RA CHARITY -- KANSAS CITY METROPLITAN SAFE HAVEN FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN

NEWHOUSE
who they are-
Since 1971, Newhouse fills a community need as a safe haven for women and children fleeing the immediate threat of domestic violence.  With assistance from local law enforcement, each year the staff welcomes as many as 1,000 women and children, often with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing.  Newhouse provides for their immediate physical needs of food, clothing, and shelter as well as comprehensive counseling to meet their serious emotional and physiological needs.

who they serve-

• Each year, Newhouse serves over 10,000 women and children by providing safe shelter, an emergency hotline, and assistance in the domestic violence court system.
• Seventy-seven percent of those served come to Newhouse from the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.  Others have been reported from as many as 28 states.
• The average age of a woman in safe shelter is 37 and the average child age is 6 years.
• Eighty-four percent of the women are unemployed with an average household income of $3,711.

Newhouse provides safe shelter 24 hours a day, 3 meals a day-365 days a year.  Newhouse also provides clothing and other immediate needs plus a caring environment.

Additionally, Newhouse provides court advocacy, continuing education and job skill training, comprehensive therapy, and outplacement services are also provided by Newhouse staff.  These serves are necessary to equip women with the tools to make positive choices and lead self-sufficient lives.

what they need-

Daily Shelter Needs:

Laundry pods, for single laundry loads

Personal care items:  shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste

Pajamas for women and children

Hair products for all ethnicities

Purses and wallets (can be gently used)

NEW women's underwear

Lip balm

Facial tissues

Used cell phones (working or not)

CHANGE OF PRE-RA DATE!

Please note that the date of the West Central and North/Northwest Pre-RA has been changed to October 17. 

All delegates should plan to attend.  The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m., preceded by a light supper at 5:00 p.m.

MNEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES

Visitors:

Steve Geiger from MPSO and Thomas Greene from the Future Leader’s Academy

Reports:

President’s Report: 

President Charles Smith talked about his recent visit to Finland.  He financed the trip.  He is looking forward to sharing more information about his visit with us in the future.

Executive Director Report: 

DeeAnn Aull has met with all staff in her time as Executive Director. There will be an all staff meeting at the end of October to begin planning for the upcoming year.

We have received a $105,000 extension for our "Teacher Words Matter" campaign.  This year’s campaign will begin in December. We have received a $50,000 EFT/New Educators grant. Kristin Owen and Alice Flores will be working with Rockwood, Pattonville and Hazelwood to try to flip more educators to EFT.  We have also received a $20,000 Institutional Racism/Social Justice grant.

Educators Rising: The group is working hard toward attracting more locals and members.

$250,000 has been given to the Chris Koster campaign from NEA and another $250,000 will be given to the campaign this week. MNEA is collecting contributions between $5 and $25 for the Clean Campaign which will be working towards campaign reform and redistricting in 2018.  We are trying to get the grassroots campaign going.

Collective Bargaining Updates:  DeeAnn Aull shared a Field Report with the Board highlighting what is going on in the UniServ Units.  The Board was very appreciative of the report.

  

Business Items:

Approval of Capital Budget:  Karen Struemph presented the proposed Capital Budget for the fiscal year ending 8/31/17.  Budget passed.

2016-17 Legislative Platform:  The Legislative Platform was presented by MNEA Legislative Committee Chair Patrick Layden and staff member Otto Fajen.  The Legislative Platform passed as amended.

Ballot Issue Crisis Fund:  Motion passed to recommend to the Fall RA to continue the Ballot Issue Crisis Fund. 

Ash Grove Affiliation:  The Board approved affiliation of Ash Grove.

Recommendation of New Member Benefit Partner: The Board approved Gallagher Affinity as a new member benefit partner.

Discussion Items:

2017-18 Draft Calendar:  The calendar was distributed to the Board.  Board members need to look through the calendar and send Charles any changes that might need to be made.  The Board will vote on the calendar at the November Board meeting.

Shirley Cromer Award nominations are due 10/01. Please look for experienced members to nominate. 

Leila Medley QLA nominations due 10/01.  Information for this award can be found in the Timeline for Action.

Horace Mann Teacher Nominations are due 12/15. 

Revised Budget Timeline:  There is one change.  January 10 needs to be changed to Jan. 11.  There will be a Board Conference Call meeting at 7:00 PM on January 11 to approve the revised budget.

Fall RA details: The Fall RA is at the Westin Crown Center this year.  If you are going to room with another Board member, you can let Karen know, and she will make your room reservation for you.  If you are planning to room with someone from your local, it is easier to make your own reservation and voucher your half of the room.  MNEA only reserves a block of rooms for Friday night not for Saturday night. Please remember to bring items for the PAC auction. You can make lunch reservations online.

Capitol Action Days:  Board members need to check the dates that are in the Board packet.  We need to choose the dates for the 2017-18 year.

PR Campaign:  The Board watched 3 video clips of ads that ran in the KC area for the “Read to Achieve” campaign.

NEA Summit:  The Summit will be February 24-26, 2017 in Orlando, Florida this year.

Information Items:

A membership status report was handed out.  This report will authorize delegate attendance at the Fall RA. 

Cat Tour:  February 27 - March 3, 2017. Applications for the tour are on the website. They are due January 2.

Pre-RA dates have been set and are in the Board packet.  Board members should try to attend the Pre-RA for their area.  The charity for the RA is Newhouse, a women’s and children’s shelter in the KC metropolitan area.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Program will be held on January 15, 2017.  More information will be coming out a later date.

The MNEA Board Meeting Conference Call is on January 11, 2017 at 7:00 PM.

MLT/WLT West conference will be held in San Diego, CA, on December 9 -11, 2016.

President Smith gave Board members a booklet: “Taking Restorative Practices School-Wide.”