Larry Bergmann
Marian Lindsey
Renee Mattox
Margaret Frierson
Brett Macgargle
Vicki Bourus
Dean Kilpatrick
Hope Blackley
Dolores Mendez
Gwen Herod
Luck
Saylor Fox
Mary Ann Stroup
Ritchie
President Brett Macgargle called the meeting to order at 10:45
a.m.
South Carolina Victim Service Coordinating Council (Council): Dana DeHart chairs the meetings. The group operates by 100% consensus
basis, in that all members must agree to carry an issue forward. If a group operates by consensus, it is
building a political constituency.
The Council is moving forward with legislation that mandates training for
victim advocates. The Council is
developing by-laws with all members’ input. All meetings are open to
anyone.
Discussion re Council by-laws: membership of Council was expanded to
include a diverse group of statewide organizations; 2 unfilled slots remain for
crime victims (one appt. of SOVA and one is selected by Council) Recommendations for victims’ slots are
being sought.
Able Gray was considered as a victim representative, but the Council
decided that although a victim may be a board member of an organization, they
may not be a paid employee of a victim service organization, nor should they be
from any criminal justice organization.
Would like a diversified group – no Hispanic crime victims are
mentioned.
Victim members would be allowed to vote and must attend at least 4
meetings a year.
Unless they are part of a state agency, council members will get travel
reimbursement if they live 20 or more miles away from
meeting.
Board members recommend:
Ø (Brett) Man whose son that was murdered, offender was at juvenile
justice, now at adult corrections, very vocal; 5 years to deal with son’s death,
his son was being recruited into a gang, (Would like him to be on
Ø Vangie Parker:
Ø Joanna Katz (
Ø Jackie Olsen
Next Meeting of the Council is November 6th.
Discussion of Council Handout – GOALS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR FY07-08:
#1 and #3 are already being done -
Problems with: (#2)
Even when they are present they are not allowed to speak even though they
have a right to speak (Dolores)
Explanation of #2:
Presenter from DV Program in
Explanation of #1:
Change in VAWA which states that in order to qualify for funds you cannot
require victims to press charges/or officially report to get forensic exams
done.
Victims are frequently required to agree in the ER to press charges. Victims are required to sign warrants
immediately.
The Military is handling reports of sexual assault by fellow officers in
a proactive and positive way:
Restricted reporting: woman has the option to keep evidence restricted
until they make a decision to go forward with a prosecution OR they may report
through regular channels, including chain of command and prosecution. Since Restricted reporting has been
implemented, the number of cases has gone up
Explanation of #10:
There is no committee in the General Assembly that channels Crime Victims
Issues;
Veronica - Subcommittee on Council to propose
legislation
Ø Develop procedures to improve coordination among all agencies to insure
that all victims are notified and all agencies receive victim impact
statements
Ø Develop and distribute guidelines for the appropriate expenditure of
victim services funds
Ø Form a legislative committee for ongoing review, research and draft
refinements of legislation and legislative proposals
Legal Clinic -
$160, 000 New Grant for ‘08/’09
NCVLI decided to apply as one body (together with the 8 existing legal
clinics)
4th year on project; $ comes from US Legislature to implement
CVRA.
Appropriation for enforcement of crime victim rights in the federal and
state systems.
Because numerous employees are being paid from numerous grants, our
budget is very complex. All grants
run for different time periods and have different start dates. Ritchie and Brett have met with Veronica
and Fabienne every 2 weeks for the past year to review progress and assist with
financial management.
All of Fabienne’s salary, Veronica’s salary and most rent will be covered
by grants until 6/30/08.
Federal Grant -
$322,500 was given for one year;
Extended through February
The CVLN has experienced so many successes recently. (Discussed a few
cases)
We are getting referrals from the AG’s office, solicitors, law
enforcement and court advocates, etc.
David Flowers is serving in a pro
bono capacity to fill in until we can hire a full-time attorney to cover
Susan’s absence
Susan will be providing trainings to underserved groups and their service
providers (people with physical and mental disabilities, the elderly,
immigrants) for the IOLTA grant (which began July 1st). Susan will also serve as a Pro Bono
attorney to represent victims through the CVLN.
Will are hiring a new Director/Lawyer for the clinic. We are seeking a candidate with
prosecution experience; experience with crime victims. Ad will be posted in The State and
online. (Luck would like a copy to
distribute)
Will also hire an Administrative person to assist
staff
Brett would like a report of all of the grants and job descriptions to
Board. Veronica will develop that
for the General Membership meeting in December.
Board would love to find funding for public relations efforts. New
Veronica sent out a listserv message seeking candidates for new board
members.
Rotating off the Board -
Lillian Garcia
Kay Holmes
Marian Lindsey
Pam Gregory
Move Ex-Officio members into regular voting board
members.
Renee agreed to serve as an elected Board member
Saylor would prefer to stay ex-officio.
Recommendation: Expand our
Board to add members who are not in the criminal justice field. Include groups such as fundraisers,
accountants, public relations folks, etc.
Dean:
According to by-laws, in order to run for
Recommendation for people from the above groups to become interested in
- Develop a Community Board which will serve as an Advisory board to the
whole organization;
meet quarterly; make sure these people are members; next time elections
come around, encourage them to run
Ideas for Community Board (also to make recommendations for membership) -
Thad Westbrook – Nelson Mullins Law Firm
Jimmy La Rose (or a person like him) – present $ to him to build advisory
board; ask him for candidates for ex officio
Holli Emore – call to get names for Community Board or
Alcoa representative
(interested in serving on board)
Get someone to be added as ex officio and appoint this person to be
preside over the development of the Community Board.
Need someone that will view fundraising as a
challenge
Current members in good standing who might be willing to run for
election:
Dottie Cronise (President of LEVA) – Veronica will
ask
A slate will be developed and ballots will be emailed to all
December 7th meeting/event (meeting to plan):
Thursday October 18th, 2007 (11AM)
Monday October 22nd at DJJ (2PM)
General Membership meeting; swear in new members, by-laws, ribbon cutting
ceremony; recruitment to committee work, financial review –
Send out press release to media
Dept of Corrections supervisors to talk about move?
10:30 – 11:30 Board
Meeting
11:30 – 12:00 Voting with
General Membership (Meet/Greet) (Board Covered Dish)
12:30 – Light Refreshments during Media/Ribbon
Cutting
(heavy hors d’eouvres – get
donations from local stores)
Need a “hook” – It’s a New Day for Victim Services! New Office, New
Services
Announce new IOLTA
program
Focus on key stories
media has covered.
Present awards to media members from areas in SC. Recommendations in the
Tony Bartelmy? (
Dolores will find out
Give Marian, Kay, Pam and Lillian gift for serving on the board in
December.
Give Marian a certificate for being Vice President.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Need a sign for
Shannon, Nicole, Saylor, Brett and Dolores will work on ceremony.
Have a speaker talking about our goals
Renee Mattox will ask
Success stories that
Luck Campbell and Saylor Fox will bring people from their
offices
Invitations need to be sent out ASAP!
List of food to bring – Sign up sheet for food (board
members)
Board Meeting Adjourned at 1:00 PM.
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