SCVAN Board Meeting Minutes

SCVAN President: Brett Macgargle

May 26, 2005

 

 

Present

Marian Lindsey (VP)

Ritchie Tidwell (Secretary/Treasurer)

Margaret Frierson

Dean Kilpatrick

Kaye Holmes

Pam Gregory

Saylor Fox

Ann Wolfe

 

Veronica Swain

Laura Hudson

Absent

Brett Macgargle

Mary Ann Stroup

Gwen Herod

Vicki Bourus

Don Zelenka

Hope Blackley

Anne Laver

Larry Bergmann

Lynn Hawkins

Carol Wyatt

Lillian Garcia

 

Minutes taken by Shannon Geary

Start Time: 01:10pm

 

Marian Lindsey (Presiding in President Brett Macgargle’s absence): 

Meeting called to order

 

Introductions

 

Old Business

Board reviews minutes from February Board Meeting

1:14pm- minutes accepted with change (Unanimous, 3rd page should read anonymous)

 

Speaker : Restorative Justice

(2 brochures and 7-page handout given)

Jeri Foster, CEO, Provisions

  • Provisions began about 10 years ago, known then as Stop the Violence
  • Provides technical grant writing assistance to grassroots organizations and programs.
  • Provision programs are currently in 30-40 communities and in all but 1 school district in the Spartanburg area.  Programs deal with anger management/ conflict resolution within schools.
  • Ritchie Tidwell is helping to write a grant to develop a state-wide Restorative Justice program.
  • Restorative Justice model creates opportunity for healing. 
  • A conference will be held June 20, 2005, at the National Advocacy Center, “Restoring Lives in Communities—A Restorative Justice Approach.  SCVAN is co-sponsoring.
  • Family Court Judges express a strong interest in this approach

 

Ritchie:

  • Would like to get input from key criminal justice professionals to determine what needs are. 
  • Recommendation:  develop a steering committee comprised of DJJ, Church Leaders, Assistant Solicitors, PPP, AG, SCVAN, Mental Health, Prosecution Commission, DOC, etc. to begin forming a network.
  • Saylor recommended Rhonda Green, Margaret Barber and Max Dorsey from DJJ.

 

Financial Report (Ritchie Tidwell)

  • Review expenses and revenue for 2004-2005
  • Budget reflects Proviso that is currently up for approval
  • Proviso last year = $67,000, this year adds additional $55,000 totaling $122,000
  • New funding will allow for staff insurance.
  • Revenue also includes Victims’ Rights Week 2005
  • Ritchie and Brett will meet with Mike Cavanaugh in next week or two to review VRW funding

 

Veronica discusses Proviso

§         SCVAN already provides most duties listed in the Performance Agreement.  Section (G) encompasses new responsibilities.

§         Sheriff Coffey (Spartanburg) maintains accurate CDV stats

§         SCVAN will maintain list of monthly accomplishment reports. 

§         SCVAN Board accomplishments will be related in reports as they relate to Section F.

§         The Board thinks SCVAN should create monthly reports, and enlist SOVA’s input as to effectiveness in reporting.

 

New Business

Veronica-OVA PSA’s

  • OVC developed TV PSA’s – “Justice Isn’t Served Until Crime Victims Are,” which are being broadcast on 4 TV stations statewide and include SCVAN’s contact information.
  • Shani White, Broadcaster’s association (732-1186) is a good contact for PSAs.

 

Ex-Officio Members (Veronica)

  • Teri Porcel can’t serve as her schedule will not permit it.
  • SOVA representation would be welcome on Board.
  • Solicitor and Solicitor advocate representation is needed on SCVAN’s Board.  William Bilton would be welcome to serve but it is anticipated his schedule would not allow attendance.
  • Board recommends we extend invitation to Pres. Solicitor Association, Barney Giese.
  • Up to 2 ex-officio slots are currently open.

 

Veronica-Human Trafficking Training in March was well received.  Mike Cavanaugh would like to co-sponsor another one.

 

      Shannon & Veronica--CVLN Update: 

  • Status of pro bono recruitment
  • March site visit went very well

 

Dean Kilpatrick—State Victim Assistance Academy (SVAA)

  • 3 year grant from OVC.  SOVA is maintaining grant requirements and reporting procedures. Collaborative partnerships include MUSC and SCVAN
  • Format will be similar to National Victim Assistance Academy
  • Goal: to try to get it incorporated by the state to be an ongoing program
  • There will be a train the trainers instruction class Aug 15 in Charleston for about 20 individuals
  • Anne Wolf sent letters to various associations (Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police Associations, Magistrates and Municipal Judges, etc.) requested the opportunity to address their respective groups to solicit input on the curriculum, etc. of the academy

 

Veronica – Discussion on VOCA Grants

  • 556 victims directly benefited from Emergency fund this year.  101 advocates use fund and 18 new users were added in 2004.
  • 900 survival guides were revised, reprinted, and all were distributed.  1100 videos were distributed throughout the state.
  • Ritchie— money to reprint survival guides = good item to request from donors.
  • CVISS-Listserv currently has 292 members (146 were added last year).  (see Executive Report for full program details.
  • Veronica submitted SCVAN’s Annual Report for 2004.

 

SCVAN Membership--Veronica

  • Membership dues were not taken out of conference registration totals this year.  The Board felt that they should be.
  • Dean Kilpatrick—recommends making the cost of VRW conference registration different for members and non-members as an incentive for membership.

 

Veronica gives update of fundraiser (May 24, 2005) at Gervais & Wine.

 

Public Policy Update: Laura Hudson

  • 14 bills, 11 have chance of passing
  • 3412:
  • S47: one strike for sex offenders.  Set for ratification.  Sen. Cromer introduced, Assistant Solicitor Wedekin (Lexington) wrote the bill and did a wonderful job.  Laura will call for a press conference on S. 47.
  • S85: Central Registry for child abuse and neglect, ratified
  • S227: Terminating parental rights of rapists and incest offenders.  House had 3rd reading and returned to Senate for amendments
  • H 3984: CDV Bill, waiting for concurrence next Tuesday.  Section omitted:  defendant files for divorce and filing negates order of protection.  To get around it, advocate should advise victims to file for an immediate “Order of Relief”.
  • 3543: Law enforcement can ask for restraining order on behalf on crime victim, set for ratification
  • 3328: Clean up of sex offender registry.  Failure to register will be a felony.  Returned to House for amendments
  • S16: manufacturing methamphetamine, in non-concurrent state
  • Three bills stuck in House judiciary
  • S181: want small amendment-penalties on changing name if on registry
  • S13: Teacher Protection Act- put language in that deals with tort
    • Murrell Smith disagreed
    • Family and Circuit Court – Judges ask for enhancement of A&B to ABHAN or ABWIK

 

Ritchie—Need strategy for educating criminal justice professionals about new laws.

Discussion regarding feasibility of forming a coalition for regional training.  AG Medlock used to host  an annual training in the summer to provide legal updates.  It is important to put the new bills into language that is easy for a layman to understand.  This would be a good project for law students through CVLN.

 

Dean recommends we pick major issues of interest to victims and work with the media to develop articles.

 

Veronica introduced the article written about Tom Harrison receiving the Order of the Palmetto.  Tom Harrison addressed the Board about winning the award, and his service to SCVAN.

 

04:10 pm - Board Meeting adjourned