December 2007 Partner Meeting

YES Meetings

Y.E.S. PROJECT
MINUTES OF MEETING
JANUARY 29, 2008

Welcome and introduction of guests.

Pam Moore spoke about the Vista program and passed out brochures. Janice Randall explained that there is a lot of reporting and stipulations to comply with if you have a B&G of America Club.

Pam Moore told the Christian Children’s Fund partners that the Southern Plains Area Manager had requested a copy of their needs assessments. The only part that CCF is interested in is the recommendations of programs. CCF would like to have the numbers, ages, races and any program recommendations. Pam told the group that the YES Project will not release any information without their written approval and that it is up to the individual Partners to self-report.

Report on Washington D.C. Y.E.S. conference: the Compassion Capital Fund, Communities Empowering Youth (CEY) will not be granting any new awards, all monies have been obligated. The ABT Associates evaluation group will be conducting an evaluation of 50 organizations. At this time, CEY does not know who will be selected for the evaluation process; it will be a random draw. If the Y.E.S. Project is selected, we ask that the Partners cooperate fully with the evaluation.

Pam Moore asked the partners when they wanted to have the annual conference, and the month of July was agreed upon. Are meeting times still working and convenient for everyone? Would the group like to rotate meeting locations – is anyone interested in hosting a meeting? Mike Kaiser will be returning to Tahlequah – there are lots of mini grants for youth to develop leadership.

Information on a grant “Assets for Independence” was passed out. Pam suggested that it would be good to apply for as a group. Janice Randall said she is confident about their financial leadership and could take the lead on that part. There is a series of webinars coming up about this grant if anyone is interested.

Another grant available is the OVW Safe Haven, working with local law enforcement for exchange of kids going through a domestic violence divorce. Other handouts with lots of mini grant information were given out.

The Cherokee Nation handout is a $300 grant that can be applied to kids’ hobbies, camps, rodeo, anything they are interested in. Requirements are that applicants must be low income and have a CDIB card.

Pam Moore spoke on the value of volunteers. She said volunteers are very expensive in the beginning. Someone needs to be responsible for volunteer orientation and job duties. Volunteers must be treated like paid staff. If you make your staff feel valuable, you need to make volunteers feel valuable also.

Carol Young, NIWHRC, presented a teen mentoring program, Passing on Traditions. Training notebooks were handed out, and some of the points presented were:
•How to target Native American programs
•Take the time to train volunteers (this is very important)
•Have volunteers sign a contract of commitment.
•Most programs don’t touch on ethnicity and heritage. Mentors need to acknowledge the ethnicity – it is needed for self-worth and self-esteem. Knowing where you come from increases your worth unbelievably.
•Mentors need a plan and guide to get started and stay on track.

After lunch we watched a Native American educational movie on AIDS and HIV prevention.

The Y.E.S. Project can offer board retreat training or assist in planning a board retreat.

Pam Moore spoke about developing an “elevator speech” wherein you can describe your organization and its mission within a minute. Pam spoke on the importance of every organization having an elevator speech in their pocket, should an opportunity arise.

Consent agendas were discussed.

A reminder of using the Y.E.S. website for resources (www.yesproject.org) was given.

Meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.



YES Meetings December 2006 Meeting February 2007 Meeting Building a Safer Future Post Award Conference, July 2007 November 2007 Meeting December 2007 Meeting January 2008 Meeting Y.E.S. PROJECT MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 29, 2008 Welcome and introduction of guests. Pam Moore spoke about the Vista program and passed out brochures. Janice Randall explained that there is a lot of reporting and stipulations to comply with if you have a B&G of America Club. Pam Moore told the Christian Children’s Fund partners that the Southern Plains Area Manager had requested a copy of their needs assessments. The only part that CCF is interested in is the recommendations of programs. CCF would like to have the numbers, ages, races and any program recommendations. Pam told the group that the YES Project will not release any information without their written approval and that it is up to the individual Partners to self-report. Report on Washington D.C. Y.E.S. conference: the Compassion Capital Fund, Communities Empowering Youth (CEY) will not be granting any new awards, all monies have been obligated. The ABT Associates evaluation group will be conducting an evaluation of 50 organizations. At this time, CEY does not know who will be selected for the evaluation process; it will be a random draw. If the Y.E.S. Project is selected, we ask that the Partners cooperate fully with the evaluation. Pam Moore asked the partners when they wanted to have the annual conference, and the month of July was agreed upon. Are meeting times still working and convenient for everyone? Would the group like to rotate meeting locations – is anyone interested in hosting a meeting? Mike Kaiser will be returning to Tahlequah – there are lots of mini grants for youth to develop leadership. Information on a grant “Assets for Independence” was passed out. Pam suggested that it would be good to apply for as a group. Janice Randall said she is confident about their financial leadership and could take the lead on that part. There is a series of webinars coming up about this grant if anyone is interested. Another grant available is the OVW Safe Haven, working with local law enforcement for exchange of kids going through a domestic violence divorce. Other handouts with lots of mini grant information were given out. The Cherokee Nation handout is a $300 grant that can be applied to kids’ hobbies, camps, rodeo, anything they are interested in. Requirements are that applicants must be low income and have a CDIB card. Pam Moore spoke on the value of volunteers. She said volunteers are very expensive in the beginning. Someone needs to be responsible for volunteer orientation and job duties. Volunteers must be treated like paid staff. If you make your staff feel valuable, you need to make volunteers feel valuable also. Carol Young, NIWHRC, presented a teen mentoring program, Passing on Traditions. Training notebooks were handed out, and some of the points presented were: •How to target Native American programs •Take the time to train volunteers (this is very important) •Have volunteers sign a contract of commitment. •Most programs don’t touch on ethnicity and heritage. Mentors need to acknowledge the ethnicity – it is needed for self-worth and self-esteem. Knowing where you come from increases your worth unbelievably. •Mentors need a plan and guide to get started and stay on track. After lunch we watched a Native American educational movie on AIDS and HIV prevention. The Y.E.S. Project can offer board retreat training or assist in planning a board retreat. Pam Moore spoke about developing an “elevator speech” wherein you can describe your organization and its mission within a minute. Pam spoke on the importance of every organization having an elevator speech in their pocket, should an opportunity arise. Consent agendas were discussed. A reminder of using the Y.E.S. website for resources (www.yesproject.org) was given. Meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.