Governing Body Meeting Minutes
June 12, 2014
ICASA GOVERNING BODY
MEETING MINUTES
June 12, 2014
9:00 a.m.
Northfield Inn & Suites
Springfield, IL
I. INTRODUCTORY BUSINESS
A. WELCOME
Megan Jones-Williams, Convener welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited introductions and announcements.
Polly highlighted articles in the Governing Body packet.
B. ROLL CALL OF VOTING DELEGATES
PRESENT:
Arlington Heights Jim Huenink
Aurora Michelle Meyers
Belleville Cheryl Compton
Bloomington Nicole Kirstein, Hilary Pacha
Carbondale Cathy McClanahan, Megan Jones-Williams
Charleston/Mattoon Erin Walters
Chicago, YWCA
Metropolitan Chicago Debbie Perry, Nabilah Talib
Chicago, MLEA Neusa Gaytan, Maritza Reyes
Chicago, RVA Sharmili Majmudar
Danville Marcie Sheridan
Decatur Cathy Byers
DeKalb Mary Ellen Schaid
Elgin Bethzaira Fregoso
Galena Cathy McDermott
Gurnee Adam Robinson, Alexandra Beiriger
Hickory Hills Lynn Siegel, Patty Murphy
Joliet Donna Plier
Kankakee Cheryl Chamberlain
Macomb Diane Mayfield
Peoria Julie Boland, Nancee Brown, Heidi Van Heuklon
Princeton Bruce McVety
Quad Cities Nicole Cisne Durbin
Quincy Mandy Carpenter, Megan Duesterhaus
Rockford Maureen Mostacci
Springfield Catherine Walters
Sterling Veronica Henry-Redell
Streator Val McCollum
Urbana/Champaign Erin Sturm
Vandalia Mary Harrington
ICASA STAFF:
Polly Poskin Bethany Meaker
Carrie Ward Mary Hill
Claudia Castro Susan Faupel
GUESTS:
Karin Manning, Illinois Department of Human Services
Rhonda Clancy, Illinois Department of Public Health
C. MARCH 12-13 GOVERNING BODY MEETING MINUTES
Governing Body reviewed March 12-13 meeting minutes. Julie B. recommended approval of the March minutes. Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
D. STAFF REPORT
Polly welcomed Karin Manning, Illinois Department of Human Services and Rhonda Clancy, Illinois Department of Public Health and thanked them for attending the ICASA Governing Body meeting.
Polly thanked everyone who was able to attend the mini-workshop last night on “Marsy’s Law: March to November Ballot.” She also thanked center representatives for attending the constituent visit days throughout the legislative season. She highlighted year-to-date collection of Special Tax Revenue (strip club tax) funds and noted ICASA’s General Revenue allocation remained the same as FY14. The temporary income tax extension did not pass, so no additional funds were allocated. Polly said this issue may be voted on in November.
Polly highlighted the work of staff as follows:
1. Polly, Claudia, Libby, Sean and Suzanne K. worked on arranging for and attending constituent visit days with centers at the Capitol.
2. On April 9 and April 29, Polly gave testimony to both House and Senate Appropriations’ Committee, DHS budget, regarding FY15 GRF.
3. Polly and Claudia continue to work with prosecutors, legislators and others regarding HJRCA1, the Constitutional Amendment for Victims Rights. They are also working hard on many other pieces of legislation.
4. Polly, Claudia, Sean and Libby prepared for and facilitated Illinois Imagines Public Policy Committee meeting.
5. Sean prepared and sent out monthly Communiqué newsletters.
6. Sean has been working with Illinois Imagines to review mini-grant applications.
7. Sean and Carol have been working on a guide for creating and conducting empowerment groups for Illinois Imagines.
8. Sean has been attending meetings for the Domestic Violence Task Force.
9. Training Institute staff completed work on the Statewide Conference. Special thanks to Suzanne Knox for her assistance in Sarah’s absence. Training Institute staff also conducted monthly webinars.
10. Carrie and Mary completed on-site visits with centers.
11. Carrie, Mary and Lisa prepared materials and issued funding applications to centers. Carrie and Mary conducted the Technical Assistance Webinar on May 13.
12. Carrie and Mary have been providing lots of technical assistance to centers.
13. Staff has been providing technical assistance and follow up related to grievances.
14. Staff have been working on the Geographic Service Region issue between Gurnee and Arlington Heights.
15. Support staff have been doing yeoman’s work to keep the Administrative Staff afloat. J
16. Leslie Hitchins’ last day at ICASA is June 30.
17. Lindsay Grammer starts on Monday, June 16 as the Accountant.
Polly and Suzanne Gray proposed plans for hosting a summit with college university representatives to comply with the Title IX compliance initiative. Polly asked center representatives for feedback. Rhonda asked which colleges and universities are affected by the initiative. Suzanne said those that receive Title IX funds are affected. Staff will continue to work on this concept.
Polly said we may also need to consider some type of summit regarding the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Federal VAWA STOP funds to states will be reduced as a result on non-compliance with PREA. Funds that are taken away will be redistributed to the Department of Corrections to assist with compliance. Other funds are also affected, but in FY15 VAWA STOP will be exempted.
Polly noted we may expect to receive increases in VOCA, SASP, VAWA STOP and other grants within the next few years.
II. BYLAWS AMENDMENTS
Governing Body reviewed ICASA bylaws amendments distributed in Governing Body packets and voted on amendments as follows:
§ 2nd Vote on revisions to the Duties of Treasurer and the role of Executive Committee in distributing funds. Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
§ Proposed/1st Vote on revisions to language change indicating purpose of Executive Committee meeting. Sharmili recommends approval of bylaws as amended. Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
III. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE- Megan Jones-Williams
Megan highlighted work of ICASA’s Executive Committee since the last Governing Body meeting. Executive Committee met 6 times, including 2 meetings held in Executive Session.
On April 29, Executive Committee reviewed anticipated revenue available for FY15 subcontracts, administrative office and training and communications. The Committee reviewed the staff proposal and considered options for allocation of Special Tax Revenue (strip club tax) funds. After review and discussion, Executive Committee agreed to allocate available funds as follows:
$332,419 Subcontracts
$54,000 New ICASA Administrative Staff position
$20,000 Reduce Training Institute reliance on rollover
On May 6, Executive Committee approved recommendations from Contracts Review Committee for allocation of FY15 General Revenue, VOCA, VAWA Prevention, VAWA Satellite, SASP and Special Tax Revenue funds to subcontracts.
IV. CONTRACTS REVIEW COMMITTEE- Mary Harrington
Contracts Review Committee met 4 times since the last Governing Body meeting. Mary highlighted the work of Contracts Review Committee noting that several of the Committee’s recommendations have been acted upon by Executive Committee and do not require Governing Body action.
On May 29, Contracts Review Committee recommended that Mary Harrington continue as Chair in FY15. Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
V. FINANCE COMMITTEE- Cathy Byers
Megan Duesterhaus presented the Finance Committee report in Kerri True-Funk’s absence.
Finance Committee recommended the April 2014 financial statements be filed for audit. Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
Megan noted ICASA’s fiscal staff requested Finance Committee approval to change the Wells Fargo Investment account secondary contact from Leslie Hitchins to Bethany Meaker, due to Leslie’s retirement effective June 30th. Polly Poskin remains the primary contact on the account. Finance Committee approved the recommendation. No Governing Body action is required.
VI. PROGRAM COMMITTEE- Jim Huenink
Jim reviewed meeting minutes for Program Committee and Prevention Planning Committee meetings both held on May 8, 2014.
Jim noted an error on Prevention Planning Committee meeting minutes. Page 3, item IV. C is a description of Erin’s Law, not Marsy’s Law as typed.
Jim highlighted items from Program Committee minutes regarding ICASA’s continued review of prevention education programs. Carrie clarified that Governing Body action is not required on Program Committee’s recommendations regarding the template; the Committee was previously authorized to proceed with finalizing the template.
Program Committee selected a researcher, Dr. Paul Schewe, to review prevention program materials. No Governing Body action is needed; funds were already allocated for this purpose.
Jim noted continued work is needed on outcomes and longer term studies.
Program Committee recommends that Jim Huenink continue as Chair. Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
VII. PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE- Nancee Brown and Cheryl Chamberlain
Nancee noted that Public Affairs Committee has no recommendations, but wanted to highlight the work of the Committee as follows.
Cheryl referenced the Marsy’s Law presentation at the June 11 mini-workshop and noted the request for assistance from local rape crisis centers in support of the constitutional amendment on victim’s rights. Polly asked center staff to make note of their ideas for promoting Marsy’s Law.
Carrie noted that Social Justice Activism is allowable with all ICASA funding sources. Polly said additional unrestricted funds may be available to underwrite the costs of promotional events. Polly shared background information regarding the Nicholas Foundation.
Claudia updated Governing Body on the status of Revenge Porn bills; neither the house nor the senate version of the Revenge Porn bill passed. The bill may be reintroduced in the future.
Nancee and Cheryl noted status updates on additional bills.
Jim asked whether absolute privilege is same or different for rape crisis and domestic violence centers. Claudia noted one difference that applies when the victim is deceased. Carrie and Claudia said the legal interpretation regarding what constitutes a confidential communication is different for Illinois rape crisis and domestic violence centers.
Polly gave an update on proposed ratification of the equal rights amendment. It passed the senate, but there was not sufficient time to get through the house. It will likely be introduced again.
Claudia gave an update on the amicus brief submitted to the Illinois Supreme Court regarding revocation of licenses for medical professionals. Claudia attended oral arguments in Chicago on May 14. She noted the justices seemed to favor the victims; their questions to attorneys representing doctors indicated that. Claudia answered questions from Governing Body representatives regarding the proposed changes in the law. Claudia and Polly clarified the challenges are based on the constitutionality of the bill.
VIII. TRAINING COMMITTEE- Diane Mayfield
Diane thanked center representatives for attending the Statewide Conference on May 20-22, 2014. A complete list of FY15 trainings is included in the Governing Body packets; please make note of training dates and encourage staff to attend. Diane encouraged centers to submit ideas for ICASA’s monthly webinars.
Diane has completed the maximum of three consecutive terms as Training Committee Chair. The Committee thanked Diane for her service. Training Committee recommends Erin Sturm as FY15 Chair. Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
IX. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE-Julie Boland
Julie filled in as the Chair for Personnel Committee in Kathy Kempke’s absence. Kathy has accepted a job at a rape crisis center in Florida.
Julie said the Committee reviewed feedback from Polly’s evaluation. Comments were overwhelmingly positive.
Personnel Committee recommends to Finance Committee (and the Governing Body) that the starting salary ranges for ICASA Administrative staff reflects the Accountant position is now $35,000-$45,000. The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
After review, the Personnel Committee recommends approval of the updated Starting Salary Ranges, based on FTE, for ICASA Administrative staff (Attachment #1).
STARTING SALARY RANGES
Based on FTE
Position/Title / Salary RangeExecutive Director / $65,000-$80,000
Assistant Director / $50,000-$65,000
Fiscal Director / $50,000-$65,000
General Counsel / $50,000-$65,000
Grants Director / $50,000-$65,000
Grants Manager – Programmatic / $40,000-$50,000
Grants Manager - Fiscal / $40,000-$50,000
Training Institute Director / $40,000-$50,000
Training Institute Supervisor / $40,000-$50,000
Communications Coordinator / $40,000-$50,000
Accountant / $40,000-$50,000
Accountant / $35,000-$45,000
Training Institute Trainer / $35,000-$45,000
Office Coordinator / $35,000-$45,000
Paralegal / $35,000-$45,000
Secretary (3) / $25,000-$30,000
The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
X. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Regional Meeting Update
Polly noted that regional meetings were reinstated in FY14. She requested affirmation from Governing Body regarding plans for regional meetings for counselors, advocates and educators to continue. We may need to revise the budget to allocate travel funds accordingly; centers used less than available travel funds.
Megan Jones-Williams said more advance notice of meeting dates would be appreciated. More staff may be able to attend meetings with additional notice. This would increase attendance as well as travel costs. Carrie said FY14 meetings were scheduled on an ad hoc basis. FY15 regional meeting dates are listed on the ICASA calendar.
B. Executive Session
Governing Body entered two separate Executive Sessions to review the status of the following items:
1. Geographic Service Region Dispute (NWCASA, Arlington Heights and Zacharias Center, Gurnee)
2. Grievance Report- Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault (NWCASA), Arlington Heights
Recorded by:
Carrie Ward
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