USA Executive Meeting Minutes

Thursday, April 3, 2008

8:30 AM @ Buena Vista Conference Center

 

Attending:  Kristen Blanchard, Fred MacCormack, George Meldrum, Yvonne Nass, Janet Ray, Kathy Ward, Libby Thomas

 

Staff Attending:  Roberta Gealt, Mary Perno

 

Discussions:  University/Schools Alliance holds a Strategic Planning meeting annually to outline a strategic action plan for the following year.  USA is focused on youth substance abuse, and the consensus was that we need to do more to increase awareness.  We have accomplished a greater diversification of our Executive Board, which will be helpful in achieving our goals.  However, we still need to get youth under age 18 involved with USA.  It was suggested that we speak with individual members and also  contact the Girl Scout Council as well.

 

We need to define the problem more publicly, including trend information and where we are above the national averages for high school & college students:

 

                        OTC Drugs-DE is above national norms

                        Binge Drinking-DE is above national norms

                        Buying in school went from 26% to 22 %

                        Marijuana is still the easiest to buy

                        Kids are less likely to perceive great risks

 

The liquor lobby is strong in DE, so laws such as the social host law, open container law, haven’t been passed.  We should get in contact with Pam Maier

                                                                                    12 Chadd Rd.

                                                                                    Newark, DE 19711

                                                                                    302-737-7223

                                                                                    Office:  577-8723    Fax: 577-6396

                                                                                    Pam.Maier@state.de.us

as well as build contacts with other legislators and decision-makers. Roberta will be presenting the Sophia slides at the Kids Caucasus on May 7th.  This will be a source of contacts.  Also, NHPS is sponsoring a debate specific to kids’ issues between the candidates for governor.  It will take place on May 28th.

 

Family Day-It was agreed upon that USA should promote Family Day once again.  This year it will be on Monday, September 22, 2008  http://www.casafamilyday.org/ (for more information).  Mary will check with Super Suppers and My Girlfriend’s Kitchen for more information on if we can use these as one option for our families.  It was suggested that we list “kid friendly” restaurants where kids can eat for free or they offer special discounts.

 

Town Hall Meetings-four were held on April 2, 2008.  Newark High School had about 70 people, Salesianum School had about 80 people, and Dickinson had about 30 people.

                                                           

Enforcement- It was suggested that USA sponsor a Law Enforcement workshop for School Resource Officers to attend.  A good time to do this would be in early spring.  The SRO’s can then meet with parents before a school trip or Prom.  This is a good way to start Parents Who Host, Lose the Most program.

 

USA needs to start looking at partnering with SDFS for a 2 day workshop (professional development event, which could be in the context of an expanded OPEI Forum..

We could invite the SRO, wellness centers, treatment centers, religious groups, corporations, etc to this forum.  We could invite schools to highlight their successes.  It was agreed upon that April is the best time of year to hold this type of forum.

            Kathy Ward told us that the Dover Sheraton costs her about $8000 for 200 people for the YELL conference.  Maybe the YMCA could possibly help with some money for this.  SAMSHA also has a grant for conferences.  SADD has a national list of speakers for us to choose from, also.

            Some ideas were to get in touch with Frank Hawkins who runs the DE Idol contest.  George said that maybe AARP would sponsor a speaker.  Yvonne said that we should get in touch with AAA.  Kristen suggested that we have vendor tables and Fred thinks we should involve the gambling council.

            We could include different tracks but focus on substance abuse.  Howard Isenberg has some connections in the medical community, which might also be helpful