Board Meeting Minutes

Margaret Frierson Guest

Marian Lindsey Mike Cavanaugh, SOVA

Minutes taken by Shannon Geary and Nicole Goodwin

Start Time: 10:42am

Brett Macgargle introduces Mike Cavanaugh, Director of the State Office of Victim Assistance, for SOVA update

§ Mike Cavanaugh expanded upon story in the State Newspaper where woman claims SOVA is not paying medical bills.

§ S180 did not pass this year.

§ Introduced spreadsheet for 2000-2004 SOVA expenses for other entities. SOVA will stop funding to those groups.

§ New SOVA Board Member Kay Lietner is taking Martha Bateman’s seat.

§ SOVA will implement §16-3-1400 et. seq. Will receive audits of Richland County Victim Services (Sheriff’s Office, Solicitor, Detention Center, Court Services), as well as Sistercare, and Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands.

§ SOVA had 1000 more claims than the previous year, but fewer payouts. One reason could be extraordinary circumstance claims were cut.

§ SOVA updating computer system.

§ SOVA will be launching new logos, slogans that Mike will share in the next board meeting.

After some discussion, the Board recommends asking SOVA to increase OPS funding.

Election of Officers:

President: Ritchie nominates Brett Macgargle for President, nomination accepted, Marian seconds, all in favor. Brett Macgargle was re-elected to a second term as President of the SCVAN Board of Directors.

Vice President: Margaret nominates Marian Lindsey, nomination accepted, nomination seconded by Lynn, all in favor. Marian Lindsey was re-elected to a second term as Vice President of the SCVAN Board of Directors.

Treasurer/Secretary: Lynn Hawkins will not serve another term. Lynn nominates Ritchie Tidwell, nomination accepted, nomination seconded by Marian, all in favor. Ritchie Tidwell is elected Treasurer/Secretary for the SCVAN Board of Directors.

Lynn Hawkins suggests separating out the duties of Treasurer/Secretary.

By-Laws Chairman Dean Kilpatrick develop this idea.

Veronica Swain said the Board owes a major debt of thanks to former Board Member Thomas Harrison for his service. She suggests a luncheon for him during the next Board Meeting, September 10.

Dean Kilpatrick suggests that Mr. Harrison be nominated to receive the Order of the Palmetto. Board agrees to have luncheon at September 10 meeting and will invite SOVA Board and various other people. They agree to give him a gift at that time as well.

Veronica Swain provides the following comments about VRW:

§ Merchandise sales were not as good this year

§ More people attended the conference than in prior years

§ Would like to look for national speakers for next years conference

§ Will consider having the conference in Columbia again.

There was a motion from the Executive Board to write letters to the Governor, Senator McConnell, Ways and Means Committee, etc., to return the money taken from the crime victim compensation fund used to balance the State’s budget.

Dean Kilpatrick made motion, Brett Macgargle seconds, all in favor. Dean Kilpatrick volunteered to write the letter with input from other Board members.

Lynn Hawkins reads financial report.

§ SCVAN has a tight budget, and money needs to be raised.

§ Enters budget for approval, all in favor, financial report accepted.

Ritchie Tidwell suggests pursuing United Way funding. Consensus reached: funding offered was not worth the difficult process.

Break—Executive Session—SCVAN staff leaves.

SCVAN staff re-enters.

Mary Ann Stroup introduces her guest, Kathleen Buckley.

Brett Macgargle reads notes about Executive Session

§ Review process for Veronica Swain and Laura Hudson; report how you feel you have done for the year.

§ Have Ad Hoc committee take a look at policy manual (Vicki, Carol, Brett).

§ Grant Positions- DPS would like to see positions funded through State Appropriation money. Look at grant duties. Use increase of line item, OPS. (Ritchie, Veronica)

§ Look at non-profit guidelines for lobbying to insure compliance.

Lunch Break

Laura Hudson, Public Policy Coordinator, gave report of all activities she has been involved in:

Bills that were passed:

§ H.4649 – Towing Law allowing victims to not be liable for fees involved with a stolen vehicle; after compromise with Hutto, victims will be responsible for towing fees, however they will have a week (7 days) to be responsible for storage fees

§ H 4740 – denying teaching certificates to those that have been convicted of a crime

§ CDV Task Force Proviso – Vicki Bourus assisted. Allows a Criminal Domestic Planning Team to be developed. 36 states already have review teams in place.

§ Act 141 Audit Proviso – Giving entities such as the Attorney General’s office to receive money. If entity has not reported in the last three years, an audit is requested. Information reported to SOVA and State Auditor. Training will be conducted by SOVA. If counties/municipalities are non-compliant, aid to subdivisions money will be withheld.

Bills that were not passed:

§ S. 184 – Establishes penalties for counselors and therapists who have sexual contact with patients; Murrell Smith killed this bill because he felt that this would allow patients to come against the medical field improperly.

§ S. 354 – “Less than 12 years of age” bill. Rep. Lucas promises to reintroduce in January

§ S. 491- Stalking and harassment penalties revised; Magistrates opposed this bill – too easy to get a conviction of harassing and stalking

§ S. 439 – Interfering with Communication Devices in the Commission of a Crime; Killed by Maggie Glover

§ S. 740 – Victim Notification Expanded; Victim information to be provided to Dept of Mental Health and the Dept of Disabilities and Special Needs for notification purposes

§ H. 3130 – Firearm restrictions for CDV Offenders; Bill became very close to being passed. Killed by Jake Knotts; Knotts will be calling a summer meeting to discuss details of this bill. Attorney General Henry McMaster will be .involved.

Bills that were defeated:

§ H. 3165 – Mental Retardation/Death Penalty Bill

§ H. 4479 – “Let ‘Em Out Bill

§ Senate Bill on Bail Bondsmen – the GPS system should be regulated by PPP

§ S. 812 – Hutto’s CSC bill

§ Caps on TORT Reform – Laura asked for any suggestions for a formula for caps for non-economic losses

Laura participated in the “Cut it Out” media event with Vicki Bourus. “Cut it Out” is a program developed to help educate and train cosmetologists and other beauty professionals on how to handle victims of crime. The first meeting was on June 20^th; there were approximately 100 cosmetologists in attendance. There are others scheduled for the near future. See website: www.cutitout.org for more information and to order posters and cards.

Laura Hudson has attended many other meetings and has had several speaking engagements. All are listed on Public Policy Report.

Veronica Swain presented the Executive Report.

Victims’ Rights Week:

§ Mentioned possibility of VRW being in Columbia for second year

§ 36 victim scholarships were provided, and all requests were funded. We need to get more applications from advocates!

April was a busy month for Veronica.

April 15^th – Ritchie hosted first Point of Entry fundraiser event. It was a successful event. Veronica had not had a chance to contact all of the attendees and believes she shouldn’t have undertaken this event before VRW, etc., because of her busy schedule. Ritchie suggested that we do a simple brochure to distribute at meetings, something geared toward victims.

Crime Victim Legal Network:

§ Grant began April 1^st

§ Grant has incredible oversight: including numerous reports and forms that have to completed on a monthly basis

§ Victims will be represented in criminal court

§ There will be a team of 32 attorneys and law students to represent victims

§ Most pleadings have been provided in manual form by the NCVLI

§ Training will be provided by NCVLI, along with annual audits and 2 site visits to SCVAN

§ Melody Whetstone hired as Part Time Clinic Coordinator

§ Web based program will provide client intake; may be provided for free for first year

§ 1^st Steering Committee meeting to be held on July 22^nd. Board members invited to attend. Lisa Bernadine and Joann Morton were suggested for Veronica to invite

§ Grant will compliment current pro bono program at AG’s Office

§ Suggestion was made to make sure SOVA and Ombudsman has a copy of CVLN brochure to include with victim information

Attended Southern Regional 7 – State Summit in Miami. Veronica served as the SC State Team Leader. Task force to help immigrant crime victims was developed and met on July 1^st to put together outreach plan.

Along with Dean Kilpatrick and Mike Cavanaugh, Veronica assisted with the development of the State Victim Assistance Academy Grant. Dean reported that because the National Victim Assistance Academy did not happen this year, this grant would be a vital education source for all who assist crime victims.

Veronica has been heavily involved with assisting the victims of Dr. Crooks. She attended a meeting with a victim and Solicitor Ariail. Dr. Crooks was finally arrested and more victims have come forward. A civil lawsuit has been filed again Renee Middleton, offender’s sister, by Gregg Meyers. Solicitor Ariail was given until July 28^th to give up case and pass on to another solicitor.

Grant Reports

Both grants were increased from previous year.

Veronica mentioned the number of calls SCVAN staff takes with just general victim inquiries. See Executive Report for a sample report of calls that have come in.

Vicki Bourus distributed and gave details on upcoming trainings given by SCCADVASA. More information can be found on their website. www.sccadvasa.org

Meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.

Present

Absent

Lunch Break