Meeting Minutes
VOH Minutes, Wednesday, February 6, 2008, 7:30 am,
Dizzy D's Thrift Shop, 101 Central Ave, Ridgely
(Many thanks to Doris and Deloris for hosting our meeting.
What a great space, with a great Spirit presence!)
In attendance:
Bernie Vervin, Jim Bradley, Billy & Deloris Reep, Marie Perkins, Evelyn Sedlack, Julie Lowe, Jean Peterson, John Hobson, Sue Saathoff, Doris Sheets
Bernie opened with a prayer and let us know that the by-laws are still in the revision process, and once that is completed, we should be close to becoming a 501c3 corporation.
He mentioned the VOH website; that it has been well received and Bernie has gotten many calls because of it. He turned the floor over to Julie Lowe who is assisting Bernie with editing and adding information to the website. She reported that the list of facilities providing assistance has been updated, that she posted the Star Democrat article regarding the town of Federalsburg turning Bernie down for a cold-weather shelter in the community center, etc.
Bernie listed several activities in progress at present:
1) Point-in-Time Survey of Homeless in the area was held on Jan. 29, 2008. There were 13 more homeless people reported by VOH in Caroline County. It will take a little time to gather all the data from all participating counties. Evelyn Sedlack, Talbot County Ambassador, reported there is to be a meeting for her people involved in the Survey on Friday, Feb. 8.
2) Although Bernie's proposal for Federalsburg was voted down by the Town Commissioners, the Federalsburg Ministerial Association has picked up the cold weather shelter, located at the Park Lane Church of God. The coordinator is Sue Dunn, and there are currently 32 volunteers. Bernie passed around an information booklet which included copies of the shelter's intake form, volunteer application and data base, etc. Bernie mentioned that although it hasn't really been cold since its inception, he did open it for an 18 yr-old man to reduce the chances of him becoming 'at risk', but he declined to use it.
3) Sue Saathoff hosts an 'immediate need' food pantry and clothes closet in 'The Basement'. Available items include blankets, shoes, hats, gloves, a few coats, as well as food. She takes referrals from Case Managers, etc, and can provide assistance in short order.
Marie Perkins reported there is a clothes closet at the Ridgely-Marydel Charge in Greensboro, and that she could be contacted, or Rev. Watson, at the church.
John Hobson mentioned there is a food pantry and clothes closet next door to Dizzy D's in the Ridgely United Methodist Church. It is open from 4-5 pm on Thursdays.
Legislation:
--Bernie discussed House Bill 109 which, if passed, would give agencies time to review things like budget cuts before they occur, so appropriate actions can be taken. Bernie has personally emailed all area legislators to instill the importance of passing the Bill.
--Bernie reported the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is coming up for review next week. This program provides monthly assistance for qualified individuals and families for rent to keep them from becoming evicted. Bernie noted that it is much less expensive to prevent eviction than to try to get them back into a house after it occurs. Evidently, though, the RAP has been sitting on $30,000 that was not becoming available. Bernie tried to become its administrator, but St. Martin's Barn is managing it now. Bernie helped with eviction prevention last year to the tune of $2000.
Bernie suggested some ideas for fund-raising activities, once we are a 501c3 and are allowed to do them:
Outdoor concert with a local Christian group
Fashion show with the local fashion school in Denton
Billy Reep reminded us that the Strawberry Festival is coming up in May, and that, along with the VOH walk, we could possibly do some other fund-raising activities.
The Summerfest in Denton was also mentioned, as was Kent Island Days and Tilghman Day.
It was suggested that we will need a coordinator for these projects and any ideas could be sent to Bernie or Julie via the website email.
We closed close to 8:30 am--and Bernie was off to court to be an advocate, another service provided by VOH.
Next meeting will be at Dizzy D's Thrift Shop in Ridgely on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 7:30am
Next meeting is Wed. April 9, 2008
7:30 am - Ridgely