Untitled Document

January's Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes

January 17, 2008

5:45pm Great Southern Bank – Operations Center

Members Present: Marilyn Garrett, Traci Smith, Earl Russell, Don Garrett, Bradley Fisher, Richard Kennedy, Donna Willoughby, Linda Leicht, Tiffany Smith, Carol Shoptaugh, Donna Vermillion, Sharon Young, Russ Smith, Sheila Freeman, Sandy Beder, Joyce McNeill, Sharon Farmer, Kay Dulaney, Julie Boyce, Karen Scott, Kelli Tennison, Karen Scott

Welcome new members and Welcome Members we haven’t seen for awhile!

6:00 pm Mission Statement / Introductions Traci Smith

The Community Alliance for Compassionate Care at the End of Life is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing community awareness of end-of-life issues and promoting quality care for individuals at life’s end. Our members are an alliance of healthcare professionals, educators, and members of religious, business and civic communities throughout the Ozarks region.

Together we strive to improve the quality of life for dying persons and to support healthy bereavement experiences for families and friends

6:05 pm Announcements Marilyn Garrett

Jamon Lewis, our administrative assistant will be back with us once she’s back on her feet after surgery. She is working from home, working hard to pull back in old lists of members and contacting them to invite them back to the Alliance. With our attendance tonight, it seems that effort is paying off!

If you have NOT gotten updates via email, please let us know what your email address (or other ways to communicate with you) is so we can get reports, reminders and other business conducted. We want to keep in touch with you!

We are in our new office! We were located downtown at the Vandivort Center, now we’ve moved to Lambeth Center, directly across from Corporate Center on E. Sunshine (1944 E. Sunshine, Ste C, 65804). We will have enough room to have our morning meetings there in our own office space. Next monthly meeting will be there! 7:00 am in February.

We have been having trouble with our website. Alvin Vaughn, previous webmaster, was military in Iraq and Long distance web hosting was not successful. We have had some issues occurring, and our great team of Earl Glen and Sharon has purchased every domain name www.missouriendoflife except gov and edu to help us solve. Our new website is www.missouriendoflife.com but old address of .org will now funnel into the .com until we can get the old website back under our control in May when they release the domain name. Thanks for your patience as we go through this challenging time with our website. Please change your bookmark to the new site…..www.missouriendoflife.COM.

Advisory Board: Rob Hulstra is the co-chair of the Advisory Board and will step in and be the interim chair of the committee as Barb Stock (Chair) is spending important time caring for her sister in Kansas City.

6:20 pm Committee Reports

Circles of Care – Sheila Freeman. We are trying to move forward to see if we can have a training session soon. February is a possible date. We will still have training for APO and perhaps a church too.

Diversity Committee - Julie Boyce

Committee has not been active for awhile. Committee has several members and will meet in a few weeks and start planning training.

Special Events - Don Garrett

UPCOMING EVENTS:

National Teleconference on Grief is coming up April 16th at Cox Health Hulston Cancer Center. 3rd Floor Magnolia, Dogwood and Redbud Rooms. We will be presenting in conjunction with Lost and Found organization since the topic is “Living With Grief: Children and Adolescents.

More info will be coming out. SAVE THE DATE! April 16, 2008 12:30 – 4:30pm

April 16th is also National Healthcare Decision Day. This is a national program designed to help Americans make plans and prepare their Advance Directives. Despite increased awareness of advance directives/living wills, etc, Americans are still not filling them out and communicating with loved ones about their wishes. This is a national effort with 50 states participating. We will have lots of PR and press release activity closer to the date.

More info will be forthcoming. SAVE THE DATE! April 16, Evening. Time TBD.

PAST EVENTS:

New Year’s Eve…..some of us spent the night at the Vandivort Center at the New Year’s Eve Ball. The Alliance was the charity designated by the Ball’s coordinators, Dance With Me. $626 was made for the Alliance that night through silent auction and raffle tickets. We thank Board Member, Mary Newman for helping us get involved. We also thank “Dance With Me” for choosing us as the charity! Kay Dulaney reported that some of her friends attended and had a WONDERFUL time! In addition to raising money we also have gotten exposure with new folks who might not have been aware of our organization.

TRIVIA NIGHT…$6,400 was raised for Trivia Night 2007. We had record attendance and record fundraising amounts for this event!

SAVE THE DATE FOR NOVEMBER 7, 2008 Trivia Night. Theme is “PROM NIGHT…..DRESS for the prom that SUITS your team.” Cost for teams is $80 through September 30. October 1 the team fee will be $100. This year we invite individuals to attend $15 per person and $20 at the door. PLAN NOW TO ATTEND, TEAM OR INDIVIDUAL AND HAVE FUN!!!

EASY WAYS TO HELP NOW:

USE GOODSEARCH If you use www.goodsearch.com as your search engine, you can help us raise money! We received $109.86 for 2007 activity! It’s easy to do….simply designate the Alliance as the charity you choose to receive the proceeds from your internet search!
Check out Goodshop ~~another way the Alliance can earn money
DONATE YOUR sellable items for E-Bay! Call the office and let us know you have items.
Save your TONER AND INK CARTRIDGES for the alliance. We will pick them up and a donation box will be available in the office and at meetings. Also keeps them out of the landfill.
DONATE MONTHLY via our ACH system (Auto Withdraw from your Bank Account). Contact the office for a simple form….one time effort/easy to do!

6:40 pm PROGRAM

Dr. Karen Scott, Executive Director – LOST AND FOUND www.lostandfoundozarks.com

In the 80’s, Karen started working with terminally ill teens which lead to bereavement counseling for their families. Karen has been in the Springfield school system for years in various capacities, but seems to have always had “one foot in grief~ one in counseling”. Lost and Found was started in January 2001 using a program in Portland Oregon called The Dougy Center as a guide. Karen partnered with Springfield attorney, Shawn Askinosie whose own father died when Shawn was young to start Lost and Found. In January, 2001 the first group began with a group of hand picked facilitators. It was a true case of “If you build it they will come”. Fast forward 7 years later, Lost and Found is now in their own new facility at the corner of Cedarbrook and Pythian. There are currently 6 children’s groups and 6 adult groups with over 155 people being served in 2007. The demand continues to grow and the word continues to spread that support is available. The program is free for anyone and individuals determine how long they need to be there. Donations are encouraged and accepted if a family can afford to contribute.

The stories are sad, yet it’s incredibly rewarding work…it’s not a sad place. Children become bonded with each other, become close friends, and play and laugh. There’s something magical about being in a group of people who are bonded together by grief. They “get it” and understand each other. They discuss whatever issues come up. In the kids group, it is structured and consistent; these kids need to know what is going to happen when they come to Lost and Found especially since other parts of their lives may be chaotic. They “Chat about death”…..draw the questions out. Some of the most amazing philosophical discussions occur in these groups of little kids. Activities are designed to work through complex emotions of grief. Feelings, hearing the news, challenges, where they find support, what’s changed in families are examples of some of the topics of discussion. Kids come to Lost and Found at various times after a death. Some as early as a week after the death and one person started 3 years after her mother’s death. They come along as they need to come. They decide when they are done. A lot of what they do is help children and adolescents learn how to hold that person in their heart and move grief to a place where it’s not front and center but moved to side. Lost and Found serves families from a 14 county area. The need is there and it’s amazing how far people will drive.

A young adult group (college level) is being started. They also hope to start group of older adults who have experienced death of a spouse of many years or adults who experience the death of a child. These areas can be a long grief process. These programs will probably be around lunchtime.

A moving video about Lost and Found was shown. Many children spoke with great impact.

Karen has been a member of the Alliance for many years and will be working with the Alliance on the grief teleconference in April since it is about children and adolescent grief. Keep this in mind and invite anyone you think would benefit from attending.

Keep Lost and Found in your thoughts as they were hit by the recent tornado and received damage. Now would be a great time to donate time or financial support to help out. Volunteers of all types for various projects are always needed. A position is currently open for Director of Development. Forward interested resumes to Karen ASAP. 417.832-9423.

Thanks to Karen Scott for presenting our program.

7:15pm ADJOURN

NEXT MEETING:

Thursday, February 21, 2008 7:00am

ALLIANCE OFFICE

New Location! 1944 E. Sunshine, Suite C Lambeth Center

(2 blocks east of Sunshine/Glenstone on South Side Across from Corporate Center)

TOPICS:

Celebrate our new space

Moving Forward: Board Member(s) will be there to define roles:

Governing Board

Advisory Board

Committees, etc.

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BRING YOUR IDEAS ABOUT WHAT YOU’D LIKE TO SEE THE ALLIANCE DO IN 2008!

Meeting Minutes
February 21, 2008
7:00am Alliance Office

Members Present: Don Garrett, Marilyn Garrett, EG Russell, Rob Hulstra, Breita Church, Stacy Ferguson, Donna Willoughby, Aimee Fry, Chuck Dowin, Paul Reinert plus a couple of new folks that didn't get on the sign in sheet. It was so exciting to see new faces on such a horrible weather morning. Our Alliance is going to be booming.

It was wonderful being in our new digs on Sunshine Street. As we grow, we will present the morning meetings using chairs. Very exciting

7:15am Mission Statement / Introductions Don Garrett
The Community Alliance for Compassionate Care at the End of Life is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing community awareness of end-of-life issues and promoting quality care for individuals at life's end. Our members are an alliance of healthcare professionals, educators, and members of religious, business and civic communities throughout the Ozarks region.
Together we strive to improve the quality of life for dying persons and to support healthy bereavement experiences for families and friends.

Organizational Structure
Advisory Board – Rob Hulstra
Rob Hulstra was the first to report as acting chair of the advisory committee. The advisory committee will be responsible for the programs of the Alliance and the oversight of events planned by each committee. Rob has a wonderful vision for the coming events of the Alliance and will plan one day (constant) per month that the advisory board will meet.

Governing Board – Paul Reinert
Paul gave an overview of the responsibilities of the Governing Board of the Alliance. As we have grown in programs and financial needs, it was apparent that the overall structure of the Alliance needed to be more organized. Paul presented a brief overview of the new by-laws that will be filed with the Secretary of State in conjunction and compliance with our corporate structure. Doug Nickell, Attorney at Law was consulted on the by-laws and necessary changes were made to satisfy the requirements of the 501c3 status of the Alliance. The Governing board will have these main purposes. 1.) Fiduciary responsibilities governing the financial structure 2.) Reviewing and changing the by-laws as needed 3.) Hiring and Firing of the Executive Director and 4.) Making sure the board has the proper amount of board members with a minimum of 9, and a maximum of 13. 5.) The board will also insure that the Executive carries out his/her responsibilities and duties and has reports at each board meeting.

Committees:
Multi-Cultural Diversity – Julie Boyce
Due to the ice storm, Julie Boyce, chair was unable to attend this mornings meeting. We recapped the many accomplishments of this committee for the benefit of our new attendees showing the importance of cultural sensitivity especially at life's end. We explained the cultures that had presented programs for the public and interest has been expressed to renew these programs and bring back many of the same cultures with new programs. The importance was expressed for the need to expand the base of the Alliance by putting forth the effort to invite any and all cultures to be members of the Alliance.

Circles of Care – Sheila Freeman / Tiffiny Smith
Shelia was unable to attend as was Tiffiny, co-chairs of the Alliance. Donna Willoughby and Don Garrett explained the basic principle of the circles program and the organizational methods to attain the most help from the least amount of volunteers. Paul Reinert said that Integrity was doing similar projects but a different name. Hopefully by fall 2008, Shelia and Tiffiny will be presenting with the help of Charlotte Phillips and Kelly Tennison a train-the-trainer program on Circles of Care. We acknowledged that the effort of a train-the trainer program would through a ripple effect reach many more people and there was simply not enough time and volunteer hours to try to accomplish Circles with Alliance members.

Story Keeping – Ann Payette / Peter Browning
Again, the weather kept Peter Browning and Ann Payette, co-chairs, away from the meeting this morning. For the benefit of new members, story keeping was talked about in terms of first person; "If it were your family". It ties so well with Cultural issues and is a very important way to make sure personal cultural feelings and rituals remain as heirlooms to families.

Health Care Education – Donna Willoughby
Donna Willoughby explained our health care education programs. Using personal experience and stories made it a lot easier to grasp the importance of the work that this committee and the volunteers do. It would be impossible to raise enough money to equal the contributions made by both local teams and added instructors as we deliver the programs state wide with the help and support of sponsors in those locations. The schedule was passed around of the upcoming programs and all is invited to attend. Donna has been a trainer since 2001 for the EPEC program. A physician is required to teach during each EPEC program. Both health education programs provide continuing education hours for most disciplines.

Advance Directives – Barb Stock
Barb Stock is in Kansas City and has been for several months caring for her sister. Barb has traveled the state teaching the importance of filling out the advance directive. Paul Reinert spoke on how important this document was to him and his family during the recent death of his mother. It opened the door for compassionate conversation between family and friends including his mother who could give her wishes during this time of her life.

At this time Marilyn Garrett also talked about the National Healthcare Decisions Making Day April 16, 2008. It will be a very busy day both here and in Jefferson City. The Governor will sign a proclamation of "National Health Care Decisions Making Day," in Jefferson City. In addition, EPEC/EDNA trainer Michael Hendrix and Marilyn Garrett will be working on a 4 act play that will be presented in the Capitol Rotunda. There will be legislatures and media from the Jefferson City area, and hopefully will be able to get media from Springfield. During the evening in Springfield we will be hosting "National Healthcare Decisions Making Day."

Special Events – Don Garrett
Don Garrett reviewed the ongoing "Power of Five" as can be view on our website at www.missouriendoflife.com, and the other ways you can contribute to the Alliance.
Goodsearch and Goodshop. If your search engines at work are set to something other than goodsearch, you can simply type www.goodsearch in the address bar and go to goodsearch and put your charity in as the Community Alliance.
Ebay is now ready to go. A challenge is made to bring one item to be put on the ebay auction by next meeting. Earl Glen Russell has donated a fur coat from Linda Fite, and D.A.T. recorder. It is a digital audio tape recorder. It is used in recording studios and they are be selling well on ebay right now. Look through your unwanted good items and see what you might have to bring to sell on ebay. Go to the ebay site and see how many different things they sell. Golfing, fishing, designer purses and shoes and clothes. Memorabilia is a item right now.
The National Hospice Foundation teleconference on grief will be held at the Hulston Cancer Center April 16 beginning at noon. Lost and Found is joining us this year and the topic is childhood grief. Please plan to attend this event. Information and flyers will be sent out.
April 16 during the evening the Community Alliance will be presenting "National Healthcare Decisions Making Day in Springfield. It will be in the evening with the time TBA. We are working with the governor's office to see that we have a proclamation by our governor. We will have advance directives and notaries available. You will be receiving further information.

The meeting was adjourned.

Next Meeting
Thursday, March 20 5:45 PM
Great Southern Operations Center
Glenstone @St. Louis Street

Program: Hospice House…Presented by Hospice House, Harrison Arkansas…Deb Schaefer, Hospice Director and Lori Youngblood, PR/ Projects Coordinator

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July 17, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Members Present: Julie Boyce, Heather Brown, Pat & Dorelen Crocker, Sharon Farmer, Helen Fochler, Aimee Fry, Lisa Gardner, Donna Irish, Don Garrett, Marilyn Garrett, Sandy Garrison, Annell Haase, Renne Jenkins, Elizabeth Lee, Brenda Manasco, Neil Marshall, Rev Bro. Joseph “Rick” McCormack, , Joyce McNeal, Bruce McNeely, Denie' Patrick, Franklin Reagan, Earl Glen Russell, Krissy Sinor, Donna Willoughby

Marilyn Garrett: Welcome new members and Welcome Members we haven’t seen for awhile!

6:55 pm: Mission Statement: Rob Hulstra

Together we strive to improve the quality of life for dying persons and to support healthy bereavement experiences for families and friends

Introductions: Marilyn Garrett

7:00 pm Executive Report: Marilyn Garrett:

Krissy Sinor has been recently hired as the new education coordinator/ office administrator. She will be working full time on public relations and building membership. Brenda Manasco was also recently hired as administrative assistant.

7:05 pm Committee Reports

Circles of Care – Sheila Freeman: absent

Some Committee – Peter Browning

Multicultural Diversity Committee - Julie Boyce

Committee is working on materials for EDNA.

Special Events: Don Garrett:

Aug. 9; 11a – 1p: The 2008 Community Alliance Super Bowl. This event is sponsored by Hospice Palliative Care and Cox Health. Sponsorship levels: Event sponsor $500, T-Shirt Sponsor $250, Lane Sponsor $100. Prizes still needed. Press release for the event was distributed today. Each member is requested to raise $20 each, anyone raising $50 or more is eligible for a T shirt.

Action Items:

Form teams
Seek out sponsors to donate prizes

April 29, 2009: The Alliance will again be sponsoring the 16th Annual Bereavement Teleconference, “Diversity and End of Life Care: Impact of Culture on Death and Bereavement.” Hosted by the National Hospice Foundation of America.

Nov. 7: Trivia Night. Members are requested to put together teams and come in appropriate attire for prom night of your ere. The theme is “Prom Night.” The Knights of Columbus Hall will be used again this year. Prizes are needed.

Action Items:

Form teams
Seek out sponsors to donate prizes

EDNA and EPEC programs: Donna Willoughby:

Community Hospices of America sponsored the last EPEC at Branson. We had 55 people registered; 48 participants present, of these 15 were physicians. The facility and food both of outstanding quality and the event was quite successful. Cox health will be sponsoring the next EPEC in Springfield on Aug. 16-17.

Story keeping

Membership

EASY WAYS TO HELP NOW:

USE GOODSEARCH If you use www.goodsearch.com as your search engine, you can help us raise money! We received $109.86 for 2007 activity! It’s easy to do….simply designate the Alliance as the charity you choose to receive the proceeds from your internet search!
Check out Goodshop ~~another way the Alliance can earn money
DONATE YOUR sellable items for E-Bay! Call the office and let us know you have items.
Save your TONER AND INK CARTRIDGES for the alliance. We will pick them up and a donation box will be available in the office and at meetings. Also keeps them out of the landfill.
DONATE MONTHLY via our ACH system (Auto Withdraw from your Bank Account). Contact the office for a simple form….one time effort/easy to do!

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