ILI - Lakeland Area Community Meeting

·         There were 12 people at the meeting this evening.

·         The meeting began with introductions around the circle.

·         Update from Bob

o    ILI has moved out on its own and is completing the 501c3 process.
o    The Positive Alternatives Coalition just had elections, John Young is the Chairperson and Sue Wolfe is the Vice-Chairperson. There is money left in the PAC budget, so they are looking into putting up billboards as part of environmental strategies.
o    Bob’s other position as Prevention Specialist with Marshfield Clinic (Alliance For Wisconsin Youth Regional Center) allows him to be involved with all of the local coalitions.   A common challenge among coalitions is involving law enforcement. There are grants available to help with this, including ones for compliance checks. Bob talked about an upcoming event for local coalitions. Details below:

Hello Wisconsin Coalitions, You’re Invited to:
Building Capacity in Your Coalition:
A One Day Learning Event
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Marshfield Holiday Inn & Conference Center
750 S. Central Avenue, Marshfield, WI

Topics for the day will include: how to start a coalition, expand an existing coalition, recruit new members, sustain a shared vision and more. Coalitions working to prevent substance misuse and abuse can register teams of three to five members to attend this day long event. A lunch and workbook will be provided to each participant. Space is limited. Email Bob for details.

·         Bob gave an update from the DPI AODA Advisory Council meeting this past week: DPI just awarded the AODA grants. They are trying to improve connections between schools, communities, coalitions and the state. There is some DPI money left over (from somewhere!), and the AWY Regional Centers will be granting dollars to some 50 communities across the state towards the Parents Who Host campaign through an application process. Bob will send out the application by e-mail once it is ready. Also-there was a great power point presented at the meeting that Bob will forward around once he gets it-about underage drinking. It was made in Eau Claire County but we could adapt it to our needs here and use it-that is why they presented at the meeting. Lots of great stats! Finally, the state is looking to develop an ‘institute for school safety” in Wisconsin. One of the more interesting conversations about this involved an idea to utilize retired social workers from across the state as a rapid response team to a crisis- liability issues could be resolved through the institute. Whatever happens, there is a strong push to develop this project.
·         The Vilas County board approved a resolution crafted by our staff in June that shows their support for youth to be involved in decision making groups. Our approach was to hand them a FACT sheet from our DFC surveys the past two years to show the problems of underage drinking in our area. Our argument is that if we more effectively connect youth to our community we will see these numbers decrease. ILI has also received a small grant from Wisconsin Youth Voice to run a pilot project that we will be working on with LUHS. The group discussed how this resolution should be brought to school boards, tribal councils, other county boards for their support. It is an advisory resolution but nevertheless makes a statement about the importance of getting youth involved in the decision-making process thru the numerous coalitions, boards and councils that make decisions in our communities.

Meeting Topics:
·         We see this coming school year as an opportunity to take positive actions. We will be deciding on steps we can take, even baby steps, towards helping our youth. We will be looking at supporting and advocating for a number of strategies (policies, environmental-like alcohol compliance checks) which we will try and have ready for discussion at the next meeting in September. In the meantime, you can also send Bob your ideas bkovar@ilileadership.org

·         Jim Bouche is the new principal at LUHS. The group talked about making sure to include him in the meetings and maybe having a special welcoming meeting with him. We are looking to share with him ideas, issues, strategies we have talked about over the past two years to improve life for children and families in our area.

o It was suggested to see if LUHS either has already, or would be interested in implementing the DPI School Climate Survey. There are also two other assessment tools that could be taken, one for AODA and one for violence. The AODA Assessment Tool (http://www2.dpi.state.wi.us/sspw_AODA_Assessment) and the Violence Assessment Tool (http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sspw/safeschool.html). Both tools are great resources and a good way for schools and communities to assess what their needs and issues are concerning these.

· Changes in ILI

o This school year we will be meeting two times with the 4^th-8^th grade students. We are hoping to have an out of school type session to make up for the 3^rd session. We are looking at ways to meet individually with each school which would allow us to learn more about each school.

· It was suggested that we need to actively involve youth in more leadership roles

o Approach the student councils to learn ideas they have
o Opportunity for students to plan activities to bring the schools together, so that it is student led, and not adult led.

·         It is important for all youth to learn about their ancestors, to know who they are and where they come from before entering the high school. The family is the ideal place for this to come from, but also need help from the schools, and volunteers. It is important for adults to be involved with the youth, helping them to learn about themselves and to be proud of who they are. HOPE and LdF Minobimaadiziiwin are examples of coalitions looking for positive ways to be involved with youth.

·         An example was given from Finland, where they have a 15 minute break after each class. Finland is ranked #1 in literacy and in the top 5 for math and science. Here in the states, it is more common for recess time to be taken away so that there can be more instructional minutes.

·         There is a loss of the sense of community. Our society focuses on the individual. The result is a loss of support throughout the community. There are people who are willing to help out and volunteer, but typically that is a smaller group of people.

·         Have youth identify what makes them feel successful.

·         Youth need a champion for their success-our group should work to identify those persons in our community.

·         We can use the collective voice of this group to suggest ideas in a positive way.

·         Range of the Strange: a skit idea that used to take place at LDF school. Students would perform 3-5 minute skits. Their families would all come to watch, and enjoy watching the students and sharing in laughter. Would it be possible to do something like this throughout our larger community? And to share in the positive impact of coming together to support our youth and sharing laughter with people from around our community.

·         Cam Martin will present her Bridging the Gap program at the October meeting.

·         Sue Wolfe passed out a Community Readiness survey for Pat Ustianowski. This survey is for anyone who lives and/or works in Lac du Flambeau. Feel free to make copies and hand it out to people. Bob will be sending it out through e-mail.

NEXT MEETING will be Wednesday September 10^th at the Lac du Flambeau Wellness Center from 5:30-8:00pm. Located on Hwy 47, just past the Lac du Flambeau Grade School on the left.

Lakeland Area Community Meetings