Membership MeetingJune 21 – 23, 2016

Hilton Garden Inn, Casper

Tuesday, June 21, 2016 (Submitted by Tiffany Eskelson-Maestas)Present:Tiffany E-Maestas: WCADVSAJody Sanborn: WCADVSASydney Moller: Fremont County Against Domestic Violence and Sexual AssaultKatie Hughes: WCADVSALinda Hawkins: WCADVSAJamie Erdman: CCCAVK Pacheco: CPRCJeanne Cove: CPRDonna Howard: Focus, Inc.Sandy Stevens: CCFV/SASJennifer Zenor: WCADVSACarla Thurin: Safehouse ServicesSamantha Twiford: Project SAFE, Inc.Sabina M. Kruse: Helpmate Crisis CenterTara Muir: WCADVSAStar Sone: CSN, JacksonTrish Worley: WCADVSAChelsea Armstrong: WCADVSAMonica Anson: Uinta County SAFV Task Force Inc.Mandy Moffat: Sublette Co. SAFV Task ForceRobin Clover: SAFVBonnie Young: Advocacy and Resource CenterMargie McWilliams: Gillette Abuse Refuge FoundationJen Dyer: Self Help CenterKris Thompson: Lincoln CountyMegan Selheim: UW StopToni Britton: WCADVSALisa Peterman: CISMicki: Self Help CenterJasmine: Self Help Center

Welcome, Introduction, and Review of Day’s AgendaCarla Thurin welcomed everyone to the meeting. A time keeper (Donna Howard) and process watcher (Jeanne Core) were selected for the entire meeting. Introductions were made by those present. The “Guidelines for Ethical Communications” was reviewed by those present.

“Ethical Decision Making” with Debra Mueller, LSWJen introduced Debra Mueller and the training session, “Ethical Decision Making”, as a continued piece of our discussion at the October membership meeting regarding voluntary services.

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“Voluntary Services, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and DV” with Trish WorleyTrish provided foundational training on voluntary services.

“Federal Housing Trends” with Jen Dyer and Micki JaramlloJen and Micki discussed their experience with federal housing trends, specifically highlighting practice in other states reducing chronic homelessness and implementation opportunities locally.

“Shelter Rights and Responsibilities” with Faryn Babbitt and Katrina SauterFaryn and Katrina provided their program’s process of eliminating numerous shelter rules and revising others.

Processing the DayMembership continued to discuss the implementation of voluntary services into shelter practice. Specific discussion focused on ways to shelter survivors that also use some type of substance including alcohol and/or drugs. Some programs consider intoxication signs as part of their decision making in survivors remaining in the shelter, some programs have a no-tolerance approach, others approach on an individual-basis (which for some ends up including safety considerations of others being sheltered). Other discussion involved other shelter survivor rights while in shelter (either as individuals or with children) in being around someone who has used substances as well. There was also discussion on seeing the “whole person” of the survivor in making discussions.

Donna Howard Retirement and Jeanne Core Best Wishes DinnerEveryone was invited to attend this dinner at FireRock Steakhouse.

Meeting adjourned.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016 (Submitted by Linda Hawkins)Present: Margie McWilliams: Gillette Abuse Refuge Foundation (GARF)Bonnie Young: A&R CenterMonika Anson: Uinta County SAFV Task Force Inc.Chelsea Armstrong: WCADVSAKris Thompson: The Turning PointTrish Worley: WCADVSACarol Lowe: CARESStar Stonne: CSNTara Muir: WCADVSAJen Dyer: Self Help CenterSabina M. Kruse: Helpmate Crisis CenterMegan Selheim: Stop Violence Program, UWCarla Thurin: Safehouse ServicesJennifer Zenor: WCADVSASandy Stevens: CCFVDonna Howard: FOCUS, INC.

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Jeanne Core: CPRKarina Pacheco: CPRC-WorlandJamie Erdman: CCCAVLinda Hawkins: WCADVSAToni Britton: WCADVSASydney Moller: Fremont County Alliance Against Domestic Violence and Sexual AssaultJody Sanborn: WCADVSATiffany E-Maestas: WCADVSALisa M. Peterman: Crisis Intervention ServicesAimee Gatzke: YMCA Family Justice Center and Safe HouseJasmine Eddy: Self Help CenterDawn Branaman-Markovsky: Family Crisis Center

Welcome & Ethical Communication

Programmatic and Legal Lessons Learned in Sublette & Teton Counties – with Robin Clover, James Northen, Joe Tieg, Mandy Moffat

Robin Clover made introductions and a general explanation of the agenda for this presentation.

o Joe Tieg suggested the WCADVSA share a best practice/model release for programs to use. James Northen suggested having each of the critical points in bullet format with the client’s initials required on each. Further recommended that the client understands that the shelter is NOT a lock-down facility. The Release agreement should also disclose that the shelter is a “safer” facility than what they are coming from but that it does not guarantee their safety…that the client retains responsibility for their own safety.

Lunch break

Program Sharing

WESTON COUNTY FOCUS Things are going well but received a cut in funding in city/county budgets. Will not require staff cuts but will require some changes in programming. Donna will be retiring. The Program has interviewed and are waiting for the selected candidate to accept.

Donna will be moving out of state to be close to her children and grandchildren and will let us know where she ends up. Will keep posting to Facebook. Values the time with the WCADVSA and member programs. She will always be available to programs for questions.

The issues with the former director has been prosecuted for embezzlement. ($19,196). She had no jail time but is on probation and must repay the funds.

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WASHAKIE COUNTY CRISIS PREVENTION AND RESPONSEKarina has been hired as the new director. It is impossible to transfer all of one director’s knowledge to a new person in a month. Please support Karina!

Will be doing training for community partners. Our building is slowly but surely getting built. City had delays in getting their paperwork in but things are looking good. Funding came from $100,000 in sales tax revenue, a CHBG block grant, a small rural development loan which should be under $100,000 (2.8% for a 40 year term). Only problem is that Community Development and Rural Development do not have the same requirements and do not communicate with each other.

Jeanne is done at the end of June. Has sold her house in Worland but have an accepted offer on a house in Laramie. What is most meaningful to her about her job are the friendships with other program directors.

CONVERSE COUNTY COALITIONProgram coming along really well. Calming change! Super fabulous staff and Board.Converse County is experiencing across the board funding cuts. Will affect the program. Impacts fundraising. Not sure what other ways it will impact the program.

FREMONT COUNTY ALLIANCEProgram still going through transition but working toward the goals Sydney set upon being hired – insurance for staff, ADA compliance for shelter (not feasible/affordable). The Board is down right now with some members not attending meetings. Down to 4 members with Bylaws saying there must be a minimum of 7. Adding an ADA ramp off the back of the office (40 feet long). Widening door to the back of the office. What we learned at this meeting makes the need for a new ADA compliant shelter more pressing.

Has funding requests out to both casinos and tribes. Area has a 15% unemployment rate so private donations and fundraising are seeing a serious drop. Hopefully one of the local banks will partner with us on a big fundraiser and will make a good donation.

Staff will have insurance effective August.

Still working with criminal justice partners on protocols on working together. Getting to a better understanding of each other.

She also shared that the Riverton Ranger recently posted a story with information identifying the victim – not her name but her father’s name, etc. The offender’s sister posted the victim’s picture, the offender’s mother posted that she was in the shelter on the paper’s website in the comments section following the article. (Several directors added that their editors are saying they are obligated to publish victim information in the spirit of public interest.)

PARK COUNTY CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICESThings are going well. Cuts in City of Cody funding 30% a year until they are down to 0…now they give $2,000. City of Powell continues to fund at $6,000. Thank goodness for the increased

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VOCA money. It makes up for the drops in other funding streams. Received enough to add one position.

Had their golf tournament. They made $5,000 which is a little better than anticipated. Had problems with rude behavior by the City Golf pro so not sure what will happen next year.

Assistant Director Sarah lost her son in a car accident just before the beginning of the year and it has been hard. The new staff person will be able to assist with coverage at the Powell office/shelter. They also have tenants in that building. A tenant who is a licensed counselor provides CIS with support groups as well as paying rent. May have an attorney rent the other available space.

SWEETWATER COUNTY YWCA/SASHThis is Amie’s first Coalition meeting after two years as director. They are actually two separate programs – the Family Justice Center and SASH. They are working toward absorbing SASH to be a subsection of the Family Justice Center. The SASH shelter will become the FJC’s shelter. Having to change literally every document of SASH.

YWCA Executive Director made a change that fundraisers will all be under the YWCA umbrella. Funding is then divided among the Y’s programs. SASH will still do their own 5K run, hopefully in the fall. (Jody Sanborn asked all programs to be sure to let her know if they are doing any kind of a walk/run so she can see it is added to a national list.)

Amie feels like their program has a great relationship with DFS and law enforcement. Is struggling with their relationship with the new county attorney’s office. They are not victim-focused so will be working to improve that relationship. Appreciates being welcomed into the Coalition meeting and group.

JOHNSON COUNTY FAMILY CRISIS CENTERGood word from their county commissioners on their work so not expecting any cuts.

Doing outreach and awareness of their services in Kaycee.

Transition of Dawn into director’s position and Mary Kay into a part-time advocate position has gone smoothly.

CAMPBELL COUNTY GARFHad an interesting couple of years…kind of a roller coaster. Last year they had all kinds of money from city/county and local businesses so they had a surplus. Added retirement for staff. Now they got a $15,000 cut from the county and $10,000 cut in United Way because of the mines closing. Not really worried this year but working to find solutions for future years. Staff is willing to do extra fundraising to keep new benefits.

Still does Chuckles for Charity fundraiser. It was a great event but lower turn-out. The loss of the mines and subsequent jobs is hurting all organizations. There is still building going on in the community.

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Shared with new directors that she has been with GARF for 25 years and served as director for 11. She found sanity in fishing. Recommends it for all. Available for questions.

SHERIDAN COUNTY ADVOCACY & RESOURCE CENTERWorking on fundraising. Has had some small cuts. Newer board member has pretty deep pockets and is willing to help. Working with a couple of staff members to prepare them to take Bonnie’s place when she retires.

RE: an incident with her county attorney… In December on a Friday, the county attorney and Bonnie had a difficult time at a meeting. After the meeting, he confronted Bonnie in front of a witness, yelling at her, attempting to kick her coffee cup out of her hands and then threw his coffee cup at her. The county is not going to do anything because they do not have violence in the workplace policies. An officer/investigator did not actually see the incident. The community shredded the county attorney in negative public opinion. Has caused quite a bit of havoc with the program but has not affected their work with victims. Bonnie has not seen him or talked to him. But media has gotten the story and the court files so it is now all over.

ARC has great relationships with the community. Doing a fundraiser bike or run in July to raise awareness.

SUBLETTE COUNTY SAFV TASKFORCERobin shared that DVS was awesome during the lawsuit against the Program. They just asked to be kept in the loop. Joe Tieg provided his services to SAFV on a pro bono basis and offered for programs to call him if they have a need.

Funding is an issue. The drop in the oil and gas industry has left Sublette County with a drop in employment, as well as funding from city/county and local businesses. Expects there will be significant cuts next year.

An idea for a fundraisers -- Harlem Ambassadors will come to your community.

Huge reduction in our volunteers and board. Two open board seats. Volunteers have become tougher to recruit with people leaving the community.

Bringing “Bridges Out of Poverty” training to Sublette County. One of the authors of the book will do the training on October 20, 2016. There will be a $25 registration fee to cover materials.

The county has had five suicides (young men) in the first three months of 2016 which is as many as have had in the previous year.

Their county sheriff has been unseated. Arrests have been down dramatically. He did a minor transgression but tried to cover it up which really went against him. He will be charged with a criminal felony charge. Republican Committee is putting in three recommendations for a replacement.

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Shared how phenomenal it is to have so many new young faces at the Coalition meeting! It is great to know that our work and purpose will be in good hands as the seasoned directors retire.

UINTA COUNTY SAFV TASK FORCEMonika Anson introduced herself. Considers herself to be fortunate to take over at a program that is in good shape. Funding has stayed stable. Doesn’t have a lot of experience with this so is glad things are good.

Evanston Car Cruise did a fundraiser for the program. Private donors seems to be level. Tri-parte Board has warned them to expect cuts in the future.

In the process of remodeling the basement portion of the shelter to have a separate entrance so they can shelter males.

Down two Board members…one had a conflict and another retired. In the process of recruiting new members. Has an application for the deputy county attorney and interest from a legal secretary.

Community Juvenile Services Board is bringing Bridges Out of Poverty training to Uinta County next week.

Shared her background is in juvenile services she has never been an advocate and didn’t know what to expect. So appreciates being able to call other directors with questions as they arrive. (Sandy Stevens recommends creating a master calendar of deadlines for grant management and board)

LINCOLN COUNTY THE TURNING POINTIn April we were able to bring Jeff Bucholz in to present at the schools when he was in Teton County. He did such a great job with assemblies at every high school. Was a great success! They will be making posters to follow-up on his presentations. Had a hard time with one principal in getting into that school. He met with Kris and Jeff after the presentation and asked if next year she could just bring someone in to have small group conversations with the girls on how to handle it if they find themselves in “that kind of a situation” because if they would just say No, these things could not happen! So she may be reaching out to

They are putting out feelers for new board members. Just had an unexpected loss when their Board chair had a massive heart attack and died.

It has been a really weird year. Their dinner auction was in February. Have never allowed alcohol. But this year they had a wine pool from which they made approximately $700. Donated bottles of wine were wrapped in plain brown bags. Guests could purchase a cork for $15 and have the opportunity to pick a bottle of wine. Some were inexpensive wines but some were expensive.

Still do the Parade of Trees in December. They do a raffle with gift certificates donated by local businesses, as well as for items from local crafters. Had a hard time recruiting homes to be

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included in the parade. Optimum is to have 7-10 homes. This year they only had five and then two dropped out a week before the event.

Have also done Color Runs the last couple of years but now everyone is doing one. They get sponsors to cover the cost of bringing the Color Run in but still only made about $1,900. So probably not going to do it again.

Thinking of trying a dinner and auction in Kemmerer.

Also have had a huge turnover in law enforcement officers. New officers are not getting adequate training in domestic violence so they wrote their DVS grant to bring a national level trainer to training in both Afton and Kemmerer in Jan/Feb 2017. Considering bringing Mark Wynn but asked for recommendations from other directors. Suggestions included Tom Tremblay through the IACP.

Did a recent walk through in the shelter and found water in the bathroom. Took $6,000 to repair. Then had a pipe break in the second bathroom so had to redo that bathroom as well.

BIG HORN COUNTY CARESWorking on law enforcement training. Chief Jim Holler from Pennsylvania will be coming in September to present in Big Horn and Washakie Counties.

CARES is completely staffed finally. First time in a long, long time.

Tri-county Collaborative has done a lot of work as a pilot community. Also working hard on financial empowerment. The Rural Electric Company provided $11,500 to support victim participation in the curriculum training. The goal was to have 30 graduates. Have already had 13.

NIOBRARA COUNTY HELPMATEFinally getting the ground under their feet. Will be getting into the schools. The school does a philanthropy project when they donated to Helpmate.

Jody asked if Sabrina is connected with the Consumer & Science Teacher in Lusk.

PLATTE COUNTY PROJECT SAFESamantha (Sam) officially became director in March. Unfortunately there was no overlap between Tammy Lusk leaving and Sam coming on. The hardest part is not knowing what I don’t know so I don’t even know what to ask.

Filled out DV/SA Outreach Coordinator position and new person is doing a great job! Would love suggestions for methods of outreach.

A new deputy prosecuting attorney has threatened to take the program to court over their confidentiality so she can have access to their files.

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Have had some cuts in local funding but after receiving information from Project Safe they funded her 100%.

***Would like to put up a client survey on their website. Asked if anyone has an electronic survey using Survey Monkey. A number of programs offered assistance. And Jen shared that Safe Project just

Did their Color Run this year but only made $79 so they are not planning on doing it again.

Was contacted by a local Mary Kay representative that went very well. Made $2,000 so 10 clients will receive $200 MK gift bags

UW STOP VIOLENCEAn upside of being at UW is she doesn’t have to worry usually about funding, the downside is their program is subject to whatever is happening at the University. So the Governor’s budget cuts are having a significant impact at UW. Megan doesn’t think it will affect her program a lot but will have to see. The new president is interested in health and safety so hopefully that will protect the program. They hope to be able to meet with the new president soon but realizes all the budget issues will be her priority.

SAFE Project applied for funding for an advocate to be housed at UW so that is great.

Albany County SART is finally happening! Working to finalize their protocols.

In the process of trying to build an emergency fund for survivors. Needs to raise $5,000.

Going on maternity leave for three months by the end of September.

CROOK COUNTY FV & SA SERVICESJust got grant to remodel their new office. Means they have a shelter for victims as well!

Has been called on 4 different cases to serve as an expert witness. Has asked Jen/Coalition to support additional expert witness training for directors.

Just did training for law enforcement on protection orders and primary aggressors which received POST credits. Willing to share her training.

Have had quite a few low functioning clients seeking services. Found they need to change the way they work with those clients. Also 3 clients in a month coming in for help to complete child support enforcement forms. ***Asked Jen if Coalition can bring training on how to do this to an upcoming meeting.

Sponsored a law enforcement officer to go to a child trafficking training. Learned that it may be important to make notes about perpetrators and victims’ tattoos.

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The Happy Moms Healthy Babies training went really well with all disciplines/partners in attendance.

Suggested working with local athletic booster clubs to help put together goodie bags for students. By doing that for a while, the local school principal is asking them into the school.

LARAMIE COUNTY SAFE HOUSE SERVICESReceived funding for a position at CRMC to work as an advocate with the SANEs.

Have had five trafficking victims in the last three months.

Man UP Crusade on Tuesday of Frontier Days. Also doing a Purple Door breakfast for local candidates for Senate seats.

Had a recent client who was an alcoholic and a victim of her female partner who had to be asked to leave the shelter because she was throwing Safe House property around. Was later found to be sleeping in the program’s garden shed.

Thursday, June 23, 2016 (Submitted by Tara Muir)Present:

Carla Thurin: Safehouse ServicesSandy Stevens: CCFV/SASDonna Howard: FOCUS, Inc.Jeanne Core: CPRKarina Pacheco: CPRCJamie Erdman: CCCAVWanda Stevens: CCCAVLinda Hawkins: WCADVSASydney Moller: Fremont County AllianceJody Sanborn: WCADVSATiffany E-Maestas: WCADVSALisa M. Peterman: Crisis Intervention ServicesDawn Branaman-Markovsky: Family Crisis CenterMargie McWilliams: GARFRobin Clover: SAFVMonika Anson: Uinta County SAFVKris Thompson: Turning PointCarol Lowe: CARESTara Muir: WCADVSAJen Dyer: SHC-CasperSabina M. Kruse: Helpmate Crisis CenterSamantha Twiford: Project SAFE, Inc.Megan Selheim: Stop Violence Program, UW

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Welcome, Introduction, and Review of Day’s AgendaIntroductions. Guideline for ethical communications. Started with Sydney and went around. After the reading, Robin asked for history since so there were so many new people. Lisa Peterman helped explain the Coalition’s history of the guidelines. In the 1980’s, meeting notes reflected high conflict meetings due to the belief that consensus should always be attained. This originated from a feminist perspective, but have adapted the guidelines over the years for gender neutrality and away from consensus decision making. Consensus couldn’t be reached on some issues such as abortion, or death penalty. Robin encouraged everyone to also read the attached packet Essential Criteria: Defining State Domestic Violence Coalition.

Staff Reports and Board UpdatesTiffany Eskelson-Maestas, Advocacy & Resource Director

1. First Annual Wyoming Conference for Violence Prevention & Response, Sept. 13-15, 2016 at Ramkota Hotel, in Casper.  This conference combines the prior Sexual Assault Summit and Division of Victim Services’ Victim Services Conference.

a.       Invitation for proposals – wanted non-traditional formats. We received many proposals. Keynotes, 3 short ½ hour presentations, then during breakouts go into detail. Also a couple blocks of traditional presentations. And we’re trying some Ted Talks that are a little shorter than keynotes, 15 minutes. May bring up some controversial pieces and then go to breakouts (I would take this sentence out – or revise it because we were hoping the TED Talk proposals would be controversial topics but they weren’t).  We’re doing peer learning as well. Providing opportunities in round tables for discussions such as Collective Impact. b.      Registration brochures out early-July.  As an organizer, she’s super excited about the format. Jen stated if there are not a lot of programs that request scholarships, WCADVSA could provide full scholarships, but if a lot go, may only be able to partially fund.  It will be on the brochure. c.       After receiving feedback on timing, we moved it to September, but in future years it will be in November.

Jody Sanborn, Prevention Specialist1. Budget cuts have not impacted the RPE grant which funds her prevention work, Sexual

Violence Prevention Counsel and pilot sites. CDC site visit occurred this year. Sounds scary, but the project officer just wanted to hang out and have a conversation and not have to show her materials. They flew in to Jackson, visited one pilot site, and then on to another site. There is a high level of work on this grant money. Three pilot communities involved.

2. Second year now and changed how CDC funds came down. Previously only allowed for formula grant and WY received less. Two years ago population based funding began in addition to new base funding. Prevention transitioned into 3 year funding cycle. Each year communities are at different levels.

a. This year, 1st year Teton County, will most likely be implementing this fall with schools.

b. Tri-county initiative during their 1st year, saturated community with awareness, and worked with Jeff Buckholtz to get buy in with schools, and now in 2nd year

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implementing with 12-24 year olds, with a focus on high schools and middle schools as well. They are implementing Coaching Boys into Men. Coaches in 3 county area have been trained to begin implementation in the fall. It is already an evidence based program, and CDC is talking to Wyoming Public Health to do it statewide. Agents of Change is Jeff’s program and is now doing a solid research base in reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors – and now evaluating this project and beta testing his program and have rural community outcomes.

c. 3rd year community is UW Stop Violence and Megan Selheim. Megan reported they are behind but are looking to implement bystander intervention program with other student support groups. The groups are looking at Step Up. Megan wants to ensure the program is evidenced based with outcomes for violence prevention. Assuming they can find support for this, they’ll start in the fall. They will find another program if Step Up does not have enough evidence in good outcomes. Step Out also looks at a whole host of reducing risk and increasing protective factors, including alcohol and drugs. Will impact hazing, bullying, suicide, etc. Trying to combine powers of evaluation for this group of issues. Funding for this is housed in the other Laramie program, Safe Project.

3. Work plan on RPE action planning team – Atlanta GA last year. 1 of 15 states to have a team to go. The focus was Sexual Violence on College Campuses. We came back and implemented the plan. Formed a College Consortium to come together and talk about sexual violence prevention they’re doing on their college campuses. We’ll call on programs to be a resource for these colleges. CDC likes Wyoming.

4. Agreement with consumer science teachers at WY high schools to implement Strong Families Strong Wyoming curricula. Programs are encouraged to reach out to those people in their communities. Jody can get a list of teachers so programs can reach out to who attended and are interested. They received a half day of training. Curricula is great for healthy relationships.

5. SASP funding helped her participate in evaluation training. If anyone has questions about evaluation about any part of the program, prevention or otherwise.

6. 4 regional trainings on Primary Prevention:a. July 21-22 in Laramie, Megan at UW secured space. Free training and funds

available to get you there. 1st day, what is primary prevention and how do we develop programs. 2nd day, developing your skills in doing prevention work. Samantha participated and said how helpful it is to start with a foundation and start work to prevent problems rather than only intervening. Sign up on line. Coalition Connection had link too.

b. Casper. Aug. 18-19 c. Cody, Oct. 13-14 d. Lander was June but new dates will be forthcoming.

7. Questions: Dept. of Health funding cuts going to impact Jody’s position? No, she’s federally funded. Cuts in last week aren’t affected.

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Linda Hawkins, Associate Director1. Pam is looking for two silhouettes: 1. Julie Richards, Park County, and 2. Willa Menses,

Fremont County. Jeanne reported Willa missing since last October. Sydney will look in her garage for Willa.

2. Verizon Hope Line phones – reminder to everyone that Verizon understands victims move, leave and don’t return. But our numbers are too high for “lack of retention” so this is a reminder to keep track of each phone and remind survivors it needs to come back. We’ll be in touch with you very soon to see what we can do next year with Verizon. Each year the number of phones available dwindle back a little bit. What Verizon wants each program to track:

a. What phones do you have? b. Are they working or not? c. Which ones are out with victims? d. Which ones should be disconnected because they’re not working or disappeared?e. Question: victim in LA, can she can drop it off at any Verizon store? Yes, and

then program can report back those details on that phone.3. Transitional Housing update: all funds are pledged although end date is March 2018. You

can still get on the wait list but it is getting tighter and tighter. We’re looking at the budget closely to see if some funds can move to client assistance with a budget request. We need the grant dollars to be fully expended. Watch the Coalition Connection for updates. 4 are on the wait list now but we don’t know dollar amounts. Feedback from Robin – we don’t bother because the funds won’t be available and don’t want anyone’s hopes up. Linda said the current method works much better for grant management as it’s difficult to wait and see then have dollars desperately needed to be spent before the deadline. Kris and Robin both expressed hope that it could be split both ways (1/2 funds allocated, the other 1/2 open to use as needed. Or perhaps a program limit could be implemented so it could be a resource longer than just the first six months of a 36 month grant.

4. Wufu is improvement. Over next year will look for another upgrade and version that will be cleaner and easier and pull data together easier.

5. Question on funding – Robin asked about Coalition stability. Jen reported most funding is federal funding and not state funding. We’re applying for transitional housing, rural and legal grants next year. There are no grants pending for this year.

Trish Worley, AmeriCorps and Economic Justice Specialist1. Sites for AmeriCorps members. It’s difficult to find volunteers who can also be advocates

and live on the stipend. Some just out of college and live with parents, have another source of income and/or are retired seem to be best choices. Part-time members have now been chosen which is a change from all full time members. This year 3 part-time members were enrolled 3: 2 in Casper at the Self Help Center and Chelsea at WCADVSA. However, part time is more paper work and more time in orientations. Since 2005, 15 members each year were requested. The next grant only 12 are requested. Robin – financial empowerment piece is a challenge for some to be AmeriCorps as that’s not the best fit for the volunteer. Trish stated Casper has 2 full time and 2 part time. Some

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focus most time on financial empowerment but others don’t as long as the 60% of time is reached. AmeriCorps has requirements and 60% of members time as a whole must be financial empowerment. Carol’s getting into correctional facilities. Needs to be renewed focus on which members can help meet those numbers. Jeanne’s program, although small, is producing the most numbers. Jeanne stated, they make it a part of the philosophy of the whole agency so you can be creative to get the numbers. Robin stated that she already has a full time person doing the financial empowerment work. Trish suggested allowing members to sit in and then eventually get the hand off.

a.       Trish needs to hear from every program. Host sites are still needed. Please connect with Trish for more clarification or talk through different scenarios. Don’t know if we’ll do half time members next year as so much training is needed and it doesn’t make sense. We can talk thru pro and cons. Need host sites for next year’s grant. July August is good time to start recruiting. No guarantee we’ll get the grant but assume so. Host site training August/September and will be scheduled. We’d like to know who before then.

b.      Start date – enrollment Oct. 1st and start. 1700 hours needed. If they start as late as February they’ll have a challenge making all the hours.

c.       Cost: has gone up a little bit. We want to increase stipend. Proposed annual stipend increase to $15,200 from $14,000. Program match is just under $9,000 but we’re still waiting for budget re-allocations.

d.      Insurance – question: how good is it? $100 deductible. Ex. Surgery cost $30K, insurance covered $20K. May have been problem with preferred providers where this accident example occurred –northern WY. Not all members enroll in it but it is similar to most health policies.

e.      Full time, serve minimum of 9 months. It takes 3 months just to get feet under you. A part-time member could serve as full for a shorter than 12 month period.

f.        Serve Wyoming did a site visit, went through all policies with fine tooth comb and got suggestions and feedback

g.      WyAC May AmeriCorps member training – oppression, civil training LSO virtual tour of process and website. Read Nickel and Dimed book and did discussion. Monthly calls implemented this year to share on projects and activities. Still struggling with engagement between the members. The meetings are to engage and share how they’re implementing the program.

h.      WY non-profit conference in August. Another opportunity to bring members together.

i.         We’ll be down 2 members as they’re transitioning into full time positions with programs. GOAL is to build capacity of the programs.

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j.        Challenges with Allstate Financial Empowerment Incentive Program: struggling with connections between the credit union and applicant, app open only for 45 days. Not everyone that applies is a good candidate for the program. End of July changes to Incentive Program process. Don’t want to set up folks for failure - better screening.

k.       No Allstate symposium this year. They’re working on a national incentive type program, they’re hiring staff to run the program. March of 2017 a big symposium is scheduled, not just on curriculum but bigger picture. We may have some funds to send people.

ANNUAL MEETING TO ORDER: Introduce Board of Directors. Vice Chair Sandy, Treasurer Carla Thurin. Board members: Sabrina Kruse in Lusk, Sydney Moller in Riverton.

Review of Annual Report.

Financial Report page. Purple purse raised $7,100. Matt Gray of UW raised the most, ate bugs for people, shaved his head and was top fundraiser. Question from Robin, Can we pay our membership through that and can we get clarification of how the dollars will go toward membership through Purple Purse? Jen, the training last year didn’t really capture how it would be done. Should be better this year. The agency that raises the most can win $500K. $10,000 unrestricted in the picture. A fiscal assistant will assist Clarice. Question from Sandy, can you invoice us? Jen, a regular check won’t count; it has to be made on-line through the Purple Purse website. Perhaps we can put a reminder on the invoice for $750 dues to pay through Purple Purse. Question from Megan, can we donate $300 and get a lot of swag to give away? Jen, Last year swag was disseminated among the board members. But we’ll check in about expanding it and how to get more swag.

Our work:The Coalition Manager data collection program will do a better job of tracking, people/profession.

What’s next? 1. Intersection and collective impact. Want to be thoughtful. We know you don’t need more

to do. This isn’t activity but philosophy. VAWA and FVPSA grantees meet every year and at both meetings it was stated we need to work with service providers on the intersection work. Criminal justice system isn’t going to end violence against women.

2. Supporting this year the new wave of directors, Monika, Jen, Sam, Karina, Jamie, Sydney.

3. Strategic planning phase kicking off today. Re-envisioning policy implementation efforts. So when we get a change, how are we working with other professions to help support how the implementation will roll out and be effective? Wind River Reservation was awarded funding to start a program July 1 as they’ll be treated as a member. One position of five open at WCADVSA is the Equity and Inclusion Specialist, based on reservation or in Fremont County. Help to work with marginalized communities and infrastructure of

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Wind River program. How do we help increase your capacity to work with indigenous community without creating more positions/work?

Questions:1. Be The Solution program was extremely beneficial. Is there something similar this year?

Jen, Not currently. Mass distribution of products we don’t have this year. We had a bucket of money for that. There are a lot of small folded pamphlets still available. It’s still considered an active campaign. Billboards are still up. Jody, Tri-County collaborative took this even further and the College Consortium are incorporating it too.

2. Still need reports from programs and go to web site and report on it there so we have the information in order to support how effective the funds were used.

3. Tiffany – gray area for what we can purchase for giveaways in federal programs.

Donna moved to adjourn, Sabrina seconded. All in favor. ADJOURNEDJen created PowerPoint to music. Be the Solution

Strategic Thinking with Jen ZenorRobin’s question – this is the Board strategic plan. Jen, Yes. Fall tour with Jen to the programs and may combine with Tara’s site visits as well.

Pre-planning dialogue: “Coalition, big C” means membership and “coalition, little c” means staff.

In one word, how would you describe the Coalition?

What are other “hot topics?”

What should the priorities for the Board be in the next year?

Are there activities you would like to see the Board prioritize?

How can the Coalition continue to build its role as a leader in Wyoming?

If funding were unlimited, what would you like to see the Coalition accomplish in the next 2 to 3 years?

Outside of funding, what are the Coalition’s challenges right now?

What will the Coalitions biggest challenges and barriers be in the next 3 years?

What strategies, programs, and/or successes make you most proud of the Coalition?

What programs, strategy, or other activity is the Coalition most know for across the state?

One word Lisa Peterman, “sanctuary”. Different than shelter. Like the “Be The Solution” campaign Donna, more funding for legal assistance, easier

access to the legal minds.

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Megan really appreciates the regular membership meetings and dialogue between staff and membership. Had previous experience with a state coalition and it did not dialogue with members like WY does. Accessibility of the staff is incredible to see and to experience. To rely on a statewide network of people has been so helpful.

Sandy: Robin, Tiff, attended the 18 month Advocacy Learning Center and talking with other coalitions, we learned we have a leg up. We all work well, approachable, available. Some don’t even have membership meetings. Sandy, I felt really proud of us as a whole.

Lisa: We’ve had a lot of struggles over the years. Creating DVS, growing pains, but the Coalition stuck together and helped with all the craziness. Coalition is as strong as it has ever been and the DVS is, too. We’ve been a dysfunctional family for a long time and so proud of the history we’ve made and changed. I know there are other states totally jealous of how we operate in WY.

Robin: most proud of the current staff and environment in being able to set aside differences with DVS and work together. When the entities were at odds, it was difficult for programs to have good access with DVS and was a toxic environment. Words: can’t pick just one: support, invaluable.

Kris: my main word support or resource. When I don’t know what to do, you’re my first phone call. Love the legal assistance and transitional housing and money to help us get to trainings/meetings.

Robin: It’s easy to focus on the staff. When I say support, I am talking about the membership and the relationships formed amongst all of us.

Margie – trainers, staff come back so excited. Lisa. Advocate. Especially during the dark days of the division, PTSD still. Without the

Coalition and legislators to advocate on our behalf. History: Division told us not to lobby for funding but we did and got it. 6 directors were hauled into the AG’s office and screamed at.

Jen: if funding were unlimited:1. Megan: more Legal services, Campus sexual assault process conflicts out law school

clinic representation. Coalition Staff attorneys are available to answer questions. Great to make sure I’m not doing anything to get arrested. They help me navigate some legal stuff that no one else can.

2. Aimee – Agree with legal services but wish attorneys would be able to come to us more rather than have a phone call with legal department. Even if my staff could have a connection more with your staff and know you guys better and how awesome you are like I know you. Staff don’t know who to call so I say the Coalition. Staff need to know you more, not just directors.

3. Margie, Come and talk to the programs about the coalition4. Kris -Send teams with each county to trainings together and build relationships and those

relationships are still there. Lisa, DVS sent 6-7 CJS partners to LA at the National DV conference. That was the best.

5. Deanne – facilitate training for in state and send teams to national trainings. (Jody – if you’re a pilot community then you have to do that). Lisa, Park County drug court required the team to go to 3 different trainings, Toledo, CA, KC. As a team went to baseball games and bonded. Had the district judge and county attorney there as well.

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6. Megan, set the coalition up to be the resource on these topics. Megan can let people know she can approach the coalition to assist in statutory changes. Being the content expert as well is critical to the CJS and DFS systems.

Challenges:1. Sydney – reaching those populations (underserved/marginalized) more broadly because

there are so many tiny towns that have no idea about the Coalition. People don’t know what it is or a connection to it which makes it hard to prop up the Coalition as a resource. LGBTQ community don’t feel safe being open so they’re not going to come to an event that’s directed at them because they don’t want to be seen there. If Coalition can get out there more, we can have space to educate/connect with these communities – they’re so far away. Means more to Wyoming than just program people. They need to know the system is taking care of people in our state. (Robin will show Sydney something with LGBTQ group).

2. Robin, outside of funding, time to really understand and start doing social change prevention. What does that actually look like? We shut down when it gets overwhelming. TURNOVER is a big deal. It’s inevitable and not necessarily a bad thing but causes challenges – building sustainability. It’s funding but not just funding. Understanding and implementing intersectionality. Funding doesn’t support what it may mean and that may hurt us in funding competitive grants. Perhaps the funders don’t understand.

3. Monika – grateful as a new director. Didn’t know where to start when Linda left. To be able to call the Coalition and connect names and faces and have support. And meet all the directors as life lines. I didn’t know what the Coalition was until March this year. I knew Tiffany but didn’t know who she worked for.

4. Jen – new election coming up. Politics and local economy will perhaps not be easy. Trending information or national crisis (like Stanford) to take those opportunities to join those conversations.

5. Sabrina: one word – saving grace for the new directors. I would have been lost and shut the doors and handed the keys to anyone who would take them without staff and program directors. Chief of Police and County Attorney were new and me. Now the grounds underneath me so hopefully all will improve.

6. Samantha – successes – my last meeting I didn’t understand how you were different than DVS. Proud of legislative side and how much work goes into that and collaboration about where do we want to be going. Support and resources are amazing. If funding is unlimited: more training, more exposure to the community with what coalition does and what we do. County attorney training and understand various subjects. Video blogs have staff come up with soundbites/short informational pieces. Challenges – lack of exposure outside of us. Lack of understanding of what the coalition does. We’re not bra burning man haters. One word: collaboration.

7. Carla: most everything has been said that I would. It’s saving grace for the seasoned directors, too. We need just as much help and support as the new directors.

8. Sandy – we’re at a great place. As Vice Chair of the board, we have made plans to go out and talk to the programs. Program boards take it on to coordinate visit but we’ve been so busy. Coalition board members will come talk to you r board members.

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9. Linda – it’s exciting to see where we started and where we are. Quality of women here and the work that we do. Echo all the support we get from this meeting. We live in a heavy testosterone state and we come up against it so often. The support of strong women who aren’t afraid to express what they feel and what we do – it’s life changing in all avenues of our life. They all know the work we do as powerful women. Challenges: to continue with that strength. The ebbs and tides of people coming into office, state and federal, and county attorneys, we need to be vigilant in not losing the steps we’ve made. Who’s going to take over in this work? Its’ exciting to see who has stepped forward. Whether you’ve been in it for 45 or 2 years, you carry what we’re doing to every other avenue in your life.

10. Jeanne – comradery. In it together. Challenge – we feel alone sometimes and we can help those we see as isolated.

11. Karina – every director here has reached out to me and said if you have questions, get a hold of me. Great to have a group so willing to help.

12. Jamie – it’s already been said as new director. Troubles in my program historically and having support of everyone has been tremendous. The different things to maneuver before even learning what I needed to do as a director, has helped tremendously. Introvert and anti-social but the support and acceptance to the group as a whole has been super, super, secure feeling. You all have been through struggles and I know should I decide to socialize, I’d be able to ask a question. Challenge: my board itself has interacted with the Coalition but still doesn’t understand how it all works – who, what, why would help get more community buy-in to the movement.

Give Jen a list is you have them. Jen just wanted to get the juices flowing. Great accolades, but as you go home this afternoon, what can the coalition do better.

HOUSING - Lisa, housing in WY, somebody from Coalition try to get on the agenda of the WY Realtor Association Conference. Realtors are in charge of a lot of rental housing. Written into the lease if you call 911, you’re evicted. Education to realtors that can’t be in lease. Let’s combine our party with realtors. Our congressional delegation: lobby – background checks and credit checks, and they can’t get into section housing HUD $$ - but it needs to be mandated on high.

Robin – the work of the coalition is supporting the Coalition membership. Don’t change it or lose the mission.

Next meeting dates:June 2017 in Casper potentially Feeling was they like it connected with DVS and before July 1. Robin said AG is talking about moving meeting in June to earlier in the year, like May.

October 5-7 with Silent Witness in Sundance– Kris encourages everyone to go and support the directors who are doing Silent Witness.

Meeting adjourned.

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