SCVAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 20, 2007

Present:                                              Absent:

Brett Macgargle                                  Vicki Bourus

Marian Lindsey                                   Delores Mendez

Ritchie Tidwell                                   Kay Holmes

Cassandra Keller                                 Mary Ann Stroup

Jami Goldman

Hope Blackley

Saylor Fox

Gwen Herod

Larry Bergmann

Lillian Garcia

Patty Patterson

Margaret Frierson

Luck Campbell

Dean Kilpatrick (via speakerphone)

Minutes taken by Sheena Smith, SCVAN Intern

CALL TO ORDER:  Meeting called to order at 10:45 a.m.

All Board members introduced themselves.  New Board members Luck Campbell, Patty Patterson, Jami Goldman, Renee Mattox and Cassandra Keller were sworn in as new Board members.

FINANCIAL REPORT:  RITCHIE TIDWELL

All of SCVAN staff salaries are paid for by grants, except for Executive Staff (Veronica, Laura and Fabienne.)  A portion of Veronica and Fabienne’s salaries are paid for by grants.  Beginning September 30, those grants will expire.  Since we are not sure of a new contract with SOVA for the new fiscal year, SCVAN needs to fundraise at least $5,000 a month to pay for those salaries.  Veronica has applied for two grants to cover a portion of those salaries (SC Bar IOLTA Foundation begins July 1 and Compassion Capacity Building grant begins 10/1).

OLD BUSINESS: 

Bylaws change:  Discussion about United Way recommendations regarding language clarifying SCVAN’s staggered terms, rotation policy for Board members. 

New language regarding staggered terms and rotation policy were approved by vote of the Board.

Other language approved for amendment in SCVAN bylaws:  1) SCVAN will operate on a fiscal year rather than calendar year; 2) Conflict of interest policy (Sample A was selected); 3) Language to expand Ex-Officio membership; 4) Voting may occur electronically as recommended by SCVAN Board President.  All items were approved by vote of the Board.

NEW BUSINESS:

Board reviewed and voted to approve the SCVAN 2004 and 2005 Audit.  2006 Audit will be prepared on an 18 month basis to accommodate the fiscal vs. calendar year change.  Board reviewed and voted to approve the SCVAN 2006-07 budget.

Laura Hudson announced her resignation from SCVAN effective June 7, 2007.  She is beginning another organization which will focus on victim advocacy and public policy. 

The City of Columbia has approved the building of a SC Crime Victims’ Memorial Garden at Riverfront Park.   Bricks will be sold for $100 apiece, engraved to reflect names of crime victims.  The Garden will be used for events held by SC crime victim service organization.  Area will serve as a gathering place for victims and as a public awareness project.  We will dedicate the land during this year’s VRW on May 2.   The entire Garden is estimated to cost $145,000.  First Community Bank is interested in funding the Garden.   There is space for 9,000 bricks.   Boral Bricks will order bricks at a very reasonable rate in lots of 150, and first lots will be ordered when the first 150 bricks are sold.  Benches may be donated by DJJ, which could be purchased, along with Japanese Cherry trees and other trees/shrubs, in honor of victims/survivors.  Memorial plaques may be placed on these items.

Training Proposal:  Laura discussed the training program she is developing for LEVAs.  Training program concept was discussed, which will be outcomes based hands-on training, and will include field placement exercises, competency testing, etc.  Dean Kilpatrick discussed the genesis of the creation of other training programs.  Laura clarified that she and the committee developing the training support certification through the state, as being developed through the Victim Service Coordinating Council.  The training could be implemented by SCVAN or by the new organization Laura is beginning.  Dean made a motion that the concept be presented to the Victim Service Coordinating Council as a proposed training initiative for LEVAs, and that this initiative not be competitive with other organizations’ training.  Motion carried. 

Victims’ Rights Week: 15 scholarships and 5 partial scholarships were awarded to crime victims this year to attend the conference.  125 registrations received to date.  Dept. of Corrections is providing vans for transportation.  DJ, food and desserts will be available at the Auction at the Radisson Hotel Conference Center on Thursday at 5 p.m. Candlelight Vigil will be held at the Riverfront Park, dedication of the Memorial Garden will follow the Vigil and Lunch.  VRW has especially diverse workshops this year.  Numerous panels are presenting.  The CVO and SOVA are hosting a Unity Ceremony on 4/25 at 11 a.m. on the South side of the Statehouse.

FUNDRAISING:  VERONICA SWAIN

SCVAN received a $1,000 check from SCANA, $5,000 from Spartanburg County, and over $1,000 from the entire SCVAN staff’s participation in the Belk Charity Days fundraiser.  SCVAN raised $10,177 in two months. 

New grants written:

1) Capacity Building grant, from the Dept. of Health and Human Services, which will improve our communications system, develop a fundraising strategy, and develop outreach to rural areas to provide information about availability of SCVAN resources.   Award date 10/1/07.

2) SC Bar IOLTA Foundation grant: to continue and expand the CVLN.  Award date: 7/1/07.

3) Victim Information Program / VOCA.  Similar to other years.  Requesting more $ for Emergency Fund.

4) Crime Victim Information Services System / VOCA.  CVISS was revised this year to provide for outreach to rural areas to inform victim service providers about SCVAN resources.  Five counties have been identified as not using the Emergency Fund or other program services.

Legal Grant:  April Samson was hired as attorney for Federal Enforcement Project.  Ashley Sanders, Paralegal to the Project, was introduced to the Board.  Veronica, Susan, Shannon and April are going out to Portland for third year “cluster” meeting, and to discuss continuation funding for the Project.  Continuation funding from the Department of Justice looks promising, according to the Nat’l Crime Victim Law Institute.  A press conference re the Federal Enforcement Project will be held on 4/24 at the US Attorney’s Office.  April Samson and Susan Quinn are training FBI agents on 4/23.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:  LAURA HUDSON 

Laura issued handouts to Board members and discussed various Bills contained therein (Chandler’s Law, DUI, immigration law, senior protection, criminal background checks, PTI intervention programs, numerous others.) 

Meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m. 

Next meeting will be held on June 8, 2007 at 10:30