May 14, 2009
Harvesting Capabilities Board Meeting
The meeting was opened with prayer by Mike.
Attendees: Jeff Morehead, Mike Hines, Ashley Kersh-Fletcher, Nick Kerch, Lori Holderman, Karen Rice
Treasurer’s Report: Current balance is $2936.87
1. The bake sale on May 9th made $403.13. Thanks to everyone who helped with this.
2. Karen Rice is interested in being a new board member. There were not enough board members present for a quorum (more than 50%) so we were not able to vote on this. She was given a booklet on Board Leadership and we will vote at the next meeting.
3. Mike and Jeff presented the new name of H.C. Harvesting Capabilities. They have already spoken to Alan and Hershel and both like the new name. Mike made a motion that we accept the new name and Jeff seconded. Ashley will pursue the new logo and Hershel will get the new name registered ($90 fee).
4. 4-H Fair and Chili Cook-off: Alan wasn’t present to discuss either of these events, but Ashley said that he had approached her to put all of the important information in one tri-fold brochure.
5. Leadership Ventures: The Leadership Ventures Board Leadership booklet was passed out to members. Please look it over and highlight areas where we might need to make changes or policies that we might like to adopt. Also, look over the ‘Board Responsibilities’ section and try to think of new people for the board.
6. Hershel said there is a building out at the base that we could use to store equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, etc. at no cost to H.C. We need to talk to Bruce Embrey about legal issues regarding loaning equipment out and giving people equipment. We don’t want to be held responsible if a piece of equipment were to break and someone get hurt. We also need to keep detailed records of giving so we can use this for grant writing purposes to show how effective H.C. is in the community.
7. The League for the Blind and Disabled has approached H.C. about the possibility of being a satellite office. Mike will discuss this opportunity with them, but our main concern would be losing our identity. Is it an option to tap into their resources without joining them?
8. Guest Speaker: Juanita Deleon
Mike introduced Juanita, whom is currently employed with the League for the Blind & Disabled of Fort Wayne to the board members. Juanita Deleon attended the board meeting to explain HC providing in home health care services to those within the community whom have a disability and needed various types of attendant services which would be provided by unskilled local providers. She then explained in greater detail how Miami County currently does not have this service and it was a needed service. This was discussed by the board members briefly and all agreed. The areas to be covered (such as Miami, Fulton, Cass, etc.) were also briefly covered. Juanita also explained in detail that HC would be in the position to offer services within the county that Area Five was unable to provide to residents due to the significant number on waiting lists coupled with lack of providers.
Juanita said that there was a significant amount of documentation that would need to be acquired and also turned into the State of Indiana. Juanita offered her services and legal documentation that the League currently utilizes to HC. She also advised Mike & Jeff at this time that a new logo for HC would need to be completed/approved and file w/the State as this would be required by the State as well. Jeff mentioned that the one currently in use had never been filed so this wouldn’t be a problem.
Ashley stated she would talk to Rodney Noland of R.J. Noland & Associations regarding designing a new logo for the group which would then need to be reviewed and approved by the next board meeting on June 3, 2009.
HC would need to supply all applications for in home health care services, however Juanita would assist with setting all of this up.
The appropriate amount of limited liability insurance will be verified with the insurance company. Jeff and/or Mike will check on this. Also, HC must be properly incorporated.
Juanita was asked by Mike & Jeff what she needed to be able to provide all of this to the group and she stated she would need a laptop. A necessary documentation and materials would be incorporated onto the laptop, including appropriate software, etc. and would remain the property of HC. Juanita would only be temporarily using the laptop and at completion of setup would be promptly returned. The board members all agreed that the cost involved in obtaining a laptop was well worth it due to Juanita providing setup, etc. at no cost. Mike explained to Juanita that this would need to be approved by the board and a decision would be returned to her hopefully within a week’s time, as Juanita stated that due to the amount of time needed to get HC up and running would take at least six months and the quicker she began the quicker HC could begin offering this service.
A grant would need to be applied for and Mike stated that Nancy Griffin had agreed to assist HC in this endeavor.
Prior to ending the meeting, Juanita emphasized that with her experience she wholly believes that HC should seriously consider and act upon providing this valuable service to the county. It is an underserved county and HC would indeed make a profit and help to further HC’s reach to the disability community.
Next Meeting: June 3, 6:00, St. John’s Church
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