May Member Meeting - 05/24/2022

Present: Steve Eilers, Christine Carpenter, Tammy Turner, Mary Wallingford, Mira Evans, Clarissa Klostermann, Ruben Carrion, Nikki Carrion, Jenny Weber, Kyle Durant, Sally Browne

Minutes: Minutes of the March meeting approved as corrected.

Treasurers Report:

• Sponsorship of Embrace the Race was approved by the HCVC Board. This year's virtual event will be June 19.
• Audit was completed.
• Check from the Guernsey Foundation arrived for the Color Me Human Reading Challenge.

Theme Group Updates

Fresh Produce

• The NEIFB garden received a $1200 grant from ISU to use for more raised beds. Peas and spinach are coming up. They need volunteers and will have an open house to publicize.
• The Cedar Valley Farm to Food Network Tour is June 8.
• Garden in Every Lot planted 26 gardens so far. Lots of cancellations because of rain, but a good response. They are working to get as many gardens as possible in by mid-June.

Health and Wellbeing

• Rock Valley Physical Therapy open house will be June 8, starting at 7:45 and will focus on pelvic floor health and balance.

Sustainability

• The Practical Backyard Tour will be held Saturday, June 18. Tammy reviewed locations. She still needs photographers.

Promotions and Development Report

• The Color Me Human Reading Challenge received $11,000 in funding from the Guernsey Foundation to purchase books from three local African-American authors and place them in area libraries. They will reach out to 59 libraries in 8 counties. The authors will be available to read aloud from their books. The grant is in effect from July 1 to November 10. Steve recommended stickers for each book saying "This book provided by a grant from HCVC and the Guernsey Foundation."
• Discussion of where to purchase HCVC logo on table runner.

New Business

Kyle presented a plan to merge 5-2-1-0 and HVCV. 5-2-1-0/Healthy Hometown program now in last year. There was discussion of continuing it on with city of Waterloo, but after finding HCVC website they think there's a logical connection.
 
Jenny says Wellmark hopes to keep the master plan going, make costs more sustainable, put more emphasis on what Wellmark can do outside the healthcare system, and broaden the scope of HCVC. They will become a silent partner, focusing on a finite number of issues and identifying potential funding sources.
 
Christine explained how HCVC is fiscal partner for projects.
 
Steven points out need for HCVC credit card and points out benefits of merger for HCVC—more funding sources, more contacts, marketing help.
 
Clarissa moved merging HCVC and 5-2-1-0/Healthy Hometown locally. Tammy seconded. The motion passed.
 
The July general meeting will invite all partners. Kyle and Steve will send out the invitations.
 

Member Announcements

• Brain Injury Group meeting the 4th Tuesday of every month.
• Parkinson's Support Group meets 2nd Thursday of the month.