NAMI Texas Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Conference Call Line: 866-244-8528, passcode 835406#

5 p.m.Board meeting was called to order and quorum (minimum 6) noted.

Present

BOD: Linda Cantu, Cindy Swain, Don Allman (CPA), Ann MacLeod, Pam Cann, Mary Ferree, Bill Matthews, Sherry Cusumano, John Dornheim, Linda Denke; Yvonne Broach,

Staff: Holly Doggett, Greg Hansch, Deborah Rosales-Elkins

Approval of the Agenda: Linda Cantu moved and Sherry Cusumano seconded – approved unanimously

Conflicts of interest noted - none

Review and approval the July 23, 2016 minutes – Bill observed that absent and excused should be noted in minutes (need to look up how many allowed) Bill moved and Sherry seconded minutes be accepted. All voted yes.

5:10 p.m. Executive Director Report – Holly Doggett

Audit and 990 review from Don Allman, CPA, presented a summary of the audit and 990 review, which included a brief statement of financial position for all accounts 123115 - 226075. He reviewed accounts unrestricted, total liability, statement of activities, and noted the largest expense was personnel. He asked for comments or questions – being none, Chair called the question. Bill Matthews moved and Linda Cantu seconded; all voted yes. Bill Matthews noted he will file electronically – 10 copies to Holly.

The executive director continued her report: Travelled to Houston related to Veterans’ issues and NAMI Homefront; Had affiliate conference call; attended CIP conference hosted by Ann MacLeod; met with NAMI Gulf Coast; reviewed and connected them and resource guide to Wichita Falls; attended suicide prevention meeting at Spirit Interrupted and is considering initiating a pilot program of six week intensive training at same time families are taking Homefront Training; Looking at other trainings across the state; Heading to military social work conference next week; Received about 50 survey responses - strong response.

5:25 p.m.Public Policy Director Report – Greg Hansch

Two requested actions:

1. Final approval for public policy platform

Greg summarized the small changes made since the last version, answered questions; Chair called question from committee chair Sherry, Linda Cantu seconded. All voted yes.

2. The public policy director put forth the name of Judge Oscar Cayson as a member of the Public Policy Committee; A discussion of his experience and qualifications ensued. Greg discussed his qualifications with NAMI San Antonio. Assisted Outpatient (AOT) is a topic of interest to Judge Caysun and he would help NAMI with promoting this issue. The BOD expressed no concerns about going forward with inviting the judge to be part of the Public Policy Committee and it was agreed he would be invited to serve. Was this a vote?

The director announced the availability of hiring a social work undergraduate as an intern to help NAMI Texas with advocacy during the upcoming session. The director summarized the remainder of the report including Methodist Healthcare Ministries Policy request that NT apply for the grant for general policy promotion and become facilitator for the Texas Coalition for Healthy Minds (replacing Mental Health America). Note Catherine Liggon with Center for Public Policy.

5:40 p.m.Peer Public Policy Fellow Report – Deborah Rosales-Elkins

Expressed her appreciation for Holly, Greg, and Sherry for supporting her orientation to her position, issues, and legislative processes.

5:45 p.m.Financial Status (Summary) – approve – Bill Matthews

Financial Reports – August and Y-T-D- Treasurer summarized the financial performance, pointed out highlights and items that need to be flagged and addressed, as well as, improvements in the organization’s financial position over last year. The executive director pointed out the significance of the improvement over a year ago was even more pronounced since NAMI Texas was not paying a full time staff last year.
Balance sheet was summarized and discussed. The Chair motioned and Linda Denke seconded; passed with all voting yes.
New bookkeeping service – this was tabled for next meeting.

5:55 p.m.Development/Fundraising – Linda Cantu reported a big jump in Network for Good donations across July August, and September; Reminded all to review numbers in her report and announced that personal support needs to be finalized in the next couple of months. Monica has updated donor list and the new picture post card from the July meeting will now be the thank you note to individual donors. Bill and Ann are helping and Greg created a one-pager for the legislative platform and NAMI infographs available for each BOD’s “ask” folder. Urged BODs to invite people to Red Carpet Awards reception on 10-27. New “ask” card is in the works. Linda Denke asked if BODs should donate through NfG or by check. Either is fine. If you don’t ask you don’t get - you would be surprised who all might be interested in donating.

6:10 p.m.2016 Conference Committee – Linda Cantu, Mary Ferree, Pam Cann

Earlybird registration closes next week and committee is sending out constant contact this week. Registered now are 46 hoping for 200-250. Going strong on red carpet awards celebration and bingo night; approved for Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities scholarships at $7500; invitations should be out next week – will send electronic invitation that we can provided for our affiliates. Each BOD is requested to provide three raffle items such as a wine basket, fall items – notify Pam. Colonel Jeffrey Jarvis, Ph.D social worker and assistant director of medical --- trying to clear his schedule to be presenter Saturday morning. Exhibiters $6000 and sponsorships now at $22500, and $2000 provided for reception.

6:20 p.m. Education -- Cindy Swain[CS1]:

The education committee met twice during July to September. First was to clarify the role and presentation of the education committee focusing on affiliate support and signature programs in the conference. The executive director has been coordinating through Suzanne Robinson at NAMI National to train a cadre of NAMI Homefront teachers in the state. NAMI Austin sponsored a training this month in which the national team trained seven, including the NAMI Texas Education Committee Chair. In addition to scheduling face to face Homefront classes, in a meeting this week with NAMI, I was asked to coordinate with NAMI National to collect potential Central Texas participants into a webinar course and utilize the San Antonio and Austin trainees as facilitators of the online webinar in collaboration with the NAMI National Trainers. I am hoping to talk to Suzanne on Friday. The Killeen training scheduled for October has 20 participants as of now according to Holly’s information.

Thursday 9.15, I met with HHSC to coordinate a plan for this year’s “Speak Your Mind Texas” (SYMT) town hall series focusing on early intervention for youth and young adults. I asked the SYMT team contact the EDs in each affiliate informing them of the schedule and location of any meetings in their areas so that they can recruit and participate. Professional quality materials are available from HHSC for interested groups. So far, six NAMI affiliates have been contacted to participate across Texas. Patti Haynes is back working again and I hope everyone has been able to express their condolences about her husband’s recent death.

Affiliate Outreach and Standards of Excellence – Holly Doggett

Still working on assisting as many affiliates as possible through the standards of Excellence (SOE). NGC affiliate is completed. Chair asked for motion to approve. So moved and seconded with all voting yes.

Elections Committee – Mary Ferree

Newsletter for membership went out during conference call tonight. Expect ballot by email in next two weeks to fill three positions, Regions 6 and 7, and one at-large. Region 9 and a second at-large, and the Consumer Council Representative to the NAMI Texas Board of Directors did not have nominees and will remain vacant.

7:05 p.m. Adjourned

NEXT BOARD MEETING: Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Annual Conference

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