Community Engagement Committee Meeting Minutes – November 7, 2011
In attendance: Father Stan Aksamit, Our Lady of Peace Parish, David Gadaire, CareerPoint, Andrew Morehouse, Food Bank of Western Mass., Paul Robbins, Robbins & Associates, Pamela Schwartz, network coordinator
Outreach update (follow-up on targeted LC outreach)
Judge Fields: Continuing commitment to work on data/evaluation. Ready to go as soon as revitalized.
Rabbi Justin David: willing to attend 11/30 meeting to explore what he can contribute.
Senator Downing: Lynne obtained scheduler and staff email – will put them in loop.
Jennica Petrik-Huff: Lynne spoke with her briefly ; will speak longer. Wants to continue with Network, use experience in housing, organizing to assist. Would like to participate in community engagement committee.
Linda Stacy: Father Stan encouraged her to attend 11/30 meeting, asked her to check out blog. Office/staff are small but good spirit of cooperation among agencies in Franklin County. Open to doing presentation on what is happening in Franklin County. Encouraged individual emails.
Amy Swisher: does not feel it’s a good fit. Her job may be expanding. Would be available for ad hoc discussion on connection between hospital and homelessness, would consider putting a panel together. Will call back one more time to see if she will attend 11/30 meeting.
Bill Messner: extremely well-informed of work, keeping up with developments. HCC and STCC combined one of the largest workforce development programs in area. Good avenues for follow-up.
Evan Dobelle – exchanging messages
Tim Brennan – exchanging messages
Parking lot thought: Rep. Olver resignation. How to maintain connections with him and staff.
Andrew Morehouse: need to get clear on LC contribution – what are we asking them to do?
Paul Robbins: Get info out – get people engaged with data. Need to do event/info so LC members can feel connected to effort.
Andrew: Come up with clear outcomes and the activities that are going to help us achieve that. What steps do we take following that event to bolster that activity – what do we direct LC to do, e.g., calls, letter writing, meetings, etc.
Pamela: use jobs grant as hook to get LC involvement. Frame their involvement around this effort.
David Gadaire: LC options: data, contribute to creating event, contribute to jobs development – let LC members choose – then must report back, create accountability
Father Stan: need to focus on housing needs, sustainability.
Andrew: need to educate ourselves about one thing at each meeting.
Paul: LC is conscience. Reinforcing folks why we’re here; this is what it looks like this month; here’s what we’re doing, – give backdrop, then on to focus.
Pamela: stay focused on jobs.
Dave: need to ensure we draw out skills that LC members offer.
Draft Agenda for LC meeting:
Where we are in ending homelessness
Where the Network is
Presentation on jobs grant (consultants)
LC outreach/brainstorm
lunch
network committee report outs
Other outreach around jobs: Ann Paradis of MicroTech, Chicopee – need to connect.
David Southworth, paper mill owner – need a business person to talk to other business people.
Alex Risley-Schroeder – consultant on workforce development on green energy.
Next meeting: Monday, 12/5, 9:00 – 10:15 am, Northampton senior center
Will meet hereafter: First Monday of the month, 9 am – 10:15 am
