MassPRA Board Meeting 7/13/2008

ATTENDING

Steve LaMaster, Paul Ottenstein, Deborah Delman, Diane Gould, Clara Carr, Margaret Jordan, Brett Poza, Mary Gregorio, Maria Restrepo-Toro, Lyn Legere, Brian Osborne, Kerri Kuklentz

NOT ATTENDING

Bob Schueler, Marcia Webster, Will Buckley, David Webster

JUNE MINUTES

The June minutes were unanimously approved.

TREASURER'S REPORT

We received a reimbursement check from National for the first quarter of 2007 in the amount of $583.00. We reimbursed our Chapter Rep $551.82 for attendance at the National conference and to attend a board meeting. We had $200.00 in workbook sales. And we purchased post it notes for $858.02. This gives us a fund balance of $12,467.00.

USPRA

Although Bob was not here today, he sent out an email previous to todayÕs meeting about creating a chapter task force to look at the issue of hiring paid staff. Brian had contacted Bob and this task force and has volunteered to sit on the committee. There was discussion about feedback for the national conference concerning it is still a provider conference. Specifically there were designated central places to meet people and talk, the level of language used in workshops was more complicated than needed, and missing the practice of collaboration of workshops between providers and people who receive services. Lyn Legere and Deborah Delman will work on a written response to the conference committee. Mary reported that one of the contending locations for the 2009 USPRA conference is Providence, Rhode Island. More information will follow.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

For the next annual meeting, tentatively scheduled April 2, 2008, Mary Gregorio will check into which rooms are available at the State House for approximately 100 people. Steve was able to confirm that Mark Ragins will be the key note speaker at the MassPra conference this October. Half of the day will be spent at the conference. There was discussion of creating an early session before the key note so that people who came early to the conference could hear him speak. Potentially calling it a "Transformation Conversation" and include Harvey and people from the state with Mark Ragins. There was discussion about should those people that we solicit to come the conference pay the conference fee. If this would take place it would be important that it was clear and communicated well who did not have to pay. Reframing their role to invited presenter was suggested by Deborah. Brett suggested there could be board sponsored presentations. To accommodate larger organizations, if you send 10 people, the 11th person could be free. Clara was asked to check if MBHP would be interested in sponsorship. Brian was asked to check if DMH would be interested in sponsorship. There was discussion about including CEUS for the next conference.

MEMBERSHIP

August and September are open for scheduling conversations at any location about any topic. Ann Roy is very interested in participating with the MassPRA chapter. There has been no response from Mike O'Neil from the meeting Susan Abbott and Margaret Jordan attended requesting a sum of money to provide these trainings state wide. Everyone was willing to pay Pat Nemec for 1 hour to create a quick follow up survey for those who participated in the training. Steve talked about the Center of Medicaid Services would be revising their language for licensing. This would be an area that we as a board could influence.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Lyn has informed us she will be retiring from working with people around social security, but will host trainings in the fall, so that others can take on the role as social security expert. More information will follow about this upcoming training.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

From all the discussion and brainstorming during our strategic planning meeting, three committees have been developed. Each committee can choose when and how they are going to meet. Each committee will have a leader who will invite members to participate in on their committee. Below are the committee leaders and their committees. Maria Restrepo-Toro: Education and Services Development Diane Gould: Advocacy and System Change Mary Gregorio: Membership Goals

No board meeting in August. Conference committee will meet TBA