Fox Cities Project Promise Poverty Coalition

Fox Cities Project Promise Poverty Coalition

Executive Steering Committee

LEAVEN

March 5, 2009

3:06 – 4:44 p.m.

Meeting minutes

In attendance: Marcia Engen, Jon Stellmacher, Andrew Konkel, Nicole Harrison, Jennifer Wanke, Jennifer Lehner, Pastor Manns, Debra Cronmiller

Absent: Kelly Butzlaff , Carrie Hankes

Call to Order: The Fox Cities Project Promise Poverty Coalition executive steering committee was called to order at 3:06 p.m. by Jennifer Wanke, co-chairperson.

Invocation: Jennifer Lehner shared a message from 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People about an individual who missed mortgage payments, didn’t know what to do, and subsequently did nothing. Counselors periodically find individuals in trouble hiding their problems. We all need to remember, especially in these difficult times, that seemingly unsolvable problems should be shared with others.

Approval of the minutes: The minutes of the February 5, 2009 meeting were previously approved via email.

Adoption of the Agenda: A discussion item was added to the agenda: WCCF Request. The agenda was adopted.

Treasurer’s Report: Debra Cronmiller reported 198 members with $800 in our account.

She also reported a $1,142.19 shortfall for the annual meeting. One suggestion was to use the $800 and accept the remaining funds from a local nonprofit to meet the shortfall. Debra did not recommend that we use PPPC dues money for funding the annual event. Others noted we had previously decided to omit food at future annual meetings and added lowering publishing expenses should also be considered. Jon Stellmacher stated items listed later in the agenda may address this shortfall. Nicole Harrison made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report and Jennifer Lehner seconded it. The treasurer’s report was approved.

Committee Reports:

Analysis & Information: Jennifer Lehner gave a summary of the work of the committee. The “5 Whys” regarding the lack of financial literacy were discussed at the last meeting and members will bring back further “Why” ideas at their next meeting. The committee has also decided to have three-hour monthly meetings for the following scheduled dates; March 19^th (at Goodwill), April 23^rd, May 14^th, and June 18^th. Kevin Hunter suggested the committee contact Lawrence students and Jenn stated this might be an option in the future once they are farther along in their root cause analysis work. The committee is still looking for a co-chair or possibly a tri-chair. This will be discussed later today.

Data for the media kits was sent to Andrew Konkel for the Faith to Face Poverty Week. Andrew added that all updated data should be sent to him and he will forward it to Willems who will monthly update our website as an in-kind donation.

Awareness & Education: Since Pastor Manns and Kelly Butzlaff had not yet arrived, Jennifer W. stated she felt this committee could probably use a tri-chairperson with the amount of work that needs to be done. The PPPC needs to focus on increasing membership, one of our goals, and membership was assigned to the Executive Committee and the Awareness & Education Committee. The Executive Committee would like the A&E Committee to consider establishing a membership goal and planning for its achievement.

Action & Impact: Andrew Konkel (Carrie Hankes was unable to attend today’s meeting) reported on the work of the committee and sub-committees.

The Faith to Face Poverty Week sub-committee has ten+ members; two new members are from the Muslim community. Save the date cards (213) have been sent to local faith leaders and the printing and mailing costs are being covered by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and Sandi Moore, a member of the PPPC and Chair of this sub-committee. The media kit is being developed and the sub-committee is looking for sponsorship/funding.
The Volunteer Resource Fair may be held during a Farmer’s Market on the second floor of the City Center. The Legislative Lunch and Learn, originally planned to be included with the Volunteer Resource Fair, will be held on a separate date due to lack of space at the City Center. Other options for locations are being scouted as well.
The website reconstruction is going well and should be ready in two weeks. The website will be updated monthly by Willems and Amber Huebner.
The Continuum of Care sub-committee is in need of a chairperson. Barb Uehling is currently on vacation but she, Carrie Hankes and Gayle Hardt will be meeting to further define the project before scheduling a sub-committee with other interested members.
A new project based on a book read by young adults, Seedfolks, focuses on community gardening. The committee decided to adopt this new project and will participate in the informal community-wide book read and explore possibly doing other activity choices to further support the project.
Lee Allinger, AASD Superintendent, will be reporting on an early education/parenting task force at the next meeting of the A&I Committee.
Funding or sponsorship is being sought for the activities of the A&I Committee.

Action Item:

Fund Development and Sponsorship: Jon Stellmacher reviewed the stated goals:

…PPPC “will not raise grant funds to support it, but will advocate for the development of funds that support the work of agencies, businesses and other organizations that support the mission of the Coalition.”
…PPPC does not intend to “become an agency, but will be organized and run by volunteers…”

In light of the previously stated goals, the Coalition has some periodic and/or ongoing expenses; events, communications, annual report to the community, etc. The funds from the one-time $25 institutional membership fee were intended to provide working capital for the PPPC but not intended to cover operating expenses.

A discussion to possibly change the wording of the PPPC goals to provide the Coalition with the flexibility to seek operational funds and/or sponsorships was lengthy. It was decided to present the issue at the March 11, 2009 meeting of the full membership. A vote on the proposed issue is anticipated at the June 10, 2009 full membership meeting.

In the meantime, Jon will contact local funders who have expressed an interest in the work of the PPPC and report back to the committee.

Discussion Items:

Request from the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families: WCCF (and the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future (IWF)) has asked PPPC to be the local sponsor of a community forum on the state budget. The invitation was accepted with the date/time of Thursday, March 26^th from 4-6 p.m. A local venue will be secured for the event.
PPPC Presentation: The PPPC will be giving a 15 minute overview of the creation of the Coalition at a luncheon on March 11, 2009. Secretary Reggie Bicha, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, will be in attendance.
Agenda for March 11, 2009:

Nicole Harrison will announce the community forum as a Miscellaneous Report.
Debra will speak to the sponsorship issue.

Coalition members are invited and encouraged to attend PPPC executive steering committee meetings. Contact Co-chairs Jennifer Wanke leaven@new.rr.com or Jon Stellmacher jon.stellmacher@thrivent.com if you plan on attending any of the executive steering committee meetings listed below.

2009 Meeting dates/times/locations:

Executive Steering Committee Full Membership

(First Thursday PM) (Second Wednesday AM)

3:00-4:30 p.m. 7:30-8:30 a.m.

LEAVEN Zion Lutheran Church

April 2 March 11

May 7 June 10

June 4 September 9

July 9* *Adjusted date due to holiday December 9

August 6

September 3

October 1

November 5

December 3

Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 4:44 p.m.

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Steering Committee Meeting Invocations:

(2009)

April Nicole Harrison
May Jennifer Wanke
June Debra Cronmiller
July Jon Stellmacher
August Andrew Konkel
September Pastor Manns
October Kelly Butzlaff
November Marcia Engen
December Carrie Hankes