2014-04-28 BOD Minutes

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MONTHLY CONFERENCE CALL MINUTES   Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association Inc. Meeting date: _4/28/2014 Call to order: The Board of Directors of FSFAPA monthly conference call was held on April 28, 2014. The meeting convened at _8:30_pm EST, President Trudy Petkovich presiding, and Curtis Byrd, Secretary. Members in attendance: Trudy Petkovich, Curtis Byrd, Harriett Wynn, Lillie Blackshear, Trish Allen, Keith Best, Dorothy Alvarez, Maria Bond, Coleen LaCosta, Chris Johnson, Orlando Avila, Wendy Vernon, Charles Parker, Trudie Poole, Harry Dubia, Lynda Thompson, Kara Jordon, and Kim Hernandez. Members absent:Victoria Herrin (excused) Advisors in Attendance: Gay Frizzell Approval of Minutes: Harriett Wynn made a motion to approve the minutes of_3/14-15, 2014_ with corrections, seconded Motion Carried Treasurer’s Report – This report was postponed till later in the call. Duffels for Kids Walk – LaShaun Wallace (8:45 pm) Walk on May 17, 2014 LaShaun wants to know who will be in attendance so that she will be able to assign duties. Trudy told her that due to the low attendance it was decide only the members in the local area will be attending from the Board. There are only 10 registered walkers. Wants everyone to promote the walk we need walkers. The young Marines are volunteering again this year. There will a DJ and a fitness routine. Only one exhibitors table, all exhibitors from last year has been contacted. Sponsors from last year have been contacted and very few have responded. Maria volunteered to take the list of sponsors and exhibitors and with the help of the Board make additional calls. LaShaun will provide that list this week. Website sponsorships and virtual walkers are also down. Update on Policy & Procedure Manual – Lynda Thompson Draft due to board by 4/30/14 No one had any other input. Lynda will have this out to the board ASAP. Gerald Waters – Orlando Avila – Sent the FSFAPA Board response UPS and it was returned. Orlando is now sending it USPS. Coleen suggests sending it email receipt requested. Orlando will follow thru on 4/29/14. NFPA/FSFAPA CONFERENCE– Trudie Poole, Lynda Thompson Nothing is to be paid until NFPA comes forward with better communication. Trudy Petkovich asks that everyone on the board try to collect items for the bags, and to please let Trudie Poole know what they have collected. Attendee & Child Care registration – Trudy Petkovich May 9, 2014 is the last day anyone can reserve a room at the conference rate. Trudy Petkovich is asking for items for silent auctions. As of this date there are 203 adults registered from Florida. Child care like always is filling up very quickly. Awards – Curtis Byrd There have been several complaints that the links were not working. Curtis Byrd will check the constant contact links. Nominations committee – President, Treasurer, North Central RVP, and Northwest RVP. Curtis Byrd/Orlando Avila will talk tomorrow and start promoting. RVP Reports – There was no issues reported at this time. Program Director Reports Wendy Vernon gave a report on Tallahassee; the band was wonderful. It was discussed that perhaps the band should do more songs. Her only complaint was communication. All the responses from board members were positive.   Calendar Duffels Walk May 17, 2014 (Miami) Daniel Memorial Foster & Adoption Conference (Daytona) May 28 – 31, 2014 NFPA/FSFAPA June 5-8, 2014 (Orlando) NACAC July 23-26, 2014   Adjournment Harriett Wynn made motion to adjourn it was seconded meeting ended 9:55 pm EST   Curtis Byrd Secretary Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association Inc.

2014-03-14 BOD Minutes

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES  Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association Inc.  Meeting date: 03/14/2014 Call to order: The Board of Directors of FSFAPA monthly meeting was held in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on March 14, 2014. The meeting convened at _8:00_pm EST, President Trudy Petkovich presiding, and Curtis Byrd, Secretary. This meeting will be continued on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 6 pm. Members in attendance: Trudy Petkovich, Curtis Byrd, Harriett Wynn, Lillie Blackshear, Trish Allen, Keith Best, Dorothy Alvarez, Maria Bond, Coleen LaCosta, Chris Johnson, Orlando Avila, Wendy Vernon, Charles Parker, Trudie Poole, Harry Dubia, Lynda Thompson, and Victoria Herrin. Members absent: Kim Hernandez (excused) Advisors in Attendance: David Brown, Gay Frizzell Visitor: none Approval of Minutes: There were no minutes to approve. The last meeting consisted of discussing Bylaw changes. These changes were recorded in the Bylaws draft. Trudy Petkovich discussed the Drivers license bill that is being supported by the GAL. There was no discussion on the bill as no one had read it. Harriett Wynn made a motion to table this discussion until everyone was prepared. It was seconded. Motion Carried  Keith Best discussed tomorrow’s Mini Conference at CalvaryChurch. The speakers are in place, there is no breakfast and the church is providing lunch. The registration numbers are good, the child care is over capacity. Harriett will be working with the teens after 1 pm. Everyone needs to be there early for set up and registration. The church is only 5 minutes away. Maria Bond discussed the financial status of FSFAPA year ending 2013. At this time we have $97,000 surplus after expenses are paid. This amount has accumulated due to cuts in items like the telephone and redistributing funds. The profit from Duffels Walk was $31,000. Maria has the breakdown of the income and expenses. All funds have been depleted on Duffels and the shipping. No Duffels can be order until the funds come in for the Walk. Distribution of Duffels was discussed. Dorothy and Lillie are having trouble getting their families to come and pick up their requested Duffels. It was decided that those not picked up be redistributed to those with new requests. It was decided that we do not need the entire board at the Duffels Walk. The will be no lunch this year and the price structure is lower. LaShaun has volunteers to help with the Walk so the local board should be enough to support the Walk. Harriet is going to work with LaShaun so we get all the details of the Walk. At this time we do not have details concerning the event that we need to put it on without LaShaun Wallace. Maria Bond reported that there has been no activity with the Grant Writer or committee. FSFAPA now owns a trailer that Maria purchased and will be looking into the insurance and tags. Maria voice a desire to purchase a Skin wrap for the trailer. Orlando Avila made a motion to go ahead and purchase the Skin Wrap and properly secure the trailer. Motion Seconded, Motion Carried  Lynda Thompson reported on Policy & Procedure Manual, she will have a draft for the Board to review by April 30, 2014. Orlando Avila reported on the letter from Gerald Waters objecting to the election procedure for June, 2013 and the election of Harriett Wynn. He cited that she had not preformed the duties of her office as Executive Vice President and therefore was not eligible to run. Orlando researched the Bylaws from 2010 that were active at the time of the election and found that there was no foundation for the objection. The sitting FSFAPA Board if Directors considers this matter resolved. Christopher Johnson moved that Orlando Avila draft a letter reflecting the Board’s decision be mailed to Mr. Gerald Waters. Seconded Motion Carried. June Conference update Lynda Thompson reported that everything was on track. Trudie Poole conference co-chair asks the Board to come up with donations for the conference bags. Lynda Thompson asks if anyone had good ideas to entertain the Tweens. Coleen LaCosta is going to email her several suggestions. Trudy Petkovich reminded everyone that all Florida attendees must register for their training and send to Trudy, no one is to register online. Board Members were asks to have their registrations to Curtis Byrd or herself by Friday. Trudy Petkovich also announced that childcare will be online this year. We are using Super Sitters again this year. Harriett Wynn asks that everyone take the forms for the Duffels request and have them filled out and returned. There was a discussion of FSFAPA setting aside seed money for the Duffels program and any future programs. This was tabled for the next meeting she we get more information from LaShaun about the Walk. Trudy Petkovich discussed the vacancies in the RVP positions and possible re-zoning of some areas. Open regions are north central and northwest. Kara Jordan is up for Northwest region. Wendy Vernon, David Brown, and Victoria Herrin discussed Awareness Day in Tallahassee; the FSFAPA band will perform Tuesday in front of old Capital building. There will be an evening out for Foster Parents, childcare will be provided. David provided us with discussion on the upcoming bills. He also provided us with some written information on the specific bills. Curtis Byrd thanked everyone for what inventory items that had been sent in. He also explains that a “FEW” is not a number. Please be specific. Maria Bond presented a proposal to the Board that we start thinking about combining our part time paid position and put some money with that position and create a new position much like an “Executive Director”. She went on to explain that a grant could be written to cover this position under Non Profit operations. Orlando moved that we move forward with this proposal and start writing the title, job description, Salary, and responsibilities of this position. It was seconded and a date was set of May 19, 2014 to have this ready

2014-01-27 BOD Minutes

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association Inc. Meeting date: 01/27/2014 Call to order: The Board of Directors of FSFAPA monthly conference call was held by phone on January 27, 2014. The meeting convened at _8:33_pm EST, Executive Vice President Harriett Wynn presiding, and Curtis Byrd, Secretary. Members in attendance: Trudy Petkovich, Curtis Byrd, Harriett Wynn, Lillie Blackshear, Kim Hernandez, Keith Best, Dorothy Alvarez, Maria Bond, Coleen LaCosta, Chris Johnson, Orlando Avila, Wendy Vernon, Charles Parker, Harry Dubia, Lynda Thompson, and Victoria Herrin. Harriett Wynn opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and informing them that Trudy Petkovich will be getting on the call later. Members absent: Trish Allen (unexcused), Trudie Poole (unexcused) Advisor in Attendance: David Brown, Gay Frizzell Visitor: LaShaun Wallace Approval on Minutes: Harriett made a motion to accept November 25, 2013 minutes with modification and or corrections. It was seconded. Motion Carried June Conference update Lynda Thompson reported that she was working with Daycare and conference menus. Scheduling is coming along; Speakers have been selected with great thanks to Coleen LaCosta who has been handling issues with speakers as they arise. Coleen proposed a question of why NFPA had lost a vast majority of the speakers’ form that had been submitted. Trudy Petkovich reminded everyone that all Florida attendees must register for Hotel, classes, and if they are attending the luncheon through her. She also stated that there will be scholarships and she will notifying the CBC’s of the number available soon. Registration will be due earlier than in the past years to accommodate having to communicate with NFPA. It was decided that the FSFAPA June Quarterly Meeting will be between 8 – 9 pm on Saturday. LaShaun Wallace explained that the person that these form where going to had been promoted and the task of speakers’ selection had been given to someone else. She went on to explain that communication is vital when dealing with problems between NFPA and FSFAPA. LaShaun Wallace then inquired about the status of registration form for the conference; Lynda Thompson stated that Trudy Petkovich was working on them. LaShaun stated that they would be going live online soon. Curtis Byrd reminded everyone that Trudy Petkovich had requested that all board members present at FCC to submit at statement that could be sent out to members to spread what was offered as far as training. Coleen LaCosta had been the only to submit something. Lynda Thompson updated everyone on the Bylaws rewrites; she plans to have them out to Curtis Byrd by this weekend so that they can be sent out to the Board for review. Voting on these rewrites will be on the February 17, 2014 phone conference. This is very important so please plan according so that everyone can be on this call. Once the Board approves them copies will made and handed out at the March Mini Conference in Ft. Lauderdale. These new rewrites will be voted on in April in Tallahassee and ratified. 650 Pajamas where collected during Christmas, LaShaun will be delivering them to Trudy Petkovich before the March meeting. She will also transport vanity plates and other misc. items. Keith Best discussed the upcoming Mini Conference in Ft. Lauderdale. Keith has a flyer ready to be sent out once it is approved. Trudy Petkovich will be making room reservations on 1/28/2014. Trudy Petkovich discussed the possibility of setting aside 6 scholarships (3 Kinship and 3 Adoption) after discussion a motion was made by Harriett Wynn to set aside these 6 scholarships. It was seconded. Motion Carried Lillie Blackshear posed a question to LaShaun Wallace on what to do with Duffels that are picked up by the parents. LaShaun stated that she would have to rethink this issue and come up with a new plan. She also is to place a new order for Duffels and has ask Marie Bond to provide her with the current price breakdown. Charles Parker apologized to everyone for his late start of taking over the website he is finally is getting a hand on it. He also stated that QPI wants to spotlight FSFAPA, he will send out further information on this once he has it. David Brown informed everyone that Children’s Week is coming together well. Victoria Herrin reported that the band in practicing and will soon have all the slots in the band filled. She also ask if anyone on the Board has a child interested in being in the band to please let her know. She also has been contacted by the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 pm Est. Curtis Byrd Secretary Date of approval Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association Inc.

2013-11-25 BOD Minutes

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association Inc. Meeting date: 11/25/2013 Call to order: The Board of Directors of FSFAPA monthly conference call was held by phone on November 25, 2013. The meeting convened at _8:30_pm EST, President Trudy Petkovich presiding, and Curtis Byrd, Secretary. Members in attendance: Trudy Petkovich, Curtis Byrd, Harriett Wynn, Lillie Blackshear, Kim Hernandez, Jonah Dorman, Dorothy Alvarez, Maria Bond, Coleen LaCosta, Trudie Poole, Karen Condry, Chris Johnson, Kara Jordon, Wendy Vernon, Charles Parker, Harry Dubia, and Trish Allen. Trudy Petkovich opened the meeting by welcoming everyone. Members absent: Lynda Thompson (excused), Calvin Burton (excused), LaShaun Wallace (excused), Victoria Herin (unexcused), Keith Best (unexcused) Advisor in Attendance: David Brown, Gay Frizzell Approval on Minutes: Harriett made a motion to accept October minutes with modification. It was seconded. Motion Carried LaShaun Wallace reported that Harry Dubia had been added to all email lists and to the Google account. The next order for Duffels for kids will be in January 2014. Trudy Petkovich then discusses the upcoming FCC meeting in Tallahassee and asks who will be attending. She then discussed Children’s week in April the Chain of Love will be displayed and visits with Congress will be on Wednesday. Trudy Petkovich talked about the upcoming Mini Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, at this time a date has not been nailed down. Trudy then brought up that the Hilton in Orlando has expressed an interest in hosting our 2015 Educational Conference again. A motion was made that we proceed with talks with them for these conference. It was seconded. Motion Carried NFPA midyear meeting was attended by LaShaun Wallace and Harriett Wynn. Harriett reported that the major concern was Child Care. She went on to explain that all of this had been resolved. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm Est. Curtis Byrd Secretary Date of approval Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association Inc.

2013-10-19 BOD Minutes

FSFAPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES Mini Conference Port Richey October 19, 2013 Present: Trudy Petkovich, Harriett Wynn, LaShaun Wallace, Lillie Blackshear, David Brown, Dorothy Alvarez’, Victoria Herrin, Calvin Burton, Lynda Thompson, Kara Elliott-Jordan, Karen Condry, Chris Johnson, Trish Allen, Jonah Dorman, Kim Hernandez, and Trudie Poole. Excused: Curtis Byrd, Maria Bond, Coleen LaCosta The Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by the president Trudy Petkovich who asked if anyone needed a certificate for the day and the forms were passed accordingly. Trudy asked visitors to introduce themselves: Cindy Strickland, TLC President in Circuit 10, Lori Dobia, Polk – Highland Vice President, Keith Best, Southwest Region, Mary Burton, adoptive parent and wife of Calvin Burton and Gina Marie Darbouze, adoptive parent. The Election: Trudy also announced that the folk who helped with the ballots were William Presswood and Keith Best. She also asked if there were any questions about the elections or ballots and will hold onto the ballots and the tally. Reports – Regional Vice Presidents: Harriett Wynn – having RVP meetings, working good no calls about situations – they are taking care of things. Calvin Burton – everything thing is OK – most associations in the south are doing good, Shemele’s association is growing and working with teens in karate, going to plays and other community activities. Broward association is grown and there is a new executive at ChildNet not sure of their name – but there is a meeting on the last Tuesday, October 27, 2013 and I will be attending. It was noted that the new director is someone who use to work for DCFS. Karen Condry – everything is good. Will attend One Church One Child Conference and would be happy to have any talking points – will be speaking at the conference on FSFAPA behalf. Trudy asked everyone to get talking points information to Karen and she will be taking information for the exhibit table as well. Kara Elliott-Jordan – ELC issues are not unique, things are being resolved and Coleen is helping to make sure things get done appropriately. Getting help from Tallahassee as well. The duffle bags are in. Lillie Blackshear – everything is quiet except a lot of training, there are three in November along with QPI. I have ten new members – paid memberships! Jonah Dorman – everything is good, Eckerd’s is taking over Hillsborough County, SCC is recovering from budget issues and the foster liaisons were affected by budget cuts and are recovering from that. Coordinated details for FSFAPA Fall Mini Conference. Chris Johnson – connected with new association, Kid Central in Circuit 5. Thanked the board for their support in sending he and wife to DC to received their____________award. Enjoyed the opportunity to make new friends. Connected with PA rep? ______________who is also a foster/adoptive parent, good contact. Dorothy Alvarez’ –  childcare in Port St. Lucie have adjusted to what needs to be done. Palm Beach did the walk, everything went well and Ft. Myers is doing Princess Day soon and doing their walk today (10/19/13). Working on improving communication. Trudy commented that it sounds like things around the state are going well. Victoria Took on a huge roll – independent living and was asked to give an update. Victoria Herrin – reports working with different CBC’s and that KCI have been wonderful extending invitations to meetings, committees, etc. She found that no one has a roll out plans for IL and no law will be written until there is some type of evidence. It would be great to form committees/ networks to gather information and have help to input names of people interested in Independent Living – very capable on phone contact. My thoughts are on music and “IL” wanting to help kids speak with the guitar and other musical instruments. I have reached out to a group for sponsorship and support in giving music lessons; I’ve sent two letters for support and looking for youth to be part of a band: have a guitarist, female vocalist, need a drummer, flute player, etc. Band members don’t have to be in Ocala can be from other areas and they can be instructed from the Guitar Center in their area for music lessons.  Professional musicians will work with the kids’ band and make sure they know three songs before going to Tallahassee – the band will help build excitement for Kids Week.   Victoria announced that she drafted a letter to John Travolta, he’s a member of Planet Fitness and he has agreed to travel to Tallahassee to introduce the band. Chris Johnson mentioned that he may have a drummer for the band. Kim Hernandez – Trudy announced that Kim will be moving to Regional Vice President for the Southeast Coast, and that Charles Parker will be appointed to take over the Public Relations position. The website will be placed under public relations and Charles will connect with Victoria. Lynda Thompson – registration for the 2014 NFPA / FSFAPA Annual Education Conference will be handled through Trudy as there will be scholarships involved. The board was asked to help promote the conference. Will provide information about sponsorships, childcare, Teens, and youth program. If DCFS comes through for sponsorships dollars more support will be available to other areas of need. There is a breakdown of cost in the report, Tweens limited to 150, NEX GEN limited to 50 and child care of youth 0 – 9 limited to 200. Childcare will again be provided by Super Sitters who are changing radio in order to have extra sitters for kids and will assign parent/child attendee to sitter so they can get to know each other. The only problem is that there is no outside activity area. Trudie Poole – the activities in kinship care include making contacts and connecting with providers to build a data base to form a state-wide navigator kinship care program of existing services and resources that can be developed and replicated to other