Members Present: Katrina Luetkebeurger, Roger Scott, Cohen Barnes, Michelle Christensen, Amber Hiland, Shawn Maxwell, Asa Young, Angel Hernandez

 

I.       Welcome & Introductions:Called to order by Roger at 11:30 am. 

A.     Website: Roger Looked at the DCP/SAFE website and will look at implementing a similar model. Mary will be updating website. Roger stated that he hoped that the cost of the website will be free or low cost. There should be a fixed cost for setting up the website and for the software for Mary to maintain the website.

B.     Educational Toolkit/ Training Module: Katrina is working on adult toolkit, specific to organizations. She reported she is trying to make trainer kits for KEYS members to teach others on assets. This would get key leaders to infuse youth assets.

C.     KEYS Partnerships: Jose is not here to report.

D.     Opportunities to Educate General Public: Roger reported that Mary is interested in going out to corners in town holding up signs about KEYS. Committee members and youth would be involved. The idea would be to get cars to honk and see the message about KEYS and possibly get the press involved. Cohen suggested using Facebook. Mary is formulating a group of youth from the high school next week during spring break. The marketing group is not available to be at that meeting next week. Cohen reported on using the Ideal team to market the May KEYS event. We need to be fiscally responsible with our money and determine what cost that we have to work with Ideal.

E.      Asset Building Recognition Plan: There will be a county wide asset ceremony in May. Finalizing form for people to attend breakfast. This form will be sent out electronically. Roger suggested combining the letter for the breakfast with the letter requesting that people or agencies become sponsors. If people don’t attend they can still become a sponsor and will be recognized at the breakfast.

F.      County-Wide Asset Awards Ceremony:

 

III.  Advertisements: The cost of printing the books at Barnaby printing will be 200 books costing $1000. Mary drafted a letter asking for sponsors or donations to pay for the cost. It was sent to MB&T Bank and AMD bank. It will likely be sent to other organizations and companies to pay for the cost of the book. Cohen has a list of all businesses in DeKalb County that letters could be sent to request money for the Essay Books. Mary had considered putting ads in the back of the book. It is preferable to get donations than sell ad space. Roger suggested combining the cost of the books with the sponsorships that are being requested for the May Asset Awards Ceremony. The letter to companies would request sponsoring the breakfast and to include the cost of the books. The essay books would be displayed at the breakfast. Sponsors will also be listed in the book. Cohen stated that the letter should clarify where their name will be listed and considered sending sponsors a program or an Essay Book if they were unable to attend the breakfast.

IV.  Review of the 5 Action Strategies: The 5 Action Strategies are from the Search Institute. Mary was most concerned about mobilizing young people, how can we get youth more involved? And influencing civic decisions – what should we be doing to get civic organizations involved. It was suggested that possibly Mary could get more involved in civic organizations. Mary met with Bob Pritchard, and he is interested in getting involved. Cohen suggested asking if Bob Pritchard could put something in Pritchard’s Perspective, his weekly email. Maybe he could be a supporter of KEYS initiative. Brozinski may get involved if Pritchard is. Citizens  Community Enhancement Commission of DeKalb – see if Mary could get on that Board. Videotape a presentation and give to channel 14, so that they could put that on there about what KEYS about it. Can we get the youth involved civically? Standing committees of Mary and youth involved in the community reporting to DeKalb City Council. Find an existing commission to get involved in to reduce the cost to City of DeKalb. The new high school and downtown revitalization will be done 2011. KEYS should get involved in this. KEYS is working with all city councils - not just DeKalb. Amber suggested getting the new State’s Attorney involved. Maybe Mary could be involved in Juvenile justice Council? Long term – November

 

V.       Report on completion of the Asset Coordinator’s Evaluation and goals: Mary developed her goals for KEYS: Produce KEYS e-newsletter monthly; execute marketing plan to increase awareness in DeKalb co.;  recruit 50 Asset Champions in the next year, includes some of KEYS members, by the end of 2010; have KEYS website developed and operational by fall 2010; become trained in CCAMP data warehouse information system; and work closely with the participants of the YEP group and be able to increase their assets and follow up with grant winners to see how they are using their grants to improve the assets. Mary has software for CCAMP but needs to complete training to utilize. Possibly sponsorship for May event could be used to cover the cost of her training. Can we operate as a separate organization but affiliated with YMCA? Be linked to YMCA. Maybe wait until we have more members at a KEYS meeting and spend a couple meetings discussing this. We could meet as a steering committee but we are our own entity. We could funnel the funding through the YMCA. More effective as a group effort. Write grants with the YMCA and not competing. 501C3 through the YMCA.

 

VI.  Upcoming Deadlines: Forms are out to nominate asset builders and another form for people to come to banquet. Cohen researched prices for the May event and requested dates for Farm Bureau. May 14^th? Farm Bureau costs less than $100 to hold an event there. Tasha’s assistant has been working on forms. Mary recently purchased a laptop. We have a budget of $1594.26 without the laptop that was purchased. The money might need to be spent soon. YMCA holder of the money. $500 from DCP/SAFE. Bought a camera for YMCA skatenight for camera and I-pod and this may have come from DCP/SAFE funding. Michelle suggested that action group info go into paper. Looking for new members for local action groups. Drug free communities coalition newsletters can be obtained electronically. Can sign up and return to DCP/SAFE. 

VII.           Homework Assignments: Tasha and her assistant are working on nominating asset builders.

VIII.        Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m.

 

 

Our Mission:

 

The DeKalb County KEYS Initiative engages the community to build developmental assets with our youth through education, practice, and promotion.