Nenana Wellness Coalition
Minutes
September 26, 2006
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.
There were 11 in attendance today, including: Tim Horn, Mike Anderson, Bonnie Reed, Miles Martin, Carl Horn, Diana Grum, Maryellen Kanayurak, Donald Charlie, Rob Thomason, Kat McElroy and Diane Jensen.
Lunch was provided by Railbelt: chicken and rainbow pasta with garden vegetables.
WELCOME and READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Tim Horn.
PRAYER said by Bonnie Reed followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE
PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: Miles requested an update on Neighborhood Watch; Donald was asked for an update on the Sobriety Potlatch; Tim said she’s give an update on the Exercise/Fitness leader training. Because it was anticipated that Artrain would take the majority of the meeting, it was agreed to address all other agenda items first.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were e-mailed to everyone by Kat last week. There was one slight modification request by Rita Pierce.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Diana Grum was introduced; she is the new mental health clinician for Railbelt in the Healy office. She comes from Maryland and has only been in Alaska two weeks. She said she is excited about being here.
SPEAKERS/TOPICS
Neighborhood Watch-Miles brought a front page article from The Fairbanks Daily Newsminer regarding a citizen’s action group recently formed in the Fairview Manor neighborhood after a rash of petty crimes there. One of the things they have done is create a bulletin board for notices of crimes experienced, 90% of which were unreported to the police. Discussion ensued regarding our efforts in this regards and the meeting with the national trainer last week. The man who created their training curriculum presented Rita with a training kit with power point presentations which is actually a year’s worth of training materials. The next Neighborhood Watch meeting has been scheduled for November 5th (first Thursday of every month). Miles said he hopes that Rita will bring the training material to WIN and that we can start using it at the monthly Neighborhood Watch meetings.
Sobriety Potlatch-Donald Charlie says he had planned for the potlatch to be the last Friday of October but due to Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage that week and the concurrent Doyon meeting the proposed key speaker, Orie Willaims, had a scheduling conflict. Donald is now looking at either the week before or the week after, with Friday November 3rd being his preferred date. He is waiting for Orie to get back to him on this. Donald also announced that October 19th is the next scheduled Village Safety Meeting, 6PM at the Tribal Hall. There will be food and door prizes and everyone in the community is invited.
Exercise Leader Training-Tim said that she has been playing phone tag with John Martin from TCC but finally was able to have direct communication with him. He is doing a training in Fairbanks October 16th but any participants in that will need to already have First Aid, CPR and Water Safety training certification. She said that there are scholarships available if one has a collaborative agreement with a community agency. Diane suggested that Robin at Nenana Native Council or Vickie at the Senior Center might be interested in this information. Because of the multiple criteria requirements (the CPR, First Aid, etc.) the October training may not be an option for anyone in our community. Tim said that he would be willing to come to Nenana to do this training if we could get eight participants. Kat said that she was sure Rose and Traci and she would be interested in doing this, as well as one or two of our Railbelt/Healy and Anderson staff. Tim also said that she has arranged for 160 Health Fair Surveys to go out to high school and junior high students. Railbelt has printed out another several hundred surveys and Tim is arranging for them to be posted for use at various places around the community including with the Health Aides at the NNC clinic and at Coghill’s store. Bonnie said that they had already administered the surveys at the Senior Center.
Art Train – Miles Martin presented us with a lengthy report regarding organizational efforts for Artrain to date (see below). We have 40 fish; Miles sent 20 to Fairbanks for the Artrain reception there and we have 20 for our reception. Mike has the food thing under control. Joe Kraus has taken on responsibility for scheduling and other schools that want their students to tour Artrain should be directed to him. Miles is scheduling committee meetings to address Facilities, Reception, and Schedules (again, see below). People should contact Miles. The whole community is coming together to work on this, which Miles appreciates as it is a huge undertaking. He noted that he would never have volunteered to take on this task if he didn’t know that he had the knowledge and support of WIN.
(From Miles) So here is what Joe presented to us at Win that you requested followed by my own Artrain info.
September 22, 2006
Dear Colleagues,
The reception for the Artrain is at George Hall on October 9, 2006 from 6 – 8 in the evening. The times for you to take your classes are in the chart below.
Teacher Time # Students Grades
10th
Haken/Stone 1:00 17 K & 7
Chilcott 1:15 19 1st/2nd
Black 1:30 19 3rd/4th
Jacobsen 1:45 20 5th/6th
Putman 2:00 15 8th
Ronnander 2:15 18 HS
11th
Baumfalk/Busk 1:00 18 HS
Hugny/Jacobsen 1:15 22 HS
Morris/Mudge 1:30 21 HS
The Overbeys 1:45 26 HS
Wayne 2:00 12 HS
Patsy 2:15 12 HS
As with most events of this type there is not a real precise way to organize this. The Artrain is not organized around our class periods. I’m fairly sure the Artrain will gladly accommodate you if your class gets there a bit late due to class changes. If you get together with your peers and work something better out please let me know.
Thanks.
Joe
Tuesday, September 26, 2006 topic Artrain Miles update
Artrain’s handbook Introduction
Most of you are aware of a handbook artrain sent laying out the various duties and expectations a visit from them requires, or things we need to consider. Most of us only glanced at it and some looked at it a little. It’s thick with a lot in it. Much of it needs to be adapted for our situation. I spent 4 hours in the beginning reading and trying to understand it, figured I understood it and set it down. Ignorance is bliss. It is now time to go back and look at it again seriously, so I spent another 4 hours going over it today.
There are 8 main categories of needs and requirements artrain identifies. They suggest no one person be in charge of more then one category. That means 8 people in charge of 8 areas. A few people have stepped in to fill part of the needs for part of each category. But in general, my name is on 5 of the 8 categories. It is not realistic to expect 8 heads consisting of helpers under all 8 heads. So there is a whole lot of overlapping going on and people unsure of what they are expected to do and who else is doing what. I myself do not have a handle in it. Except this. I know I will have over 100 hours in this before it is done. I am not asking anyone to do more then me. I’m not trying to push my workload onto anyone else. I’d do it all if I could, but I can’t. It’s impossible. I expect no money for this, in fact it cost me and I’m loosing business big time telling people I am to busy donating time to sell them anything. I do not expect to involve my own art in any way. This is totally about my community. It will be worth it if this event is successful. But I need help.
I have tried to approach each individual one on one up to now to explain and discuss and work out their part. It would be difficult to get them all together in a meeting at the same time and there has not been enough commitment for that till recently. I can not expect 8 meetings covering 8 categories. Nor even one meeting with everyone talking about everything. It would be much to long a meeting taking hours! So I have identified 3 subjects that need addressing at 3 separate meetings with a review brought here at our next meeting Oct 3rd 6 days before the event, to pull it all together and ensure it’s all covered.
Meetings!
No I have not had a ‘meeting’ This is it. We meet. Other then that I simply see each one involved one at a time in person. Most involved have busy schedules and can not get free all at the same time Hopefully this is not a mistake and this way of handling it can work.(or has up till now and it is time now to actually have meetings!) Most of us hate meetings and it can take as long to organize a meeting as to just get stuff done! On small projects this works fine. But on large projects this results in slow communication and hurt feelings here and there. So there needs to be small sub meetings, hopefully just one with each category and my personal visits will keep all updated after that.
I can identify 3 subcommittee meetings needed
Facilities meeting
When ‘soon’ set a date time
Where City office
Who Mayor Miles Robin Endil (or Crowley rep) anyone else (?)
Agenda
Review the actual train stop and artrain’s needs.
Location (Is it ready. Do we need to clean it up move anything?)
Utilites how will artrain get water power septic who when
Workers – artrain needs a few people when they arrive to set up stairs and help with hook ups etc about 4pm on Oct 9th
Culture center will it be open? Who runs it will art be there– register open etc? Water restrooms art. Are expected other options?
Security? Emt? Signs for parking area such issues. Other signs around town directions a map? A snack stand? (food– interest for any vendors)
Is money needed for anything, can we help artrain.
Reception meeting About ‘us’
Who – Miles Mike Robin Earl Christine Kevin Alex
When ‘soon’ set a date
Where Robin’s office, culture center (?)
Agenda
Food who is doing what- food- utensils- set up (tables?) - clean up
heat (woodstove)
decorations displays
dancers
any costs
art or demonstrations
MC (need a mike?) who- how long -a rough time line hours etc
Other issues – vendors- food stand anyone interested? Any fund raiser anything to help artrain involving a crowd.
Schedules
Who Miles Joe (or Rob) Rita? Annette Earl Kevin
Where–school or living center
Agenda
Review the plan– who comes through at what time
Education tours
Any word from other schools?
Demonstrations at school art room? Etc?
Schedule for reception involving Kevin or school related issues
Who gives the tours teacher?
How does time look for getting all through
Public tours
Who?
Any issues? Review times needed shifts etc who on what days
Eating for artrain
What meals where what time any options does school and cooks know.
Demonstrations
A time spot for artists in the morning? Where and what
Tour –will giver a tour of town to artrain employees?
Local artist
Milo –anyone else? When- what time what days how long
Understand I have never been in charge of anything before. I’m on a fast learning curve here. As Big Mike pointed out I have been making a lot of assumptions and have a laid back personality and need to pull it all together better. Without experience in such matters I have been working hard and maybe inefficiently as I learn. It takes me at least half an hour talking with each person one on one. I do not mind and thought this would be more preferable to everyone then attending a meeting. But it increases my work by 5 times. As it would be easier to say it all at once to a group. Likewise I can not update 8 categories of information with 8 people one on one. I spent 8 hours 2 days in a row trying, and still never got done, and still got in trouble for not being timely enough with everyone. With the stop just 2 weeks off it is time to get serious and those involved need to meet. I believe that now we know for sure they are going to arrive and more people are excited about it and the gain for Nenana is understood by more so it is possible to have some meetings now that specific issues are understood that need help.
This is lengthily because it’s as big project and I have been lax with a big picture update.
Must be done
The 7 person artrain crew is expected to eat at the school but am unsure about the timing of the tours and times available to eat. I still need to coordinate that and it might take more contact with the artrain crew who is now in Anchorage or Seward and pretty busy. I would like to see kids having a chance to talk to the visiting artists and maybe eating with them. Kevin is interested in a workshop of some kid but we have not worked that out yet. It seems with mornings free there should be opportunity for the artist to come to the school and work with is. But every aspect we think of that we want to see happen requires someone to work on it. For sure I myself need to focus on the things that have to be done as a priority over what might be nice.
Tour guides
We need 6 people as tour guides. I thought this was covered, with the school teachers handling the groups of children during the educational tours. Annette McDonald and I had planed to be the guides for the public tours. Artrain informs me they expect 6 and this is of concern to them. The reception is about ‘us’ and is not even required by artrain so it is the tours and actual set up that concerns them the most. I might have been focusing to much on the reception. So need ideas for 4 more tour guides. Artrain informs me there will be an orientation where artrain educates the tour guides. I do not know if younger people might work, like from the living center, but maybe some organization can come up with the 4 or some teachers or some of us but can use some direction here where to look. Maybe our elder artists would be interested.
News publicity promotion
Diane has been handling the publicity, with articles, news, promotion, and got notices up and down the road and is contacting Healy Anderson Minto and Manley Hot Springs. This is a big help. The Chamber of Commerce gave her $40 to help with her gas costs.
The Chamber of Commerce is listed on artrain literature as the main Nenana sponsor. I wanted to comment that I would now in hindsight give credit to the WIN group, but months ago I assumed I would be able to get the Chamber more involved. I’m really representing my entire community but my official capacity is head of the Chamber of Commerce. Artrain wanted names of organizations and put out their information long ago. So please WIN do not feel miffed (smile) In actual fact it is individuals doing most of the work representing themselves., or one person in several organizations. Recognition is expected to be given at the reception.
Place to stay
The story behind this might make a book in itself- much went on but I need to move along here. The sum of it is the 7 artrain employees have a place to stay and that is settled and no longer an issue.
I want to thank Karen Lord who came up with the funds to pay the 7 artrain people to stay at Roughwoods. A note to Rita who stepped forward to help and managed the scheduling with me when I was in freak out mode, which helped get over a major hurdle I could not have done alone. It’s a bummer her grant money is gone and can not be offered but I want everyone to know it is not her fault and ended up not hurting anything.
I attended a Native Council meeting and it is good to see the council is excited about this event. It was especially nice to see Edna interested. The native council is being a big help offering George Hall. A brief word on selection of location as there was some confusion. At first the Cultural center seemed like a grand idea. But as discussed here at Wellness, realistically the Culture center is to small for 300 people, it might not be able to be heated and it is difficult to set up to feed since it is not a usual eating place. The civic center could have been an option And if anyone thinks we still might need it we should discuss that, but George Hall was offered and we think it will handle the situation.
Money funding
In the big picture it costs artrain about $50,000 to stop in a community. Someone has to pay for that and it is usually the visited communities who pay, or finds grants etc. to cover this. Artrain has not asked for money – knowing we are a small community. They proposed several grants they would help us with which would help pay for this stop. No one stepped forward to work on this, though I asked around. They have a couple of simple requests they can not cover. They need a section of tracks that works with permission to use it. They need a place for 7 people to stay and food covered by us, . They need power. They need water. They need trash cans, and they need restrooms. A few other things that involve donated labor and some work done on our part but no demand for money. We can not go to them for any money to help us out, as it is, they already helping us out! All the other Alaska communities are chipping in big money for this trip to take place. Barging the train to Alaska was not cheap! We can not in good conscience ask for any more.
Crowley donated 1,000 gallons of fuel to artrain and this will run their generators to give them power while here. The mayor and I had assumed they would need a normal extension cord to the Culture center with 3 prongs. It turns out we can not supply their power needs! So it is a big thing to get the fuel donated.
I’m donating 20 of the 40 fish I bought to the Fairbanks reception on behalf of Nenana. Since they (along with others ) are subsidizing us for this Nenana stop I wanted to do at least some small thing to help them out as a thank you. Acceptance of delivery has not been worked out yet but they are grateful for the help. I consider it a small matter on our part that is a big help to them.
Culture Center
I am now uncertain how the Cultural Center will be handled. It needs to be open for artrain, as they request a restroom near where they stop. If not open, we need portable facilities set up (2) are required by artrain.
For the communities sake it is good to show off our culture and art and make some sales and promote our local artists. (but artrain does not require this) I had Alex in mind, but I may have handled that situation wrong, and feel bad about that, and am now unsure of a commitment from him so still need that covered. I do not know if the place will even be warm enough Oct 9th The mayor tells me he plans to add supplementary heat and insulate the place better ‘soon’ What can we actually count on?
I attended a Native Council meeting and it is good to see the council is excited about this event. It was especially nice to see Edna interested. The native council is being a big help offering George Hall.
A brief word on selection of location as there was some confusion. At first the Cultural center seemed like a grand idea. But as discussed here at Wellness, realistically the Culture center is to small for 300 people, it might not be able to be heated and it is difficult to set up to feed since it is not a usual eating place. The civic center could have been an option, but George Hall was offered and we think it will handle the situation.
Train stop
Location
The train is stopping at the siding in front of the Culture Center leased by and with permission from Crowley Marine. There were no other options ever discussed. The mayor assures me the city can supply water with a truck for Artrain needs (I think 200 gallons of drinking quality water) The original hope and we still hope (maybe?) we can use a garden hose out of the culture center. But either way that is covered. The rest rooms should be open at the Culture Center as artrain requires facilities. If this is not going to work we need an alternative like 2 portables. The mayor has briefly said “yea yea” (Is that a “yes I’m on it!?” Smile) I’m on a very fast learning curve here folks. I of coarse can not make a whole lot of assumptions- as Big Mike pointed out one meeting. I appreciated the insight. So feel free to clue me in if any of you see any glaring neglecting here. But it sounds like there should be meetings mentioned above to clarify the needs and solutions.
Contact me after the meeting if you want. This is about ‘us’ and we want to look good provide something cool for our people. The time comes close. I need help, and heck I may not even know I need help! So step up and let me know what I missed! (smile) 832 5442 or miles@mtaonline.net
Would be nice to get done
Reception
Artrain does not require a reception at all. A reception is all about us and what would help us. This is a big event with top artists and people we normally would never meet. We want to show what we have, thank them and show them some village hospitality. A good feed, some dance entertainment, our local art. If they are happy all sorts of good things might result.
Artrain is expected to supply an MC at the reception to introduce their people to us along with their main sponsors. I had thought of maybe Earl who did so well for the sober event or maybe Ken Eggelsten to speak for us or the mayor, but maybe I’m the one who knows the most what has gone on, so I may speak. But prefer I get up and just say a few words and not orchestrate the whole thing. I do not want folks thinking this is all about me. I talk enough already. (smile) Some input from this group might help.
I want very much to see our local dancers perform at the reception. We expect and are planning for 300 people. I discussed this with a few people and we will do a traditional potlatch with chairs against the wall and paper rolled out on the floor. I called artrain and asked specifically if this would be acceptable to them
Kat has taken up a collection. The dancers may need help with money, or Mike or for any other expenses- compensations we may have. We should discuss where this money goes. Perhaps after the event. If there are any ‘right now’ costs I will keep everyone posted. For now I think Kat has volunteered to handle local personal monetary donations so if anyone wishes to contribute see kat!
Local artists
Artrain informs me one of the Alaska native artists who was supposed to be on board has backed out at the last minute. We can supply a native local artist to demonstrate on the train. I am still unclear as the first contact was we can supply 3 but there are only 2 days of showing so I need that clarified everyone there is busy right now. But Milo Marks has been contacted and is ready and plans to demonstrate his canoe making project and show his past accomplishments to the public.
Since only one artist dropped out it is possible only one replacement is needed. If there is rum for more I have been talking to Earl and still need to work with the native council but only if we have room for more artists. Right now the plan is to promote our yang artists because they would have the most to gain from the exposure with a potential of a scholarship or at least something good for a resume.
Kevin the art teacher at the school is excited and wants to do something involving the children so the plan for now is to get some children art up on the George hall walls for the reception.
and not be to much culture for them. I was told these people are open minded and want to see our culture and this sounds like a good thing. It does make it a lot easier on us as otherwise we have to hunt around for tables and more set up take down work but also we want room for the dancers.
Local dancers
I am still a little concerned as I have not made direct contact with Christine Sunnyboy. I have heard only indirectly she wants to do this dance. I’ve tried to call a dozen times at different times of the day and not made contact in 2 weeks so if anyone knows her and sees her please have her contract me so details can be discussed. I have sent out pings and got no echo back. Earl has some dorm parents and children at the living center who did a dance at a recent event and am told this went well and Earl is interested and ready to help in this direction with dancers if help is wanted. But I really want to involve Christine and consider that important. I’m told there is a big native event not far off and a dance routine here can be a rehearsal for a bigger event so this might work out nice. I just personally think this would be so cool to show outsiders our culture! I personally think this is unique to us, and maybe something good can come of it. It is a big opportunity to the sort of group we do not see often. (Ra ra! Lets do this!)
(end of Miles written summation)
Miles emphasized we need more people to volunteer as Tour Guides. Artrain staff will provide orientation and training for this. Tim Horn volunteered. Miles hopes some student living center youth will step forward to do this. We are also hoping to have the Nenana Intertribal Drum Group as well as the living center drum group perform.
WELLNESS THOUGHT
Every great mistake has a halfway moment, a split second when it can be recalled and perhaps remedied.
–Pearl S. Buck
We make mistakes because we are human, we are imperfect, we are frequently out of touch with the rhythms of the moment. When our minds are one place, either still trapped by the past or in limbo due to fear of the future, we fail to revere the experience of the present. And only when we salute completely the moment do we respond accurately to its meaning.
Seldom is a mistake as important as we allow it to be. Always we can rechart our steps; never is a task completed without some modifications along the way. Perhaps we’d do well to consider all mistakes as simply modifications in the original plans. Corrections triggered by mistakes may well be responsible for better outcomes. In fact, mistakes may be part of the process necessary to keep our spiritual program focused. Their role in our lives may be of greater significance than we’d ever imagined. However, we shouldn’t dwell on the mistake but, rather, on the remedy.
Today I’ll have to modify my steps, probably a few times. And that’s to be expected.
UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS Rob announced that the October 3rd Board Meeting will be short at 6:30 PM followed by a slide show, food and music to recognize the various grants coordinators for the grants that are ending this month at 7 PM. He hopes that everyone in the community will attend. This will be in The Pit at the school.
Miles noted that the Nenana home page which had been under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce will be moving to space on the city of Nenana web site. This will save money the Chamber has been funding and utilize space the city has been paying for.
Diane announced that the dates for next year’s Nenana Valley Fair will be changed but she isn’t certain what the new dates will be.
Kat announced that next week she and Traci will be gone to Anchorage to attend the Alaska Behavioral Health Certification Commission board meeting thus unavailable to attend WIN.
OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION-None
ADJOURNMENT at 2:00 PM.