MINUTES. June 23, 2018

Transcription

1 MINUTES NAMI North Carolina Board of Directors Meeting June 23, :00am-3:00pmm Members present: David Smith, Lucy Wilmer, Kent Earnhardt (by phone), Judy Jenkins, Audrey Hart, Alicia Graham, Reid Shalvoy, Dale Mann, Fonda Bryant (by phone), Debra Kindervatter, Johnny Puckett, Felicia McPherson. Members excused: none Members unexcused: none Executive Director: Deby Dihoff, Acting Executive Director NAMI NC provides support, education, advocacy, and public awareness so that all affected by mental illness can build better lives. Members of the public present: Ann and Jerry Akland (NAMI Wake County), Richard Callahan (NAMI Johnston County), Dorothy Smith (NAMI Johnstonn County) WELCOME Deby Dihoff/David Smith: The meeting was called to order at 11:15 a.m. Debra welcomed the board and guests to the old jail whichh now houses a variety of nonprofits, on behalf of NAMI Wilmington, which also providedd our lunch and coffee today. David announced that a quorum was present. Minutes from the April 28, 2018 Board of Directors meeting weree reviewed. Audrey Hart made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 28, 2018 Board off Directors meeting. Felicia McPherson secondedd the motion. The motion passed unanimously. BOARD PRESIDENT S REPORT: David Smith David reported NAMI NC has ten (10) board committeess functioning at present. David reported that ten committees are up and running, and thanked everyone for making this happen. David read aloud anonymous public comment: What exactly does the NAMI NC board do? as well as questionss related to getting our finances back in order and goal setting. David responded to the anonymous question with an extensive stating thatt our annual goals, though not set explicitly, are implied through the considerable work of the committees, as well as information on affiliate payback, etc. Additionally, David respondedd to a question posed by Ann Akland asking whether NAMI NC has responded publically regarding the recent treatment of the children of illegal immigrants. It was stated NAMI National has issued a statement, and thatt

2 statement will be published in NAMI NC s upcoming Tuesday online publication. David initiated a discussion regarding extending Deby s contract (slated to conclude on June 30 th ). David reported that, at this point, we do not have a firm date set for hiring a permanent Executive Director. He stated Deby had been asked to stay through June, and he suggested the board extend the arrangement (with a goal of trying to find a permanent Executive Director by the time of the annual conference on October 12, 2018). It was agreed we should have some overlap in order to ensure thorough training for the new E.D., and to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. David asked for a motion to extend Deby s contract until a new E.D. is hired. Judy Jenkins made a motion we extend Deby s contract until a new E.D. is hired (to include some overlap time ). Felisha seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously. WALK REPORT: Deby Dihoff The Walk report prepared by Meredith was reviewed. There was discussion of the need for a team of CIT officers; also mention was made that there was such a team in Durham. The total teams were 101, up from 96. Participants totaled 1123 (up from 977), and income totaled $144,428 (up from $139,890.00). Expenses ran about $l4,l84.00 Payouts to affiliates will be in August. There was general agreement to have the WALK again in North Hills and to increase affiliate involvement and attract additional sponsors for the event. TREASURE S REPORT: Reid Shalvoy Reid reported that he would give an overarching high level review of NAMI NC s present financials. The organization is substantially more stable, thanks to Deby and Rae. Relating to our May 2018 financials, we are a little under what we projected in income budgeted; yet, we are on relatively stable ground at this point. Reid reported NAMI NC has worked progressively and successfully on limiting fixed expenses as much as is possible for the organization at this point. There was a question about the $21,000. spent on marketing. Reid explained that number reflected the purchase of year end swag materials in order to use our Division monies before end of Fiscal Year (FY17-18). Reid stated he has advised NAMI NC to be highly aggressive in pursuing current receivables. He advised we should receive payment/s within seven (7) days whenever possible. Regarding our investment accounts, Reid believes we remain too heavy in equity (stocks) and that since we are at the end of a cycle, we need to switch to more conservative/stable investments (to include bonds, etc). This action will reduce our income from investments, but it will also guard against potential losses. Reid stated we need to make sure our investment assets match our liabilities. Reid also stated NAMI NC has signed on with Reeves and Associates for the engagement letter. Reid relayed the Silber Fund, which was established to help promote affiliate growth, has increased in value by about $l0,000. The board agreed it would be advantageous to put into effect the mini grants (up to about that amount) in order to largely focus on the needs of affiliates in order to meet re-affiliation goals. The policy needs a slight revision to reflect that increases in the fund value can be used (rather than just limiting it to interest). Affiliate paybacks are in process for monies owed for FY15-16 (next year we will focus on those owed from FY16-17). Also, LME contracts are in the process of being negotiated, with greater flexibility included in order to maximize the earnings. One LME would like the board to consider changing the 50/50 split to reflect more money for affiliates. The executive committee felt that could be a reasonable goal for next year, but that with affiliate paybacks, and a small cutback in our Division contract, we need to move carefully before

3 enacting this change. Judy made a motion to accept the Treasurer s report; Johnnie seconded the motion. The motion which passed unanimously. Budget FY 2019: Discussion ensued around certain budget categories: the conference will be two days rather than one day, and it was expressed we need to focus involving young people within the conference. Judy raised the issue of the need for public policy staffing. There is $75,000 of income over expenses; Deby stated that our needs include public policy, development, and administrative assistant help. She thought development might be our biggest need, but it is really is equal with public policy, as people give money when they feel their causes are being addressed through public policy. The idea is to think about a hire roughly midyear, as the General Assembly short session is just ending. Judy mentioned the idea of getting a highly skilled lobbyist (only while the General Assembly is in session). The allotted $l,500. each (funding for the President s Council, the Peer Leadership Council, and the Veteran s Council) was discontinued, since it really wasn t used this past year until the very end of the year with emergency spending so as not to lose the funds. Discussion was held relating to board committees (now re-organized and meeting regularly). It was stated those committees could likely use these funds wisely in the future. Reid asked for a motion to adopt the current budget. Kent made a motion to adopt the current budget, and Deby seconded the motion. The motion was adopted unanimously. Next, Judy made a motion to re-insert into the budget the $4,500. for the Councils. Audrey seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously. INFORMATION REPORTS: Deby Dihoff Deby reviewed the scholarship awards: 11 people were awarded $600. scholarships to the national convention; and they were well received. Of the recipients, six (6) have lived experience, six (6) are family members, and six (6) are emerging leaders (members of eight (8) affiliates were scholarship recipients). A very well-attended webinar was given, by Jennifer Rothman, on Ending the Silence (May l0th, 21 people in attendance). Several affiliates have already submitted their endorsement forms. The Division grant has been completely rewritten, and the revised grant is clearer than it was previously (especially eliminating duplication around age categories). A Clippings print copy will be published soon, and we ve launched presidential posts. The 2018 NAMI NC annual conference is set to take place on October 12th at the Marriott Greensboro High Point Airport. Three or four Heard in the Halls have also gone out to members. After a brief discussion about NAMI NC s submitting an application for the National Pilot Project (with hopes to see improvements with the Helpline, fund raising letters, and public policy). Dale made a motion we submit an application to the Project; Alicia seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Committee Reports Bylaws: David reported on the changes being recommended by the Bylaws committee (including technical changes relating to grammar, numeration, acronyms, national requirements, and dues). Changes also include a mission statement adopted by the board (not by membership), change in total number of Directors to reflect eighteen (l8) members (including two (2) Council representatives, clarity on election of board members versus council representatives, a six (6) year term limit, and requiring board approval for presidential appointees to the board. The Consumer Council is now nationally recognized (renamed in 2017) as the (self-governed) Peer Leadership Council. Parliamentary authority removes Robert s rules. The Indemnification

4 section has some technical formatting changes, and may need further revision to increase clarity. The Bylaws committee also approved policies required by DHHS (billing for Contracts and/or Grants Policy, Checks Request Draft Policy) and policies recommended by our auditor Mail Policies and Procedures, credit card policies and procedures, and processing payments at fundraising events. Kent made a motion to accept Bylaws committee report. Discussion followed, and Judy recommended we be very clear that the membership of the board be fully prescribed; in particular it should state that the Chair of the Peer Leadership Council and the President s Council (or their designee) should be elected by the respective councils and shall serve as members of the board. Judy seconded the motion with the aforementioned amendment. The motion passed unanimously. Development Fonda gave a brief report on the first meeting. She is interested in pursuing the Durham Bulls and the Hurricanes, and in a broader use of her program: Sanity not Vanity. We are thankful to Dale who crafted our first annual fund letter, with hopefully three (3) more to follow. Education Dale reported on the first meeting. The training schedule has been set for (with some slots as yet undetermined); comments were made that it would be advantageous to have Connections or Peer to Peer in Wilmington. Dale mentioned wanting to expand ETS through the school system. He and Sandy volunteered to attend a school system meeting for NAMI NC (which might be an entry point for more of our programs). A bill passed, with no funding to do MH training throughout the state in schools, and we hope to become involved. Public Policy Judy reported for Public Policy, and she thanked Ann Akland for her exemplary volunteer work. A platform has been developed (see the board packet). Felisha moved we accept the platform; Kent seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously. HB 403 Medicaid transformation integrated care splits clients into mild to moderate (or moderate to severe) groups. Those who are more mild to moderate would get their services through regular health care; the others would get a tailored plan, with the LMEs being responsible for the next four (4) years. There is not currently an adequate assessment tool for determining which group, and there must be care taken to help people navigate from one group to another if circumstances change. There is interest in getting more affiliates involved in NAMI Smarts as well. Military/Vet Council The group has had two meetings and is feeling good about their progress. Audrey brought up a concern about wording in the minutes about pressure that might result in more payment. The Council may amend these minutes using more general language. Re-Affiliation Committee Audrey reported the committee is functioning very well, and they are very pleased with the work Virginia has done on this committee. Re-Affiliation Committee hopes that all affiliates will achieve re-affiliation by the end of the calendar year. Ongoing conference calls are occurring with the national office to give us special attention/to help guide us through the re-affiliation process. Board Recruitment David relayed that we need s9x (6) board members to complete our allotment for eighteen (l8) Directors. Preferably, it would be a contest with twelve (12) people running for those spots. We need more people from our Western affiliates, and we need more expertise in law, PR, and Development. David asked for all board members to be thinking about recruitment. Re-Affiliation Recommendations: Deby recommended that the board approve NAMI Cumberland Harnett Lee and NAMI South Mountains NC as our first two affiliates to achieve

5 re-affiliation. They have been through an extensive review by Vanessa, and by the National office. David raised two concerns: he did not see on the check sheet their strengths and witnesses, and he did not see that they had uploaded data to the national center. Other board members relayed that they had been interviewed, in the fall, about their strengths and areas needing attention. There was a question as to whether this was a matter of substance ( David felt it was). Deby said this could be emphasized in our affiliate leadership event, and recommended we approve them contingent on reflecting the strengths/weaknesses in our approval letter and assurance that they are completing the download. Alicia made a motion to approve NAMI Cumberland Harnett Lee and NAMI South Mountains NC as our first two affiliates to achieve re-affiliation. Felicia seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously Items for Next Meeting/s: David Smith David announced that there will not be a board meeting in July. David asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dale Mann made a motion to adjourn the meeting, and Fonda Bryant seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 3:15pm. Respectfully submitted, Lucy Wilmer, M.A. NAMI NC Board Secretary The next Board meeting will be held on: August 25, 2018.

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