.  The theme is “Public Health Victories”.  Nominations are due to 9/21.  For anyone who is planning to attend, the money for tickets is due.

Announcements

Health First is having an event on Saturday October 1^st to announce their new pediatrician.  They will also be having a fundraiser on 10/25, featuring Dr. Joan Borsenko.

The Regional Center is hosting a conference on 10/25 in Worcester on school drug testing policies.

Adjourn

Links to Minutes of Previous Meetings

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