DASH Board Meeting Notes

January 9, 2007

First Federal Savings and Loan

Who was there
Pat Teal, Karen Pierce, Leslie Bunton, Lesa Barnes, Annod Bickley, Lynn Gressley, Nancy Obert, Kaheya Cunningham, Julie Duke, Kay Harper, and Joannie Murayama.

Amending the By Laws
Lynn reminded board members of a request of an amendment to the bylaws which was read at last month’s meeting. This would change the number of board members required to make up the board. The amendment reads: The Board will have no fewer than seven members and no more than 17 members. At least 50 percent of the board will comprise persons with disabilities. The DASH Board membership will include a wide-range of disabilities as well as representatives from agencies and organizations that work with or serve the persons with disabilities. Examples of such agencies include transit, the city, the county the hospital and DSHS. Pat moved and Kaheya seconded that the bylaws be so amended. The motion passed unanimously.

Resignations
It was with sadness that Annod and Joannie gave their resignations to the DASH Board. Both women stated they have enjoyed their time on the DASH board. Annod stated she would still be an advocate for the arts and disabilities. She has resigned from the Centrum Access board which, she noted will be meeting Jan. 31st after a long hiatus. Julie Duke will take Annod’s place on this board. Annod noted that Sally Rodgers of Centrum is a great advocate to this board. Annod also asked that the access committee follow through with assessing the Key City Play House, Bread and Roses Bakery, and Joey Pipia’s theater. Annod also suggested that someone contact Kathy Meier of the Leader regarding an article about accessible art venues in Jefferson County. Joannie will be doing a lot of Chautauqua work this year. She brought their newsletter to show the board with the suggestion the DASH Board do something like this for fund raising and information. She also passed on a form she has to help increase board recruitment. It was noted that P.T. Shorts will again using a disability theme in April.

Committee Reports

Public Access

The committee met with Mary Heather Ames from city public works. They gave her a workable list of projects that would increase accessibility. Examples are curb-cuts, increased accessible parking places, side-walk and curb improvements uptown, and re-establishment of flags and repair of flashing lights on Upper Sims Way Crosswalk. Lesa has met with Tyler Johnson from city public works regarding the map. They text section of the map that Tyler had was a section from the map of serveral years ago. Lesa and Karen have reviewed the new text . It is ready for board perusal and can be found at the City Engineers office. Lesa and Pat will go together to review it.

Education Committee No report.

Arts Enrichments Committee See Joannie and Annod’s resignation.

Event Planning Committee

The Committee met with Port Townsend School Superintendent, Tom Opstad. He is excited and inviting in allowing the Event to take place at the Port Townsend High School. The committee meets tomorrow to put together more definitive plans regarding the Event.

Grant Update

Extension of the grant is not official. The CDC has not acted on the extension so neither has the state. Susan and Tabitha will be involved in several conference calls today regarding all of this. Tabitha will relay further information to the board when it is available.

Board Retreat Sam has agreed to facilitate a retreat for formation of goals for the new DASH corporation. It was determined that the 9th of February would work best. Lynn will contact Sam regarding this date. First Federal Bank is available for this date to host the retreat. Others may be invited to attend. Names given were: Leigh Kennel, Daniel Barnes, Sue Ameter, Pam Garrison, and Barbie Rasmussen.

Reports from Outside Committee Work

Governors Committee

Kaheya will be attending the Governor’s committee meeting on Thursday, Jan. 11th. She will be presenting a letter from a Chimacum High School student, Tina Galarti, who participated in last years assume a disability for a day event. She has written a wonderful letter highlighting her experience.

Housing Authority

Garden Court Apartments in Chimacum may lose its affordable housing status as it is up for sale. The housing authority is working on this.

Other announcements

Pat announced and invited folks to attend the MLK march in Olympia on Jan. 15th.
There will be a state judiciary hearing on Friday, Jan. 12th to discuss the rewording of the state definition of disability. Lesa will get more information on this for the board.
North Olympic Hot Wheelers will meet Friday, Jan. 27 in Sequim at the Mariner Café.
The City of Port Townsend will hold another charette regarding changes to upper Sims Way and Uptown of Jan. 9th and 17th.
The Board viewed the 2006 Assume a Disability for a Day Event video that students from Port Townsend High School filmed and produced. The board enjoyed the video finding the filming wonderful and informative. They suggested that the audio portion be fixed so that statements made by the participants could be heard.

The Next Board meeting will be held
Feb 13, 2007
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
First Federal Savings and Loan
Guest: Owen Fairbanks, Non-Motorized Committee