Nenana Wellness Coalition AGENDA
17th April, 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 nine people a meeting today including: Donald Charlie, Maryellen Kanayurak, Robert Thomason, Carl Horn, Miles Martin, Paul Verhagen, Tim Horn, Bonnie Reed and Kat McElroy. We had chicken and pasta and spinach salad for lunch with an assortment of cookies and dessert bars from Bonnie Reed.
WELCOME and the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Bonnie Reed, followed by the PRAYER led by Paul Verhagen followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.
PRESENTATION OF AGENDA; There was no CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: minutes submitted electronically last week by Kat with no noted changes or suggested additions.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No guests today.
SPEAKERS/TOPICS
Neighborhood Watch Newsletter – Rita Pierce was unable to attend today. Kat brought the rough draft of the newsletter Rita emailed. There were a few typos and misspellings corrected. Maryellen wanted the Troopers and emergency numbers for medical and fire added to the resources blurb. There was a lengthy discussion about omitting the names of youthful offenders participating in the Diversion Program. Tim reiterated that Rita had done this as it was the News-miner policy. Donald said he believes listing the names might be diversionary; it may influence parents and other relatives to keep a sharper eye on their kids. Paul agreed with Don. He said he feels this information is a matter of public record and should be made available. Miles also agreed, saying that it isn’t intended to humiliate or shame offenders but to provide good information to the community at large. Carl spoke of the problems implementing any public policy intended to change people’s behaviors; he cited the difficulty with the Zero Tolerance policies that allowed the government to seize vehicles if they were involved in the transportation of even very minor amounts of drugs, and how strictly this could or could not be interpreted by officials. Bonnie said she doesn’t like the idea of listing the names of youthful offenders. Kat said she dislikes the term “War on Drugs,” doesn’t like the criminalization of alcohol and drug use. She feels they are ineffective if the goal is changing people’s behaviors. Tim said she would like to see Neighborhood Watch focus on community building and neighborhood development. Kat said she would give this information as well as the corrected newsletter to Rita.
Nenana Health Fair– Tim Horn read the letter she has generated for the Applause section of the Fairbanks Daily News-miner. A few thanks were added and the letter was approved. Tim will make a final copy and mail it off. Kat reported that there is a little over one hundred dollars left from our seed money for the next Health Fair. She will hold onto the money until then.
Open Gym/Youth Recreation—Kat McElroy reported that she has talked to a lot of people about attempts to generate funding to keep Open Gym and other youth recreational activities. Rob has said that the cost for staff for Open Gym is between 8 and 10 thousand dollars per year. He said that he would be willing to make the gym available but he is wary of using volunteers to staff open gym because frankly in his experience they are not reliable, there is no accountability. Kat talked to Traci about doing a SAMSHA grant. They are very ambitious grants with a huge “plop” factor but Traci is willing to work on one. Our best chance would be if it is a partnership grant, involving the school, Railbelt, Nenana Native Council, the city, Nenana Sports Association, and any other entities that would be reasonably involved and support the endeavor. Kat said that she is also working on setting up aluminum can recycling in Nenana to see if it can generate some immediate funds for alternative activities for youth. She is gathering information from the Lions about the Anderson recycling program to see how viable the idea might be. People she has talked to so far have been supportive of the idea.
WELLNESS THOUGHT- We need to be the change we want to see. (Attributed to Gandhi)
OLD BUSINESS—None noted
NEW BUSINESS—None reported.
UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Paul Verhagen announced that his daughter, Kristi, will be opening the restaurant in the old Corner Bar building this summer. She will be calling it Kristi’s Cuisine and wants to showcase local culinary expertise. She is talking to the health department to see how to work this. She would like to be able to sell local food wares, muffins, pies, cookies, etc. She will be serving pizza, soups and salads and beverages. If it goes well she will consider keeping it running thru the winter as well.
Miles announced that there will be an Ice Watch picnic this Friday at noon.
Donald reiterated that there will be a Community Pride and Village Safety Meeting at the Tribal Hall on Monday, April 23rd, beginning around six. The Native council will give updates on grants they are pursuing and their latest projects. There will be door prizes. Everyone is invited to attend.
Kat announced that Sunday, April 29th, there will be a sober bar-b-que starting around noon at the pavilion by the river.
ADJOURNMENT at 1:45 P.M. Donald Charlie announced that there will be a Community Pride and Village Safety Meeting at the Tribal Hall on Monday, April 23rd, beginning around six. The Native council will give updates on grants they are pursuing and their latest projects. There will be door prizes.