Railbelt Mental Health & Addictions

Nenana Wellness CoalitionAGENDA

March 20, 2007

 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 9 in attendance this week including: Maryellen & Sam Kanayurak, Miles Martin, Kat McElroy, Rita Pierce, Matt O’Brien, Tim Horn, Donald Charlie, and Earl Polk. We had chicken and pasta supplied by RMHA. 

WELCOME: By this week’s chairperson, Tim Horn, followed by READING OF MISSION STATEMENT

 

PRAYER: was led by Rita Pierce, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: There were no modifications requested.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-Were supplied electronically 03-14-07 and approved by voice vote.

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS-Rita introduced her father, Matt O’Brien who was welcomed by all.

           

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

             Health Fair - Kat McElroy gave a report on the progress so far. The Health Fair will happen day after tomorrow. We have 28 tables, some from Fairbanks and one from Anchorage. Lab supplies are being delivered to Railbelt by Road Runner. Tim enumerated the various presenters, a good cross-section of health related issues. We have been able to get information and presenters for all of the topics identified in our community needs survey.  Tim stated that we still need volunteers for tables as well as set-up. We shall set-up in the gym Wednesday evening after five. Volunteer orientation is scheduled for six PM.  Discussion ensued regarding the funeral arrangements, rosary and pot latch for Alice Dementieff Wednesday. This might make the 12 hour fast for blood draws Thursday morning problematic for some.

            Wellness Resource Sheet – Kat passed out copies of a flyer put out by the Denali Wellness Group. It lists all the wellness-related activities in the Denali Borough communities including open gym, walking clubs, dance class, skiing, quilting and knitting, tai chi, snow shoeing, weight rooms and the book club. It gives contact names and numbers as well as the schedule for each. Kat would like WIN to do something similar. She would like to have it to give to newcomers in our community, to the visitor information center, Coghill’s and the A-Frame, as well as to those who complain, “There’s nothing to do in this town.” She is willing to spearhead the project. Participants began listing all the activities we have that might be listed. Kat will contact people to get details on the activities and begin to format a flyer.

             Neighborhood Watch – Rita Pierce gave an update. Discussion ensued regarding reformatting the newsletter to distance service providers from the police log information. Rita explained the policy she is using regarding the names of adolescent Minor Consuming offenders which is the same as that used by Fairbanks daily News-miner: youth who avail themselves of the Youth Court option are not named but those who are charged in regular court are named. She would like flyers in the future to go to Nenana Native Council and the A-Frame as well as Coghill’s. Discussion ensued regarding emergency contact numbers as opposed to resource numbers. In past discussions, it is clear that we want to create some manner of emergency response process but we do not want to over-burden providers by listing their numbers. Kat said that changing community norms is a process, that public intoxication is a problem that Nenana is beginning to attempt to deal with in various ways. Don Charlie says he has seen changes, that previously you would observe alcohol use in public functions, even at pot latches, but less so now, “That’s a change right there.” It is important to understand this takes time and will happen at different speeds in different segments of the community, Kat said. Rita said she wants to go to the next step and begin educational outreach to students and the community at large. We brainstormed ways to do this. Tim mentioned the presentation Railbelt made last week to the Healy high school health class and asked if we could do this in Nenana. Affirmative. Sam spoke of the education and information he received as a young man in Nenana School. Tim asked if it helped or not. Sam said, “It made me aware of it (as an issue); it gave me information.” Maryellen mentioned the information her daughter brings home from Red Ribbon Week. Sam said he doesn’t think you can start educating for this too young, “IN grade school, that’s when they’re sponges.”  Kat agreed, and added that such education needs to be at school, at home, at church or in the general community, from peers and Elders. “Youth need to hear this across all domains, repeatedly, to have good effect.” Rita will approach Joe Kraus. 

WELLNESS THOUGHT:

Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency.
–Natalie Goldberg

As you aware of how you cope with your work stress? Many studies show that up to 40 percent of workers report too much stress on the job. And 50 percent of these workers have a spouse they bring the stress home to. Stress is natural; it is what we do with the stress that makes the difference. Many of the changes common in companies today - increased responsibilities, promotions, and downsizing - affect the stress level of workers. Coping with stress requires intentional planning. Some people cope by assessing priorities; others practice meditation. Many learn that developing healthy behaviors in exercise, eating, and relaxation makes a difference. Others like to “decompress” by reading a newspaper, sitting in silence, taking a brisk walk, or “zoning out” with TV.

If we are blind to how stress affects us, we may injure our relationships with others. It is up to each of us to comment on our stress, talk with someone about it, and take responsibility for learning to leave the stress at work.

Just for today, I will focus on what my usual practices are regarding my stress. I will focus on the sources of my stress and explore new coping methods.

You are reading from the book:Igniting the Spirit at Work by Marilyn Mason       

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kat reminded everyone that they have a training tomorrow (Wednesday) by Dr. Wendy Arendale at Railbelt on “The Healing Constellation: Approaches for addressing trauma issues in substance abuse and mental health treatment.” She has invited people from the Native Council and from the school. It is from 19 AM to 1 PM and lunch will be served.

 

ADJOURNMENT at 2 PM

Nenana Wellness CoalitionMINUTES

March 13, 2007

 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. 

We meet this week at the YERC do to Spring Break. There were nine at meeting today including: Sam and Maryellen Kanayurak, Miles Martin, Bonnie Reed, Tim Horn, Rosemary Allen, Kat McElroy, Laura Vance and Donald Charlie. We had lamb and wild rice coup and blueberry bread for lunch. The Head Start students brought us chicken noodle soup they’d cooked to sample. It was very good!

 

WELCOME: By this week’s chairperson, Ms. Laura Vance followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT.

 

PRAYER was lead by Rosemary Allen, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: There were no modifications requested.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Kat e-mailed minutes generated by Miles last week. Maryellen said she still isn’t receiving minutes. Kat will check to see what e-mail address she is using.

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS—Sam was introduced but stated that he isn’t a guest; he has been at WIN meetings previously.

           

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

 

            Neighborhood Watch Newsletter Update – Kat McElroy reported that 75 copies of the two-sided NW newsletter were distributed to Coghill’s Store by Maryellen. Kat received an email from Diane Jensen who has offered to distribute NW newsletters with her weekly Nenana Messenger. She would also want it in digital format so she could send it to her e-mail subscribers. There has been a complaint by a community member regarding naming juvenile offenders in the police log. It was viewed as a breech of confidentiality. Kat explained that the NW newsletter is not put together by Railbelt. It is easy to understand how this could be perceived. Rose Allen said that police blotter information is public record, “Anyone can look it up. The purpose isn’t to shame people, although it may be a deterrent to some.” She suggested that contact numbers for providers should be put at the end of the newsletter, to distance it from the police blotter. Miles says he thought the purpose was to get the information out to see what happens. He suggested we might want to include success stories in the newsletter as well. Tim suggested, “Like when kids get done with Youth Court, congratulations on taking care of their fines and community service and everything.” Donald said, “The purpose of NW isn’t just to prevent illegal activity, but also to help. To keep someone from freezing to death in the snow bank. Maybe people will think we’re narks but we aren’t narking on anyone. We want to help.”  Rose related an incident at her place where a group had been “partying” on the road behind her house, and had built a bon fire. She said she reported the fire to the city the next morning, because she was worried about it spreading or getting out of control. Then later that night someone was up on her front porch banging around. She was at home alone and so called 911 but there was no answer. It is events like this that caused her to want a newsletter with emergency contact information. Miles agreed it’s important to have that information out and available, “So people know who to call for what.” Laura said she doesn’t want people mad at Railbelt about Neighborhood Watch and agrees with Rose that contact numbers should be at the end of the newsletter instead of at the head, “To avoid the appearance that the emergency contact people are spearheading NW efforts.” Discussion ensued regarding organizational efforts for NW, how to reach out to the greater community

 

            Nenana Health Fair Update – Tim Horn said we have another Health Fair planning meeting this afternoon. Booths we have confirmed so far include TCC Dental and Health Services and Family Services. Kat has forwarded the link from the Alaska Health Fair web site for applications for rural presenters to the TCC presenters, per Don Charlie’s request. Don said that Old Minto doesn’t have staff enough to send anyone to do a booth. Tim said we need volunteers to act as guides, to people educational booths and to set up and break down. Kat suggested asking the Seniors if any would be interested in volunteering. Laura said she would volunteer. She also said we should ask Mike at NSLC to see if they have any students who need to work off community service hours. Don said he would ask Robin about Tribal Work Force. It was asked if we would need a money box and a bank for people paying for their blood work and prostrate cancer and thyroid tests.

 

            Highway Neighbors Report — Miles Martin reported that they had about 20 participants at the Highways Neighbors meeting last weekend, and that it was overall very positive. He said the speakers were well-received and participants had lots of questions for them. There was discussion of economic development. Miles questioned whether people in Nenana really want to encourage tourism; his sense is that the community is fairly divided on the issue. “For instance, some people might not want the Princess tour buses to stop, because their perception is that people get off the bus, drink up the free coffee, use the bathrooms, get back on the bus, don’t buy anything, don’t contribute to our economic process. It is up to us to figure out how to capture their attention, and dollars, what do we offer to them to make them want to stay, shop, buy? If there is no desire to do that, then why would Princess want to give us any of their business? We need to think about what will attract them, what do they want? It’s in the community’s interest to do so.” Miles said that the city is putting money into the Cultural Center, which Alex Ketzler is already getting ready for the summer.  Miles said the Highway Neighbors meeting will be in Fairbanks next year.

 

WELLNESS THOUGHT- Recovery is a matter of slight persistent effort over time. The formula is SPE over T. The effort need not be huge, but it must be persistent.

 

OLD BUSINESS—None reported.

   

NEW BUSINESS—None noted

     

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Kat announced that Dr. Wendy Arendale will be coming down from Fairbanks next week, Wednesday, March 21^st, to do a 3 hour workshop for Railbelt staff. The focus of the training is Understanding and Healing Trauma among Rural Alaskans. Dr. Arendale will be presenting this workshop at the end of the month down in Anchorage at the Rural Behavioral Health conference. Kat is inviting interested others in the community to the workshop.

Miles stated that he is sitting on the school district budget advisory committee and that they are addressing the shortfall. Some members of the committee are looking at personnel and another is looking at services. One strategy they are considering is to sell the air conditioning system which has never been used. He said that they are facing some challenging decisions.  

ADJOURNMENT at 2 PM.

Nenana Wellness Coalition Minutes for  March 6th 2007 Minutes taken by Miles Martin  Meeting started  12:30 pm Present  were  Miles Martin , Donald Charley, Marry Ellen (and a guest I do not know the name of, related to Don Charley ) Mission statement was read By  Informal meeting – not read  Prayer by– no prayer today  The Pledge was  not recited today  ReportsMiles gave a report on the Highways Neighbors meeting that took place over this past Tripod weekend. ‘WIN’ had been involved several months ago. The purpose is to promote tourism and healthy economy in smaller communities like Nenana. The Nenana Chamber was willing to host this and do all the work. The meeting was a success in most ways. There were 21 attendees. We average 30 in past years, but this was a very cold weekend, and attendees felt this effected attendance. and in larger communities there are more attendees . Our speakers were well received and the goal was accomplished. Nenana came across as a good place to come visit and do business. Everyone had only good things to say about the lodging and food. We had a nice diverse group from Fairbanks, Anchorage, and southeast.              Discussion followed among the WIN group  concerning Nenana as a tourist stop. We weighed why some residents might not want tourism, followed by reasons it might be good for Nenana. Donald Charley talked about heath through gardening, specifically the growing of fruit trees, and other marginal crops like corn and melon. There was discussion on the various sources from good trees, where they might grow in the interior and why. There was a brief discussion about the university of Alaska past and present plans with the experimental fruit farm discussed in the past, connected to our community garden. Marry Ellen  expressed interest and hoped to get her land cleared to grow a garden. Eating healthy foods contributes to all around good health. The free ‘Neighborhood Watch News’ was available and distributed, read and commented on. This is a nicely laid out one sheet of paper printing. The Trooper Blotter was noted. How to distribute it was briefly discussed.  Meeting ends at Meeting was adjourned at 2:00pm