Nenana Wellness CoalitionMINUTES
September 16, 2008
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 in attendance TODAY, INCLUDING: Bonnie Reed, Bill Troxel, Maryellen Kanayurak, Kat McElroy, Tim Horn, Miles Martin, Mike Anderson, Andrea & Walter Tommy. We had cream of broccoli soup, corn bread, nuts & raisins and peanut butter cookies for lunch.
WELCOME: By this week’s chairperson, followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT.
PRAYER: Was lead by Kat McElroy, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.
PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: There was one call for modification of the agenda, a discussion item added: Sober House.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY LAST Tuesday by Kat; they were also posted on the WIN link at www.railbelt.con
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No guests today.
SPEAKERS/TOPICS
Envisioning Wellness—Tim Horn submitted a flyer for Eric Gephart’s EW presentation next week which was enthusiastically approved for posting. Bonnie took the pilot copy to post at the Senior’s. Kat agreed to provide Miles Martin with 15 more copies to post around town. Tim mentioned to Miles that there are two bulletin boards at the school, one at the front office and another at the elementary wing. Tim also brought a sample PSA she has put together which she will email to KIAM. Bonnie will fax same to KUAC-FM up in Fairbanks. Tim asked for ideas for future EW’s. Mike agreed to ask Edna if she would be willing to speak to us about various projects and programs NNC is bringing on line, perhaps October 21st or 28th. Maryellen mentioned the tribe got money to update the Head Start playground. Bonnie has heard there is a dike project on the drawing board for flood control. Someone said they’d heard they were going to re-establish the well up on Toghotthele. Perhaps we could get Vickie from Seniors to present in November.
Dancing In The Streets—Kat McElroy reported that 191 people signed in at the dinner/dance portion of DITS. Staff suspects that actual attendance was around 225. There was a request that we purchase more glow sticks as they were, as always, a big hit. Tim also asked that next year we supply more non-caffeine beverages. Mike suggested we get powdered Gatorade and power-ade. The prizes were a big success. Akeela House’s skit was very well received. Tim suggested that next year we go into the classrooms at NCPS and explain more specifically to students about the parade. Kat suggested we might have a float competition between activity groups or grade levels. Mike suggested that we put out way more flyers next year. If we call him, he’ll organize NSLC students to “paper the town, on telephone poles, car windshields, people’s front doors.” Maryellen suggested that we start planning next year earlier, “like right after the Health Fair.”
Foster Parenting—Tim Horn talked to Kathy Halverson who works at TCC and who has volunteered to come to WIN to do a presentation on How to Become a Foster Parent. Tim will schedule with her, likely one of the first Tuesdays of October or November.
Sober Housing—Andrea Tommy brought photographs of the two-story Gold Rush Era style building on A street she, Walter and Kat looked at last week. Ted Suckling gave them a guided tour. The café portion, downstairs, is semi-finished. The commercial kitchen (downstairs) includes (as yet uninstalled) a vent system, 3-hole sink, hand-sink, 4-burner heavy duty propane stove/oven, cold box for beverages and ice-maker. It has an estimated seating capacity of 25. The upstairs is unfinished but has a floor plan for two bedrooms, a connecting bathroom, kitchen/living-room and laundry facility. We estimate you could house potentially up to six or even eight adults in this area. Discussion ensued regarding potential funding for this (yet unfinished) structure on five commercial (25’ x 100’) lots for which Ted is asking 140 thousand dollars. Potential problems include: a) there is no heat source for the upstairs; heat would need to be vented/ducted from downstairs or an independent heat source installed; b) we have no funding whatsoever; we are not even truly clear on our own vision; c) there is some damage due to flooding and thus the underside insulation will need to be replaced. Assets include: a) good commercial location; b) potential in-house workforce development project (café/crafts outlet) and c) the basic structure is sound. We agreed to meet as a committee Sunday evening around 8 PM at Kat’s for supper and further discussion.
WELLNESS THOUGHT: “If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.”
Marcus Aurelius
UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tim: Phyllis Alexander-Tugman informed her that a luncheon will be held during AFN in Anchorage for survivors of breast cancer. Native women who have experienced a mastectomy are encouraged to contact Phyllis for details.
By chance, she has met the Leahy children’s Guardian Ad Litum who is named Anne Holmes. She asked to be informed of their various birth dates so we could send cards and gifts. Ms. Holmes e-mail address is anne_holmes@admin.state.ak.us
Bill announced the next Freecycle will be 09-27 tentatively scheduled to begin around 4 PM. He also said to think about a chili cook-off for October—perhaps at the Civic Center as the temperatures will be dropping by then!
Bonnie announced Ice Cream Social today at 3 PM to meet with Larry Roberts of UAF and discuss senior’s services in Nenana.
Also Bud Kraus is recuperating from his recent hospitalization. He is at Denali Center. Lastly, apparently Aaron Shaw was hospitalized Wednesday.
OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None
ADJOURNMENT: 1:45 PM