Board Meeting 03/17/96
DRAFT

ATTENDING

Bob Schueler (current chair), Margaret Jordan (future chair), Gail Blakely (treasurer), Ley Legere, Clara Carr, Keri Kuklentz, Mary Gregorio, Paul Ottenstein, Deborah Delman, David Webster (secretary), Diane Gould, Marcia Webster, Beth Poza (Quorum)
 

NOT ATTENDING

Susan Abbott (training); Will Buckley (Chicago), Brian Osborne, Maria Restropo-Toro (ill): Bob to contact Michelle Forlizzi about whether she is ever coming.
 

FEBRUARY MINUTES

Minutes accepted for February Meeting unanimously.
 

OFFICERS FOR NEXT 3 YEARS:

Deborah Delman interested in being President-elect; Brian Osborne interested in being treasurer; Keri Kuklentz interested in being secretary.  Slate of officers to be presented to members; unanimous
 

ANNUAL MEETING

Thurs. 4.6 9:30 - 12, Statehouse (see flyer).

What is message to legislators from members who go? MJ-get funding for direct care workers; DD-keeping income tax at current rate is good point; CC-no immediate change in MBHP likely this FY, but could be an RFP and major changes during the year in anticipation of next contract.

Can we demonstrate that rehab saves money?  That it leads to job?  Can tell stories, and mention what agencies do.  E.g. reduced recidivism in W. Mass and Central Ave.

DD-simple cheat sheet- Mary and Deborah

MJ-send out flyer with mentioning that it is a chance to reach legislators.  LL-let's prepare better and have info next year.

BS-can do a values presentations on working and building communities.

PO-when we started MA chapter, the idea was to do some lobbying, let's get back into it.

MJ &BS-develop relationships w key aides.  Joint leg committee in MH and substance abuse.

MW-stories about the pluses of long-term relationships and the dangers of staff turnovers.

BS-hard to find staff that can be brained, much less come in w skills.

LL-rehab and transitional youth

MG-might we have packets to drop off?? BS-target

DD-Could be empowering to have a process of and discussion by massPRA members... or at least send out info early and decide if the organization supports.

DW-Agrees that the members should vote on decision?

BS, LL, MG-formal vote at meeting is logistically difficult.  Perhaps we could have talking points and encourage members to speak up, they will chose what to do and whom to speak for.

BP-will help format packet and get quotes of real people.

FLOW of event - Pat Nemec - 45" or so, Mike O'Neil from Commissioner Child's office... perhaps a legislator - Rep. Ellen Story or another from MH committee; Bill Taylor from Advocates on workforce - 10 Minutes.

Need to have an identified consumer - Lyn Legere can talk - including that she is going off benefits.

ORDER: Intro. Business incl.  Committee reports, officers, open forum for members, Pat, Mike, Ellen, Bill - possible order, w Bill as ending inspiration.

Need guides as you come into the state house.  Coffee and pastries; long room, small size is OK

CC - to send BS the list of legislators' emails, to send an invite to all Legislators.
 

NATIONAL BOARD OF USPRA

Mary was recruited to run for board, will be competitive.

USPRA chapter affiliation;  accepted unanimously on advice of BS
 

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT

Paul - having regional conversation 3/31.  has a panel almost set.  DW to ask a veteran leader of peer group, other possibilities.

4/28 Bay Cove: "Creating Fundraising during the era of level funding."

MW need on in W. Mass - ?? Advocacy
DD - coercion and outpt commitment

Mary to put up tentative agenda for people to see.

Bob met w NFI, CASCAP; Mary met w SMOC, they all may join in part or whole.
 

PUBLIC POLICY

Susan, Margaret, Gail, Bob, Brian, held March 1 with Commissioner Childs; talked about curriculum very positively.  commissioner wants to include curriculum in RFRs and make changes in the culture of the Dept., rehab as part of what supports recovery.

Aiming for a full one-semester training next fall, either metro Boston or metro suburban West.  Give up on community colleges.  Perhaps 25 people for 14 weeks.

The Dept. has little training capacity, so that is a problem.

Interest from HR in Health Human Services (MG).  They are interested in hiring people w disabilities.

DD - can see transformation ctr providing training

BS - need to have competency based.
 

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

October 25; we need keynoter: Bill Taylor, Larry; Fritz from Georgia, and Ike Powell (trainer in psych rehab, but not consumer or provider).  Mary Ellen Copeland, Shery Mead, Jane Winterling in VT, WRAP and training there.  Will Buckley and committee to get this information when he is back.

DD Arizona is transforming how workforce is organized.  META training staff and consumers in competencies.  Develop peer specialists for state-wide workforce.  Include WRAP in all parts of their training.

Could we get Arizona people?  Gene Johnson, Alternatives evaluate staff in good way;

PO - Who is good locally at hiring people in recovery"  Don Hughes or Carolyn Allen from Riverside - Val Comerford is a dynamic speaker.

DD should also speak about our curriculum.

MG - will never have national conference in Boston; too pricey

The board thanks Diane Gould and Alternatives for providing a quality meeting place that is fairly easy to get to.

Next meeting is annual meeting, 4-6-06; Next board meeting will have new officers and is 3rd Friday in May.