Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2007
Attendance:
Jennifer Tempest Bova, JoAnn Carpenter, Carolina Duque, Jim Gagne, Pat Garrity, David Hare, Demar Harris, Bruce Johnson, Susie Kuruvilla, Theresa Loerch, Mary Penich, Margaret Resnick, Michelle Ricker, Ray Rose, Sharon Sanders-Funnye, Lisa Sheppard, Connie Willegal
I. Meeting called to order at 8:40 a.m.
II. Officer Reports
A. Co-President – Chief Ray Rose announced that two board members recently resigned from the board to pursue other opportunities - Meg Hamlet and Victor Morales. Mary Penich reported that she will retire from her position at the end of June and she, too, will resign from the board. Mary will continue to work for the Lake County Regional Office of Education as a consultant to oversee the Reading Recovery Program, homeless student issues, and Pre-School for All compliance. Gary Pickens will be the new Lake County Assistant Regional Superintendent effective July 2nd.
B. Co-Vice President – no report
C. Secretary – no report
D. Treasurer – Lisa reported that there were 17 organizations and 76 individual members to date. She also reminded the coalition to submit any expenses from the Youth Summit to Nicasa for reimbursement.
III. Committee Reports
A. Youth Advisory – Pat Garrity reported that the 2007 “Be the Change!” - Youth Empowerment Summit was a huge success. There were 131 7th and 8th graders and 24 high school facilitators who participated in the event. Pat reported the adult chaperones attended a workshop on supporting youth facilitated by CROYA’s executive director - Kamy Daddono. The students had the opportunity to attend two of the three breakout sessions – Teen Relationships by CROYA staff: Todd Nahigian, Chris Torrance and Joanne Yorro, Substance Abuse by Liz Nelson and Self Image by Kevin Wanzer (keynote) and were able to take a lot of information back with them to their respective schools. Several of the schools sent 7th graders possibly thinking that they would be able to carry out what they learned at the event into the next year. The Youth Summit met the planning committee’s expectations and they were thrilled that they were able to get participation from schools across Lake County. During the discussion groups the students and adults were asked to fill out an evaluation of their goals: personal, school and community. This data was collected and is currently being compiled. The Youth Advisory committee will be meeting soon to review the data and to make recommendations for the next Youth Summit. As soon as the information is available, it will be shared with the coalition. There was also discussion concerning a follow up thank you letter to the schools before the end of the school year and then possibly to reconvene in the fall. Chief Ray Rose said it was important to keep the momentum and to think about next steps. Sharon Sanders-Funnye recommended starting the planning process early. It was also suggested that a representation of these students participate at the LCASC Annual meeting in the fall.
Pat also thanked Connie Willegal and Mary Penich for handling the Advisory Breakfast and Bruce Johnson for handling the arrangements with the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Michelle Ricker commented that it was a great idea for everyone to introduce themselves at the breakfast – it gave the sponsors and Advisory Board members the opportunity to know who was involved with the Youth Summit. Theresa Loerch reported that a follow-up thank you letter and a copy of the News Sun article will be sent to each sponsor. Pictures of the Youth Summit will be posted on the website and possibly used for a power point presentation at the Annual Meeting.
B. Underage Drinking Prevention – On behalf of Liz Nelson, Bruce Johnson reported that the committee reviewed the Illinois Youth Survey data at their last meeting. Attached is the data from the 2006 Lake County - Illinois Youth Survey Results.
The focus groups for Zion-Benton H.S. are scheduled to meet this week. Liz had contacted Round Lake High School several times, but has not heard back.
The Community Forum on Substance Abuse held in collaboration with Stevenson Area P.R.O.U.D. (People Rallying to Oppose Underage Drinking) went well with approximately 70 people in attendance. A presentation by Angela Halverson, consultant with the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, on “alcopops” solicited more questions than anticipated so there was not time for groups to plan application of the information. The handout that was developed to facilitate group action planning was distributed, so the groups can go through this process at their own meetings.
Bruce reported that The Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center's National Leadership Conference is coming up in Orlando, Florida from August 2 to 4. He would like to recommend that the coalition pay for Liz to attend on behalf of the LCASC coalition. The conference registration: $125, airfare: approximately $300, hotel: $89 per night plus 3 dinners at $25 each. Approximate total cost is $750. Bruce Johnson made a motion for Liz to attend the conference on behalf of the LCASC. Connie Willegal seconded the motion. There was discussion on whether Liz should attend on behalf of the LCASC because there would be recognition on a national level. Connie also requested that Liz come back with an Action Plan. Jim Gagne said that this would be money well spent because of the information that would be brought back. All were in favor.
The Underage Drinking Prevention committee meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month beginning at 9 a.m. at the Girl Scouts-Illinois Crossroads Council facility in Vernon Hills
C. Strategic Planning – Connie Willegal reported that now is the time to start the planning process for the 3rd Annual LCASC meeting. There was discussion on suggested dates of either October 4th or October 11th. Bruce Johnson will check with the Crowne Plaza Hotel–North Shore for availability and then Theresa will send a Save The Date e-mail to the coalition list. There was discussion to include students who participated in the Youth Summit at the Annual meeting and possible suggestions for a keynote speaker. A signup sheet for annual meeting sub-committee was sent around the room. Bruce Johnson was nominated to chair the committee.
IV. Announcements
A. Michelle Ricker announced that the 19th Judicial Circuit and Lake County Juvenile Justice Council will sponsor their 4th Annual Girl-Wise Conference taking place on Saturday, April 21st from 9-3 p.m. at the College of Lake County; Grayslake Campus – Building C (Auditorium). For more information, call (847) 377-7800.
B. Pat Garrity reported that The City of Waukegan has been chosen to map the community's successes in preparing youth for adulthood by using the Ready by 21 process through support from the Illinois Department of Human Services. Ready by 21 will assist in developing a comprehensive landscape of Waukegan's services, supports, and opportunities and will enhance networking, identify potential gaps, and develop action plans. Community members and agencies which provide services for youth from ages 0 to 21 in Waukegan are invited to complete a survey. All members who complete the survey will receive a copy of the Ready by 21 report along with PowerPoint graphs, charts and other useful tools to support their work with youth in Waukegan. Please contact Pat Garrity at (847)377-8187 or email pgarrity@co.lake.il.us for more information.
VI. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
Upcoming Meeting Dates:
General Membership
w May 14th (Monday) at 8:30 a.m., Mundelein Police Department
w June 18th (Monday) at 8:30 a.m., Mundelein Police Department
Underage Drinking Prevention Committee
w May 15th (Tuesday) at 9:00 a.m., Girl Scouts – Illinois Crossroads Council