MINUTES

STATEWIDE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL

ANNUAL MEETING

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

PARI Independent Living Center

500 Prospect Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

 

Members present: Leo Canuel; Madeline Colon; Rick Costa, Secretary; Liz Graves, Council Chairperson; Margarita Grome; Anna Liebenow, NAC Co-Chair, Membership/Nominating Committee Chair; Lorna Ricci; Jack Ringland; Heidi Showstead, 1st Vice-Chair; Mary Wambach, NAC Co-Chair.

Volunteers: Vincent DeJesus; Laurie Diorio; Karen Dougherty.

Staff: Lisel Rockwood, Assistant to the Administrator.

Interpreter: Dona Lombardi.

  1. Introductions: Liz Graves welcomed Council Members to the annual meeting. Self introductions were made.
  2. Minutes of quarterly Council meeting of June 20, 2011: previously sent.  A motion was made by Jack Ringland and seconded by Margarita Grome to accept the minutes as written. The vote passed unanimously. For:  Leo Canuel, Madeline Colon, Rick Costa, Liz Graves, Margarita Grome, Anna Liebenow, Lorna Ricci, Jack Ringland, Heidi Showstead, Mary Wambach.  Against: none.
  3. Liability insurance: Liz Graves stated that the Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance is in effect.
  4. Interest Disclosure statement: New Council members were asked to complete the statement and existing Council members were asked to submit any changes.
  5. Meeting dates for writing 704 Part 1 Report for FFY 2011: The State Plan Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 26th from 11 a.m. – 12:00 Noon at the RISILC Office to discuss the report and assign sections.

  1. Committee reports

Finance/Resource Committee: previously sent. Madeline Colon gave a brief overview of the report.

Needs Assessment Committee:Anna Liebenow and Mary Wambach spoke about the progress of the Needs Assessment Survey. The committee is currently working on the graphic/simple language translation with Sue Babin (DDC), and drafting written procedures. Measures are being used to protect the confidentiality of consumers who will be taking the survey. The survey is expected to be ready for distribution in early 2012.

State Plan/Monitoring Committee: The Centers reported on their progress toward SPIL Goals. Leo Canuel (PARI) stated that there was a decrease in consumers on the Personal Choice Program due to consumers leaving the state, death, and one consumer who won the lottery. He spoke about recent issues with Medicaid procedures and the steps taken to rectify the problems including the involvement of the Disability Law Center. PARI has completed 11 home modifications and 6 more are ready to begin. Leo stated that the overall referrals are increasing and more people are in need, especially in the Spanish-speaking community, but there is no additional funding to service this increase. Lorna Ricci (OSCIL) spoke about OSCIL’s new publicity signage campaign noting that these are dedicated funds that may not be used for other purposes. She stated that referrals are still increasing and 160 home modifications have been completed using ARRA funds and the Tufts grant. She also stated that the much needed part-time employees who were hired under the ARRA funds will remain working through the use of other funding sources. Liz Graves requested a written summary from Leo and Lorna of their respective reports for distribution to Council members.

     Membership/Nominating Sub-committee:

     Nomination of Council Members’ reappointments:

Anna Liebenow introduced Vincent DeJesus, Laurie Diorio, and Karen Dougherty for first term Council appointments. A motion was made by Jack Ringland and seconded by Margarita Grome to nominate all three first term members to the Council.

The vote passed unanimously. For:  Leo Canuel, Madeline Colon, Rick Costa, Liz Graves, Margarita Grome, Anna Liebenow, Lorna Ricci, Jack Ringland, Heidi Showstead, Mary Wambach.  Against: none.

Anna Liebenow introduced Kristen Connors, Rick Costa, Margarita Grome, and Anna Liebenow for Council Member reappointment. A motion was made by Jack Ringland and seconded by Margarita Grome to nominate all four members to a second term. The vote passed unanimously. For:  Leo Canuel, Madeline Colon, Rick Costa, Liz Graves, Margarita Grome, Anna Liebenow, Lorna Ricci, Jack Ringland, Heidi Showstead, Mary Wambach.  Against: none.

Nomination of Officers: Anna Liebenow presented the slate of   officers as follows; Chairperson, Rick Costa; 1st Vice Chairperson, Heidi Showstead;  2nd Vice Chairperson, Kristen Connors; Secretary, Jack Ringland; Treasurer, Madeline Colon.  Anna asked for nominations from the floor three consecutive    times for each position. There were no nominations from the floor. A motion was made by Leo Canuel and seconded by Mary Wambach to accept the slate of officers as presented. The vote passed unanimously. For:  Leo Canuel, Madeline Colon, Rick Costa, Liz Graves, Margarita Grome, Anna Liebenow, Lorna Ricci, Jack Ringland, Heidi Showstead, Mary Wambach.  Against: none.

    7.  Chairperson’s Report: previously sent.

8.  New Business: Anna Liebenow reported on the latest RIPTA       Board meeting concerning RIPTA’s 4.6 million dollar deficit. The       Board approved two million dollars in cuts which included       administrative cuts and service “adjustments” to routes. No          routes were eliminated. She also noted that there was talk about       changing the RIde eligibility. Council members voiced concerns       about the federally funded streetcar plan on routes already       serviced by RIPTA buses that would require additional matching       state funds.  Mary Wambach announced that she would not be       seeking reappointment as she will be moving out of state.

    9.  Educational Presentation:  Kelly Buckland (NCIL) was                   unavailable.

 

 

Rick Costa

Secretary