Affiliate Presidents Conference Call
November 4, 2009
7:00-8:10 PM
On the call: David Rains, Art Springer, Patricia Meyer, Bo Mack, Frank Edwards, John
Haverstock, David Bullins, Jack Glenn, Mike Weaver, Ann Shaw
Staff: Deby Dihoff
The minutes from October were approved as distributed. New people were welcomed to
the call.
Affiliate Round Robin:
David Bullins (Cabarrus) – Had info table at the large mall for MIAW, completed 8th
CIT, with third telecommunicators class coming up. Other classes continue
David Rains (Charlotte) – Joined in with Suicide Prevention group on a Walk that made
them some money; Busy speaking at various organizations (social work, hemophiliacs),
working on membership –l55 , but 38 need to pay. WalMart a sponsor for the Walk.
David wondered about the inclusion of Charlotte BOD members on the mailing- Deby
said she was asked to do that, and would be fine with ending that practice as it was really
a workaround for a problem in not having the info distributed. David will send Deby a
corrected list.
Art Springer (ACR) – finished CIT in Alamance; starting in Rockingham. First Basics
class in January, they are borrowing an instructor from Guilford to join their instructor,
and will swap out later to repay Guilford. Membership – their first real campaign is
happening. Art mentioned that they are getting a lot of financial support from Wal Marteach quarter the manager can give out up to $l000.00. It started with one, now they’re up
to three; he encouraged others to try this technique.
Patricia Meyer (Haywood) – During MIAW observed national day or prayer; had
mayor read proclamation and also had a state representative present for this event
(pictures sent to NAMI NC). Also did a showing of the Soloist, great newspaper
coverage for everything. They are working on membership, but they need anew
treasurer; the VP’s husband is very ill so will also probably need replacement
Bo Mack (Cumberland) – Popcorn and a movie followed by a panel discussion was a
big hit for MIAW. Got names of people who might want to join; also had a book
donation event, and had a table at a radio festival. Bo has been elected as the new
President. Bo mentioned a complicated crisis call he was dealing with.
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Frank Edwards (Wake) – Out on the speaking circuit; spoke to SAS and two churches;
received mayoral plaque thanks to NAMI NC. Cit luncheon recently went very well,
Greg Fischel local weatherman as the MC. Working hard on membership, which is going
well. Had Laura Yates from the prisons in as a speaker- she was excellent. Lilly
Community Conversation coming up on Friday with a focus on Housing.
John Haverstock (Halifax) – meeting twice a monthly; slowly picking up members.
Appreciates hearing everyone else talk about their PR efforts. Next CIT in January. Had
mobile crisis team in for a presentation – they’re in existence just 5 mo. Really hoping
for their Family to Family in January. He feels an important role they play is being their
for families, generally via phone crisis/counseling work.
Michael Weaver/Jack Glenn (Guilford) – Mike is departing as President, and
welcomes Jack Glenn to the call. Mike has moved to Mecklenburg and will be a do-er
(as opposed to a leader) for a while with their NAMI after the boxes get unpacked.
MIAW events included a mayoral proclamation, PSAs. They have l6l members now,
billboard to go up soon. CIT on its way; GTCC on board, expect first class in 2010.
Great meeting with Jennifer Rothman about starting a NAMI on campus in Dec/Jan with
a small anti stress/exam event in Dec/Jan. Jack mentioned reaching out to the addictions
community in some work that may help as well with membership.
Ann Shaw (Randolph- for Becky Faucette) – Therapeutic Alternatives is headquartered
in their area, and really helped them out by distributing NAMI literature at a display at
the mall. Hoping to do a class in Jan with Becky (F2F). Although CIT did not launch,
they believe it will in all due time. They have a lot of support and get referrals from
Maxine, who presented at the conference (police officer).
Conference Comments – Everyone loved the conference. Question about when
powerpoints will be posted: they were sent to our web worker yesterday, so it should be
up any time now! Deby said that they did make some money on the conference, which is
always our aim, but especially great when we can do that and slash registration at the
same time. We had over 200 people, so attendance was up (perhaps l60 last year).
Consumer Council designees- Deby reviewed the listing and asked if all Presidents who
do not have a rep could assign one and let Gloria Harrison know, by December. The CC
is off to a wonderful start but we need to know who is representing which affiliates.
Thanks for working on this! The affiliates who are missing consumer council reps
include:
Albemarle
Appalachian South
Charlotte
Coastal Division
Four Seasons
Haywood
Iredell
Lee Harnett
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Moore
New Bern
Pitt
Randolph
Rutherford
Surry
Transylvania Advocates
Wayne/Lenoir
The state office will work on a special mailing targeted to these affiliates. Thank you!
Mentor Calls – from staff only will not continue; just felt this was not always a success.
We still want to stay in touch- if you want a staff mentor ( you may have acquired your
own nearby affiliate President mentor or NAMI NC Board member mentor) to help you,
you can call us any time. We will still assign staff to do outreach contact for new
affiliates and will try to do a site visit and outreach calls for at least the first three months.
Several people spoke about how helpful Brenda had been, particularly in Haywood.
Class Schedules, Training: - please let staff know your class schedules, and always
please endorse those from your affiliate who go to the training. That is an important step.
David Rains commented that he thinks some people have gone to training without
endorsement, Deby asked for specifics so she can follow up. If someone comes straight
to the state office to sign up, we do say that we must obtain an endorsement from the
affiliate, and it is our job to get that done. The idea is for everyone to be talking and
supporting each other- by endorsing them, you are part of making it a success when they
return to your affiliate, because you have buy-in. Next teacher training event is in
Raleigh, F2F, in January. Deby also discussed the list of resources by affiliate- so
everyone knows what teachers in what categories that they could conceivably be using.
Membership Drive – Deby reviewed the fact that emails went to Presidents, and snail
mail went to either membership coordinator (if one exists) or if not the Treasurer. Susan
also had a conference call to answer questions, run people through the drill, etc. – about
seven affiliates attended that. John Haverstock mentioned that he had not received an
email, so Deby will get Susan to re-send that to him. Patricia Meyer was concerned that
the list didn’t show a treasurer so wondered if Suzanne Gernandt, the Treasurer, had
received it – Deby did check, and it was sent to Judy Sipes, membership Chair. John
asked for some additional help which we’ll do with a mail merge request.
Events: - Deby reviewed the volunteer information meeting Dec 8, in Raleigh- will allow
call-ins to boost participation, and an open house they’ll be holding for providers to
publicize our programs, particularly necessary since so many people will be needing our
natural supports as they come off of paid services. Some discussion about why providers
don’t make more referrals- we just need to keep working on this. Deby mentioned a
letter she’d sent to LMEs asking for that very thing, and she will send these to the
remaining LMEs in the next month or so; the initial series was really announcing
Connection launches.
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Eastern Regional Conference- will be Feb 20 – we discussed preferences for
Wilmington/Greenville. Of course people liked both; but there was a realization that
Greenville is probably closer. Perhaps see which one will help! Deby said that every
other year we’ll have one in the East, then the West, etc. There’ll always be the annual
conference in the middle.
CIT conference- there was a lot of interest in this; people expressing that if we have it,
they will come. It will probably be in early June
The call was adjourned at 8:l0 after a brief discussion of the comprehensive service
provider requirements, peer support probably launching in July, and an update on
community support discontinuation – no new auths Jan l.
Submitted by,
Deby Dihoff, MA
Executive Director
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