Minutes from the Affiliate / Teacher Bi-Annual Meeting
SEPTEMBER 17, 2005: Mike Cohen opened the meeting. His presentation covered the following: The announcement that NAMI National had changed the name of the organization to National Alliance on Mental Illness. The name change was prompted by increased consumer involvement. The recovery movement and the goal of recovery. The financial status of NAMI NH including:
• One year since the state funding cut of $511,000.00
• NAMI NH is still here thanks to volunteers who donated over 14,000 hours of service in the last fiscal year.
• Mike shared a “ Thank You” for everyone’s efforts
• The elimination of state funding has greatly impacted NAMI NH’s ability to provide needed supports and programs.
• The loss of Sam Adams as president was difficult, but Mary Ann Aldrich has stepped up to the plate as new President and is doing an incredible job.
• For the current and future fiscal years all funding for NAMI NH must come from external sources.
• The $734,000 budget must be raised totally from donations, dues, corporate funding, grants and fundraisers along with the sales of supports and services NAMI NH provides.
• NAMI NH has entered a new era of how to fund the organization-- only do programs based on the income received for them.
• NAMI NH has only a 14% overhead.
NAMI NH has many new board members and a new board structure. (A diagram of the structure of the board and committees was handed out, and can also be found on the NAMI NH website). (handout)
All the committees are in need of volunteers to serve on them, if interested in more information on any of them, please contact Annette.
NAMI NH continues to provide limited programs-core education, support groups, IOOV, Information & Referral due to funding availability.
Activities NAMI NH is currently funded for and is involved in:
• Frameworks Suicide Prevention Project has received a 3 year grant.
• Latino population project just ended but just received funding to translate NAMI NH resource guide Foundation for Healthy Families.
• Children and family programs through FAMILY NETWORK which is to build and grow family networks overseen by Claudia
• Working with Nashua and Cheshire on court diversion program for adults with mental illness.
• Working with Community Health Centers to encourage integrated health care to improve medical care and a “whole health” concept.
• Third Annual NAMI NH Conference on November 17 on co-occurring medical and psychiatric disorders in elders.
• Working with faith communities by building a relationship with Council of Churches
Advocacy Roles:
• Need to continue to count on membership to share their story with legislature
• Continuing work on the Public Policy Committee
• Legislative Leadership training Mental Health Matters 101;
• Family Members appointed to the Mental Health Commission (HB 691) (HB 2) to study mental health, Michael Cohen appointed and sits on steering committee
• DRC and NAMI NH working closely on advocating on issues of seclusion and restraint.
Rick Sherman said NAMI NH is a force regarding mental illness and must continue to work to improve services and programs. NH is waiting to hear about a Transformation Grant for which they applied. ( since the meeting we have heard that the state did not get this grant)
Questions:
- Is NAMI NH doing any work with police departments? NAMI NH does participate in the Law Enforcement Police Training and Standards Academy by providing a 4 hour workshop to new recruits/ and some seasoned officers. They have submitted a proposal for a 2 day training component to Dept of Safety; however at this time there is no funding. We need to acknowledge the gap -we have programs however, to provide them does have a cost.
- Can local Affiliates raise money for educational program? This is an excellent idea, however if the affiliate is not a 501c3 organization, the NAMI NH office will need to be the one receiving the donations. An example of this is that the Nashua Family to Family class asked for and was granted $900.00 from the community mental health center to go towards the purchasing of books and materials for its class. Imagine if every MHC donated $1000-1500 for educational programs? Nashua support group leader mentioned that Dr. Kuftinek who has been at Community Council for 35 yrs ago spoke to their group. He shared that 20 yrs ago there were no services and now 4,000 patients are identified. Why the increase? Years ago family doctors tried to provide some treatment and family members were put in the closet --point NAMI has increased awareness of mental illness. Mike shared there is also a focus on kids and early identification and intervention.
- Where did the money go that state took from NAMI NH? It was given to the CMHC to develop a Family Mentor program and the plan is that each CMHC will have one.
- What is the role and responsibility of Family Mentors? Mary Ann Doty, who is a Family Mentor, answered that she is doing educational advocacy as well as other 1:1supports to clients of CMHC, she services about 40 families. Claudia explained her understanding of the focus of Family Mentors is to work with families in the public mental health center. We were told they provide support and education not advocacy. Those uninsured or in private services cannot access these supports.
- Could Suicide Prevention training be provided to affiliates/support groups? Mike said the group will try and work with you and your community to recognize a person at risk and then connect into a system to help the person.
- Shouldn’t we go to school boards about teen suicide? Mike explained about the FRAMEWORKS Suicide prevention project, that it is important to educate a community and not just the schools.
- Regarding seeking corporate funding from Jefferson Pilot was it successful? Yes, very. Mike then emphasized the importance of collecting DATA. NAMI NH must be assessing programs; we will need to prove to funders that programs work; that is why teachers and support group leaders are asked to forward data regarding classes, calls, volunteer hours and support group activities
Development Update:
Win Saltmarsh, Development and Operations Director, spoke about Development at NAMI NH. NAMI NH needs to raise $415,000 this year; how? She referred to handouts:
1. Outline of fundraising activities, will be adding more focus on May through December.
2. Corporate Membership programs and Program underwriting opportunites.
Example- NAMI NH is offering Corporate members “Lunch and Learn” sessions for employees to learn more about mental illnesses and to create an atmosphere to help make mental illness a talkable issue.
Rick Sherman made the suggestion to those present: ask your local employers, civic organizations to a “adopt NAMINH”
Should volunteers be tracking volunteer track hours? Could you include out of pocket expenses? Does this translate to some type of tax deduction for the individual?
Answer is yes volunteer hours need to be tracked for NAMI NH. Tax deductions can be taken for out of pocket expenses and travel related to volunteer work, see Win if you have additional questions.
Win shared that Jefferson Pilot Financial is our first Corporate Underwriter, the door was opened because NAMI NH’s CFO had a contact. This is an example of how we are much more successful when there is a personal contact in a business or corporation. Win offered to accompany anyone to meet with business folks.
Example got $1000 because of a personal contact of Ed Kirby from NAMI Nashua.
Thank you Ed!
Win explained the creation of the CLC (Citizens’ Leadership Council) - connecting with “people of affluence and influence.” Encouraged those present to talk with community leaders about NAMI NH, the need for funding and the importance of the CLC in each community. For more details on this program , please contact Win. A CLC meeting was held in Concord, and the next one will be held in Littleton in Dec.
Events:
Excellence in Community Leadership Award- Last year this was awarded to Sam Adams at a black tie fundraiser. This award is for someone not in the field of mental health. The majority of the attendees are friends and supporters of the award winner. Tickets for the event will be $100/person. The event raised $10,000 in profit. The high cost of the dinner is not meant to exclude members, but rather to attract those not familiar with NAMI NH who come to recognize the recipient. For additional questions please feel free to contact Win Saltmarsh or Mike Cohen.
Opening Exercise: Volunteer BINGO
Winners: Mary Ann Doty , Ed Kirby, Rita Moyer, Lianne Henry, Pat Ciccolo and Al Bouchard.
Business Meeting:
Review the action items from January meeting (handout).
Handout listed the action steps we all created in January and who was responsible for implementing these items.
Action steps that the NAMI NH office were responsible for included:
- Developing a program similar to F2F for professionals such as CMHC case managers: Unable to do because of lack of funding.
- Create more publicity around NAMI NH activities:
• Filmed 2, 30 minute programs on CCTV cable access tv’s “ Non Profit Connection” One on the walk and MIAW activities and the other on NAMI NH in general. Tapes were then distributed around the state to other access channels, there was no cost to NAMI NH to produce these programs.
• Posters for the Walk and MIAW Activities were distributed to all merchants on Main St. in Concord and to all state house offices.
• Stories on the activities were printed in newspapers.
Professional prepared posters needed for local groups;
• Blank NAMI NH Business cards were printed for Affiliates and Teachers to carry and pass out when sharing about NAMI NH.
• NAMI does not have money for creating posters, however it was suggested to utilize the “Sunshine into Darkness” color posters and add support group information and post. These are very attractive. - Family experience presentations to local communities to increase awareness;
• “Life Interrupted” is created and awaiting a funding proposal to NAMI National. This program will train family members to present their stories.
( Funding has been found, although not through NAMI National, look for more information on this program soon!) - Develop relationships with local private providers;
• It is our hope that Affiliates will provide names of contacts in their communities and our newly trained family speakers will have opportunities to help educate these folks. - Increase the medical community’s awareness around mental illness;
• This years annual conference is on Integrated health, physical and mental, for our aging population. Conference is November 17, details on the NAMI NH website. - NAMI NH members to get involved in local mental health boards
• Valerie Acres and Helen Harrison are on the Board at Riverbend
• Geri Foucher is on the board at the Greater Manchester MHC and the Governors Board
Current Events:
Claudia provided overview of Mental Illness Awareness Week Calendar of Events
Rick shared that in all her years with the NAMI NH she has never experienced this “spirit” which is wonderful. Thank you to the State office staff!
Note- The MIAW week activities were very successful! A beautiful day for close to 600 walkers on October 2nd at the NHH grounds. Lizzie Simon’s presentation at the Grappone Center on Oct 3rd was incredible! Open House at the NAMI NH office on Wednesday the 4th was not well attended, but we tried by inviting business and community leaders in the Main St., concord area. The Arts and Recovery event on Thursday the 6th to celebrate Bipolar Awareness day, was a huge success and was very well attended by artists and visitors, stay tuned for next years event!!
Ed Kirby “Larry Bird strength was his ability to inspire those who played with him to push harder be better” Ed thinks we do that for them!!
Rita Moyer shared that the Nashua Telegraph did a great article about Suicide Prevention
Rick said don’t hesitate about sending letters to the editor
LUNCH BREAK….
Update on VFT and F2F and classes being offered this fall:
• F2F- Norma and Scott Smith teaching in Nashua, Diane Cyr and Theresa Melanson in Portsmouth and Geri Foucher, Pat Ciccolo and Kathy Canedy teaching in Bedford.
• VFT- Annette Carbonneau teaching in Littleton. Teachers are meeting to do a curriculum review and discussion on whether to continue to use the program.
Workgroup Activity- divided into two groups, teachers and leaders:
• Identify a success that has worked—barrier that is hard
• Identify a recorder and reporter
• Discuss and prepare a summary for the larger group (See results in separate write up)
Volunteer Opportunities were presented.
Claudia and Annette thanked everyone for taking time to participate in today’s program. If you need copies of handouts or have questions on any of this material please let me know. We look forward to our next meeting together! Annette & Claudia
Future Meeting Ideas:
• Group Fundraising Ideas
• Past participants from F2F and VFT come to speak
• Ask each meeting participant to bring something unique to share
• Progress in NAMI NH Financial Stability
• Photos, Articles, Flyers etc. to share
• Supports for caregivers
• New ways to present F2F
