VCN-2004 Meetings

November 17, 2004 -- Meeting Minutes 
September 15, 2004 --  Meeting Minutes
June 9, 2004 -- Meeting Minutes
 May 12, 2004 -- Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2004 -- Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2004 -- Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2004 -- Meeting Minutes
January 14, 2004 -- Meeting Minutes

 

Vernon Community Network
Meeting Minutes - January 14, 2004 

Attending:

Vicky Rispoli –  Vernon YSB Advisory Board, resident
John Ryan – Cornerstone Foundation
Oz Ramos – Vernon YSB
Bryan Flint - Mayor’s Office, resident
Paula Claydon - Vernon Social Services
Rich Tariff  - Vernon Adult Ed.
Angela Atwater- Kidsafe CT
Alan Slobodien-Vernon YSB

The members in attendance began work to develop a mission statement.  The following issues emerged as interest areas:   

a) Merge resources, for betterment of families.
b) To create a non-threatening atmosphere in which Vernon service providers can share $ and resources.
c) Survey the needs of town and conceptualize delivery design that will use resources most effectively.
d) Identify resources and educate community
e) Bring service providers together
f) Clearinghouse in Vernon
g) Identify service gaps and research funding
h) Be a voice for community needs
i) Create a better positive view (attitude) for our Community (Rockville)
j) Close division amongst citizens in Vernon
k) Help create an integrated community where all groups feel like equal partners
l) Communicate organized provider system to community 

Following this initial brainstorming the task of agreeing on a name for this committee began with the following possibilities arising from the discussion:

Vernon Community Service Network

Vernon coordination Council

H.S. Coordinating council/Network

Vernon people caring network

Vernon Community Network (BF)

Vernon Human services Network

  After considerable work the following committee name was chosen: The Vernon Community Network.  Work then began to formulate a mission statement for the VCN and it is:

The Vernon Community Network is a collaboration of providers that will identify and coordinate Social Service and Educational resources for the enhancement of the community.

 The next meeting will focus on developing a Statement of Purpose.

Vernon Community Network
Meeting Minutes - February 4, 2004 

Attending:

John Ryan – Cornerstone Foundation
Oz Ramos – Vernon YSB
Bryan Flint - Mayor’s Office-Advisor
Paula Claydon - Vernon Social Services
Rich Tariff - Vernon Adult Ed.
Angela Atwater- Kidsafe CT
Alan Slobodien-Vernon YSB

1. The meeting began with a review of the VCN mission statement: The Vernon Community Network is a collaboration of providers that will identify and coordinate Social Service and Educational resources for the enhancement of the community.  A discussion then took place with regard to the scope of the work to be undertaken by the VCN.  Many issues and ideas were exchanged including the concerns that the VCN does not duplicate the work of any other committees or commissions in Vernon.  Some discussion took place focused on the Human Services Commission that was formed under the town charter.  After considerable dialogue, it was agreed that the work of the VNC would duplicate the work of the HSC.  

2. Setting and accomplishing goals:  Alan encouraged the committee to focus on the two action words in the mission statement:  “Identify and coordinate”.  Oz suggested that our next step would be to identify and gather service providers and ask them to share the work of their respective agencies and catalogue this information for distribution.  John suggested that our committee develop a “position paper” and send this to the Mayor for her comments and hopeful endorsement.  Rich suggested that the VNC is a “collaboration of efforts” that will assist in better coordination of services and communication about services within the community.  The committee then decided to approach the Mayor first via a meeting Bryan has already arranged for 2/5/04.  Paula and Alan can follow-up with conversations with the Mayor and invite her to a meeting.  The committee then took some time to reflect on what to report to the Mayor.  What exactly will the work of the VNC entail?  The following list was developed:  

Next meeting of the Vernon Community Network will be held on, 

Wednesday, March 3, 2004; 11:30 a.m. @ 9 Elm Street

Vernon Community Network
Meeting Minutes -  March 3, 2004 

Attending:

Vicky Rispoli – Vernon YSB Advisory Board, resident
John Ryan – Cornerstone Foundation
Oz Ramos – Vernon YSB
Rich Tariff - Vernon Adult Ed.
Angela Atwater- Kidsafe CT
Penny Rand – Vernon Senior Center
Alan Slobodien-Vernon YSB 

  1. A new VCN member, Penny Rand from the Vernon Senior Center, joined our committee at this meeting.  Committee members gave a brief history of the committee’s work up to this point to assist Penny. 
  2. The committee then began a discussion with regard to providers that should be invited to attend the summit.  Several provider names were added to a list the committee had previously worked on and that list is attached to these minutes.
  3. A lengthy dialogue then began focused on the goals of the summit.  Rich Tariff was encouraging the VCN to set specific goals for the summit and voiced concern that our committee could become adrift if we did not come into greater focus.  Several conversation then took place that included the following ideas:  

Develop an info line for Vernon

Develop a service directory

Develop a dues-paying provider association

Send out a survey to each provider prior to the summit

 

Rich then asked Alan if through the CT Youth Services Association network there existed other projects similar in scope to East Hartford’s Childplan.  There does exist the Manchester Area Council of Churches that is a non-profit organization that fund raises, operates programs is a membership association that receives funds from faith groups in Manchester.  MACC is an independent organization that has an executive director and a board that guides its programming to the community.  Vicky Rispoli offered to contact the MACC executive director and invite her to attend our committee’s next meeting.  The committee swiftly accepted Vicky’s offer.

 

The meeting adjourned following item #3 discussion.

 

Next meeting of the Vernon Community Network will be held on, Wednesday,     April 14, 2004; 11:30 a.m. @ 9 Elm Street

 [Subsequent to our meeting Vicky did contact Beth Stafford from MACC and she will be attending our next meeting]

Vernon Community Network
Meeting Minutes -   April 14, 2004

Attending:

Vicky Rispoli – Vernon YSB Advisory Board, resident
John Ryan – Cornerstone Foundation
Oz Ramos – Vernon YSB
Rich Tariff - Vernon Adult Ed.
Penny Rand – Vernon Senior Center
Bryan Flint -Mayor’s Office
Alan Slobodien-Vernon YSB 

The Vernon Community Network is a collaboration of providers that will identify and coordinate Social Service and Educational resources for the enhancement of the community.

 

Beth Stafford was not able to attend due to family commitment.

 

Options

Community “centralized” calendar

 

VCN Structure

 

211 (Infoline) develop a partnership possibly directory (144 pages)

 

Bryan Flint to try to contact 211 administration.

Proposal- using 211 as a base starting point, can we work cooperatively to have their data for our area,

 

School readiness Council single entry point difficult to develop, Family Resource Center.

 

RT made a motion to ask United Way the best way to set this up without being

 

Rockville area Council of Churches

 

Summit planning

      How often yearly, bi-annually

 

General gathering- entire group

Break out groups/Seminars

 

Prior to decisions made JB suggests speak with Beth Stafford and David Engleson (HVCC)

October date for first Summit

Sub-committees

Planning Committee

 

Yearly meetings are more exciting to go to

 

Have tables for displays

 Resource guide to take home.

 

Al-

Get press release out, press conference

Keep costs down

 

Penny Rand – Parking is the problem.

April 1st or 8th for Summit decision to be made at next meeting.

 

Next VCN meeting May 12, 2004 11:30 AM

 

Invite Beth Stafford

Confirm date of Summit (April 1st or 8th)

 

Alan to get Access Survey for providers

Alan to check into Infoline cooperative situation

June 19 next meeting to invite Press

 

For next meeting

Vision for Summit and location

 

Bryan Flint to work with Paula Claydon to discuss 211 sharing

Vernon Community Network
Meeting Minutes --  May 12, 2004

Attending: 

Paula Claydon- Vernon Social Services
John Ryan – Cornerstone Foundation
Oz Ramos – Vernon YSB
Penny Rand – Vernon Senior Center
Bryan Flint -Mayor’s Office
Alan Slobodien-Vernon YSB

The Vernon Community Network is a collaboration of providers that will identify and coordinate Social Service and Educational resources for the enhancement of the community.

 Discussion of Summer Feeding Program

8-9 AM at Cornerstone

11:30-12;30 at Henry Park

 

No paperwork for families

 

++++++++++

 

A discussion of the artwork for Hockanum Mills

 

++++++++++

 

 Beth Stafford Executive Director of Manchester Council of Churches

30 years

MCSC-Manchester Community Services Council –(started in 1972, By-laws in 1975, Inc. in 1977)

 Glastonbury Community Services

Road Race

Dues

Agencies $40, individual. $15, newsletter $5 (she has samples)

By-laws

Logo is important

Has been advisory, never confrontational

Annual Meeting in June Country

“Building Community”

In-kind , in-service

 

May 27 @ 12 noon –1:30 PM, next mtg.

President

VP

Teas.

Sec’y

 

Left with us, by-laws

Sample letter for grants

 

Annually have State reps at one meeting

      Town leadership at different meeting.

Total membership

20 individuals

40 agencies

 

Monthly meetings (60/month attendance) $8 person for optional)

12:00 arrivals

12:15 introductions

      Special Announcements

      Guest speaker (no cost)

No meeting July and August

      No December meeting

                  Agency

     

Welcome Wagon attitude

 

Website

 

Purposes, not to duplicate services

Collaborations

 

June 9 , next VCN meeting.  11:30 AM

Guest speaker theme-“Competition vs. collaboration among service providers”

 

 ++++++++++

 

Communication , sharing, programs available

Electronic newsletter or source

 

VCN Structure

 

211 (Infoline) develop a partnership possibly directory (144 pages)

 

Bryan Flint contacted 211 administration. Carol  Davis 571-7526 Info-line 211

Proposal- using 211 as a base starting point, can we work cooperatively to have their data for our area,

 

Confirm date of Summit (April 1st or 8th)

 Planning Committee members to e-mail Paula Claydon

1) Vision for Summit

2) Location

The Vernon Community Network
Meeting Minutes - June 9, 2004

The Vernon Community Network
 is a collaboration of providers that will identify and coordinate Social Service
 and Educational resources for the enhancement of the community. 

Attending: 

 Alan Slobodien-Vernon YSB
John Ryan – Cornerstone Foundation 
Rich Tariff - Vernon Adult Ed.
Vicky Rispoli-St Bartholomew. Community Representative and Youth Minister
Penny Rand – Vernon Senior Center
Bryan Flint -Mayor’s Office

Item #1: Summit

Those present discussed plans for the Network Summit.  The following decisions were made:

Vernon Community Network Summit
Planning 

Date:          Friday, April  8, 2005

Time:          9:30 AM - 1 PM

       

 

Registration Flyer have posted on web

Do you need a table to display your materials?

 

Food? By fee or bring your own

Speaker(s), Presentation(s)

 The discussion then focused on inviting other agencies to attend our monthly meetings.  If this is to happen, each monthly meeting agenda must be pertinent and interesting to new “members”.  Organization by-laws need to be developed and sub-committees need to be formed.  Bryan will scan MCSC by-laws and we can begin to discuss these in July along with other membership issues.

 

Members then considered how to gain investment from new members and a list of ideas appears below:

 

Being a member of the VCN means more;

 

·        Networking,

·        Education

·        Collaboration not competition,

·        Comprehensive system to provide services to your clients.

 

Creating a stronger community

 

If people are involved without regard to their own egos, more can be accomplished.-John Ryan

 

Create a visual Styrofoam, or building blocks to visualize cooperation and teamwork Rich and Vicky (for summit)

 

It was decided that a Press Release will be sent out later in June, that Bryan will work on a web page and he will continue to connect with Info Line regarding a full list of agencies in Vernon.  An additional issue to consider is developing a “membership application form” that includes reasons to join the VCN.

 

Next meeting July 14, 2004, second Wednesday of each month.@ 11:30 a.m., 9 Elm Street

Need agenda,

Separate committees

·        Summit,

·        Logo, - hands, building up

·        By-laws,

·        Public Relations,

In other business, John Ryan requested help with Cornerstone’s Emergency Shelter, Vicky had suggestions for him to contact Youth ministers and Confirmation classes.  Vicky has list for Common Ground-all the Vernon Churches, will e-mail to us.

 

Press release 

 

(First draft 6/9/04 BF)

 

Who we are, why we exist, The Summit, Mission Statement, for more information

 

The Vernon Community Network

 is a collaboration of providers that will identify and coordinate Social Service

 and Educational resources for the enhancement of the community.

The Vernon Community Network (VCN) grew out of an idea that Alan Slobodien, Director of Vernon Youth Services Bureau, had of bringing together all of Vernon’s groups that provide an assortment of educational and social services for the residents. So in October of 2003, he began inviting leaders from varying fields to attend meetings in the Youth Services office on Elm Street. After several meetings a mission statement was formulated that personified the purpose for uniting.

 The Vernon Community Network is a collaboration of providers that will identify and coordinate Social Service

and Educational resources for the enhancement of the community.

With the purpose established, the monthly goals of networking and sharing up to date information became a reality. Planning Committee members at this time include:

Alan Slobodien -Vernon YSB
Oz Ramos -Vernon YSB
Penny Rand – Vernon Senior Center
Paula Claydon -Vernon Social Services
John Ryan - Cornerstone Foundation
Rich Tariff - Vernon Adult Ed.
Vicky Rispoli - St Bartholomew Church Youth Minister & Community Representative
Angela Atwater - Kidsafe of CT
Bryan Flint -Mayor’s Office

Monthly meetings provide an opportunity to discuss what’s relevant to social service and education and a time to ask for and share input on specific issues.

 Plans are underway for a “Summit’ to be held on Friday, April 8, 2005 where all providers involved in Vernon are invited to send representatives to showcase their efforts and network with others in the human services sector.

 +++

With all of the attention being paid to improving the image of Rockville, it’s important that we start focusing on the “human” side of the equation.  We can only accomplish so much by painting the exteriors of buildings.  For real positive lasting change to improve Rockville, the quality-of-life issues have to ultimately be addressed.  It’s the people that make up a community and only after we acknowledge that and seriously address that, can we move forward without leaving anyone behind. What’s occurring in this day and age is that the funding sources that were always available are now drying up.  That’s why it’s so important for those groups that deal with these issues in town to be more efficient than ever. The money isn’t there anymore so we can’t afford to maintain the existing problems; we must confront them head-on and actually help people start solving their problems, not just maintaining the status quo. It’s our hope that the VCN is that instrument of change that can inventory what’s available, be cautious of unnecessary duplication and fill-in whatever is missing for the sake of our citizens. With the cooperation expressed so far, that goal is attainable. No matter what station in life you are in, the VCN will produce results to effectively streamline and optimize the social service and educational opportunities for the residents of Vernon

 Bryan Flint-Mayor Marmer’s Rockville Adviser

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 For more information on the monthly meetings, the VCN Summit or how to become a member of the VCN, call Vernon Youth Services at 870-3555 or visit us on at web at www.RockvilleCT.com  and click on the VCN link.

Vernon Community Network
Meeting Minutes - September 15, 2004

 Attending:

Vicky Rispoli – Vernon YSB Advisory Board, resident
Paula Claydon – Vernon Social Services
Oz Ramos – Vernon YSB
Angela Atwater- KidSafe CT
John Ryan – Cornerstone Foundation
Alan Slobodien-Vernon YSB

 

  1. Those present discussed and made revisions to the by-laws (see attached).
  2. The committee then began a discussion with regard to setting up a checking account.  Angela offered KidSafe as the fiduciary agent.
  3. Vicky and Alan will meet to develop a Save-the-Date flyer for the April summit and have it ready for the November meeting, and they will develop a meeting agenda for the summit.

The meeting adjourned following item #3 discussion.

 

 Next meeting of the Vernon Community Network will be held on, Wednesday,     November 17, 2004; 12:00 p.m. @ 9 Elm Street

 

Vernon Community Network
Meeting Minutes - November 17, 2004

Attending:

Vicky Rispoli – Vernon YSB Advisory Board, resident
Paula Claydon – Vernon Social Services
Oz Ramos – Vernon YSB
Angela Atwater- KidSafe CT
Alan Slobodien-Vernon YSB

 

  1. Those present discussed and approved the by-laws.
  2. The committee then reviewed the summit flyer that is attached and made the following suggestions:

·  It was suggested that Alan offer the welcome that will include the vision of the VCN and mention that the opportunity to sign up for membership is included in the summit packet and that the packet also include the by-laws, a name tag and an evaluation

·  Rich conduct the facilitated discussion, attendees be given the opportunity to write down questions following Beth Stafford’s presentation and Rich would refer to these questions during the facilitated discussion.

·  Lunch be held for 30 minutes rather than 50 minutes

·  Alan and Rich should reference the June annual meeting during their respective presentations

·  Alan and Rich should approach the Administrative Council of the Vernon Public Schools to discuss the VCN

·  A VCN application be developed (Vicky agreed to assist Alan with this)

 

The meeting adjourned following item #2 discussion.

 

 Next meeting of the Vernon Community Network will be held on, Wednesday, December 15, 2004; 12:00 p.m. @ 9 Elm Street

 

 Agenda:

1. Develop a final list of agencies to be invited to the summit with the intention of sending out the summit flyer in January 2005.

Back to Vernon Community Network Homepage

 

Back to RockvilleCT.com homepage