Wednesday, January 28, 2009

January Meeting

San Saba Domestic Violence Task Force
January 13, 2009

Persons in attendance were Sabrina Maultsby, Cathie Lehman, Missy King, Danna Smith, Brenna Troncoso, Georgia Harris, and Sheriff Allen Brown.

No minutes were available (at the time) for the November meeting. No meeting was held in December.

There was discussion of priorities for 2009 -- One of which was to ensure better data reporting for San Saba County, particularly with regard to stats on domestic violence cases as they happen. Sheriff Brown stated that he would provide monthly statistics and the Dove Project said they too would provide statistics to the task force. The Sheriff's Office also stated that it would keep abreast of making sure the actual paperwork and inputting of data takes place.

Another priority discussed was trainings, with discussion of the types of training and time frames for future training opportunities, particularly for law enforcement. Sheriff Brown said that he would like to be involved in determining those trainings and would work on scheduling. Missy King stressed the need to focus on and follow-through with goals and objectives and maintaining task force minutes. Brenna Troncoso seconded that and remarked on the need to continue with structure and organization on a broader, task force level if we are to be successful and long-lived: agendas, minutes, and proposals for all major projects. Brenna will work on a proposal for a conference later in the year.

Another priority discussed was funding (see below re non-profit status and OVW grant).

Next month we will discuss the calendar year and decide on potential dates for various events.

Georgia Harris stated that the Dove Project would like to be a part of a children's safety/health fair as part of a back to school activity before school starts. She felt that incorporating supplies into the fair would increase attendance and give many organizations an opportunity to do outreach to kids and their parents. The date for that will also be set at next month's meeting.

Another goal for the Dove Project was to do something regarding assisting the school with regard to teen dating violence. Missy King with the Central Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse asked where we were with that. We had a fledgling group of teens last year but due to some problems with leadership nothing more had been done. Danna Smith agreed to contact the high school superintendent about the possibility of meeting with the consumer sciences teacher and with the school counselor. Georgia and Cathie expressed an interest in being a part of that meeting.

Georgia gave an up-date on the status of the Dove Project seeking 501(c)(3) non-profit status. The resolution and the bylaws and articles of incorporation are ready to present to the City Council on January 19, authorizing the establishment of the Dove Project as a non-profit organization of the City of San Saba. The current board members will be Chief of Police Ray Riggs, Sheriff Allen Brown, victim advocate Lindy Schulz, Brenna Troncoso of American Gateways (formerly the Political Asylum Project of Austin), and Stan Weik, City Manager. Having non-profit status will broaden the Dove Project's ability to access money from private foundations.

Georgia stated that we need to revisit getting the grant for our task force from OVW. Brenna said she would work on that. Also, Georgia and Sabrina are working on a grant through OVW for Rural Domestic Violence Programs that is due Feb. 4.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2009. Meeting adjourned.

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