Conejos County Community Coalition
Board minutes
August 7, 2012
Antonito Mental Health Center
Present: Emily, Michael Moore, Steve Fringer, JerriStucky, Emily Lutringer, Teresa Howell, Tressesa Martinez, Tori Vigil, Kari Harp
The meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by Tori Vigil.
Approval of Minutes:
Parade Report:
A float was created that included three banners for the Conejos County Community Coalition. Candy and the banners were donated by the Conejos Canyon Community Church. Tori, Steve and Kari participated and helped throw candy.
Mission Statement:
Kari reviewed how long the group has been meeting and that the mission statement has been developed to help hone our purpose and direction. It currently reads: The mission of the CCCC is to enrich the lives of its citizens by working toward a whole village approach to improve community, health, safety and well being.
Tressesa suggested that due to our diversity we add “diverse” into the statement….”to enrich the lives of its diverse citizenship”
Logo Contest:
Tori began a discussion about how we will structure the logo contest. Tressesa shared that Conejos County did the same thing and their logo was designed by a Conejos County High School student. Tori will put an ad in the paper and flyers for the schools, post office, etc. Tressesa suggested putting a story out about ourselves, who we are, what we are trying to do, our mission statement, etc. along with the announcement. We will ratify the mission statement at the September meeting, post the announcement from September 15 – October 31. The Coalition will review the logos at the November meeting and hopefully choose the winner then. Prize would be $100 and recognition in the paper. Second and third prizes would receive certificates. We will all ask for donations for the prize, whether cash or donations. We will see how much we can get by the next meeting.
Tori will put together the guidelines and Kari will send it out to everyone.
San Luis Valley EcoSystem Council:
Guest speaker was not able to make it at the last minute.
Recreation Needs in Conejos County:
Tressesa Martinez gave a twenty year history of the effort to create a recreation center in Conejos County. Finding grants for the building will not be the challenge. Finding the money to pay for it is the issue. Costilla County created a Recreation District funds the recreation center. Conejos County put out a ballot issue. Antonito was very much in favor, northern Conejos County was not as in favor. The ballot issue did not pass. Conejos County is NOT one of the poorest counties in Colorado. The TAX BASE is one of the lowest in Colorado. Costilla County’s tax base is three times as high as ours. We have only a 42% tax base, 58% is owned by the Federal Government.
She suggested that the first thing we need to do is educate our citizens because they will need to be the ones to step up the plate to pay for a mill levy. We have to form a district first. DOLA is very willing to help us create a district. There also “enhancement monies” available through the highways. GOCO grants are available as well.
Teresa suggested making it more of a community center and offer office space for groups like the Boys and Girls Club, the Chamber of Commerce, etc.
Location will also be a big issue. Everybody wants it in their community.
Next steps: start with a community education campaign.
NEXT STEPS:
- 1. We will ask Lawrence Gallegos to bring the ballot survey responses to the next meeting.Please contact people who have been coming and get them to the next meeting.
- 2. Create the key components of a marketing campaign:
- Crafting particular messaging to each community
- What components do we want in a community center? Basketball? Tennis? Gym? Pool? Offices? Commercial kitchen?
- Quotations – Steve’s youth might be able to solicit feedback from the youth contingency
- 3. Potential Timeline: Plan a campaign between now and January. Begin the campaign in January 2013.
Website / Social Marketing Update
Tori showed us the CCCC homepage at www.conejoscoalition.worpress.com
NEXT STEPS:
- 1. Confirm our three areas of focus: Growth Academy, Economic Partnerships Program, Healthy Community Initiative
- 2. Tori will take pictures of the board members and the group
- 3. She needs bios of the board members
- 4. If we want to take out the “wordpress” there will be a minimum cost (max of $30/year)
Tori will be setting up a Facebook page.
Discuss Programming
The Coalition will move forward with a focus on the Colorado Health Foundation grant and a community center campaign.
Teresa suggested we start charging a small membership fee. “Concepts” came up again as a potential umbrella partner.
Grant Report
Colorado Health Foundation grant requires us to adopt a non-discrimination statement. We will also need to create a budget and a budget narrative. Conejos Public Health is going to be our fiscal agent for grants. Tressesa will visit with Connie Edgar about it because it will be under the county. Grant award is up to $50,000. It’s targeted to create healthy communities. Marketing campaign, education campaign, preventing teen pregnancy, promote and grow self-esteem and emotional intelligence, community potlucks and education.
Please send budget ideas and grant ideas to Tori. The grant is due October 15.
Agenda Topics for September 4 meeting
- Mission Statement
- Recreation Center – Tressesa will contact Lawrence Gallegos and invite him
- Logo Contest
- Grant
Round Robin
Teresa Howell: is looking for a location to host the community potluck. They will provide the food, “Forks to Knives” will be shown. They need to identify a location and a date.
Steve Fringer: The Conejos County Mentoring Program is up and going and will be getting back into the schools. Currently they have five students and they run after school programs in the three school districts. They are looking for referrals. Criteria: TANF eligible, referred by the school, and “at-risk”. Steve would like to start a youth voice at this coalition. Steve would like to present at the group.
Michael Moore: Would like to reinstate the community service requirements for graduation.
Tressesa Martinez: She will keep us informed about what is happening at the County. Conejos DSS has purchased school backpacks again this year.
Emily Lutringer: Runs the Antonito Food Bank, open Fridays 3 – 6 in the basement of the St. Augustine Church. Will be unable to come to meetings in the future due to a scheduling conflict.Wants to start a school garden. Also wants to start a community garden.
Jerri Stucky: Represents the Conejos Canyon Community Church. Likes to write grants and is willing to do it for free.
Tori Vigil: Aug.8 at noon at Adams State College: Transgender Issues in the SLV. Town meetings are happening in the next couple of weeks. Contact her for more information. Antonito Labor Day is happening. Library will be doing their fundraiser. There will be a parade.