Working Together

Lackawanna County

Interagency Council

Met at: Salvation Army

On:  October 18, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m. by Jane Oswald, Vice President.

We had 24 members and one potential member present representing 19 agencies:  Jane Oswald, Cheryl Rutkowski, Nancy Kilmer, Jill Blessington, Nancy Fahey, Brooke Addley, Pamela Orvec, Keri Nat, Terri Stocki, Janette Altenhain, Suzanne Lesniewski, Joe Cardamone, Jim Simonceli, Judi Cimino, Beth Rundell, Erica Anstett-Bozentka, Frankie Ferraro, Vikki Crosby, Evie Vitali, Olga Harper, Joanne Stephens, Janice Lamm, Mark Taffera, Jeanne Brolan, and Michele Davis.  Our speaker, Maria Pappa, Scranton Area Foundation, also attended the meeting.

Introductions were made. Cheryl introduced us to Joe Cardamone, the new supervisor at VAC/FIRST.  Minutes were reviewed and approved.  Treasurer reported a balance of $725.9as of September 30, 2006.

OLD BUSINESS:

v     Holiday Meeting – December 20.  Discussion on where to have.  We would like to have at SCOLA.  Waiting for answer from Diana Statsman.  Vikki volunteered for refreshment sign-ups.  Remember to bring one copy of your recipe for the minutes.

NEW BUSINESS:

v     Spring Luncheon – Jane asked for suggestions for a topic for the luncheon.  Nancy suggested “Bullying”.  Penn State Extension has a program for adults and children available and a speaker, Tom McHugh.  Discussion followed - would program include “Internet Bullying”, could we have someone from the DA’s office attend, maybe have a “Panel Presentation/Discussion”.  Anyone with other suggestions should contact one of the officers.

v     Nomination Committee – We are in need of a President and Secretary for 2007.  Pamela Orvec volunteered for the committee.  We need at least one more volunteer for this committee.  Please contact one of the officers if interested.  Nancy will forward a copy of the membership list to Pamela.

v     Membership Committee – Nancy reported that Mark is making the changes to the letter and will forward to her.  Letters will be going out to agencies that are not attending and have not paid dues for 2006 and to several new agencies.

v     Newsletter – October/November issue available.

v     AGENCY UPDATES

o       Job Fair – Tuesday, November 14, Noon – 4:00 PM at Lackawanna County Career Link

o       Scranton School District – School Age Mothers Program organized a benefit dinner and basket raffle for Ryan Rigard.  Sunday, October 29 at Facia Luna, 201 N. Main Ave. Cost $20.00.  Call 348-3466 for more information or to donate a basket.

o       Lupus Foundation is selling Holiday Cards with four original drawings (by area college students) of Scranton in winter.  They are $8.00 for a box of 20, buy 2 get one free.  Can be ordered with holiday greeting, blank and flat for imprinting.  Also, Annual Fall Conference, November 4 – “Understanding Lupus and Related Autoimmune Diseases” King’s College, Wilkes-Barre from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Speakers will include: Marty McGurrin, MSW, LSW – “Adversity: A Blessing in Disguise”; David M. Pugliese, DO – “Lupus and Related Diseases”; Julie Olenak, PharmD – “The Role of Medications in the Management of SLE”.  This program is in memory of Grace Vonderheid. Opening comments by Luzerne County Commissioner, Todd Vonderheid.  Free for members/$15 for non-members.  Light lunch served.  Reservation required.  Go to www.lupus.org for more information.

o       AmeriHealth Mercy – Women’s Wellness Empowerment Fair, Saturday, November 4, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM – at St. Nicholas Church 226 S. Washington St. Wilkes-Barre.  Open to all and receive many free benefits – lunch, blood pressure check, blood sugar screening, children’s entertainment and more.

o       VAC – Holiday Bureau taking appointments November 13-22. Call 504-0244 from 9 AM to 3 PM.  Open to low-income families, seniors and disabled.  Ellen Stevens in charge of program.

o       CCCS – Has a Financial Education program for Spanish speaking residents available.  Usually takes about 4 hours with a translator or two sessions of two hours each.

o       Telespond Auxiliary holding 8^th Annual Pasta Dinner Sunday, October 22 beginning at noon.  Price $7.00 adults, $4.00 children and under 3 free.

o       UNC – Making appointments for Thanksgiving Baskets November 1-20.  Call 343-8834

o       Cancer Institute – It’s all in the GAME!  Thursday, November 16, at the Radisson, 6:00-9:00 PM, $40.00 per person.  Come and enjoy the food, open bar, Pictionary, Family Feud and more.  If you miss this one, plan to attend Thursday, November 30 at the Genetti Hotel & Conference Center, Wilkes-Barre.  If you would like to enter a team, call 941-7984 or visit www.cancernepa.org.

v     SPEAKER – Maria Pappa, Program Officer, Scranton Area Foundation.  Maria began by explaining the three types of foundations.

o       Operating – funds are funneled back into the program. i.e. Ronald McDonald House

o       Private/Family – started by an individual or family generally for one purpose.

o       Community – all contributions are from the public, no specific cause

The Scranton Foundation started as a Private Foundation in 1954 from an initial gift from the Scranton family and remained private until the 1980’s when it became a Community Foundation.  They provide grants to many agencies and organizations.  For example:

o       Mini grants for teachers – up to $500/each for a specific program.  They provide 30-35 grants per year.

o       Tomorrows Leaders Today (TLT) – For career awareness and education for high school juniors.  The meet once a month with students.

If you would like to apply for a grant, contact the foundation at 570-347-6203.  They request you submit a letter of intent about your project before completing the application.  Their focus for 2006/.2007 is Environment & Conservation, Diversity, and Economic Development.  They also provide some emergency funding.  Contact them for more information.

      Maria also mentioned a fun fact – Ben Franklin set up a trust in the 1700’s to expire in 200 years with the money going to PA and Boston.  It funds grants to colleges (esp. trade schools) and libraries.  She suggested we read his will on the web.

v     NEXT MEETING – November 15

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Nancy Kilmer

Secretary