Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
November 2, 2022
- Welcome: Fifteen members and guests representing twelve agencies attended. Billie Jo shared that there is a vacancy on the Board of Directors; any member is qualified to volunteer to serve a two-year term. She also thanked Patty Simpson for chairing the October meeting.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Lisa Robertson, CHC COPE: Lisa distributed a rough draft of a “Release of Information” seeking feedback from members. The form is to help with communication between agencies when assisting those in need.
- Renee Ludeman, CHC SEK: She is working under a grant from KU to promote emotional and behavioral health in students; she will be working in all four USD 234 schools beginning November 9.
- Star McClellan, Parents as Teachers: Star reminded members that she can work with parents in all of Bourbon County, not just USD 234 parents.
- Michelle Stevenson, FSPSC: Her caseload is full for now. She also shared that the Preschool Trunk or Treat event had been quite successful. She did note, however, that they would probably move the event away from a Friday evening next year.
- Ashley Reeder, SEK Mental Health: Ashley reminded members that they have been present in the school buildings for the past three years. She is able to help with any student having difficulty, not just those on case management.
- Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority: Patty noted that all 190 units are full at the present time with waiting lists for all size units. Even though all apartments are full, she will continue to take applications.
- David Gillen, Beacon: 2023 Sign-up is now going on during regular business hours at The Beacon; they are also taking applications for “Adopt a Family” and the Elks baskets. In October, the Beacon assisted 291 families which included 689 children, and eleven new families were enrolled.
- Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries and Salvation Army: The Compassionate Ministries has received a grant from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation to fund space heaters for needy families. The organization is also working with KU to provide durable health equipment and they can assist clients with obtaining birth certificates and identification documents. Office hours for Compassionate Ministries are 10:00am – 2:00pm, Mondays through Thursdays. The Salvation Army red bucket bell ringing will begin on November 19 and run through December 24. The red bucket campaign will be located at Walmart. Allen reminded members that all monies raised in Bourbon County will stay in Bourbon County to assist those in need. He can use many more volunteer bell ringers.
- Elizabeth Schafer, CASA and Pioneer Kiwanis: These organizations are always in need of more volunteers.
- Program: Barb McCord and Janet Irvin: Fort Scott Garden Club
Barb and Janet gave a brief history of the garden club, reviewed the various ongoing and new projects they have around Fort Scott to help beautify the city, and encouraged members to participate both in the club and the new “Pocket Gardens” project.
The December program will be presented by Ronda Hassig from the Lowell Milken Center.
- Open Forum:
Nothing further came before the group.
- Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be December 7, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.