Monday, May 15, 2006
Board of Director’s Meeting Minutes
Attendance:
Jennifer Tempest Bova, JoAnn Carpenter, Barb Daudelin, Migdalia Diaz, Candace Fujii, Jim Gagne, Meg Hamlet, Demar Harris, Bruce Johnson, Patti Leppala-Bardell, Theresa Loerch, Alex Marx, Liz Nelson, Mary Penich, Chief Raymond Rose, Rep. Kathy Ryg, Sharon Sanders-Funnye, Lisa Sheppard, Connie Willegal
I. Meeting called to order at 8:43 a.m.
II. Introductions
III. Minutes approved
IV. Teen Court presentation from Candace Fuji – Nicasa
Candace Fuji, Teen Court Youth Program Coordinator, gave a brief overview of the teen courts in Lake County, the state and the national teen court system. Highlights from Candace’s presentation include:
9 teen courts in Lake County, the 10th will be in Zion
Teen Court is a youth diversionary program for 1st time offenders between the ages of 10-18 (if still in school); students must admit guilt to go through program.
Teen Court uses principles of balance and restorative justice
Arrest is erased from their record if sentence is completed
Very low recidivism rate – 13%
State association of teen courts – 95 teen courts in Illinois, but only in 20 out of 102 counties
The National Youth Court Program was founded in 1999 through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, only 2 states don’t have teen courts
September is Youth Court month - a national proclamation is being drafted and a march is being planned in Washington D.C. with youth
V. Old Business
A. Town Hall follow-up meeting
1. Bruce Johnson discussed the document being created that lists priority problems and solutions related to underage drinking. The priorities were identified by a voting process conducted at the follow-up town hall meeting using the list of 18 problems and 18 solutions identified at the original town hall mtg.
2. Liz Nelson discussed the National Leadership Conference sponsored by the Underage Drinking Enforcement and Training Center being held in Baltimore. Last year about 15 people from Illinois attended and only one person from Lake County. Liz also mentioned that the Community Drug Prevention Coalition for the Barrington area has about 7 high school students from their youth advisory committee who will be attending the youth track of the conference.
3. There was discussion about what the next step will be to address underage drinking. Bruce Johnson made a motion to formally adopt an underage drinking prevention committee and nominated Liz Nelson as chair. Liz accepted the nomination. The motion was seconded and passed.
VI. New Business
A. Legislative budget – Representative Kathy Ryg needed to leave early, so the agenda was changed
1. Rep. Ryg reported that that last year $12 million went to the Illinois State Board of Education for after school programs and this year an additional $12 million was budgeted; Teen Reach received a small cost of living increase
2. Rep. Ryg also reported that there is concern among legislators about accountability for after school programs not funded through the Illinois Department of Human Services/Teen Reach; during the 1-1 mentoring task force hearings recommendations were made by organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club about an accreditation process and programs meeting national standards; an overall goal is for after school programs to become a line item in the state budget and not something that is temporary and written in from year to year; Bruce and Connie Willegal thanked Rep. Ryg for all that she does in Springfield for Lake County.
B. Illinois After School Alliance
Rep. Ryg reported that Lydia Taylor, Illinois After-School Alliance Coordinator, would like to use our coalition as a “model” for other coalitions across the state. As more information is available, the coalition will be notified.
C. Excellence in Character Awards
Rep. Ryg reported that Character Matters, an organization in Lake County that began shortly after Columbine to highlight character programs in schools and communities, held their first character awards ceremony to honor youth with outstanding character. Sixty-nine young people were nominated by their school and honored at the event.
VII. Old Business (cont.)
A. Committee Reports
1. Membership/Budget Report –
a) Lisa Sheppard reported we have 68 paid members
b) There was discussion about requiring coalition members to be on a committee; a suggestion was made that all members of the Board of Directors need to be involved in a committee but not the general memberships; another suggestion was made to advertise committee meetings more and push committee involvement at the annual meeting. The Strategic Planning Committee will review the bylaws and make recommendations regarding the suggestion Board involvement in committees.
2. Strategic Planning
Mary Penich, shared a letter that has been drafted from Lake County Regional Supt. of Schools, Roycealee Wood, to invite elected officials, corporate administrators, media, etc. to lend their voice in support of the coalition and our mission and be part of the first Advisory Committee. Some changes were suggested and the Strategic Planning Committee decided to meet to work further on the letter and to draft a statement of support.
3. Assessment – no report
4. Youth Advisory – no report
5. Ad/Hoc – Annual Meeting
Bruce Johnson reported that we have been looking at late September or October for the 2nd Annual Meeting; Connie Willegal mentioned that the Girl Scouts have had success with Thursday morning meetings and it was decided to use that suggestion; discussion ensued about whether or not to continue using the Crowne Plaza for the meeting location, the decision was made not to change the venue for consistency
VIII. New Business
A. Board of Director vs. Leadership Team
1. There was discussion about whether there is a difference between Leadership Team meetings and Board of Director meetings. A suggestion was made to hold short Board meetings before Leadership Team meetings. It was decided to keep the meetings status quo for the time being and the Strategic Planning Committee will review the purpose of the Board and its meetings.
2. A reminder was made for Board members to please pay their membership dues
B. Bruce Johnson reported that Wallace Brandies has resigned from Nicasa and the LCASC Board of Directors; Nicasa has invited Victor Morales, Director of Teen Reach, to attend LCASC meetings and consider joining the Board of Directors
IX. Announcements
A. Chief Raymond Rose announced the 11th Annual A-MAY-ZING Mundelein project. The project is on May 20th and offers volunteers the opportunity to assist senior citizens in need of a helping hand.
B. Liz Nelson announced the 4th Annual Steppin’ Out Against Tobacco - World No Tobacco Day Walk on May 20th sponsored by the Tobacco-Free Lake County program of the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center, Reality Illinois and the Lake County Forest Preserves
C. The 3rd Annual Girl-Wise Conference will take place on Saturday, May 20th from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the College of Lake County. This is a conference and resource fair “Just for Girls,” in Junior High thru High School. Brought to you by the 19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County Juvenile Justice Council and the College of Lake County.
D. Patti Leppala-Bardell announced that May 7-13 was Children’s Mental Health Week. Patti also announced that the Illinois Federation of Families has a new office in Lake County due to the generosity of the Girl Scouts - Illinois Crossroads Council.
X. Meeting adjourned – 10:17 a.m.
w Leadership Team meeting – Tuesday, June 26, 2006 at the Mundelein Police Department.
w Board of Directors meeting – Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at the Mundelein Police Department.
w Leadership Team meeting – Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at the Mundelein Police Department.
