General Membership Meeting Minutes
December 11, 2006
Attendance:
Lisa Koklamanis, Judy Armstrong, JoAnn Carpenter, Lisa Daniels, Barb Daudelin, Jim Gagne, Pat Garrity, JoAnn Jakubowski, Adrienne Johnson, Claudia Kasten, Laura Kuever, Susie Kuruvilla, Theresa Loerch, Liz Nelson, Michelle Ricker, Sharon Sanders-Funnye, Lisa Sheppard, Chuck Wilms, Connie Willegal
I. Meeting called to order at 9:10 a.m. and thanks to the Gurnee Park District for hosting this meeting.
II. Old Business
A. Committee Reports
1. Youth Advisory – Sharon Sanders-Funnye reported that the Youth Advisory Committee had met several times in the past months to review which issues needed to be addressed at the 2007 Youth Summit. At their last meeting teenagers identified ‘teen pressure’ as the major focus including: self-image (self-esteem, emotional, and physical health), substance use/abuse (tobacco, alcohol, and drugs), and teen relationships (sex, pregnancy, gangs). The purpose of the Summit is to a) give Lake County youth a voice on issues that are important to them, b) take information back to their school or community to share, c) develop strategies on how to share information more broadly and d) how after school programs can assist in affecting change. Liz Nelson will check the availability of the College of Lake County as a possible location for either Tuesday, April 17th or Wednesday, April 18th.
A flyer asking youth to participate in the Youth Summit will be sent to all Lake County schools via fax from the Regional Office of Education. Some of the organizations that have expressed an interest in participating are Boys & Girls Club of Lake County, Lake County Health Department, College of Lake County, Croya, St. Martin de Porres High School, and Nicasa. Connie Willegal said this would be considered the pilot program for Youth Summits. Some concerns of the 2007 Youth Summit are attendance, transportation of youth to the event, and getting representation from areas of Lake County that don’t traditionally participate. The next Youth Advisory Committee will be held on January 16th. The YAC meets monthly in various locations throughout Lake County. Contact Sharon Sanders-Funnye at ssfunnyebgclc@aol.com for more information.
2. Underage Drinking Prevention – Liz Nelson reported the committee has been meeting monthly to determine where to focus prevention efforts. The committee decided to conduct youth focus groups to gather in depth information to compliment data from the Illinois Youth Survey. About 4-6 high schools will be approached about hosting focus groups during lunch periods and students will be randomly selected and sent a pass to attend.
Township High School District 113 (Deerfield/Highland Park) hosted a town hall meeting on underage drinking on Tuesday, November 28, 2006. About 750 people attended the town hall that consisted of a panel of local officials and experts with an opportunity for people to sign up to be involved on a task force to develop next steps to prevent future tragedies. Liz attended the meeting and provided information on the LCASC and underage drinking prevention.
The Lake County Chiefs of Police Association created an underage drinking committee that met on Monday, December 4th, 2006. About 36 people attended representing almost every police department in Lake County, the Lake County State’s Attorneys Office and a few agencies that work very closely with the 19th Judicial Circuit Court and law enforcement. The committee watched the video “This Place” that was shown at the LCASC town hall meeting in April, to set the tone and give ideas of what other communities are doing to address underage drinking. Liz reviewed what the underage drinking prevention committee of the LCASC has done so far and discussed promising practices highlighted at the Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center’s National Leadership Conference. Several topics related to underage drinking were discussed including adults/parents hosting parties, alcohol compliance checks, other sectors of the community that need to be involved, etc. and it was decided to break into four subcommittees: legislation, enforcement, membership/participation and communication/education. The next meeting will be in late January or early February to allow the subcommittees time to meet.
3. Strategic Planning – Theresa Loerch reported she is in the process of updating the LCASC website and had asked the Strategic Planning committee to review the ‘goals of the coalition’. Connie Willegal said that the committee will review the goals in their next meeting to make sure they reflect current practice.
4. Membership - Lisa Sheppard reported that she sent out an e-mail reminder for 2007 membership renewal. Currently there are a total of 58 members of the coalition. Upon receipt of the membership renewal, Lisa sent out thank you letters and acknowledgements. The 2007 membership form is available on the website.
A. Legislative Budget Update – no update.
1. Sharon Sanders-Funnye reported she will be sending out an e-mail blast promoting the College Readiness Workshop and Saturday Science on February 10th, 2007.
2. Michelle Ricker mentioned the 4th Annual Girl Wise Conference will be held on April 21st at the College of Lake County with more information to follow.
3. Liz Nelson reported the Tobacco Free Lake County program of the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center received a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health that includes money for a media campaign. Radio commercials developed with their youth advocacy group Reality will be airing on KISS FM, 103.5 in the next few months.
IV. Meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
V. Optional tour of Hunt Club Community Center
Upcoming General Membership Meeting Dates:
w Monday, January 22nd at 8:30 a.m., Mundelein Police Department
w Monday, February 12th at 8:30 a.m., Mundelein Police Department