Bridge Builders
This page contains meeting minutes and work plan (find it by scrolling to bottom of page).
Meeting Minutes
April 17, 2008
Bridge Builders Meeting MinutesDon Chrystal and Amber Brocke were the members of Bridge Builders present at the live Community Newsletter. Potential projects that were discussed was doing a “Foxfire”. One issue is funding, as Pug Marks has pretty much taken up the funding that was granted to Bridge Builders through Horizons. However, later this year when the $8,500 or so is granted to Horizons, we will have funding to be able to perform the project. Polly Taylor-Dennler suggested contacting the Centennial committee because they have funds and may be willing to match funds if Bridge Builders puts up an amount. Elizabeth Carney informed us that communities such as Cottonwood are looking at performing the same project and are looking at grants as well as 2degrees Northwest in which we would possibly be able to receive funding.
This “Foxfire” project could be done in numerous ways. An idea that was discussed and would be great would be to video the interview between the younger person and the older person in the community. This would capture the entire conversation and how the people talk and would be really awesome to have. Then someone would transcribe the interview and it would be documented as well. Elizabeth had an idea of possibly talking with some professors at U of I to see if they would be interested in hosting this project as an internship. Others ideas included possibly hiring a student or professor to do a workshop for those who will be performing the interviews to give them guidance on what questions to ask and how to keep the conversation flowing.
Personally I think that this would be a great and worthwhile project to do. If anyone has any input or ideas that they would want to contribute we would greatly appreciate them. Also, if anyone would have any interest in helping out with this project please let me know so we can move forward with it.
March 20, 2008
Members Present included: Lilian Howerton, Bob Hassholdt, Jana Townsend, Rose Norris, Laura McConnell, Josie McConnell, Amber Brocke.
The meeting started at 6:00 at the Senior Center. A grant from Coca-Cola that provides recycling bins to put where needed was discussed. We are going to look more in depth at this grant and see if it is something that we would be interested in doing. Jana Townsend reported that we collected $241.00 in donations from the Pug Marks kick off. It was decided that this money will go into getting t-shirts for members once a design is decided on. Pug Marks had talked about just buying t-shirts and using a t-shirt press to put the design on, however, at this meeting it was unanimous that it would be a lot easier and more convenient to have a professional do it that way the company will have our logo on file and it will be easy to make additional t-shirts. Laura will make up a poster for the t-shirt design contest and the elements that will need to be included on the logo.
Jana Townsend, Don Chrystal, Laura McConnell, and Amber Brocke will all sign a card to be able to access the account that was formed for Pug Marks at the Latah Federal Credit Union. Rose Norris and Don Chrystal had the idea of having an ice cream social for students at the school to help teachers and students to get involved. No date was set but potentially at the beginning of May.
Laura, Josi,and Jana will sit in on parent teacher conferences at the grade school on Tuesday to inform students as well as parents about Pug Marks. Laura is going to check and see if there are parent teacher conferences at the high school. If there are then a group will plan be there as well.
It was decided that the Bridge Builder’s Horizons Group will sponsor a scholarship this year for graduating seniors. Since there are not many students who have joined Pug Marks yet, and not may community service opportunities as of now, the scholarship will be based upon previous community service, need, and GPA. Rose Norris will make up a scholarship packet. It was also discussed that Amber Brocke may present the award at graduation to also get the word out about Pug Marks.
Two random acts of kindness that were decided on was to get Joanne Gertje a pin, since she really enjoys them. Joanne is a very dedicated and involved teacher at the high school. The other RAK is to give Venetta Williams a basket with a soup mix, homemade bread, and a couple other goodies. Venetta takes her small dog to the nursing home and volunteers her time. Amber will be in charge of organizing these RAK’s.
The next meeting will be on March 31st for all of the Pug Marks members that have signed up so far. Dinner will be provided and it will be held at the Kendrick Grange Hall at 6:00. Laura will bring bread, Amber will provide the soup, and Rose will provide the dessert.
March 4, 2008
Members Present included: Melissa Eichner, Rose Norris, Amber Brocke, Laura McConnell, Jana Townsend. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
There were no corrections or additions to the previous meeting minutes and they were approved.
Old Business: Laura passed around a flyer that she had made for the Pug Marks CSI kick-off on Monday March 10th. Dylan Curry and Dakoda White will be performing the entertainment. Laura will talk to Kevin Driskill to see if the 7th hour conditioning class will help set up the cafeteria for the meeting and chili feed. Sharon Harris, Peggy Fiske, Laura McConnell, Aunie Ouderkerken, and Amber Brocke will bring chili. Amber Brocke and Melissa Eichner will bring the cornbread. Rose will be in charge of getting the punch as well as cheese for the chili. Laura will get the onions, bowls, plates, spoons, cups and napkins. The funding request will be submitted to the steering committee in order to receive money to cover the costs of the chili feed, etc.. As of now, the board for Pug Marks CSI will be composed of Don Chrystal, Jana Townsend, and Laura McConnell who will be on the board until there is an interest by others and Pug Marks CSI gets established.
New Business: Laura will make copies of member applications and have them available at the meeting on Monday. Jana Townsend will be providing the pens for the meeting and sign-up sheets for upcoming community service projects will be made. Sign up sheets will be at the meeting as well as at the library and at the school. Laura will work up what needs to be on the t-shirts for the design competition. Amber Brocke will make a suggestions box for people to give suggestions and ideas on what random acts of kindness or community service projects should be done. It was decided that Pug Marks CSI will organize and provide the following:
1) Sidewalk Sweep- April 17th at 3:30, meeting in the park
2) Provide cookies for Meet the Sherriff- April 23rd at the Grange Hall
3) Have a breakfast fundraiser May 10th in the Park (day of the Fireman’s Car Wash/ Rummage Sale/Farmer’s Market)
4) Potential Highway Cleanup May 17th- Laura will do some checking to see if we can adopt-a-highway between Kendrick and Juliaetta
These are just a few ideas and further arrangements and discussion will be had on the projects. We are planning to be at the High School around 5:45 on Monday the 10th to get things organized before the dinner and meeting. Laura will talk to the 6th and 7th graders to inform them about Pug Marks this week as well as the meeting on Monday. The next meeting will be on March 20th at 6:00 before the Live Newsletter. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
Feb. 21, 2008
Meeting began at 6:30 after presentation by Karen Richel on Personal Finance Classes.
Attendance: Jana Townsend, Don Chrystal, Laura McConnell-Soong, Elizabeth Carney-Horizon Program Coordinator, Karen Richel-Presenter and Rose Norris. Amber Brocke was absent due to illness and Rose took notes to forward to her.
Laura presented Pug Mark information to the Bridge Builders. The Articles of Incorporation papers are filled out and ready to be sent off. She will list herself as the incorporator; there is only need for one person. The cost is $30.00. Pug Marks CSI needs their own PO Box and Don Chrystal volunteered to procure one for $52.00. This way we will have the address for the Articles of Incorporation form. Upcoming community kickoff event will be March 10th at the Kendrick High School Cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. There will be chili and corn bread. Donations for the evening meal will be earmarked for t-shirts to be provided to members after completing a set number of service hours completed. Laura discussed having a “design the t-shirt contest” and everyone thought this was a good idea to get the interaction and build interest for joining Pug Marks. It would also identify and promote the service group. Cima Insurance was discussed and after reading the form we found that we could pick a number to insure and we decided on 30 to begin with.
Homework for members present was handed out in binders by Laura and we need to go over the bylaws and make suggestions or notations in the sidebar. We will be looking at this at the March 4th meeting. Also we need to come up with a list of projects for the kickoff meeting.
Rose suggested that we have Karen Richel do her “That’s Life” Real world Simulation project with our high school students as a community service project. The twenty volunteers would come from our community of adults serving as her mentors in the “That’s Life” project.
Rose suggested that the Bridge Builders submit the grant request to the Steering Committee for the upcoming expenses. We made a list and Jana will fill out the request and have it ready for the March 4th meeting that was set this evening. We came up with approximately $800.00 to be submitted for our upcoming expenses.
$30.00 for the Articles of Incorporation
$52.00 Post Office Box
$300.00-501 C3 status cost
$135.00 Insurance plus individuals at $5.47 a person-$164.10 total.
Office costs-Binders, paper, posters and associated office costs for reimbursement-$40.00
Chili feed expenses- $40.00
Report was given at Live Newsletter after we were finished with our meeting.
Meeting ended at 8:15 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
Feb 11, 2008
Members Present included: Lilian Howerton, Bob Hassholdt, Jana Townsend, Denise Silflow, Hermy Meyer, Rose Norris, Don Crystal, Laura McConnell, Josie McConnell, Amber BrockeThe name Pug Marks will officially be Pug Marks Community Service Inc. and was approved by all members. The mission statement for Pug Marks was reviewed, it is currently as follows: The mission of Pug Marks Community Service Inc. is to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for the youth, adults, and families working together in the communities of Kendrick, Juliaetta, and the seven ridges surrounding them, and a greater connections to the community at large while addressing unmet needs through service. Applications for members, board members, and waivers were brought by Laura McConnell to be reviewed by the committee. Pug Marks will be needing a mailbox and an e-mail address. The need for the formation of the executive board was addressed. It was decided that people on the committee need to think of people who may be interested in being on the board and contact them. We will then bring these ideas for board members to the next meeting for discussion. It was also discussed on how many people will be on the executive board. The youth will have a positions on the board, however, they will not allowed to vote. The idea of having a range of 4-12 board members may be best to insure that there will be able to be a board with fewer or more people depending on the level of interest. It was discussed and decided that there we will have facilitators at the board meetings that are not a member or an associate of Pug Marks there to aide in discussion.We have set a meeting for the community to come and be informed about the formation of Pug Marks Community Service Inc. on March 10th at 7:00 p.m. at the High School Cafeteria. Cookies and coffee will be served and people will be allowed to ask questions or give suggestions regarding Pug Marks. This will be announced in the upcoming community newsletter. We also discussed the need to submit a request for grant money for : a mailbox, to apply for the 501 C3 status, and to submit the Articles of Inc..
Meeting Minutes
Jan 22, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Amber Brocke at the Kendrick High School District Office. Group Member’s present included the following: Aunie Ouderkerken, Hermy Meyer, Laura McConnell, Josie McConnell, Don Crystal, Melissa Eichner, Rose Norris, and Amber Brocke.
Rose reported about the Live Newsletter that she attended and that there was interest in some people joining our committee. Those included Bob and Aunie Ouderkerken, Hermy Meyer, and Don Crystal whom were all present at the meeting. Rhonda Blair also wants to join the committee after basketball season is over.
Laura McConnell reported that she has talked to the school board about letting Pug Marks use the school for meetings, hanging sign-up sheets, etc which they agreed to. She also has done some research on Pug Marks becoming a 501 C3 status (Non-Profit Organization). In order to receive that status an application has to be filled out and there is a one time fee of $300. Rose is going to do some research and see what organizations in the community have the Non-Profit status. Laura reported that there is a training February 5th in Riggins about having and running an Executive Board. Josie and Laura are considering attending the training.
There are a few things that need to take place so we can get Pug Marks up and running which include the Articles of Incorporation need to be written as well as the By-Laws and an executive board needs to be constructed. There was discussion and it was unanimous that on the executive board that there will be 10 people, with a makeup of 5 adults and 5 students/youth. Laura has done some research on insurance for members of Pug Marks. She found CIMA which provides insurance for volunteers in the United States. Some of the rates were $5.47 per person for the general insurance and $6.04 with the general and auto insurance. There was discussion on who will pay for the insurance and it was also unanimous that the adults will pay for their own insurance and that Pug Marks will pay for the youth/students insurance. Research also needs to be done on how much it would be to insure an event for a day.
Further discussion included where to leave places for project ideas. Some ideas that were brought up would be having a site on the internet where students could access a list to see what projects that they could possible do (this list would be very general and not included names, times, etc. it would just say for example “raking leaves”), a blog, lists could be left at the library, and a contact person could also be listed. It was thought that maybe we could check with the counselor’s at the schools to see if we could have our list on their websites.
It was discussed by the group about changing our meeting times to once a month, and having the meetings before the Live Newsletter. Our committee thought that it would be more beneficial to have the committee groups meet with their respective members and have discussions before the groups stand up to give their updates at the Live Newsletter. The Live Newsletter is the 3rd Thursday of every month. However, our group decided that we will have another meeting before the next Live Newsletter meeting on February 11th at 6:00 in the District Office to discuss the By-Laws, Articles of Inc., mission statement, etc.
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Amber Brocke. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Date: January 8, 2008
Place: School District OfficeThe meeting was called to order at 6:15 at the Kendrick High School District Office. Those present included: Mellissa Eichner, Rose Norris, Kim Peters, Amber Brocke. Guests included Laura McConnell as well as the Horizon’s Leadership Committee.
The Leadership Committee invited the Bridging the Gap committee members to attend their meeting on January 21, 2008 at the Kendrick Grange Hall at 6:30 concerning youth leadership.
Laura McConnell introduced an idea of a community service group calling it “Pug Marks.” She has been working on putting a community service group together for quite some time. She got the idea from Orofino, where they have a very successful community service group called “Maniac Pride.” Laura’s idea for “Pug Marks” is that it will be a community service group as well as being a group that performs random acts of kindness. Adults, families, and students 6th-12th grade will all be able to participate and be active in the group. There will be an executive board which meets every month to decide what projects will be done and make executive decisions. There will be a project chair with a committee that will plan and create project time lines, arrange for adults or partnering groups to attend the projects, arrange for all needed supplies, address volunteer recruitment and publicity if needed, and to thank the volunteers who participated in the projects. There will be places to leave ideas for community projects that could be performed, whether it be for an individual or for another group. There will be sign-up sheets for each project and the hours of community service that are performed by each person will be documented for future use in such things as scholarship applications, job applications, etc. Other project ideas that were discussed that could be included in the Pug Marks group would be such things as performing a “foxfire” activity where the students or group members go into the community and interview someone. They will then document what they find, such as how the person came to the community, how a business was started etc., and then these interviews will be compiled. It was thought that this would be a great way to build relationships with the older and younger generations as well as to preserve the history of our community.Laura McConnell also talked to us about the catering club that she will be starting at the high school, where students will receive their food handling licenses by taking a class. The students will then be able to gain experience in preparing food as well as catering.Laura’s idea for a community service group went hand in hand with our idea of a community service group that was discussed at our last meeting. It was thought that “Pug Marks” would be formed as a club at the high school, but as a result of liability, funding, and participation issues, it was unanimous that the Horizons Bridging the Gap committee would be a great place to start this group. It was also decided that composing a survey to see if the community would like to have a community service group would not be needed. Laura said that she will do some more work on the details of Pug Marks and will send it on to everyone.
The next Bridging the Gap meeting will be on January 22nd at 6:00 p.m. at the Kendrick High School District Office. Everyone is encouraged to come and provide input on the formation of Pug Marks!
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Date: December 11, 2007
Place: Juliaetta Grade School Library
Attendants: Rose Norris, Melissa Eichner, Amber Brocke
The Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
The first discussion was composed of constructing a budget for our group. The budget included money for childcare, flyers (paper, printing, postage), scholarships, and general supplies. A motion was made by Amber Brocke to accept the budget and submit it to Lillian Howerton. Rose Norris’ seconded the motion.
Amber Brocke brought up the idea of creating a Community Service Group or organization in the community. This group would be able to coordinate community service activities that would include all age groups of people. An idea about having a scholarship to encourage the younger age classes to participate in community service was considered and included in the budget. The group present agreed that the Bridging the gap group should focus more on the Community Service Group than a Community Center as a result of time and cost restrictions. The Community Service Group will give us a base to start which may eventually lead for the need of a Community Center. The use of the high school and the grade school for projects, classes, etc. coordinate by the Community Service Group was thought to be a priority since the public is paying tax money for the schools, they should be utilized as much as possible.
Melissa Eichner had ideas that the Community Service Group could use. They are as follows:
- Have the 7th grade (or other classes) class put on a class on basic computer skills for people in the community
- Art classes in the spring and summer for all age groups (old and young)
- Repairing old computers and placing them with families or people in need.
- Advertising for mentors
The need for a flyer still needs to be addressed. One has already been composed that is based mostly on the Community Center. Since the agreement to focus more on a Community Service Group, the format of the flyer/survey needs to be adjusted. We need to have someone from the Steering Committee who has been to a class on composing surveys to help the group with constructing the survey.
Those at the meeting set the next meeting date for January 8th at 6:30 at the Kendrick High School Library. The meeting will be used to compose a flyer to send to the public on the idea of a Community Service Group.
Bridge Builders’ Work Plan
Idaho Horizons Action Team Work Plan
Community: K-J and 7 Ridges
Action Team: Bridge Builders
Person completing this form: : Lauralee Kunder w/ Kim Peters and Rose Norris
Number of people on this Action Team: 10
1. What is the need or issue your Action Team is tackling in your community?
Building bridges between organizations and between young & old, Community Center
2. Who else or what existing projects are you partnering with?
Newsletter, 48 organizations on the K-JCDA website and Arts committee website, Kendrick Juliaetta blog
3. What goals does your Action Team have? (What do you want to accomplish in the next 2-3 years?)
Gathering information and determining needs
- Sending survey out and compiling information
- Volunteer opportunities for youth and senior listing
- Community Center
- Funding
- Work Partner with community organizations
4. What do you want your Action Team to accomplish by June 30, 2008?
Put survey out and compile info
- Lists volunteer opportunities
- Network organizations and volunteers
- Create activities for youth and seniors together
- Summer Program
5. What impact do you want your actions to have and how will you measure that impact?
We want the people to be aware of the community opportunity and need. We will measure it by the outcome of our survey. To get the people of our community and all generations to interact with each other.
This will be measured by their involvement.
6. How will these actions reduce community poverty and/or build community leadership?
Communicating the needs of the community will lead to better lines of communication which hopefully reduces poverty.
Networking and mentoring with youth and seniors will help build volunteers and leaders for the community.
7. What initial action steps have you taken?
Drafting a survey and volunteer list.
8. Other information you would like to share:
Our committee is slowly getting together because many of our members have young children which makes it difficult to attend meetings and others are also very busy.
This committee is still brain storming and is welcome for all input.