July 20, 2011 Meeting Minutes

1.                  Meeting called to order at 2:00 PM by Chair Phedra Elliott.

2.                  Attendance: Phedra Elliott – Chair, Darlene Cook – Vice-Chair, Sarah VanCleve – Secretary, Sally Santana – Member at Large, Walt LeCouteur, Jim Stowers, Diana Gilman, Linda Kerkes, Lisa Romwall, Danielle Perez, Julie Graves, Terry Schroeder, Kirsten Jewell, Beverly Kincaid, Sheila Gilliam, Rochelle Doan, Linda Hollingsworth, Tamra Ingwaldson, Robin O’Grady, Dave Frederick, Trudy Stacy, Rick Cortes, Susan Brown

3.                  Introductions were made around the table.

4.                  Agenda Review:  No changes were made to the agenda.

Minutes: June  meeting minutes – Sally Santana moved to approve, Walt LeCouteur seconded and they were approved as presented. 

Grant Review Committee – Kirsten Jewell:  With the Combined Grant Application, the Kitsap Continuum of Care Coalition is responsible to nominate two persons to serve on the Grant Review Committee for the public service applications and two to serve on the capital applications.  These four people will join the overall committee.  We received some nominations, but need one more person for the capital review committee.  The names and a brief overview of those we have selected were announced.  If anyone has a recommendation for the capital GRC, let Terry know.  Tamra Ingwaldson moved and Sheila Gilliam seconded to accept the nominations we have and to allow the Executive Committee to approve an additional nomination, if we receive other applications.  The motion passed.

Overview of the 2011 Legislative Session re: Homelessness and Effective Advocacy Techniques for 2012 – Seth Dawson:  Seth will send out a composite bill report to Terry to be passed on to the CoCC.  Seth represents 14 clients in the social services arena as a legislative advocate/lobbyist, including Washington State Coalition for the Homeless.  This past year was a bad budget year.  The Recording Fee bill was very discouraging, but he plans to work on it next session and try to deal with some of the issues proactively.  It is necessary to get the sunset lifted that goes into effect on July 1, 2013.  On Disability Lifeline, they salvaged as much as was possible, given that the Governor and Senate wanted to eliminate DL totally.  A final report on the budget will be sent out once details are available.  Calls and emails to legislators is very important and really do help get legislation passed.  It definitely increases the chances of being successful.  Grass root support on the recording fee was not lacking.  You definitely do not want to give the legislators the out of saying, “I didn’t hear from the Kitsap CoCC.”

As far as advocacy, learn what you can co.  Thanks to legislators for good things done is something anyone can do and is very important.  If you don’t believe you can do anything else, at least do that.  Composing your own letter, using local information is more beneficial than using a form letter.  Positive reinforcement is great, but negative may do more harm.  Become politically active; volunteer for campaigns and give some time to a campaign or candidate.  This past session, there were 30 political action committees focused on a specific area. 

The value of Advocacy Days is that it raises the importance of the subject matter.  Wearing a similar article of clothing, such as the red scarves that were worn at Housing and Homeless Advocacy Day is very impactful.  One of the important talking points is why it is in the best interest of the taxpayers to support your issue.  Make language work; what is in it for you.  Be sure to let voters know how it will impact them.  Make it about “you” not about those people the voters don’t care about. 

Advocacy is providing information and education to legislators.  You can present both the positive and negative impacts.  Most non-profits cannot use funding that specifically says that lobbying is not allowed.  A good contact at the WA Low Income Housing Alliance (WLIHA) is Moque Krape.  It is important to remember that there are always positive stories.  Keep repeating those stories. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Outside Homeless – Sally Santana:  We had a couple of visitors from HUD, here to see how things are done in Kitsap County.  Discussion was regarding the closure of Sally’s Camp and Walt’s proposed 24/7 emergency shelter.  He is in the early planning stages at this time.

Veterans and Human Services Levy – Terry Schroeder:  The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) had a work study session this morning and several committee members were present.  They decided to add the levy to the business meeting at the BCC meeting on Monday July 25, 2011.  It is important to have as many supporters as possible attend this meeting.  The committee did decide to do a 50/50 split of the money between veterans and other human services.  The goal is to work toward the elimination of homelessness.  The July 25 will be considered the public notification.  The BCC meeting begins at 7:00 pm at the County Administration Building in Port Orchard.  Letters of support directed to the County Commissioners, with a cc to Leif will be appreciated.  Some things that could be talked about in the letters is the dollar amount ($15/year for a home valued at $300,000), an investment in our community.  The Commissioners want impactful statements as to the need for this money.

The meeting adjourned at 4:00 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Sarah VanCleve, Secretary