Maine Welfare Directors’ Association

Membership Meeting

December 14, 2006

Augusta City Hall, Augusta, ME

 

Present:  Mary Frances Bartlett, Cheryl Buxbaum, Sue Charron, Robert Duranleau, Janice Esancy, Judy Hardy Goddard, Cheryl Johnson, Linda Lewandowski, Darryl McKenney, Renee Daniel, Stacey Parra, Tracey Stevens, Vicky Edgerly, Gino Camardese, Martha Huff, Joan Kiszely.

Guest:  Anna Hicks, Cindy Boyd, Hazel Beers.

1.                  Call to Order:  President Darryl McKenney called the meeting to order at 9:45 a.m.  He welcomed all to the membership meeting and introductions were made. 

2.                  Approval of Minutes: The minutes from October 4, 2006 were presented.  Motion made by Stacey Parra, seconded by Vicky Edgerly, all approved the October 4, 2006 minutes.

3.                  Treasurer’s Report:  Linda Fossa absent.  Joan Kiszely reported the following:

 

September                       Total Assets   $35,162

October                            Total Assets  $38,840

November                        Total Assets  $33,491

 

Motion made by Stacey Parra, seconded by Renee Daniels, all approved the September 2006, October 2006 and November 2006 financials.

 

Meeting ceased so Guest Speaker could do her presentation.

 

10:00:      Guest Speaker:  Ana Hicks, Policy Analyst, Maine Equal Justice from

                MaineCare.

 

11:00       Winter Issues Presentation - Betsy Robichaud

You can call 1-877-JOE-4-0L for 40% discount (on up to 200 gallons a year)

 

               Meeting Re-Convened at 11:35 a.m.

 

4.                  Committee Reports:

 

Legislative Update:  No report.

Professional Development Committee:  Vicky Edgerly reported Joan Kiszely has gotten proposals from Sheraton, Sebasco, Holiday Inn West, Spruce Point, and she is waiting on proposals from Sunday River and Embassy Suites. 

 

Basic GA:  Brief Discussion on who will be teaching Basic GA.  Cindy Boyd noted she has it on her calendar so she can do her section.  Vicky Edgerly, Gino Camardese, Judy Hardy-Goddard, Sue Charron, Rene Daniels will be the Instructors for Basic GA, and Kristen from MMA will be there to answer legal questions.  They will meet to go over the training.  Sue Charron noted that they should implement the Instructor Program so they can get new members certified to teach.  The board thought this was a good idea.

 

Cindy Boyd reported she would be willing to do some training on DHHS Policies & Statutes before the end of February.  She noted she will do Franklin County and Darryl McKenney noted he would attend this one. 

 

Video – What is General Assistance?  Diane Mende has offered to do this for MWDA for a fee.  Vicky Edgerly noted maybe we need to meet with Diane Mende and see what exactly she wants to do.  Motion made by Rene Daniels, seconded by Cheryl Johnson to appropriate up to $750 to do a Training Video, all approved.

 

Training Brochures:  Stacey Parra & Judy Hardy-Goddard, Mary Frances Bartlett will work on this.

 

5.                  Other Business

 

a.      Administrative Services Agreement:  Joan Kiszely reported on the Draft 2007 Administrative Services Agreement.  She noted that the total fee is $3,783.00 reflecting an increase of 4.3%.  Joan Kiszely noted she believes the increase is from cost of living.  Brief discussion in regards to the contract.  Joan Kiszely reported that it is a Draft and any concerns or questions she wasn’t able to answer, and the President could feel free to contact Mike Starn, Director of Communications.  Darryl McKenny noted that if anyone has issues to do with the MMA Agreement, let him know.  He will bring the Service Agreement to the Executive Board to vote on.

 

b.      MMA Convention:  2007 MMA Convention – Joan Kiszely reported       that MMA was looking at a one- day conference.  She noted that last year there was a decline in attendance and has been in the past years.  She noted that the Boards could have their Annual meeting in the morning, luncheon would be the banquet announcing the Award winners, the afternoon would be general sessions, and ending the day with some sort of a reception.  The Exhibitors would come in Wednesday night and set up and be open all day Thursday.  If anyone has other suggestions MMA is welcoming their ideas or suggestions.  They feel the MMA Convention is not the location as the problem it’s the program.  Vicky Edgerly feels they should do a survey to ask their opinion about the convention and the importance. 

 

Recess at 12:15 a.m.

 

6.   Adjourn:  Motion made by Rene Daniel, seconded by Cheryl Johnson, all approved to adjourn the meeting at 12:50 p.m.