FSFAPA General Membership Meeting
April 14 2015-1:30 pm
Tallahassee, Fla
Submitted for approval by FSFAPA RVP Kara Elliott-Jordan
Meeting started by 1:32
Following were in attendance: Harriet Wynn (President), Chris Johnson (Exec VP), Kara Elliott-Jordan (RVP), Keith Best (VP), Lillie Blackshear (RVP), Dorothy Alvarez (RVP), Trish Allen (Adoptions), Wendy Vernon (Advocacy), Coleen LaCosta (FAST Coordinator, Kinship), Harry Dubia (Membership), Gay Frizzel (QPI Advisor), Maria Bond (Treasurer), and Laurallyn Segur (CBC Advisor)
Not in Attendance: Orlando Avila (Director of Programs), Charles Parker (Secretary), Lynda Thompson (Parliamentarian/Bylaws/Conference Chair),), Carrie Toy (DCF Advisor), Amanda Williams (Nex Gen/IL), Victoria Herrin (Band Manager), Trudy Petkovich (Executive Director), David Brown (Legislative Advisor), Kristi Putnam (DCF Advisor), Thomas Croom (RVP), and Melanie Stimmell (RVP)
I. Roll Call of Board members completed
II. Minutes from February general meeting accepted
a. Motion by Colleen LaCosta, seconded by Dorothy Alvarez
III. President’s Message
a. Harriet announced Thomas Croom as the new North Central RVP
b. Gave an update on the new DCF/FSFAPA initiative to recruit foster parents for teens
c. Introduced board members in attendance
IV. Old Business
a. Upcoming Events
i. 2015 Duffels for Kids Walk is May 16 in Port Orange, FL. Encouraged everyone to participate or donate and to share with their networks. Can register as a virtual walker online.
ii. Annual Education Conference is June 19-21 at the Orlando Hilton. CBCs have been given scholarships for their area. FSFAPA has scholarships available for adoptive parents or kinship caregivers who are no longer licensed foster parents. See floridafapa.org/events for details.
b. Change of Quarterly Meeting Schedule for 2016
i. There will not be a general membership during Children’s Week in 2016
ii. Still in need of a host site for the Fall Mini Conference in October 2015. Let FSFAPA board know if you’re local association and/or CBC would be interested in hosting
c. Suncoast RVP position open
i. Executive VP Chris Johnson has a potential candidate and will update as able
V. NEW BUSINESS
a. Membership
i. Drop in membership from 2014 to 2015 because members did not renew during new year. Renew online at floridafapa.org
b. Fast/Kinship
i. Currently more calls from the West Coast than other areas
ii. Helpful resources for kinship caregivers on webpage. Floridafapa.org/programs/kinship-care
c. Adoptions
i. Florida’s Adoption Information Center is hosting an Adoption Conference May 21-23 at the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort. Saturday portion of the conference is FREE for adoptive parents. Limited childcare is available. See details at floridafapa.org/event/floridas-adoption-information-center-adoption-conference
d. Advisor Reports
i. QPI
1. Reiterated recruitment of homes for teens in foster care
Meeting Adjourned at 1:47
