Railbelt Mental Health & Addictions

Wellness minutes for Oct 18^th 2005

Taken by Miles Martin

Attending

Blaine and Bonnie Reed, Miles Martin, Tim Horn, Karen Lord, Ray Fox, Donald Charlie, Endil Moore, Traci Wiggins, Vickie Moyle,  Wayne Walters, Bud Krause

 

Started at 12:20 Orchestrated by Bud

 

We heard a payer by Bonnie and said the pledge of allegiance. The mission statement was read by everyone out loud.

 

Wayne gave a hockey rink update. Work has been done getting the ground more level.

Ray Fox was commended for his work as well as the children from the school. The hope is for a hard surface to go down maybe next summer. Also more equipment might be able to be acquired. Much of this is just in the talking stage but tentative talks are taking place with individuals and organizations able to help. The ice machine used to finish up the ice for games needs new blades and this is a $900 investment but it looks like the school can help with that and the blades will be the kind that can be re-sharpened.  This can be done in Fairbanks. We all gave a hand to Wayne and Ray for their efforts with this project.

 

Vickie Moyle spoke next on the subject of the new policy for use of the senior center. She had been asked to attend by the group to go over this new policy as there seemed to be misunderstandings or lack of agreement on what is expected and why. The discussion that followed is difficult to quote or even sum up as it was emotionally charged and confusing, though on the surface so straight forward.

            Vickie pointed out this new policy is not her policy but a directive from the board she works for. The new policy is basically that every user of the building is expected to help take care of it. A $25 user fee for each use is expected, to cover the various building costs. Likewise the building is expected to be left the way it was found- with trash picked up floor swept and any food issues dealt with by the group- in terms of who would prepare and clean up after. The seniors are willing to take their turn along with everyone else but not be solely responsible. There had been issues in the past of various groups (not necessarily Wellness) expecting the seniors to provide food cook and clean. Vickie stated that her first objective is to take care of the seniors, which is her job, and secondary would be use of the building for other activities. The list of what is expected is posted on the wall for all to read and a contract was agreed to and signed by Traci –on behalf of WIN agreeing to the new policy. The money paid ahead got used up and Vickie had sent a notice asking how we wished to be billed in the future. Endil- who is on the senior board- verified this is a board policy not a personal policy. Endil pointed out the dire straights the senior program finds itself in. Vickie pointed out that if the money is a burden then in-kind trade of services is an option—things like mowing, shoveling, donations of coffee, printer paper, services of any kind. Vickie pointed out that a church group meets every Sunday with no problems and are very happy with the policy and willingly pays and does a good clean up job. So what’s the problem here?

            Things had been quite different in the past. It was pointed out the senior’s were members of the Wellness group, and what they had contributed in the past was a place to meet. In return the various entities represented by the Wellness coalition had done various kind of work on the center and helped out in a variety of ways. Mostly there had been good feeling and no one had felt used and there seemed to be no issues. Miles expressed the idea that all groups in Nenana are hurting financially, these are hard times all around. Do we all want to start charging each other for everything now? The old way was really not working too well anymore even if it had worked for many years. Endil understands that part of the issue with the Wellness group is we have no budget, no money, no officers, and are a loose collection of the entire community with no one in charge. Don wondered why we could not just all pay, and it might come to something like $2 a person per meeting. Bonnie pointed out that we could not get $2 per person to cover food cost in the past. There had maybe been an assumption of the Wellness group that Mental Health had money in its budget to cover such costs and would cover this new policy fee, so it had been off the rest of the group’s minds when Traci stepped forward to have Mental Health pay.  Certainly Vickie believes Mental Health has the money, so it should not be a money issue here.  A policy was read, agreed to, signed and considered a done deal according to Vickie. Someone suggested maybe there was a misunderstanding of the contract. After all, things had been so loose in the past that signing something might have been seen as a formality to be loosely worked out one way or the other, not strictly adhered to. The senior Board and Vickie’s request seems on the surface straight forward and easy to understand. The only question being how will we pay, and if we have an issue we need to bring it to the board and or we should not have signed an agreement. But having singed we need to live up to it.

 

 Traci spoke up, very upset, saying this is becoming a personal issue with her and she is being slammed. There had been some question (alluded to at several meetings) as to if the problem was personal between Vickie and Traci. (If so a solution could be to have others deal with the issue. It is not who might be right or wrong but how can this be resolved). Is the problem about money and budget? Miles pointed out this had been true for the Chamber of Commerce when the new policy was presented. The $25 fee represents a year’s membership in the Chamber. We have maybe 5 people getting together for an hour. For the amount asked for we can go to a restaurant and each have a meal. But there were no hard feelings about it. The Chamber did not want to get something for nothing and if we can’t afford to meet at the Senior’s we do not want to be a burden. Vickie had been very nice and understanding and pointed out we could trade. I wished we had more money or more time to offer but could not see it as realistic at this time.

Traci had said at the previous meeting she had no real problem with just donating that amount of money yearly to the seniors and not call it a fee of any kind. Traci asked about the city doing ‘in kind’ trades and feels Mental Health is in the same situation and has helped out over the years in various ways. How can the policy be different for one group then another? Is WIN then being singled out as a target- being given blame where it is not justified? Vickie herself had named various WIN attendees who had volunteered tremendous time in working on the building – so why is that not ‘in kind trade’?

Don agreed he thought Traci was being slammed and even if the facts spoken are correct there could be a nicer way to present them that was not hurtful. But Vickie feels that it was she who had been slammed when the Wellness group talked about her without her being present, at our last meeting, and the report she got back from someone present was that she had been slammed- and so feels hurt angry and defensive. This is further exasperated by the fact that Vickie has repeatedly asked for WIN minutes to be emailed so she can stay informed, and had repeatedly given her email address and never got the minutes. It seemed like a personal issue to her, when anyone else requesting to be emailed minutes seems to have got them. (There were other perceived personal slights.) Traci had previously addressed these slights but felt she should not have to defend herself publicly- and stated there was not a problem and she had been totally professional and considerate in all her dealings. Traci was so upset by the direction of the meetings proceedings she could not discuss it further, was against paying the money and walked out.. What seems like it should be a fairly minor issue requiring 5 minutes of discussion has escalated into who knows what. There was no resolution to the problem. This sums up the basics of the issue as discussed.  Mostly at this meeting it was Vickie  and the Senior’s perspective being explained,  as she had been invited to speak. There is a great deal ‘behind the scenes’ strong feelings and this discussion, as stated, is like a tip of an iceberg but probably will suffice for a minutes report. It was good to at least get some of it out in the open, enough that we can fill in the blanks, and this  should help  the group  make a good decision.

 

Kim gave a report on the Wellness Fair. She was trying to find out what it would take to have one. She talked to someone named Phyllis, who is in charge of health fairs and found out a 2 day training needs to be attended in Anchorage. But it might be good to have such a fair at the school and involve total wellness. Kim will find out more.

 

Bud asked for a report from all the entities represented. Miles said a scheduled Chamber meet for this Thursday the 20^th had to be postponed and should be help the following Thursday the 27^th.

 

Karen Lord gave an update from the school. They got a grant to reduce alcohol abuse. Rita got her funding for Native language. Next week is ‘Red Ribbon’ week. Someone named Earl is to be a guest speaker flying in the 25^th and out the 27^th. There will be a fire fight class at they end of the week that is expected to go around the community and test fire alarms , starting with elderly , moving on to families with kids and the rest if time permits. Some sort of statistics will be gathered- about who needed batteries changed and such.  The student council is in charge of Red Ribbon Week. On another subject there will be a dance at George Hall November 4^th with DJ music On the 18^th will be a Jr high lock in. 9pm to 9am at the school. There will be music and good but also so regulations to follow. On the 31^st is a carnival. Anyone wanting more details on any of these events can contact Karen at 832-5400.

 

Don said there were no poster entries for the poster contest but thinks it had to do with not enough advertising and announcements, but thought there were kids interested.  There’s a potluck at ‘6’ but gosh golly didn’t get the day (smile)

  

Nenana Wellness Coalition
Minutes
October 11, 2005

The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.

Meeting was attended by 11 people including Kat McElroy, Bonnie and Blaine Reed, Tim Horn, Karen Lord, David Poppe, Miles Martin, Rita Pierce, Rob Thomason, Michael Shaw and Roy Smart.

WELCOME (By this week’s chairperson). Tim Horn

MISSION STATEMENT: was read aloud by Tim

PRAYER: Was led by Rita Pierce

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE: was recited by all.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: Two amendments noted—Rita Pierce asked to speak on Neighborhood Watch and Miles Martin requested an opportunity to speak about the election results.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Kat e-mail electronic minutes to all on the WIN list. She provided hard copy minutes if anyone wanted to see them. People who want to be put on the WIN e-mail list should let her know. She will provide printed minutes to anyone who asks.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: One newcomer, Michael Shaw. Stated he is new in town, having just come from Louisiana. He stated he was from the northern part of that state and had not experienced the devastation of hurricane Katrina.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

Billy Sunday – Kat McElroy stated that she had picked up a gentleman who was hitch-hiking to Cantwell two weeks ago. His name is Gene Amondson. He is an artist, a minister, a political activist and has a self-proclaimed mission to end the use of alcohol in our nation. He has a very interesting web-site: www.geneamondson.com and if you check it out you will see that he is very serious and busy in his mission to end alcohol use. He speaks at churches all over about alcohol, drugs and tobacco. He has youth sign pledges never to smoke or drink or try drugs. He is very enthusiastic about his work with churches and young people. He recites Billy Sunday’s famous sermon about the evils of alcohol. He would like to be invited to our community to speak to church and other youth groups.

Recent Visitors to the Court & RMHA – Paul Verhagen was unavailable to tell us how the tour of Nenana went with the judges. Hopefully we will get an update from him next week regarding that.
Kat reported that the visit last Wednesday with the Mental health Trust Fund and Denali Commission representatives went very well. They talked to Vickie from the Senior Center, toured Nenana, ate lunch at the Mondo, spoke with Edna Hancock and learned about Nenana Native Council and the tribal administration. Edna took them on a tour of the groundwork and foundation just being finished for our new Youth Center and talked to them about the funding shortfall on that project. They went next to the school where they meet with teachers, grant project coordinators and administrators. Paul Verhagen graciously did a walk-through of the old Corner Bar and they got a chance to see “Auntie’s Place,” and discuss the various possible funding streams we might be able to access for community-based recovery support services. Finally we went to the Nenana Student Living Center where students toured them through the facility and they got a chance to speak to youth as well as staff.
Due to an unexpected death in Minto, the three people who were to tour that village came to Nenana along with the three originally assigned to cover Nenana, so our community got an opportunity to shine with all six. We got some good feedback regarding our sober housing project and were assured that we would be getting copies of the final reports when they are generated.

Neighborhood Watch Rita Pierce stated that she has talked to the judge, called Fairbanks Police Department and talked to people from VIP (Volunteers In Policing) and has been playing phone tag with the Trooper here in Nenana all in attempting to get information about Neighborhood Watch programs. She wants someone to come here and talk to us about this kind of a program for our community.
Karen stated that she had made a call the other night to report a concern about a bear wandering through town. Her call got dispatched through to the Fairbanks troopers office who could do nothing for her. The bear had been reported over by 2nd and Front streets and Karen has a large quantity of fish stored on her property. She didn’t know who would be in charge of animal control in a bear emergency. “Who would we call?” she asked.
Tim shared these concerns, stating, “We need a VPSO, or something.”
Rita stated that she had noticed a small white car “Just circling and circling the school, driving very slowly. People I’ve never seen, a car I don’t recognize.” She said she observed it for three days. “Who do we call, with information like that? If you write down a license plate number, what do we do?”
Miles noted that he had heard kids screaming very loudly one night in the ballpark across from his cabin. “I couldn’t tell if they were just playing around or if someone was getting hurt.” He said it was late, past curfew. “So, I called the Student Living Center and reported it, thinking maybe it was some of their kids.” He asked of we could have designated safe houses. He said we don’t need a formal program, we just need to come together as a community and decide what we want or are willing to do to help everyone stay safe.
Kat stated that someone had come and told her they had intervened last week when her grandson Leon was throwing rocks at a house. He stopped the kids, told them not to do that. Kat says she thanked this person. “We all need to feel empowered to stop kids if they are up to mischief.”
Miles said that sometimes people will get angry with you if you scold their children. Kat agreed but said it is a risk we have to take.
Roy said, “We like it at NSLC, if we get calls.” He described an event last year where a community member report unsafe behavior. “If we hadn’t heard about and gone and got them, we might have lost a kid,” he said.
Karen related an incident where she intervened in a young person’s smoking a cigarette last Friday night at the pot latch outside the Tribal Hall. She said that the other kids applauded when she talked the young man into putting out the cigarette.
Rob said, “It’s all about relationships. There’s different ways to get kids to respond. Belittling them doesn’t work.”
Rita affirmed that she will continue looking into getting someone to do a presentation for us on Neighborhood Watch.

Election Results Miles stated, “looking at the election results, it’s apparent that a large percentage of the population of our community doesn’t know what we (WIN) are doing and isn’t aware of what our aims are.” He asked how we could broaden our base of support. He mentioned that previously we have made efforts to get larger segments of the community involved in our efforts. “How can we pull more people in?” He stated that people don’t necessarily look at the new ice rink and know that it is the result of WIN efforts.
Michael said he thought it would be a good idea if we put up flyers around town. He mentioned specifically the Civic Center. Others affirmed this idea. Kat said she thought that Brian would announce WIN meetings as a public service on KIAM.

WELLNESS THOUGHT
Be aware of wonder. –Robert Fulghum
We have days when we experience the small coincidences in life — our car breaks down and we run into an old friend at the service station; we’re thinking about someone and she calls just because we’ve been on her mind; we ask ourselves a question and the answer appears on the side of a bus or out of the mouth of a stranger at the bus stop. These serendipitous events usually leave us with at least a bit of awe.
The more serendipity we have in our life, the more spiritually connected we are. We’re turned in, attentive, aware, and detached. We’re getting responses to questions and meeting the people we need to be with at just the right moments. We couldn’t have planned it better. We couldn’t have planned it at all. Serendipity is a sign that we’re letting the universe organize the events that lead to answered questions and fulfilled dreams. Life becomes a process of unraveling a mystery. Today I will recognize the serendipity in the day’s events.

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Rob announced that he was out of town last week for a superintendent’s conference. He said that the judges toured the school and the students represented themselves very well. They held a mock trial and discussed the community justice program. He said school is going well, everyone is getting settled into their routines. The NSLC has 85 in residence now. The Kitchen project will be done this week and the new boiler will be signed off next week. There is still no bathroom in the new building which has been a challenge for all. Athletic events have begun, volleyball and basketball. He said that the school web-site will have a school and community events calendar that will be able to coordinate school, sports and community events for all. There is still no firm date set for the Open House.
Kat read a letter requesting support from Jay Moore with Cooperative Extension regarding a grant he is writing to put orchards into Tanacross and Nenana. This is the second time he has requested funding for this project. He wants to make it so we can grow fruit and berries. Specifically it would create a job and provide us with a High Tunnel Greenhouse. It was agreed that we will sign a letter of support for him. Kat will email him that information.
Rita said she is getting ready to take students and Elders to the Alaska Federation of Natives youth/Elder conference Tuesday and Wednesday, the 17th & 18th. There will be a dance Tuesday night at Pioneer Park, 8-11 PM. Kat agreed to help chaperone and will try to find others willing to chaperone. For more information about this go to www.firstalaskans.org and click on the AFN link.
Karen announced the last week in October we shall be celebrating Red Ribbon Week. Anna Lee Coy is in charge. Earl Polk will be coming and will spend Tuesday with the high school students and Wednesday with the elementary students. She noted that this is a tentative schedule contingent upon any conflicts. She noted Earl Polk is a high energy presenter; the kids are excited to have him coming back. She said she is planning a Jr. High Lock-in; no date set yet. Activities the students have said they are interested in for this include glass beads, tie-dye, pottery scrap-booking, and, of course, basketball. She will need chaperones for the different groups. Lastly, she said that they have increased the number of students for driver safety/driver’s ed class from 25 to 30, due to demand. Kat said we need to look now for funding, mini-grants, to continue with this after her funds run out next year as the students are very motivated to take this class.
Miles announced that Vickie from the Senior Center has requested that she be put on the agenda for next week.
Rob suggested we need to add the WIN URL to our agendas and minutes. That URL is: http://www.railbelt.com/WellnessCoalition.html

Meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

Nenana Wellness Coalition

Minutes

October 4, 2005

 

The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.

Meeting Times:   Every Tuesday at Noon at the Nenana Senior Center

 

 

Meeting was attended  by: Kat McElroy, Rosemary Allen, Bruce Boschert, Traci Wiggins, Tim Horn, Miles Martin, Blaine Reed, Bonnie Reed, Karen Lord, and David Poppe for a total number of ten participants.

 

WELCOME (By this week’s chairperson). Rosemary Allen

 

READING OF MISSION STATEMENT (By this week’s chairperson)

 

PRAYER was led by David Poppe

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE recited by all.

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS One modification requested: Use of Senior Center for WIN meetings.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES—One correction was noted and minutes were forwarded to Traci for posting on the WIN web site.

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS No guests were in attendance today

           

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

 

            Chamber of Commerce Nenana Website – Miles Martin spoke at length regarding the Nenana web site, how it historically came to be, the purpose thereof and how that purpose has shifted over the years. Miles suggested that the Nenana home page could be used as a potential link to local craftspeople and vendors who are interested in using it to generate national and international sales of their goods or services. He used as an example people who use E-Bay to sell items they have purchased from him. He suggested local artisans and craftspeople could have a “Nenana Store” on E-Bay representing arts and crafts of the Interior. Alternatively, he suggested we could look into operating an independent web-site, stating, “For 20 bucks a month you can generate the same sales exposure as owning a New York City commercial site.” He stated that the person who organized such a venture would have to be a hard worker to develop a co-operative venture. He mentioned a man who has done this to showcase Alaska Native arts and crafts who has experienced some success.

Traci suggested we could ask Annette McDonald to teach a class here in Nenana. She said that we would need to figure out how to make good technical assistance and advice available to encourage people to utilize this kind of resource.

There was discussion regarding having the Chamber of Commerce as a potential host for this kind of endeavor, describing a web-ring linking everyone interested in utilizing such a site for e-retail. Miles explained some of the difficulties the Chamber has encountered with their web-site.

Traci pointed out that work-force development is needed to grow entrepreneurial endeavors.

Tim asked if we could liaison with Rita to get a partnership with Nenana students. It was suggested that Miles talk to The Fantastic Four at NSLC.

Karen stated that the school has lots of photos they could share of project activities with the students over the years which would enhance a web-site.

 

            What have we accomplished so far? – general discussion regarding status of projects and current accomplishments. This was postponed so we could address concerns regarding the use of the Senior Center for WIN meetings.

           

            Use of Senior Center for WIN Traci says that there is some confusion regarding use of the Senior Center. There has been a letter generated by Senior Center staff inquiring whom to bill for the use of the building at $25.00 per week. Her understanding was that the monetary donations made by RMHA to Senior Center were to cover the costs of the use of the building and per her previous conversation with Endil would be used through the end of the year in lieu of the new 25 dollar per use fees initiated recently. There have apparently been complaints: the primary issue seems to be cleaning up after meetings.

Rosemary said that she is only aware of one week that clean-up hasn’t happened. Discussion ensued in regards to the specific tasks that entails.

Miles suggested that perhaps there has been miscommunication between Vickie and the Senior Center board of directors. He volunteered to speak with Vickie to get clarity on the issue.

All agreed that we would like to keep the meetings at Senior Center. There was discussion in regards to the 25 dollar fee per use of the building; consensus was that WIN is not able to fund that cost.

 

 

WELLNESS THOUGHT

With history piling up so fast, almost every day is the anniversary of something awful.
– Joe Brainard

“History” is mostly a record of awful events - war, famine conspiracy, oppression, betrayal. But surely, every day is equally the anniversary of something wonderful. It’s all in how you look at it.

Perhaps a calendar of wonderful anniversaries would be an antidote to depression: this is the day I first heard tender words from someone dear; this is the day I stopped smoking; ten years ago on this day I committed myself to a program of positive living and spiritual growth.

Keeping such a calendar, even for a short time, gives us a record of spiritual progress. Even to be able to say, “How different I am from what I was five years ago” can be a truly cheering thing. Why let the tyranny of history depress our spirits? Let’s make our own.

I will treasure the private record; the public one will keep track of disasters.

You are reading from the book:

The Promise of a New Day by Karen Casey & Martha Vanceburg

 

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Baha’i Study Circle Tuesdays at 6:30 in the purple house, Tim and Carl Horn. They also are having Sunday activities for students and children at 3:30.

Nenana City Public School Interior Youth Basketball teams are playing two nights a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30, at Lathrop High School in Fairbanks. Karen Lord is transporting them in the NNC van. The boys team won their first game last night. Soccer regional are this week. High school qualifying exams are this week

Nenana Sports Association has their web site up and running. You can view  it at:

http://www.motorcross.nenana.net/nenana/

The URL is posted on the Nenana web site which encourages other Nenana organizations and individuals to link their web sites to this page.

Funeral services for Frank Jacobs will be Friday 10-07-05. Visitation at 1 PM, funeral services will be at 2 PM. Funeral pot latch will begin at 6 PM. All will be held at the Tribal Hall.

 

ADJOURNMENT at 1:45 PM  Next meeting Tuesday 10/11/05. Karen Lord will make lunch.

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