Fox Cities Project Promise Poverty Coalition

Zion Lutheran Church

June 10, 2009

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Meeting minutes

Call to Order:

The Fox Cities Project Promise Poverty Coalition meeting was called to order at 7:40 a.m. by Jennifer Wanke, Co-Chairperson.

Invocation:

Debra Cronmiller shared a quote from Marie Curie, scientist, who challenged those who want to improve the world to first work for their own improvement, followed by work to improve those amongst us in need of the assistance of others. When those things occur, the world would begin to improve. This message is reflected in the work of PPPC in the Fox Cities.

Approval of Minutes:

A motion by Barb Uehling and seconded by Will Bloedow to accept the minutes of the March 11, 2009 meeting as printed was approved.

Sharing of Information: Individual members and representatives (from the following community organizations) shared information with the coalition.

CAP Services FVTC Warming Shelter

Almost Home Circles of Support Appleton Area School District

United Way ThedaCare Habitat for Humanity

CHAT Goodwill Industries Big Brothers & Big Sisters

COTS YMCA-Fox Cities Lutheran Social Services

Christ the Rock Church Urban Threads Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

ESTHER NAMI LEAVEN

BABES Common Ground WI Council on Children & Families

Congressman Kagen Emergency Shelter

Treasurer’s Report:

Debra Cronmiller, treasurer, reported the addition of two organization members since the last meeting. The current deficit of approximately $800 will be removed by the end of June as PPPC has been informed it will be receiving a grant from Thrivent. An application for a Keller grant has been submitted for working capital in support of planned PPPC activities. The question of making organization dues annual as opposed to the current practice of one-time dues will be on the September agenda. Sandi Moore made a motion to approve and Paul Westergard seconded it. The motion was approved.

Committee Reports:

• Analysis & Information: Mito Kudaka and Jennifer Lehner, co-chairs, reported the committee was continuing its work on creating a poverty score card. Information would be gathered monthly from community groups and reported quarterly. The committee created and provided a fact sheet to be included in the Faith to Faith event and will continue its work on Root Cause Analysis in the area of Financial Literacy. A roundtable discussion is scheduled for July 30^th and the next committee planning meeting is June 18^th, 1-3 p.m. at Goodwill Industries.

• Awareness &Education: Pastor Manns, co-chair, reported a final draft of a PPPC brochure designed to be distributed in the community to build awareness of Project Promise Poverty Coalition is ready for printing. The committee is looking for a business or organization willing to donate the printing of 500 copies. The PPPC Speakers Bureau is operational and the committee is promoting the availability of speakers on the issue of poverty. Any groups interested in a speaker should contact Mary Wisnet, United Way. The planning for the PPPC Annual Report to the Community is underway. A site has been offered, at no cost to the coalition which will save on expenses for this event. The next committee meeting is June 16^th starting at noon at United Way.

• Action & Impact: Andrew Konkel, co-chair, stated the Continuum of Care subcommittee has assigned liaisons to existing groups in the community. Information will be sought from these groups to assist the subcommittee members in gathering information that will be used in developing the schematic design. The Faith to Face kickoff event for faith community representatives is scheduled for June 24^th at 7 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Invitations have been sent and media kits are being developed for participating faith communities to use during the week of October 9-15^th. The next meeting is at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on June 15^th at 7 p.m. The Seedfolks project has concluded. It has been estimated that 10,000 participated in the community read and the play based on the book and performed by Renaissance School students was well attended. The Volunteer Fair is scheduled for July 18^th, 8 a.m. – Noon, in conjunction with the Farmers Market, the 2^nd largest Farmers Market in Wisconsin. It is anticipated that the Fair will be held on the first floor of City Center. Email invitations will be sent to limit expenses.

Miscellaneous Reports, Updates and Issues:

Marcia Engen distributed copies of the Vision 2020 report card which “grades’ the progress in eradicating poverty in Wisconsin by 2020. Due to the passage and implementation of BadgerCare Plus, Wisconsin now has a grade of B for Healthy Children. The full report is online at www.2020wi.org.

Action Item:

Andrew Konkel reported the PPPC website www.projectpromisefoxcities.org was active but due to internet connection difficulties he was not able to show it at the meeting as planned. Organizations wanting their links to appear on the site should contact Andrew. Coalition members were encouraged to thank Willems Marketing for their gracious support in the creation of the PPPC website. A volunteer to maintain the website is anticipated.

Other Communication:

In response to a question about predatory lending, pending legislation is now before the legislature and is anticipated to end Friday. The legislation is seeking to cap the interest at 36% which is a great improvement from the interest rates of up to 500% currently being charged. Coalition members were encouraged to contact their legislators. (See attachment.)

Adjournment:

Debra Cronmiller made a motion to adjourn, Dale Schaber seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 a.m.

• For further information about PPPC go to http://www.projectpromisefoxcities.org/.

• 2009 Coalition Membership Meeting Schedule

September 9

December 9

All meetings are held at Zion Lutheran Church, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

• 2009 Executive Steering Committee Meeting Schedule

July 9

August 6

September 3

October 1

November 5

December 3

All meetings are held at LEAVEN, 3:00-4:00 p.m.