State Conference / Regional Meetings - Past Minutes

Wisconsin InterFaith in Action Network State Meeting
September 26-27, 2006
St. Anthony Retreat Center-Marathon, WI

Download Powerpoint File for September 26-27 Meeting

Tuesday, September 26th
11:00-12:00

• Registration, Informal Resource Sharing
• Father Dan of the Retreat Center welcomed the group and went over some basics before the group broke for lunch.

1:00-4:30

• Diane Bright (Madison) welcomed the group.  A devotion from a member of the Oneida Tribe, the Prayer of Jebez, was given.

• Mardi Charnitz (Milwaukee), Co-Chair of the Wisconsin InterFaith in Action Network (WIFiAN) welcomed the group and introduced the members of the steering committee.  Each individual then introduced themselves and shared a positive story from their program.

• Kathy Gale (Waukesha) made a number of announcements.

• Kathy introduced our new State Coordinator, Ginny Nyhuis!  Ginny has a background in Older Adult Services w/ the Presbyterian Church.  She has worked with support groups for Retired Ministers and their surviving spouses.  Ginny has a good background of working with state and national networks, and has a passion for what FIA does.  She is moving back to WI from Kentucky to work with us!  She has a MSW.  Ginny will be technically employed by Waukesha Interfaith, however her job is to help us coordinate the entire network.
• Kathy announced that she had the grants which she has written for the network available for anyone to review.  She also shared that at a recent national meeting, a representative from the NPO in attendance told Kathy that Wisconsin was the model for the collaborative grants.  What an honor!
• Kathy then introduced Ron Retzke, the facilitator for this meeting.  Ron is a professional consultant who has been working with the steering committee to help us move forward.  He is also a member of Kathy’s board, so understands FIA programs very well.

• Ron began facilitating the meeting to meet some goals in reviewing our history, clarifying where we are today, and helping us realize the vision for our future.

For more details on Ron’s Presentation, Powerpoint files are available.

• History
• FIA Program Building Blocks
• Where we are Today:

            -There are currently 36 FIA program in WI.
-The Wisconsin InterFaith in Action Network has been funded by RWJF!
-The mission of the network is to support and promote WI FIA programs.

• Where We Are Going

-We have 2 years of funding from RWJF and (hopefully) Helen Bader Foundation
-Goal of the Network:

• Communication
• Peer Learning
• Outreach Materials
• Impact
• Networking
• Prepare for LTC reform

-Funds are budgeted for:

• State Coordinator and related expenses
• Video Project (More on this later) ($7000)
• State Conferences ($9000)
• Regional Conferences ($4300)
• Website Development ($6000)

-Goals and Responsibilities of the WIFIAN/Benefits

• Communication-Developing State Website
• Programs will be able to access Resources, Public Resource also
• Peer Learning-Organize Meetings
• Programs will be able to attend State and Regional Meetings
• Outreach Materials-Coordinate Video and Materials
• Programs will have access to a customized video & other matierals
• Impact-Collect Standardized Statistics
• Programs will have access to standardized statistics for benchmarking and telling their own stories.
• Networking State and National Partners
• Ideas and access to additional partners
• Future-Prepare for Long Term Care Reform
• Support and training, CMOs
• How Will We Get There?

-State Coordinator Ginny Nyhuis!

• Facilitate flow of information
• Support planning of meeting
• Connect FIA groups and resources
• Enhance technology support
• Secure ongoing funding for state network
• Accomplish objectives of grant

-Steering Committee

• Mardi Charnitz (Milwaukee), Co-Chair
• Valeree Lecey (Ozaukee), Co-Chair
• Meriah Jacobs-Frost (Jefferson), Secretary
• Diane Bright (Madison)
• Kathy Gale (Waukesha) A big thanks to Kathy for her work organizing the steering committee up to now, and for writing the grants to fund WIFIAN!
• Kim Kania (LaCrosse)
• Karen Krupa (Polk)
• Sasha Vieth (Portage)

The steering committee meets about 6 times a year, sometimes by teleconference.  They provide leadership for WIFIAN, identify state issues and set goals, plan actions to meet those goals, and direct the work of the State Coordinator.  Anyone who is willing to meet those requirements is WELCOME to join the committee!
-Each Individual!
We want everyone to be a part of WIFIAN, through a commitment to strengthening their individual program, and input on important issues.

Membership Agreement
-Small groups discussed what membership requirements should be, and a list was then compiled.  The following will be our starting point:  Programs agree to:

• Be modeled on the 5-Building Blocks
• Actively Support Other Programs and Share Resources
• Attend Meetings/Actively Participate in Communications
• Strive for best practices/standards
• Maintain Statistics Used by WIFIAN (These will be user friendly)
• Collaborate with WIFIAN and each other for funding sources

-The steering committee will work to draw up a membership agreement based on these points which were agreed on by the group.

Membership Fees
-The group started with numbers suggested by the steering committee by poll at the last committee meeting.  We took a poll at the state meeting to see how many FIA programs were at these levels.

• Less than $50K Annual Budget - $25 Fee (14 Programs)
• Between $50K and $100K - $50 (4 Programs)
• Between $100K and $250K - $100 (0 Programs)
• Greater than $250K - $250 (2 Programs)

-Individuals asked why we have membership fees, and some pointed out that fees this low will bring very little revenue for the network.  The steering committee recognizes that the fees will not be one of the main sources of funds for WIFIAN.  However, having some kind of membership fee shows eachother and potential funders that programs have a stake in the success of WIFIAN.  For those interested in how funds will be used, detailed budgets are available which were created by Kathy Gale in association with the grants which have been written for the network.

Partners
-The group brainstormed a list of potential partners for WIFIAN

• Partners which FIA programs currently work (Benefits)
• AARP (Volunteers)
• Local Schools/Colleges ($, Service Days, Office Help)
• Community/Service Groups ($, Volunteers, Board)
• United Way ($, Volunteers)
• Social Service Agencies-Jewish Social Service, Catholic Charities, etc. (Referrals, Training, Public)
• Volunteer Centers (Volunteers)
• Corporations-American Family Insurance, Restaurants, Curves, Factories, Excel, 3M, etc. (Volunteers, $)
• Area Agency on Aging/County Aging Offices ($)
• Senior Centers (Office Space)
• American Cancer Society (Information, Referrals)
• Home Health Agencies, Hospices, Palliative Care (Referrals)
• Tribal Casinos ($, Food)
• Local Hospitals (Newsletters/Printing, $, Training)
• Health & Human Services (In-kind, office space)
• Habitat for Humanity (Wheelchair Ramps)
• Alzheimer’s Support Groups/Adult Day Care (Training, Referrals)
• Local Libraries
• Police/Fire (Referrals, Training)
• Aging/Disability Resource Center ($, Referrals)
• Senior Housing Authority (Referrals)
• Homemakers Groups

What an amazing resource base FIA programs have already put together!

• Potential Partners
• Statewide Judicatories
• FIA National Network

Support from Congregations
-What has worked?  What more can we do?  The group brainstormed again.

• Publicity of Donations-Encouraging parishes to give as their other members have
• Public Speaking Opportunities
• Asking Congregational Contacts who has control of the money
• Having a Church Representative/Liaison
• Drawing on our own faith communities
• Change collections- “Silver for Seniors”
• Have church groups have fundraisers for your programs
• FIA Sunday (Volunteer recognition, $, Temple Talk)
• Get Pastors on your Board
• Spring and Fall contact letters
• Thanking church secretary—Milwaukee gives appreciation certificates to church secretaries every Secretary’s Day.
• Accepting in-kind donations
• Interfaith concert series

Regional Meetings
-The group began discussing the possibility of regional meetings.  We first attempted to decide what the regions will be.  We debated grouping the sizes of programs as opposed to the locations.  As the discussion progressed, there was much debate as to whether or not regional meetings were actually needed.  The idea behind the regional meetings was that programs could get together more often without having to stay overnight.  The group decided that at this point we would not plan on doing regional meetings.

There was more interest in teleconferences with experts than additional face-to-face meetings.  We do have funding for a second conference though.  In the past, FIA groups had met in Madison and talked to legislator.  This is another possibility.  The group decided to table the issue of regional meetings for now.

**The group broke for dinner**

In the evening, some of the attendees met informally.  The group discussed the weblog and the possibility of using Yahoo! Groups if technical difficulties in the blog are not worked out.  Most of the time was spent discussing fundraising ideas.  Just a few:
-Fashion Shows (bridal, through the ages, etc.)
-Flock of Flamingos
-Teas
-Concerts
-Walks

Wednesday, September 27th
9:00 Valeree welcomed the group back with a devotion.
9:15 Ron began facilitating the discussion.
Helen Bader Foundation Weblog

• The weblog is a website like a bulletin board that is designed to allow the State Network to have ongoing discussions to communicate and assist one another.  HBF has set this up and maintains it for us.
• The steering committee is aware of the technical difficulties with the weblog.  Ginny will be working on these with Robert Tobon from HBF.
• Once the glitches get worked out, you should just be able to log in, click on the section that you want to view, and post or respond to a message.
• The group set some basic guidelines for using the blog:
• Check the blog once a week to be sure you don’t miss out on a discussion or lose your voice!

• Contact Ginny if you have a problem with the blog.
• Always put a specific subject line on your posts.
• Keep it professional, and remember this is public domain!
• Keep it brief
• We will organize the blog into new messages/archives

Customizable Video

• Waukesha Interfaith had a wonderful video made that helps them share information about their program with congregations and community groups.  Kathy Gale has offered to make this video available to all members of the state network.  Customization and replication of the video was written into the grant budget.  Thank you, Waukesha Interfaith!
• The images on the video make a huge impact, so that is what the focus of the personalized videos will be.  References to Waukesha Interfaith will be removed, and personalized voiceovers will take their place.  Details in the voiceovers will be kept to a minimum so that as details of your program changes, the video will still be relevant.

• Ginny provided the group with ordering forms.  Programs can order VHS or DVD.  It may be possible to order more videos at a later date.

Planning the State Website

• The state website is still under development, so we can make it what we want it to be.
• The plan is to have one area of the website for the public, and another for the network’s use only.
• The group discussed what links we’d like on the website
• FIA National Membership Network
• FIA RWJF NPO Website
• AARP Wisconsin

• The group discussed what resources we’d like for ourselves on the site
• Existing fundraising, marketing ideas
• Grants (Network grants and individual program opportunities)
• Calendar
• Training Opportunities
• RFP Deadlines
• Meetings
• National Training Events
• When Network Reports are Due
• Contact Info for Ginny/Steering Committee
• Changes will be reported to Ginny, who will keep updates straight.

FIA National Membership Network

• Meriah provided an update on the National Membership Network, which is the organization which is preparing to take over networking for FIA program on a national level when the NPO completes it’s work in 2008.  The FIANMN is separate from the NPO but the NPO is aware of and supportive of their work.
• The FIANMN has formally incorporated and has begun accepting charter memberships.  Meriah would like to see Wisconsin show our support for networking at a state and national level by joining the network!  Benefits to programs include continued national level resources, national level partnerships, national level marketing, and facilitate networking between the regions.  Initial benefits will include e-ssistance and participation in the continued formation of the network.  Charter memberships are $100 and last through Mid-2008.
• An anonymous member of the FIANMN steering committee has offered 10 matching grants of $50 each to assist Wisconsin program in joining the FIANMN.  Simply ask Meriah about these grants.  There are still grants available.

Care Management Organizations

• See Ron’s Powerpoint for details about what CMOs are, and what’s happening in WI with CMOs.
• Ron showed a map of where current CMOs are.  (Fond du Lac, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Portage, Richalnd).  They will be more widespread in the future.
• Individuals who have worked with the current CMOs reported
• Mardi feels that Milwaukee has not benefited
• La Crosse gets $375 per ongoing match (2 or 3/month)
• Janet and Kim went to the regional consortium together.  They wrote a joint proposal.  They recommend starting at the county/regional level.
• Janet recommended going to hear the consortium leader at a speaking engagement before setting up an appt. to speak with them about FIA.  Find out what they’re going to be doing and figure out how FIA can help.

2003 Study of FIA Groups

• See Powerpoint for details.
• Of 1091 programs, probably around 80% continue to serve clients.
• Look at the statistics of the programs that survived vs. the programs that closed.  What can you learn about your organization?

The group thanked Ron for his wonderful facilitation!  We have accomplished a great deal at this meeting.

Diane thanked everyone for coming.  (Many thanks to Diane for planning this meeting!)  Diane did door prizes of Lucinda Pins, which have been a very successful fundraiser for her.  The meeting closed with singing a devotion written by Diane.

Let’s keep in touch as we continue to grow and network together!