Attended:  Leon Frison, Chair; Jean Austin, Tricia Biles, Kerry Ahearn-Brown, Amy Crowding, Bill Kerbin, Pam Kuster, Matthew Hash, Sheriff John Price, Jeff Troester. LMB Staff: Candy Edwards, Director; Karen Cotton, Rebecca Lepter, Kimberly Crew. Public attendance: LT Goodall, Cilla Dawes.

Regrets:  Bill Clark, Anna Baker, Nora Becker, Joe Newell, Anthony Pack, Rev. Lawrence Purnell, Ron Fithian. Debby Schelts, Linda Wilson, Chelsie Crouch.

Welcome and Introductions
Approval of Board meeting minutes – Board members reviewed meeting minutes from the December 20, 2007 Board meeting. There was one correction to be made. Leon Frison asked for a motion to approve the amended minutes.  Jeff Troester motioned and Amy Crowding seconded.  Motion approved.
Program Committee:  Tricia Biles summarized the proposals received for the Community Enrichment Opportunities Grant. There were five received, however, one was received after the deadline and was not considered.

• Kent County Library was recommended for full funding of a children’s computer station and early literacy supplies. Tricia Biles motioned to accept the recommendation and Jeff Troester seconded.  Recommendation approved.
• Kent County Gun Club was recommended for partial funding to construct a women’s bathroom with an additional $500 to make it handicapped accessible. Jean Austin excused herself from the room to be recused from the vote. Tricia Biles motioned to accept the recommendation and John Price seconded.  Recommendation approved. No funds were recommended for the third trap range.
• Department of Social Services was recommended for full funding for foster parent marketing and recruitment campaign. Kerry Ahearn-Brown excused herself from the room to be recused from the vote. Tricia Biles motioned to accept the recommendation and was seconded by Amy Crowding. Recommendation approved.
• Character Counts! Kent County was recommended for full funding for resource books and display materials. Jeff Troester excused himself from the room to be recused from the vote. Tricia Biles motioned to accept the recommendation and Leon Frison seconded motion. Recommendation approved.

Extended After-School RFP: Six letters of intent were received but only one proposal was submitted.  The proposal did not target middle school aged youth, the proposed program is already operating and parental involvement was weak. Women in Need, Inc. has received a letter explaining why the proposal could not be recommended for funding.  Discussion followed regarding reissuing the RFP to target each schools catchment area. Motion to reissue the RFP was approved.
Nominating & By-laws Committee: Jeff Troester reported that the committee met on  December 6, 2007 to review by-laws and make changes based on suggestions made by GOC and also to include language regarding youth members. A draft of the proposed changes was submitted to Board members. Motion was made by Leon Frison to accept the revisions to the by-laws and was seconded by Pam Kuster. Jeff Troester, Chair of the committee, asked the Board to change the committee name to Board Development Committee.  Recommendation approved.
Finance Committee:  Jean Austin reported the committee met in November 2007, to review LMB audit report. The committee met again in January to discuss their role and responsibilities.  Members requested notification when and if vendors were not going to be paid and to review any fiscal changes over $10,000 when there is no other oversight. Finance Committee will meet the 3rd Thursday of alternate month of Board meetings beginning at 5 p.m.
Agency Information: 

• ASAC Activities: A 5 year funding cycle for Drug Free Communities. The coalition meets bi-monthly. They would like more involvement from the community. ASAC supports the Post Prom Committee.  Kent County High School prom is May 17th, with post-prom activities following at Betterton Beach, mid-night to 5:00 a.m.  More volunteer involvement is needed for Post Prom activities.
• Plant the Promise: Started in October 2007 during Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week. There were 300-500 tulips planted in each incorporated town throughout the county and it has been noticed that the tulips are beginning to sprout.
• Youth to Youth (Y2Y): There are 20 high school youth participating and they currently are conducting an alcohol survey.  There will be 14 students selected to participate in a National Conference in Rhode Island which will focus on leadership skills.

Community Events/Board Involvement: Candy Edwards asked the Board members to advise her of upcoming events that the LMB could participate in.  Ms. Edwards also encouraged Board member participation.  All help would be appreciated to support these events.
Update:

• Needs Assessment: Expect a draft copy of the needs assessment from Salisbury University end of February early March.
• Spring Board Retreat:  Candy Edwards asked if Board members were interested in a Spring Board retreat. Board members indicated an annual retreat was sufficient. There is a possibility of a new Board member orientation in June, after the new Board members have been elected.
• Board Evaluations:  Majority of the Board evaluations were positive.  Board members expressed a desire to be more involved so there was a vote to have Board meetings on a monthly basis. Leon Frison motioned and Kerry Ahearn-Brown seconded. Recommendation approved.

Truancy Diversion:  A full-time and one part-time truancy diversion case managers were hired and started developing the program January 7, 2008. GOCCP program monitor met with the LMB staff and the TDCM’s with a favorable review.  Early morning drop-off program is operational in four of the schools and the auto-dial valet was purchased and is operational.
Announcement:  Community Center Public Forum on Monday, February 25th at 7:30 p.m. in the Worton Arena.
Next Meeting: The next meeting was set for March 27 , 2008 at 4 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kimberly E. Crew
Recorder