ICASA Governing Body Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2012
ICASA GOVERNING BODY
MEETING MINUTES
March 7, 2012
6:00 p.m.
Springfield, Illinois
I. INTRODUCTORY BUSINESS
A. RECOGNITION
The Governing Body acknowledged Bonnie Buckley for 33 years of service. She is retiring. The Governing Body also acknowledged Polly for 30 years as ICASA’s Executive Director.
B. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Arlington Heights Jim Huenink
Aurora Vicki Russo
Belleville Mindy Stratmann
Bloomington Erica Thurman, Kelsey Schreck
Carbondale Megan Jones-Williams, Cathy McClanahan
Charleston/Mattoon Erin Walters, Bonnie Buckley, Mickie Owens
Chicago, YWCA
Metropolitan Chicago Nabilah Talib, Anne Pezzillo, Yesenia Romo
Chicago, MLEA Neusa Gaytan, Maritza Reyes
Chicago, RVA Sharmili Majmudar, Sarah Layden
Chicago Heights Barbara McCormick-Somerville, Debbie Perry
Danville Nancy Crowder
Decatur Cathy Byers
DeKalb Lisa Jensen
Galena Josh Jasper
Glendale Heights Kathy Kempke, Colleen Heflin, Amy Anderson
Gurnee Alexandra Beiriger
Hickory Hills Lynn Siegel, Patty Murphy
Joliet Donna Plier
Kankakee Marcie Sheridan
Macomb Diane Mayfield
McHenry Erin Williams, Debbie Rundell
Peoria Julie Boland, Nancee Brown, Heidi Van Heuklon,
Jesi Mayhew
Princeton Connie Doran
Quad Cities Becky Moreno Bell
Quincy Megan Duesterhaus, Amanda Carpenter
Rockford Maureen Mostacci
Springfield Shelley Vaughan
Sterling Shelly Brantley
Streator Val McCollum, Margaret Morrison
Urbana/Champaign Kerri True-Funk
Vandalia Mary Harrington
ABSENT:
Elgin
ICASA STAFF:
Polly Poskin Sean Black
Carol Corgan Carrie Ward
Susan Faupel Mary Hill
Leslie Hitchins Bethany Martin
Lyn Schollett
C. DECISION MAKING PROCESS
Julie Boland reminded the Governing Body to review the consensus decision-making process, which was distributed at the start of the meeting.
D. APPROVE GOVERNING BODY MEETING MINUTES
The Governing Body reviewed the December 1, 2011, January 9, 2012 and January 18, 2012 Governing Body meeting minutes. There was a correction to the January 18 minutes to reflect that Maureen Mostacci from Rockford was on the call. Jim recommended approval of the minutes with the correction to the January 18 meeting minutes. The Governing Body approved the minutes by consensus.
E. STAFF REPORT
Polly acknowledged that Peg Kovach, former Executive Director of Growing Strong in Decatur, passed away. The Governing Body observed a moment of silence in recognition of Peg’s commitment to sexual assault services and her leadership at Growing Strong.
1. Polly received an award as part of Women’s History Month. The recognition was sponsored by the three female constitutional officers. Lisa Madigan selected Polly for the recognition.
2. Carrie and Mary have been conducting site visits.
3. Carol, Carrie, Megan and Sharmili met with two centers regarding a geographic service region issue.
4. Staff met with Chicago centers and Contracts Review Committee regarding redistribution of the funds for C4 Chicago.
5. Carol and Sean distributed and read applications for the Illinois Imagines Mini-grants. Competitive application grant review is March 12.
6. Staff sent quarterly, bi-annual and year-end reports to funders.
7. Polly, Lyn, Sean Libby and Carol conducted research and lobbying on the strip club bill.
8. Polly and Lyn strategized and lobbied on the Constitutional Amendment.
9. Staff conducted NSAC workshop proposal review with a Governing Body committee, drafted materials for national scholarships, scheduled workshops, secured exhibitors and met with hotel.
10. Staff conducted one webinar. The next is scheduled for March 13 (Falsetti research) and staff is scheduling more to come (approximately one per month).
11. Sean worked with the University of Illinois at Rockford researchers to complete the outcome evaluation.
12. Staff has worked with the expedited payment process to keep the money moving to centers.
13. Polly and Carol met with DCFS staff regarding ICASA’s contract being moved to a different division.
14. Polly, Sean and Carol prepared information for the legislature regarding the impact of a 10% cut and alternatives to reducing ICASA funds (SVP funding cut).
15. Carol met with the Board of Directors at Princeton.
16. Lyn attended the final meeting as member of Planned Parenthood National Board of Directors.
II. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – Julie Boland
Executive Committee has no recommendations. The Committee approved a funding distribution plan at its January 9 meeting. Executive Committee will meet with Governing Body in executive session at the end of this meeting to review a grievance report.
III. PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE – Sarah Layden
A. HJRCA 29 –MARCY’S LAW
Sarah noted a separate bill is being created to codify the amendment. Lyn introduced Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins who gave the Governing Body an overview of the rally plan for tomorrow. Jennifer thanked the Governing Body for its work.
B. SB3348 – STRIP CLUB TAX
The bill was approved in committee yesterday and will go to the Senate floor by March 30. The Governing Body will be briefed tomorrow morning.
C. HB5278 – TRAFFICKING PROPOSAL
End Demand is proposing language to tighten up current statute. The language has been drafted. Nancee Brown recommends that ICASA continue to work with End Demand Campaign on the trafficking initiative. The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
D. HB4005 – CHILD SEX OFFENDER/TRANSPORTATION OF MINOR
This bill provides that a convicted child sex offender cannot transport a minor who is not a member of the offender’s immediate family without consent of the minor’s parent or guardian.
Lyn noted this would be hard to enforce. Additionally, Public Affairs Committee agreed not to focus a lot of energy on sex offender management bills. The Public Affairs Committee recommends that ICASA remain neutral on this bill. The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
E. EXPUNGEMENT OF EMERGENCY ORDERS
1. HB4460 –This bill provides that if a petitioner in an Order of Protection (OP) case does not seek a plenary order, the respondent can petition the court to expunge the emergency order from both court records and the LEADS system. It also provides that if the court denies a plenary order in an OP case, the plenary order is automatically expunged.
2. HB4461 - This bill creates a new offense of making a false statement to obtain an OP or a Civil No Contact Order (CNCO), which is a Class 3 felony.
Public Affairs Committee recommends that ICASA oppose both SB4460 and SB4461. The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
F. HB5161 – CNCO/SNCO/OP – RESPONDENTS WITH IEPS
This bill addresses CNCO, OP and Stalking NO Contact Order (SNCO) cases in which the respondent has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and the court orders the respondent not to attend the same school as the victim. This bill would require the court to utilize the IEP process when entering an order changing the offender’s placement.
The Public Affairs Committee recommends that ICASA oppose HB5161. The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
G. HB5628 – ESSA
This comprehensive bill creates protections for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence as well as pregnant and parenting teens to help them stay in school. The bill addresses absences, transfers of students, home instruction, disciplinary matters, suspensions, expulsions, confidentiality and other matters related to a student’s education. In each case, the bill carves out special protections for teens who are victims or pregnant or parenting.
This bill failed to get out of Committee.
H. HB5734 – NO SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION FOR AGE-BASED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE OR SEXUAL EXPLOTIATION OF A CHILD
This bill addresses cases in which an offender is convicted or adjudicated for criminal sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a child, when the victim is at least 14, the offender is no more than four years older than the victim, and the conviction is not based on force or coercion. The bill provides that those offenders (1) are not subject to the loitering and residency requirements that apply to convicted sex offenders, 2) that these offenders can petition at sentencing not to have to register and 3) if these offenders are registered, they can petition to be removed from the registry.
The Public Affairs Committee recommends that ICASA oppose HB5734. The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
I. HB5922
This bill creates a short form service for CNCOs. Sharmili recommends that ICASA support this bill. The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
J. OTHER BILLS
1. HB5584 – This bill requires if anyone witnesses sexual assault of a child to report it. Public Affairs Committee recommends that ICASA support this bill. Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
2. HB5664 – This bill removes criminal statue of limitations for all sex crimes. Public Affairs Committee recommends that ICASA support this bill. Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus
3. SB3773 – This bill requires not for profits to be subject to FOIA. Jim recommends that ICASA oppose the bill. Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus
K. LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS GRANT
Staff is completing the OVW application to continue the CAASE Sexual Assault Justice Project for three more years. The application is due March 26.
IV. CONTRACTS REVIEW COMMITTEE – Kerri True-Funk
A. JANUARY 19 MEETING
There were no recommendations in the January 19 meeting.
B. C4, CHICAGO FUNDING
The Contracts Review Committee discussed the establishment of services in C4’s service area now that C4 has ceased to provide rape crisis services. Carrie summarized funds available within FY12 (lapsed by C4) as follows:
General $ 32,544.13
VAWA Prevention $ 10,700.79
VOCA Advocacy/Counseling $ 44,745.86
SASP $ 4,188.50
VOCA One-Time $ 9,048.21
TOTAL $101,237.49
Contracts Review Committee agreed on a recommendation as follows:
Contracts Review Committee will issue an application to establish a comprehensive sexual assault services satellite office in previous C4 service area.
Applicants will submit a 14-month application/budget describing their plan to establish direct services beginning June 1, building toward comprehensive services per ICASA guidelines/standards by December 31.
The timeline is as follows:
March 7 Governing Body review recommendation
March 14 Mail application
April 18 Application due
April 26 CRC review application
April TBD Executive Committee review and approve
application.
Contracts Review Committee recommends that only agencies with their primary office in Chicago be eligible to apply.
Centers eligible to apply to do not participate in decision-making. The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
C. CHAIR
Contracts Review Committee recommends that Megan Jones-Williams be approved as Chair of Contracts Review Committee. She will resign as Chair of the Program Committee. The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
V. FINANCE COMMITTEE – Kerri Funk
A. FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Finance Committee recommends the January 2012 financial statement be filed for audit. The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
VI. PROGRAM COMMITTEE – Megan Jones Williams
The Program Committee made no recommendations.
VII. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE – Donna Plier
The Personnel Committee recommends Donna Plier as Chair. The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
Polly explained changes to the terms of the annuity provided her by ICASA. Personnel Committee decided to move the funds out of John Hancock to TransAmerica.
VIII. TRAINING COMMITTEE – Diane Mayfield
The Committee did not make recommendations because it did not have a quorum. The Committee is proposing FY13 training dates which includes monthly webinars. Julie asked the Governing body to review the dates. Kerri recommended approval of FY13 training and Governing Body meeting dates. The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
IX. NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT CONFERENCE (NSAC)
· Susan thanked the workshop selection committee which reviewed over 300 proposals. Eighty-two workshops were selected.
· Seven women of color leadership institutes will be planned with the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
· The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape will conduct an evening focus group.
· Full schedule and registration materials will be sent in April.
· An evening cruise is scheduled for August 23.
· The exhibit hall has about 17 booths, including Women and Children First bookstore.
· Registration materials will include information about national scholarships, which ICASA centers are eligible to request.
Scholarships
Staff prepared information for Governing Body review regarding distribution of funds for NSAC scholarships for ICASA centers. Current ICASA policy states:
When funds are available, a minimum of $500 will be awarded to each center. When more than $500 per center is available, the following formula will be used in determining the allocation of funds:
# of FTE # of Additional Scholarships
(all of equal value)
1 to under 10 1
10 to under 20 2
20 to under 30 3
30+ 4
Jim recommends Option 3. Nabilah asked if we have considered a volunteer structure yet. Carol said we will in June.
Mary asked if we will sponsor statewide conference in Spring 2013.
Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
X. OTHER
A. ANTI-OPPRESSION TRAINING
Mary asked if every manager is required to attend three hours of Anti-Oppression Training for managers each year. Carrie said yes. Mary asked if that could be scheduled as a mini-workshop. Carrie said that ongoing training does not have to be ICASA training. ICASA does the three-hour training for new directors. Mary said there are not many opportunities for this type of training. Training Committee will review this issue and make a recommendation.
Minutes submitted by:
Carol Corgan
Executive Committee recommended that the Governing Body meet in Executive Session to review a grievance report. The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus. The meeting adjourned and reconvened with only Governing Body officers, Executive Committee members, Governing Body voting delegates, Grievance Committee members and staff.
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