The agenda and minutes are added here to keep a record available that is separate from the personal computer of the Secretary. A link to this file is added to the Annual report.
Previous year 2019 -2020.
Next year July 2021 – June 2022

______________________________________________________________________________________

NAMI BI Annual General Meeting, June 8^th 2021.

Present: Jim Hinthorn, Kristin Baumann, Jill Seppa, Alison Warfel, Pat Tengwall, Will Young, Elspeth Crawford, Beth Tengwall, Socha Cohen

In Attendance: Bill Penn, Shannon Morgan, Corrie Heinz, Chris Crawford. This was an in-person meeting held at Island Free Library, Shannon Morgan and Elspeth Crawford attending through Zoom.

Following the June Board meeting, JH opened the Annual General Meeting at 9:47am, and read the Mission statement: NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.

President’s Report: Jim Hinthorn as outgoing president said that he had worked with NAMI BI since its inception in 2010 when Steve Holloway formed the group then called the Mental Health Task Force. He had become president three years ago when Steve left the island, and now, following nomination Will Young will take NAMI BI to the next stage. There is much more that can and should be done.

Treasurer’s Report: The treasurer’s report was submitted by Pat Tengwall, and accepted.

Nomination of Board of Directors:

From the Bylaws, the Board should have a minimum of 5 not to exceed 15 members who hold current membership in NAMI National. Members Resigning were Beth Tengwall, Socha Cohen, and Jim Hinthorn. New Members Nominated are Corrie Heinz, Shannon Morgan, and William (Bill) Penn

Nomination of Officers for 2021/2022

• Will Young – President
• Kristin Baumann – Vice President
• Bill Penn – Treasurer
• Elspeth Crawford – Secretary

JH asked if these nominations could be considered as a single vote, and there were no objections. Then all the nominations were proposed, seconded and passed unanimously.

JH and PT are the present signatories at the Bank for checks etc. It was agreed that Will Young and Bill Penn would replace them as signatories. 

The new Board of Directors elected is:

Will Young – President

Kristin Baumann – Vice President

Bill Penn – Treasurer

Elspeth Crawford – Secretary

Members – Gloria Redlich, Pat Tengwall, Jill Seppa, Alison Warfel, Shannon Morgan, Corrie Heinz.

Will Young, as new president offered thanks to JH, as did Kristin Baumann.

The Date of the next Board Meeting was confirmed, July 13^th 2021, 8.30 am, on Zoom. The meeting adjourned at 10.05 am.

Submitted 14^th June 2021, Elspeth Crawford

______________________________________________________________________________________

NAMI BI Annual General Meeting, June 8^th 2021.

Present: Jim Hinthorn, Kristin Baumann, Jill Seppa, Alison Warfel, Pat Tengwall, Will Young, Elspeth Crawford, Beth Tengwall, Socha Cohen

In Attendance: Bill Penn, Shannon Morgan, Corrie Heinz, Chris Crawford. This was an in-person meeting held at Island Free Library, Shannon Morgan and Elspeth Crawford attending through Zoom.

Following the June Board meeting, JH opened the Annual General Meeting at 9:47am, and read the Mission statement: NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.

President’s Report: Jim Hinthorn as outgoing president said that he had worked with NAMI BI since its inception in 2010 when Steve Holloway formed the group then called the Mental Health Task Force. He had become president three years ago when Steve left the island, and now, following nomination Will Young will take NAMI BI to the next stage. There is much more that can and should be done.

Treasurer’s Report: The treasurer’s report was submitted by Pat Tengwall, and accepted.

Nomination of Board of Directors:

From the Bylaws, the Board should have a minimum of 5 not to exceed 15 members who hold current membership in NAMI National. Members Resigning were Beth Tengwall, Socha Cohen, and Jim Hinthorn. New Members Nominated are Corrie Heinz, Shannon Morgan, and William (Bill) Penn

Nomination of Officers for 2021/2022

• Will Young – President
• Kristin Baumann – Vice President
• Bill Penn – Treasurer
• Elspeth Crawford – Secretary

JH asked if these nominations could be considered as a single vote, and there were no objections. Then all the nominations were proposed, seconded and passed unanimously.

JH and PT are the present signatories at the Bank for checks etc. It was agreed that Will Young and Bill Penn would replace them as signatories. 

The new Board of Directors elected is:

Will Young – President

Kristin Baumann – Vice President

Bill Penn – Treasurer

Elspeth Crawford – Secretary

Members – Gloria Redlich, Pat Tengwall, Jill Seppa, Alison Warfel, Shannon Morgan, Corrie Heinz.

Will Young, as new president offered thanks to JH, as did Kristin Baumann.

The Date of the next Board Meeting was confirmed, July 13^th 2021, 8.30 am, on Zoom. The meeting adjourned at 10.05 am.

Submitted 14^th June 2021, Elspeth Crawford

______________________________________________________________________________________

NAMI-BI, Agenda, June 8, 2021

Island Free Library, 8:30 AM

Call to Order

Mission Statement

Minutes of May 11, 2021 Meeting

President’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Case Manager’s Report

Social Media Report

Old Business

• Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents- Post Card Distribution- WY, SM
• 5 Year Strategic Plan (Strategy without Design) Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY
• 2021 May Mental Health Conference- What did we do???
• BIHS Website- Tracy & NAMI not on the site- AW
• Social Media Committee Report- SM, JS, CH

New Business

• Report on May 17^th Meeting with Town Manager, Chief of Police, Peter Preiser, Kerri Gaffett and board members- Next Steps- WY
• Fun Run- Saturday, August 7^th, 5 PM- JH. Volunteers from NAMI
• Meeting with BI Times freelance reporter- JH
• Jill Sepa’s Items- Drydockers, Your Not Alone, Mini Grants- JS
• Josh’s Yellow Bench Update- JH

Adjournment- Next Meeting Date – July 13, 2021

______________________________________________________________________________________

NAMI BI Notes of Board Meeting, May 11th, 2021.                 

Present: Jim Hinthorn, Alison Warfel, Gloria Redlich, Pat Tengwall, Will Young, Elspeth Crawford, Tracy Fredericks, Jill Seppa

Apology: Christine Peterson

In Attendance: Bill Penn, Shannon Morgan, Beth Tengwall

JH opened the meeting at 8:30am, read the Mission statement: NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.

Minutes: of April 13th, 2021 Meeting, accepted with one change [name of new Police Chief corrected]

President’s Report: JH said the agenda contained the items on which he would report, though two additional items would be added for discussion: to make a decision re “Josh Yellow Benches” and information concerning a contact call received from Chris Crawford [husband of Maryann Crawford Town Manager]. 

Resignations from the Board have been received from Socha Cohen and Beth Tengwall, who are thanked for all they have done.

If anyone was not previously aware, JH informed the Board that Christine Peterson had been a roommate and friend of Andrei Cerbu. We all extend sympathy to her and those most affected by his recent suicide. Discussion of the NAMI BI response is below.

Treasurer’s Report: The full report from PT is attached at the end of these minutes. PT informed the Board that the general policy insurance was due to be renewed and that Directors and Officers insurance was already renewed as these policies had different annual renewal dates. All insurance documentation is available to be viewed, contact PT. PT also commented that a new writer at BI Times, Chris Crawford, has expressed interest in writing about Mental Health.   Case Manager’s Report: The adult telehealth service is busy, with 4 new clients being brought into the system. Also, the service is returning to in-person registration and tele-contact from the Medical Center. There will be a new doctor as trainee psychiatrist under supervision from Butler in July, and the changeover that always occurs at this time is going as planned. Telehealth Children and Adolescent Service, and its promotion and launch: TF reported that as yet there have been no requests for using the children’s service. Dr. Hunt [Bradley] has not responded to repeat requests to review the proposed postcard that would promote this service. EC and TF both thought we should therefore take silence as consent and go ahead with the printing and delivery of the postcard. After discussion on this and other forms of promotion the following was agreed: that WY will arrange printing of 500 postcards [file sent by EC to all] . These would be physically posted to the school list, arranged by SM – possibly postage paid by JS through South County Coalition, to coordinate with WY. SM will also arrange sending to the school list by email.Other postcards will be hand-delivered in bundles to the various places thought useful: the Library, the Medical Center, Town Hall, School, Police Station, and also places where islanders and visitors congregate. This will be coordinated with those available when the postcards have arrived.The information – or photo of the card – will also be shared on Social Media, BIBB and BI Times with some coordination of the timing to coincide with when the cards are available. See Social Media Report below. TF will post to BIBB.   Social Media Report and Social Media Committee: In discussing how the information about the children’s service should also go out on Social Media, and on the BIBB and the BI Times, the agenda item Social Media, and BIBB communications, decisions were made about what constituted Social Media, and who would be on the Social Media Committee to help Christine Peterson. JH answered a question from JS regarding the social media job expected of CP, saying that she was hired according to hours spent at between 10 – 20 hours weekly, though it was expected that it would normally be nearer 10 than 20. The Social Media Committee [SMC] will work out with CP the rules of engagement, re updates and posts, JS said she would help define and clarify this with CP. It was decided that the committee would be JS, CH, and SM. KB did not want to act on this committee as had been previously suggested, so thanks to SM for agreeing to serve. It was also thought that Social Media posts could often be copied to BIBB as the content would be similar. These are separate from the BIBB communications sent by Socha Cohen which would continue as excerpts from NAMI’s Family-to-Family Manual 2020, a peer education program for family members of adults with mental illness. SC was not present and has resigned so EC will communicate and check this is OK with her.    Both JH and PT have been contacted by Chris Crawford about Mental Health. He sometimes writes in Block Island Times. JH will invite CC to attend Board meetings, beginning with the AGM and Board meeting in June, but will first go through Renee Meyer at BI Times [rmeyer@blockislandtimes.com] to discuss regular reports or articles.   SMC, and WY and JH will co-ordinate Social Media posts, School list, and BI Times when appropriate for getting out the NAMI BI information, particularly the Teleservice for Children and Adolescents.   Family Support Group: GR then asked about the Family Support Group which was not active this year when face-to-face was not possible, and wondered if SC was willing to be part of the group if it should be revived. It was noted that SC, BT , GR and Steve Holloway had been trained by NAMI RI to facilitate that group, as Board members, but now only GR remained on the Board. EC thought that Board membership was not a requirement as RI had invited “those interested” to apply for training. GR will talk with SC to see what the position is and whether or not the group can be revived.   5 Year Strategic Plan (Strategy without Design) remains on agenda.   2021 May Mental Health Conference: The conference, in previous years held in May until COVID cancelled the 2020 conference, has been postponed. KB and WY are considering topics. However, May is Mental Health month, therefore the Social Media group, with help from KB for this month, will put posts on the various platforms [copy to EC for the website]. KB will also compile a list of relevant films and books held by the Island Free Library, and share this under Mental Health Month banner.    Ross Campbell Memorial Award: Discussion about the award took place as in previous years this had been part of the Conference, and therefore not only this year, but also last year there had been no award. JH informed new members of its meaning and history, Ross Campbell’s suicide some years ago having been the sad incentive that began this Mental Health Task Force, now NAMI BI. The award is made to honor and thank those who enable mental health in Block Island. The first award in 2017 was to Steve Holloway who initiated the Mental Health Task Force, in 2018 to Mark Clark, then Medical Director, and in 2019 to the Wellness Coalition, which had just been disbanded by a new Rhode Island prevention organizational structure. JH will discuss the naming of those who might receive the award, for 2020 and 2021. He will accept suggestions, by email or offline.   BIHS Website – absence of mental health matters: AW will make sure there is mention of the teleservice managed by TF at the Medical Center, and the activities of NAMI BI and other mental health matters.   BOAT: there was no information on the status of this program for business and employees, which had formerly been run at the beginning of the summer season in conjunction with the previous Chief of Police.    NAMI-BI’s Response to the Recent Suicide: JH, KB and AW had met, Aw had set up grief counselling through Gateway and KB drafted and circulated information through BIBB and social media. They met with Dr. Rob Harrison [QPR suicide prevention training, previously offered on BI and attended by many from Board and community] and Danielle Stewart [RI Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds] and reported on a “great” meeting that described other communities’ post event responses that involve all stakeholders. Based on BI community these are police, school, medical center, library and others. A new concept, postvention, was described as being a way to create resonance in the community so that postvention [PV] becomes a powerful form of prevention, through the community developing resilience and skill in mental health awareness in a way that makes prevention almost herd immunity. It was noted how much work AW had done, and KB initiated her “percolating thoughts”. In discussion that followed it was said that the task of NAMI BI Board is to work out where to focus energy, considering what is “postvention” and what is “Crisis Intervention Training, or CIT” and their relation to each other. The CIT model of a “social worker in the squad car” is not appropriate for BI. WY recognized that the PV model is a combination of training and messaging, that he would connect with others known to him in CT where the idea seemed more developed than in RI. AW agreed that we adapt to find what is right for BI. JH summarized, saying that NAMI BI had clearly agreed to take the lead in PV strategy in co-operation with all the stakeholders.   Report on Meeting with Town Manager Maryanne Crawford and new Chief of Police, Matthew Moynihan: KB and JH had met with MM and MC both of whom are new to BI and feeling their way. The meeting was wide ranging concerning mental health, CIT, etc. KB felt it was a good meeting with some frustrations as it felt like hearing patterns from 20 years ago, for example re the developed prevention work that JS, SM, and EC had been engaged in for so many years. It felt as though again NAMI BI has to educate, to let people know where we have got to, where we are. JH said that having the agreement to come to the table was the most important achievement as dialogue meant that we move forward. A further meeting is arranged for 17th May. AW spoke of her concern that NAMI BI has a solid agenda and direct purpose and that CIT language should not be overused, as what is needed on BI is a way to respond. The 17th May meeting will be with JH, AW, KB, WY from NAMI BI and MM, MC and Peter Preiser and Kerri Gaffett. It was thought that “development” is a better word than “training” whatever the connections of CIT and PV as it is more adaptive. It was also said that the work of NAMI BI is to spearhead the conversation and keep it moving on, so that our community develops, it is not taking on the skills and interventions. As JH commented from his HR experience, the main job is to “get another interview”.   Further actions were also noted. WY will move on printing the “You are not Alone” poster in Spanish as well as English. The social media committee [SMC] will also use this poster. WY will scan and send to EC for putting on the website.   AW reported that after the meeting with Danielle Stewart, emails had been exchanged re QPR training specific to BI rather than joining with mainland, and these can be set up for 5 – 10 participants. Danielle will be asked for 35 posters which can be targeted to dock, bartenders, restrooms etc.   There are also follow up services planned, SMC can help promote. Michele Gonzales will be here on Thursday and meet with NAMI BI members about suicide, Dana D’Abate [CODAC] will be on BI on Sunday for a free open drop-in counselling session. KB will post about these meetings this week, and send to school list serve, then transition the work to CP, keeping her in touch.   Fun Run: JH updated the event is for Saturday, August 7th, 5 PM and some help will be needed.   Josh’s Yellow Bench: All agreed that this should be ordered, cost approximately $1000, and then the Town will enable where it is sited, to be in a prominent place near the dock.   New Board Members: Now that Socha and Beth have resigned, JH asked for other recommendations. It was suggested that Chris Crawford, who had approached PT, be invited to the AGM and might take up the role of reporter to cover meetings. JH will contact him.   Drydockers and Mini Grants: As JS had to leave, these items are deferred to the next meeting.   It was then decided that the June meetings, the AGM and the Board meeting to follow, would be held in person with EC joining online. The next meeting will therefore be the AGM, held in the Island Free Library on Tuesday 8th June and 8.30 am, and followed by the Board meeting.   The meeting adjourned at 10 am.               Submitted 15th May 2021 Elspeth Crawford   ________________________________________________________________   NAMI-BI Treasurer’s Report for May 12, 2021 The checking account balance as of our last meeting on April 13, 2021: $22,790.18. For the period April 13 through May 10, 2021: Income: None  $ 0.00 Expenses: Community Software Solutions $39.00 (database monthly fee) The checking account balance is now $22,751.18. Anticipated and Pending expenses: General Liability insurance policy renewal         $605.00 (Includes $25.00 late fee; premium due 5/4/2021) For the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021 (before pending expenses): Income: Individual and Business Contributions: $5,235.00 (all by check) Online donations, through Stripe: $1,777.14 (directly deposited) Total income:   $7,012.14   Expenses: Postage Due on returned appeal letters: $ 18.70 Post Office Box rental, 1 year:   $ 64.00 Domain registration/hosting:    $ 18.00 Printing and copying:    Dec. 2020 appeal letter $ 748.00 Mask printing   $2,975.00 Subtotal, Printing and copying: $3,723.00 Insurance, Directors & Officers: $ 698.00 Other Types of Expenses: Database subscription $ 429.00 Fun Run timing service $ 400.00 Subtotal, Other Types: $ 829.00 Total expenses: $5,370.70   Net income, Fiscal Year 2021 to date:   $1,661.44

WY SM, JS, WY others   TF Social Media       JS   SM, JS, CH SC, EC   JH   WY, JH, SM     GR, SC, BT       Social Media, KB         JH       AW             KB, WY, AW, JH             JH, KB, AW, WY           WY, JS, SM, CH     AW, JS, SM, CH KB                 JH, all JS

______________________________________________________________________________________

NAMI-BI, Agenda, May 11, 2021

Virtual Zoom Meeting, 8:30 AM

Call to Order

Mission Statement

Minutes of April 13, 2021 Meeting

President’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Case Manager’s Report

Social Media Report

Old Business

• Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents- Status of Post Card – TF, EC, WY
• 5 Year Strategic Plan (Strategy without Design) Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY
• BIBB Communication- Decision on SC continuing with postings as non-board member?
• 2021 May Mental Health Conference – Postponed but send content on topics- KB, WY
• BIHS Website- Tracy & NAMI not on the site?- AW
• Social Media Committee Report- KB, JS, CH
• BOAT- Status of – JS, KB

New Business

• NAMI-BI’s Response to Most Recent Suicide-AW, KB, JH
• Report on Meeting with Town Manager & new Chief of Police)- JH, KB
• CIT Exploratory Meeting, May 17^th– JH
• Fun Run- Saturday, August 7^th, 5 PM- JH- Will need some help
• New Board Members- With Socha’s & Beth’s resignations, other recommendations- All
• Jill Sepa’s Items- Drydockers, Your Not Alone, Mini Grants- JS
• Zoom vs. In Person Meetings- Feelings regarding the June meetings- All

Adjournment- Next Zoom Meeting Date – June 8, 2021

______________________________________________________________________________________

NAMI BI Notes of Board Meeting, April 13th, 2021.                 

Present: Jim Hinthorn, Alison Warfel, Gloria Redlich, Pat Tengwall, Beth Gaffett Tengwall, Will Young, Elspeth Crawford, Christine Peterson

Apologies: Socha Cohen

In Attendance: Bill Penn, Corrie Heinz

JH opened the meeting at 8:31am, read the Mission statement: NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.

Minutes of March 9, 2021 Meeting, accepted

President’s Report: JH said the agenda contained items he would report on, but would highlight the discussion with Town Council during their budget session. He also noted that Beth Tengwall had sent her resignation from the Board yesterday, which would be accepted with regret. He also welcomed Bill Penn and Corrie Heinz to the meeting, saying they and Shannon Morgan who was not able to be present had responded to the BIBB request for interest in serving on the Board. BP would be interested in serving as Treasurer when PT retires after the next AGM.

Treasurer’s Report: The full report from PT is attached at the end of these minutes. The “timing deposit” for the Fun Run was paid upfront as the triathlon took place on the same day, so the timer would already be on island.    Case Manager’s Report: TF was not present   Social Media Report: CP has spoken with JH and she has received the information from JS so that we now have a Facebook page and will meet with KB to coordinate an Instagram account   Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents and Children:  EC screenshared the postcard, saying that it could not be produced until Bradley provides the service. She will contact TF again. As BP and CH were new, EC also stressed that the service was for children as well as adolescents, and that parents and the appropriate assessment and arrangements could find out more by making contact with TF as the service was ready to proceed.       JH said the 5 Year Strategic Plan (Strategy without Design) Committee would remain on the agenda, as would reports from SC about the BIBB Communication regarding mental health excerpts from RI education programs.   2021 May Mental Health Conference: This has been postponed until Fall. WY had nothing to add at the moment regarding any activity during May which is Mental Health Month. CP will promote any relevant event on social Media.   Face Masks with our logo have been distributed. AW said there were still masks of several different types at the Medical Centre.   BIHS Website, it had been noted that there was no reference on that site to mental health, nor to TF and the adult and adolescent &children telehealth programs she manages that are based in the Medical Center.  AW will instruct the BIHS web-developer on behalf of mental health and of NAMI BI   JH informed those present that BOAT was an education program enabled by Jill Seppa for business owners usually in June whereby they were enabled to recognize and deal appropriately with problems related to abuse of alcohol or drugs. She would be asked to update in May if it will run this year.   Social Media Specialist Committee:  As agreed at the previous Board meeting, a committee to support CP in social media presence would be three people she could reach for questions, moderation of posts, or general help. As KB and JS had previously said they were willing to serve on this committee, they were elected in their absence and CH has agreed to join them.   Report on Meeting with Town Council and general Town business: JH reported on the request NAMI-BI made to the Finance and Budget meeting of the Town Council. We had made the point that we did not ask for funds this year, but would return in following years. This year we asked for the Town to agree an appropriate location for a Josh Yellow Bench [suicide awareness and prevention strategy] for which NAMI-BI would pay and they had agreed to support by approving a location. The space that had been thought of beside the Chamber of Commerce is owned by Interstate Navigation, not Town, so some negotiation is yet to take place. It is agreed that the location needs to be central and prominent. NAMI-BI also made a request that the Marianne Seeback’s part-time hours should be increased. This was turned down. Seebeck is coordinator of Human Services and Director of Public Welfare, and the increase in her hours was also backed by the Senior Advisory Committee.   SAC joined with NAMI BI in making a robust demand that a department of Human Services be formed. It is known that Seebeck works more hours than allocated and also that the need is considerable, but it is not clear if the Town appreciates this. GR said that SAC intended to call a community meeting to continue the advocacy for Human Services. The Town Manager, Maryann Crawford had said she was willing to institute or continue discussion. The Board agreed that NAMI-BI needed to keep up the pressure on this matter.   It was noted that the new Police Chief had just been confirmed as Matthew Moynihan. He would serve jointly as Police Chief and also as Facilities Manager, the role previously held by Sam Bird. It was also noted that there was a new Town Charter recently agreed. NAMI-BI had talked before about  advocating for a Crisis Intervention Team [CIT]to be formed when the new chief was named. Such a team would involve Police, BIHS, NAMI-BI and hopefully School. It was thought that now the appointment was made and the summer approaching, that JH should introduce the idea to him soon. We already know that Kyra Ernst and Paul Deane had attended CIT training in Rhode Island in 2019.   Bill Penn was asked whether he had information regarding the coming summer season and whether the international program for foreign students would enable travel this year. BP reported that the  consulates are not pressing the J1 visas required. This is another uncertainty BI businesses face this coming summer.   Fun Run: JH explained that he manages this jointly on behalf of NAMI-BI and BIHS. Arrangements are made for Saturday, August 7th, 5 PM. JH said he and WY would need some help and would ask who can attend nearer the time. BP asked if the evening time did not mean that off island runners might not join in as it would involve an overnight stay. JH said that the Fun Run had emphasis on “fun” and was mainly a family affair with underlying message of bringing mental health, wellbeing and healthy habits to attention. It would follow state guidelines for various promotions at the time, supply some food, some donated by island businesses. Although it made money, it was not chiefly a fund raiser, more a way to raise the profile as well as being healthy. It was not expected to attract day-trippers, and was usually attended by renters already on the island. However, 7th August was also a day when late boats were running, so those who did want to run and return to the mainland would be able to do so.   New Board Members: the Nominating Committee and the Board are very pleased with the response to the request made to BIBB. Formal nomination of new Board members Corrie Heinz and Shannon Morgan, and Bill Penn as Board Member and Treasurer are now made and formal election will take place at the AGM on June 8th. The succession plan for Officers at this meeting, before formal election,  is Will Young (President), Kristin Baumann (Vice President), Bill Penn (Treasurer), and Elspeth Crawford (Secretary). Pat Tengwall, outgoing treasurer will remain on the Board. Beth Tengwall has resigned.   EC asked that emails could be exchanged so that all would be on the google group for communications. WY would send them to her. [Note, this has been done.]   Future Meeting format: JH proposed that we consider going to in person meetings in June, guidelines permitting. As before COVID, EC would attend meetings online through facetime or zoom. To be decided.   The next meeting will be on May 11th 2021, 8.30 am, via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86437964942?pwd=cWlPTTRIWnpjdVNhVkIrZnN1WmhFUT09   Meeting ID: 864 3796 4942 Passcode: namibi   The meeting adjourned at 9.41am.                     Submitted 18th April 2021 Elspeth Crawford   NAMI-BI Treasurer’s Report for April 13, 2021 meetingThe checking account balance as of our last meeting on March 9, 2021: $23,197.18.  For March 9 through April 13, 2021: Income:Individual and Business Contributions $50.00 (one check) Expenses: WordPress $18.00 (annual domain registration/hosting fee) Community Software Solutions $39.00 (database monthly fee) Platt Systems $400.00 (deposit on timing services for 2021 Fun Run) Total expenses: $457.00 The checking account balance is now $22,790.18. For the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021: Income: Individual and Business Contributions: $5,235.00 (all by check) Online donations, through Stripe: $1,777.14 (directly deposited) Total income: $7,012.14 Expenses: Postage Due on returned appeal letters: $ 18.70 Post Office Box rental, 1 year: $ 64.00 Domain registration/hosting: $ 18.00 Printing and copying: $3,723.00 (appeal mailing, mask printing) Insurance, Directors & Officers: $ 698.00 Database subscription, monthly fees: $ 390.00 Fun Run timing service: $ 400.00 Total expenses: $5,311.70 Net income, Fiscal Year 2021 to date: $1,700.44

CP   EC TF               WY CP     AW   JS   JS, KB, CH                 GR, JH       JH                                 ALL

______________________________________________________________________________________

NAMI-BI, Agenda, April 13, 2021

Virtual Zoom Meeting, 8:30 AM

Call to Order

Mission Statement

Minutes of March 9, 2021 Meeting

President’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Case Manager’s Report

Social Media Report

Old Business

• Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents- Status of Post Card – TF, EC, WY
• 5 Year Strategic Plan (Strategy without Design) Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY
• BIBB Communication- SC
• 2021 May Mental Health Conference – Postponed until Fall, but May Program- KB, WY
• Social Media presence on Facebook- CP but included in Report above
• Face Mask with our logo were distributed- AW, KB
• BIHS Website- Tracy & NAMI not on the site?- AW
• BOAT- Status of – JS, KB

New Business

• Social Media Specialist Committee (select committee)- All
• Report on Meeting with Town Council (Budget)- JH
• Fun Run- Saturday, August 7^th, 5 PM- JH- Will need some help
• New Board Members- Nominating Committee (AW, WY, JH)
• Succession Plan for Officers at the Annual Meeting (June 8^th)- Will (Pres), Kristin (VP), Bill Penn (Treasurer), and Elspeth (Secretary)
• Zoom vs. In Person Meetings- Perhaps we consider going to in person in June- All

Adjournment- Next Zoom Meeting Date – May 11, 2021-

________________________________________________________________________________

NAMI BI Notes of Board Meeting, March 9th, 2021.                

Present: Jim Hinthorn, Pat Tengwall, Beth Gaffett Tengwall, , Jill Seppa, Tracy Fredericks, Will Young, Elspeth Crawford.

Also Attending: Christine Peterson

Apologies: Gloria Redlich, Socha Cohen

JH opened the meeting at 8:31am, read the Mission statement: NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.

Minutes of February 9th, 2021 Meeting, corrected by email, were accepted

President’s Report: As in the Agenda, but also much has been done since the last meeting, especially the hiring of Christine Peterson as Social Media Coordinator. She introduced herself to the Board, and then the members of the Board present briefly introduced themselves to her. As members Pat Tengwall and Jill Seppa would leave early for other commitments, the introductions included the Treasurers Report and comments following.

Welcome and introductions to Christine Peterson, Social Media Specialist.

JH introduced Christine saying that her appointment to manage Social Media has now begun, and then Christine told the Board of her background and other work for as BI Chamber of Commerce Social Media person. The Board members present introduced themselves and stated their roles in NAMI BI as well as giving her a snapshot of information about themselves.

Treasurer’s Report: Full report is attached at the end, rewritten by PT for clarity following the comments. JS said the South County Prevention Coalition could probably reimburse some of expenses incurred and WY said  he would email the relevant receipts to her so that she could work on that. PT intimated that he would not continue as Treasurer after the AGM in June. Later in the meeting, WY suggested that a “new treasurer request “ should be drafted and sent to the BIBB with information regarding the skills required, and the kind of organization we are, without paid staff. He will produce a draft and send via the google group to the Board before the next Board meeting.   Launch of Telepsych services for Children and Adolescents EC screenshared the picture to be approved as a postcard. As it contains the Bradley logo and a picture both taken from their website, TF will check with Bradley that this is acceptable use – EC has shared the file with her by email. Then TF will let EC and WY know, and WY will proceed with printing and distribution. Discussion about distribution, decided that posting to Box Offices was both expensive and brought little result. Therefore distribution would be by hand to the various venues such as Library, School, Medical Center, Town Hall where residents who had interest would be more likely to see and take  the postcards.    5 Year Strategic Plan (Strategy without Design) Remains on the agenda for action at some time in the future. BIBB Communication: SC had sent the google group some feedback from respondents, she will continue with the postings.   2021 May Mental Health Conference The committee has not met, as SC is unwell and both KB and GR have many other commitments. There is also uncertainty regarding the format that will be possible in May, although EC had offered a scheme for a “hybrid” type of conference, mostly online. KB in discussion with JH, had therefore proposed that the conference is postponed until fall. Although this breaks the link with May as Mental Health Month,  May is in any case often a difficult time for many residents to participate as BI is preparing for the season. KB suggested that the group would suggest something simple but good for Mental Health Month and work towards a conference later in the year. EC suggested combining with Nancy Greenaway’s Poetry from the Village. KB will convene a planning meeting to report to the next Board meeting. JH said he was sure the committee would com e up with creative approaches, and TF thought that we could put on some kind of a training in the 31 days of Mental Health month, with awareness on Social Media. WY offered to join the conference committee, and was welcomed. EC is happy to provide tech support if needed.   Face Mask Project: WY reported that he had gone ahead as planned and that 500 adjustable masks [250 grey and 250 pink, with NAMI bi logo and ”we care” printed] were now with UPS and would be on the island for distribution this week. These are free handouts to give to School, Food pantry etc. JH thought that if a photo could be taken of KB when delivering them to the Food Pantry, this would be good for our media presence.   BIHS Website: EC noted that since the BIHS website had been re-designed last year, there was no mention of mental health on the site at all, the telehealth service managed by TF was not listed, nor any of the  therapists or counsellors to whom referral might be made.  NAMI BI was also not mentioned. EC had approached AW and Kyra Ernst a few months ago, but there was no change. JH will bring this up when in touch with the Medical Center.   BOAT: This is a program of Prevention awareness for business owners, usually run in late May or June. JS will update.   New Business   Social Media – Specialist and Advisory Committee: JH  welcomed CP appointment and shared his idea that there would be a three person group from the Board who would be “advisory” that is people to whom she could turn for support with regard to what happenings were timely for posting, checking accuracy etc. CP said that at the chamber she reports to its chair, Lars Trodson, and Holly Herdman in a similar way. Before JS had to leave for other commitments, she said she would give CP all the information she had regarding NAMI national and NAMI RI guidelines and branding that was necessary for the NAMI BI social media presence, that is logo, preferred wordings for mental health issues etc. CP starts her role now, and KB and JS are willing to be in touch, WY said he would also give input. Further discussion re what the three person advisory group – and if these three would form the group – would be left until future meetings as the social media presence developed and a better idea of what is needed is formed.       Submission to Town Council: JH said he had received feedback regarding request to send to Andre B. and Maryanne Crawford. He would consolidate this and send via google group before finally sending to them. In general, NAMI BI would send a “laundry list” of things we would like them to support but not ask town for specific funding this financial year. NAMI BI should however remain in the slot previously occupied rather than disappear, and does support the idea of a Social Services Department which is a different matter, and given the current environment NAMI BI wants an expansion of social services.   Fun Run- Saturday, August 7th JH has put the Fun Run active on the ”Sign UP” site. In discussion with Dave Sniffen of the recreation department, the date has been set as the same day as the triathlon event, later time, as the timekeeper for that event could be present. Both are hoped to be an in-person race.   New Board Members April 9th would be the date to submit to Nominating Committee suggestions for people who might be asked to serve. WY suggested here that he would draft a request to BIBB for a treasurer, and thought that this might include requests to those who might serve on the Board.   Succession Officers are elected at the Annual Meeting (June 8th). WY is willing to serve as President, KB is willing to continue as Vice-President, and EC is willing to continue as Secretary.   Unfortunately  JH’ Zoom connection failed at this point. WY asked for any other business, and as there was none thanked all, and the meeting adjourned at 9.55am.   Next Zoom Meeting Date – April 13, 2021, 8.30 am.   Submitted 03/14/2021     Elspeth Crawford ———————————————————————-             Treasurer’s Report:   NAMI BI TREASURER’S REPORT FOR March 9 2021 meeting Corrected 03/09/21 09:51:04 PM   I have reconciled the checking account in QuickBooks using transactions from the Washington Trust website. To my knowledge, the bank account and this report are up to date.   As of March 8, 2021: The checking account balance is $23,197.18.   Income for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021 includes: Individual and Business Contributions: $5,185.00 (all by check) Online donations, through Stripe:                     $1,777.14 (directly deposited) Total income:                                                   $6,962.14   Expenses recorded for the Fiscal Year: Postage Due on returned appeal letters: $    18.70 Post Office Box rental, 1 year:               $    64.00 Printing and copying:                                        $3,723.00 Insurance, Directors & Officers:            $   698.00 Database subscription, monthly fees:    $   351.00 Total expenses:                                                 $4,854.70   Net income:                                                     $2,107.44   Individual contributions are all by check; I (Pat) provide donor information to Will Young for the Eleo donor database. The reconciliation of the Donations via Stripe are categorized as Indirect Public Support, because Pat has no information to identify donors. Will has the complete donation history in the database.   The Printing and Copying expenses (for the November 2020 appeal letter and the face mask project) were paid to Will Young as reimbursements. Our Directors and Officers insurance policy was renewed in December 2020. The general liability insurance policy was paid in May 2020; that policy will be renewed later in 2021. The database subscription fees are for nine months.   One $50.00 check arrived recently and has not yet been deposited.   Updated reports of income and expenses are available.

JS, WY   WY   EC TF, WY                   KB, WY, GR, SC         WY, JH, KB     JH     JS       CP, JS, KB, WY           JH           WY ALL

NAMI-BI, Agenda, March 9, 2021

Virtual Zoom Meeting, 8:30 AM

Call to Order

Mission Statement

Minutes of February 9, 2021 Meeting

President’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Case Manager’s Report

Old Business

• Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents- Status of Brochure on Topic- EC, WY
• 5 Year Strategic Plan (Strategy without Design) Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY
• BIBB Communication- SC in absentia
• 2021 May Mental Health Conference – COVID-19 Impact on our Island and Community Mental Health System- GR, KB, SC
• Social Media presence on Facebook- See New Business
• Face Mask Project (NAMI logo)- WY
• BIHS Website- Are we on there now?
• BOAT- Status of – JS, KB

New Business

• Welcome Christine Peterson, our new Social Media Specialist- JH, CP
• Concept of 3 Person Social Media Advisory Committee- All
• Report on Meeting with Andre B. and Maryanne Crawford- JH, KB- All for discussion of items to submit to Andre/Maryanne C.
• Fun Run- Saturday, August 7^th, 5 PM- JH
• New Board Members- April 9^th would be the date to submit to Nominating Committee- All
• Succession Plan- Officers are elected at the Annual Meeting (June 8^th)- All

Adjournment- Next Zoom Meeting Date – April 13, 2021

NAMI BI Notes of Board Meeting, February 9th, 2021.            

Present: Jim Hinthorn, Alison Warfel, Pat Tengwall, Beth Gaffett Tengwall, , Jill Seppa, Tracy Fredericks, Will Young, Gloria Redlich, Elspeth Crawford.

Apologies: Socha Cohen

JH opened the meeting at 8:31am, read the Mission statement: NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.

Minutes of January 12, 2021 Meeting accepted

President’s Report: As in the Agenda, we continue to deal with COVID and climate crises. Read messages that come in after our contributions to BIBB and letter to all, have been very encouraging.

Treasurer’s Report: This is longer and more detailed than usual so is attached at the end. The Board had asked PT for comparison as the last few years had brought considerable financial changes, notably the move of the Case Manager to the Medical Center. Thanks to PT for this. WY added that since July 1st , from the database, we have received $679 in gifts. JH, said he WY and PT will get together to see what is learned from the comparison and present situation. JH also said that we really do need to spend the money we are being given, now that the expense of Case Manager is not ours. We need to spend on programs. The Board agrees.   Case Manager’s Report: Following necessary instructions there have been no meetings at the medical center for the past month, and all appointments have been via Zoom or phone. There are no new clients. TF has had a full vaccine. She will talk with Dr Guthrie and Dr Moskovitz [program manager and psychiatrist from Butler] about how to go forward. TF is concerned that some people have lost touch and will reach out by phone. She was at the medical center in person until this past month does go in for paperwork . There are as yet no children or adolescents using the service from Bradley, but this is ready to go as soon as anyone makes contact. After discussion about making this information more available in the community, it was decided that TF would communicate the exact information about the service, how to access, etc. and send this to EC for preparation of a post-card and flyer. EC will then work with WY who will prepare for printing and posting of postcards.   Social Media presence: JS offered an update on the use of social media presentation she had given us last October. That previous information had shown the benefits of such a presence, the update suggested ways to carry it forward. JS had also checked out with NAMI national and Beth Lamarr of RI the expectations and considerable support for media activity. From this many individual groups create a local presence that has a consistent NAMI ‘branding’, guidance re use of words etc. She also gave an overview of costs rates and options. The route forward could be via use of intern, an paid internship, or a social media contractor. In discussion, the Board recognized that internship involved a regular need to reappoint as internships are by their nature temporary, but other island charitable groups such as BIMI had a very successful experience, and it was known that URI , supportive of Block Island contact, had relevant mental well being programs that could provide interns. NAMI BI  need would be year round, not just in summer. Concerning the other alternative, the hire of a social media person, it was known that the BI Chamber of Commerce had recently hired an individual and had multiple applicants. After further discussion it was decided that JH would explore both options, intern with URI and Hire of a Social Media person, and report back at the next meeting. (i) JS will give JH the name of her contact at URI, who is on the South County prevention Board, so that route can be followed up (ii) JH will speak to Lars Trodson, now Director of The Chamber of Commerce, and discover the costs re full/part time and the possibility of hiring an on-island person, though by the nature of the jobm being on-island is not totally necessary.   It was agreed that a Social Media presence should be created and that this way of promoting and educating was a good use for some of the funds we now have available.   Telepsych Services for Children and Adolescents: As above in the Case Manager Report, this service is now available, needs to be “launched” or communicated to the BI community. TF will share what is offered and the ways to access etc. then information will be disseminated.     5 Year Strategic Plan (Strategy without Design) Committee: nothing to report.   BIBB Communication: Thank you to SC. It was recognized that SC is at present unwell, and that earlier communication shad received good feedback from the community. JH and others thought that the communications now needed a bit of context added . GR will talk with SC .   2021 May Mental Health Conference: – COVID-19 Impact on our Island and Community Mental Health System . GR reported that the group had not found time to meet. She will contact KB and EC to go forward without SC for the moment until she is well.   Fundraising Appeal for 2020: JH thanked WY for the effort put in to the fundraising appeal. Checks of $1000 and $500 have been received as well as smaller amounts, and have been acknowledged. One donor made contact through the website to say that although the donation had been made from her personal checking account, acknowledgement had been addressed to her husband. She rightly pointed out that this kind of error could deter future donations. JH and WY explained that an apology had been sent, and also that the reasons for the error would be looked at, as addresses did not always distinguish names, it was important to receive a photocopy of checks, and hope that signatures were legible.   Face Mask Project : WY shared screen showing the possible design of masks from Vista, which were attractive and of good quality.  It was agreed that he would go ahead with ordering both adult and child masks and inform the Board of costs by email before finalizing.   Report on Meeting with Town, Andre B. and Maryanne Crawford: The main result of this meeting was that Town asked clearly “What can Town do for NAMI Bi?” and asked us to put forward our requests. Some ideas alrrady are: Give us a location for placement of “Josh’s Yellow Benches”. [These are part of suicide awareness] NAMI BI  would pay for the benches, permission for placement is needed.Put NAMI BI on the town website, especially the one being newly developed. We should also ask the Medical center to put mental health, and NAMI BI on the website Other suggestions were about Human Services on the island, and NAMI BI would work together with Senior Advisory Committee and Welfare [Maryann Seebeck]. Helping social Services helps mental health on the island. We could ask that Maryann Seebeck’s hours be doubled. GR noted that during attendance at a town meeting last month when AB and other councillors had been considering the need for a Human Services Department, it had been said that this consideration would be postponed, not dropped, but possibly not returned to until 3 /4  years have elapsed. There had been no place within that meeting to query this very puzzling statement. GR said that SAC wants to go forward with the creation of a HS department. JH said that the issue was whether NAMI BI became advocate  for HS as a whole, advocate for an umbrella function for social wellbeing. Working with SAC, JH will put thoughts forward on the google-group and when approved will take our requests to AB and MC at Town.   Liaison between SAC and Library: All agreed that the liaison between the IFL and SAC to develop programs was phenomenal, a real success. [book group, memoir group, and cook group] IFL is doing all they can to make community programs happen.   Climate Change and Mental Distress: EC belongs to the Climate Psychology Alliance and is aware of supports available online. This is not therapy as there is recognition that emotional distress, especially in young people, due to the developing crises, has external cause, and paradoxically is probably a realistic response to the situation. She asked the Board if she should share communications about this support, for example online free “climate cafes”, in her own name, or could she use NAMI BI. It was agreed that NAMI BI name could be used when appropriate.   Vaccine availability: JH spoke of the effort being made by Susan Bush to enable an increase in vaccine supply to BI, as only 50 for a population with many elderly was inadequate. Susan has contacted Blake Fillipi [RI senate] and Nicole Alexander-Scott [RI director of health].   Fun Run: JH said that he will still organize the Fun Run in August with the Medical Center even though at that time he will have resigned from the NAMI BI Board. He has been contacted by “Run Sign-up” which enables people to set up a virtual run if this should be necessary next August. He will talk with Cindy Baute of the Medical Board, and make the arrangements.   New Board Members and Succession Planning: JH has already indicated that he will resign at the end of the year, and said that WY was interested in serving as President. All the officer positions needed to be addressed as we were coming up to the time for nominations to be on the agenda. Everyone in an officer position needed to decide whether they wanted to continue in their current role and affirm willingness to stand by April. Anyone can be nominated for a position and the Board then decides on who will be officers for the next year.   To encourage new Board members, all are asked to speak to those they know in the community and widen the Board membership. GR said she would speak to Maryann Seebeck.   The meeting adjourned at 9.53 am.  Next Zoom Meeting Date – March 9, 2021, 8.30 am.   Submitted 02/10/2021     Elspeth Crawford ———————————————————————-             Treasurer’s Report: As of our January 12, 2021 meeting, our checking account balance was $24,466.74. Income in January and February to date: $25.00, individual contributions. Total income for the fiscal year to date: $5,185.00, all from individual and business contributions. Expenses in January and February to date: $39.00 to Community Software Solutions for the database monthly fee. Total expenses for the fiscal year are $1,822.00. Net income for the year is $3,363.00 ($14.00 less than last month). The checking account balance is $24,452.74. Three-year comparison (Fiscal Years from July to the following June):  Income in FY 2019 came overwhelmingly from Direct Public Grants ($9.500 of $10,813.67 total). Individual and business contributions contributed only $240.00, and Indirect Public Support through indirect sources (Network for Good) $141.00. The largest Expenses in FY 2019 were Contract Services ($8,052 to the Case Manager), Travel and Meetings ($1,374.90) and Insurance ($744). Total expenses were $10,650.30 in FY 2019. In FY 2020, Income came primarily from Individual contributions ($3,699) and Government grants ($2,345, remainder of contract services for Case Manager). Total income was $6,343.19, only 59% of the previous year income. Prominent Expenses in 2020 were Contract Services ($4,902 or 52% of the $9,497 total), and Travel and Meetings ($1,735).  Income in 2021 to date totals $5,185, all from Individual and Business contributions. In 7 months, we are already at 82% of the total 2020.   Expenses to date in 2021 total $1,182, with the largest single expense being Insurance at $698.

JH, WY, PT.           TF, EC, WY                   JS, JH JH       TF, EC     GR   GR     PT, WY       WY               JH, GR       EC           JH   ALL   ALL, GR

NAMI-BI

Agenda

February 9, 2021

Virtual Zoom Meeting, 8:30 AM

Call to Order

Mission Statement

Minutes of January 12, 2020 Meeting

President’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Case Manager’s Report

Old Business

• Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents- Status of Brochure on Topic- TF, EC, All
• 5 Year Strategic Plan (Strategy without Design) Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY
• BIBB Communication- Thank you to Socha on Testing Details- SC
• 2021 May Mental Health Conference – COVID-19 Impact on our Island and Community Mental Health System- GR, KB, SC
• Fundraising Appeal for 2020 Update- PT, WY
• Social Media presence on Facebook- JS
• Face Mask Project (NAMI logo)- KB, WY

New Business

• Report on Meeting with Andre B. and Maryanne Crawford- JH, KB, what do we need from TC and Community Meeting on COVID Issues- All
• Liaison between SAC and Library for Senior Programs- KB, GR
• Awareness of support available re climate change & mental illness- EC, All
• New Board Members- All
• Succession Plan- All

Adjournment- Next Zoom Meeting Date – March 9, 2021

NAMI BI Notes of Board Meeting, January 12th, 2021.            

Zoom meeting, present: Jim Hinthorn, Pat Tengwall, Beth Gaffett Tengwall, Elspeth Crawford, Will Young, Jill Seppa

Apology: Socha Cohen. No further apologies were received.

JH opened the meeting at 8:33am and read the Mission Statement: NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.

Minutes of December 8, 2020, meeting were accepted with minor alteration.

President’s Report: As the group attending is very small, JH decided to give up the agenda and simply comment on a few matters after hearing the Treasurer’s report.

Treasurer’s Report:

As of our last meeting on Dec. 8, 2020, the checking account balance was $19,659.74. Income since then totals $4,910.00: 39 checks from individual donors responding to the November 2020 direct mail appeal. Total income for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 is now $5,160.00. Expenses since Dec. 8 total $103.00: $39 to Community Software Solutions for the database monthly fee. $64 to the US Postal Service for 12 months of PO Box rent. Total expenses for the fiscal year are $1,783.00.

Net income for the year is $3,377.00. The checking account balance is $24,466.74.

Comment – the appeal letter brought in nearly 5000, which we feel is an increase, PT will check, and is all in individual contributions. The income has all been since October 1^st from individuals, rather than grants.

JH thanked WY for getting the fundraising letter organised and out, and said he had sent personal letters of thanks to individuals, most of whom were off-island people.

EC gave a brief update on conference planning as she had proposed to SC, KB and GR how to manage a “conference” on what is being called Wellbeing Zoom principles. Unfortunately a time to discuss this had not been found.  The basic idea is that a whole day, such as a Saturday, on Zoom, does not work well, so instead the proposal is to have a May Mental Health month Series. This could be 4 shorter meetings, possibly Saturday mornings, with each directed to a specific group, such as Covid and children, Covid and seniors, …and business, …and young workers. All to be further discussed, nothing firm. 

JH asked JS if she would re-present thoughts re NAMI BI having a social media presence at our February meeting. JS said she could, and had a follow-up prepared. JH thanked her and confirmed that we do want to proceed with Social Media.

JH then reported on the Zoom meeting with Andre Boudreau, new Town Warden, and Maryann Crawford new Town Manager. 

He said that MC did not yet understand much of the way several groups in BI worked to enable social needs, for example who were Helping Hands, who is NAMI BI etc. She kept returning to ask What specifically did we want her to do, while KB and JH replied with nothing specific at the moment, just starting the dialogue. One thing agreed was that we as an organisation would put together a list of what we would like from Town, as Town looks for specifics. JH said that one such specific could be that Town takes forward the idea of Yellow Benches, that informed the public re suicide risk and prevention. KB had asked for a more robust Social Services entity than we have at present. PT commented that our requests to Town in previous years for grant money had some narratives that would give ideas about how to write the list, we do not have to re-invent. PT also pointed out that as the summer season income had not been as horrible, or low, as expected there could be receptivity to the requirement of more Social Service presence on the island. JH said in summary it had been a good meeting.

He then put forward a motion to adjourn, saying again that the low attendance was a disappointment, and might reflect the stretched state that everyone was in. The meeting adjourned at 8.55 am.

The next meeting date will be February 9^th 2021, 8.30 am, Zoom.

Submitted 01/12/21,  Elspeth Crawford

NAMI-BI, Agenda, January 12, 2021, Virtual Zoom Meeting, 8:30 AM

Call to Order

Mission Statement

Minutes of December 8, 2020 Meeting

President’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Case Manager’s Report

Old Business

• Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents- Status of Brochure on Topic- TF, EC, All
• 5 Year Strategic Plan (Strategy without Design) Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY
• BIBB Communication- Thank you to Socha on Testing Details- SC
• 2021 May Mental Health Conference – COVID-19 Impact on our Island and Community Mental Health System- GR, KB, SC
• Fundraising Appeal for 2020 Update- PT, WY
• Social Media presence on Facebook- JS
• Face Mask Project (NAMI logo)- KB, WY

New Business

• Report on Meeting with Andre B. and Maryanne Crawford- JH, KB, what do we need from TC and Community Meeting on COVID Issues- All
• Liaison between SAC and Library for Senior Programs- KB, GR
• New Board Members- All
• Succession Plan- All

Adjournment- Next Zoom Meeting Date – February 9, 2021

NAMI BI Notes of Board Meeting, December 8th, 2020.           

Zoom meeting, present: Jim Hinthorn, Pat Tengwall, Beth Gaffett Tengwall, Socha Cohen, Elspeth Crawford, Will Young, Tracy Fredericks. Gloria Redlich, Kristin Baumann

Apology:

JH opened the meeting at 8:32am and read the Mission Statement: NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.

Minutes of November 10th meeting were accepted.

President’s Report: JH reported that his thoughts were on the Agenda but he also wished everyone a safe and unique holiday season. Also, given the strangeness of 2020, he thanked all for the efforts they have made in responding to the requirements of COVID-19 and associated difficulties, especially regarding mental health, in the community.

Treasurer’s Report: PT submitted: At the time of our last meeting on 11/10/2020, the NAMI Block Island checking account balance was $21,144.74. (The balance at the end of November was the same.)  No revenue has been received since that date — including no donations from the recent fundraising mailing. Expenses since 11/10 were:

• $39.00 to Community Software Solutions, monthly fee for database subscription
• $748.00 to William Young, reimbursement for mailing printing order sent out by Staples. As Staples original estimate had not included the cost of stamps, negotiation by WY resulted in a gift to us from Staples of ~ $300. Thanks expressed to WY.
• $698.00 to United States Liability Insurance Co., annual premium for Directors & Officers liability insurance (new policy term begins 12/21/2020)

Expenses total $1,485.00. The checking account balance is now $19,659.74..

Case Manager’s Report: TF said the adult service was still busy and there were two new clients. The work was all a challenge in the circumstances and would be moving back to all virtual meetings during the 2- week pause [COVID-19 requirements]. This was especially tricky with new clients. TF also gave a general update on the Medical Center and the Rescue Service work concerning COVID -19. There have been ten new cases, in the past week, 2 yesterday . Dr. Warcup has recovered and returned to work. Discussions continue about the roll-out of vaccine, the priority of different groups. The venue for vaccination will be the Medical Center, while testing continues to be done at the Rescue building. The Rescue squad are among the first group and will be vaccinated within the next week or so with the a vaccine, not Pfizer, because of the cold storage needed for the Pfizer. The time frame for vaccination will be worked out according to storage and shipping.  The Rescue squad continues with testing. The times are Tuesdays 12 -1 having made a reservation, and Thursdays 10-12 walk-in as well as reservation. It was agreed that SC would put these details and NAMI BI thanks to the Rescue squad for this work in the notices sent to BI bulletin board, after checking details with TF. SC asked TF if there was anything else that NAMI BI members could do to help the work at the Medical Center or Rescue and TF said “gloves” medium or large as although they had enough they used very many. KB offered to give some from the library supply as they were not so heavily used in library work and they had been supplied with more than sufficient. The Board really appreciated that TF had been able to attend today’s meeting. The clarification of information helps so much in thinking about the mental health of the community.   Telepsych services for Children and Adolescents. This had been mentioned in the BI Times article but needs to be done differently as well so that the community knows about it. TF will put together a notice of who and what it is for, how operated [Bradley] and how accessed. She will send these details to EC who will turn it into a leaflet with NAMI BI logo and the leaflets can be posted at various places, School, Library, BIG, Real Estate offices etc. It has been recognized that children are particularly vulnerable to mental health difficulty because of the isolations imposed during the pandemic.   JH said he wanted the 5 Year Strategic Plan Committee to continue, though there had been no action, but the suggestions of “Strategy without Design” previously emailed by EC were noted.   BIBB Communication SC will continue. She has begun collating feedback. Recent examples have been a question about “brain lesions” and a comment: “very interesting”. She has been sending the information in the order contained in the NAMI manual. As the posts dealing with “self-care” come late in that and we are moving into the holiday season, she will bring these forward and send during December and January.   2021 May Mental Health Conference – COVID-19 Impact on our Island and Community Mental Health System. Discussion agreed that regardless of vaccine and possible return to real time meetings by May, this should continue as a virtually planned conference, as a real conference required “lead time” and there would still be too much uncertainty in February/March to ensure speaker attendance and other requirements. As KE has resigned from the Board and AW is not often able to be present, GR offered to join KB and SC to go ahead with structuring and planning a virtual conference, and will report to the Board in January.   Fundraising Appeal for 2020 As in the Treasurer’s report, the mailing has been sent. When Staples first sent costing to WY, they omitted the cost of stamps, but when this was realized they accepted the cost so that in effect Staples ahs made a contribution o ~ $300 to NAMI BI. The mask with a logo project, part of general ‘marketing’ of NAMI BI will be followed up by WY and KB, if possible using island contacts for mask making.   Social Media presence on Facebook JH will contact JS   BI Times Article there has been no response that we know of from the community. JH and KB agreed they and SC [who had left the meeting because of technical issues with Zoom] had put in the work via interviews and contact with Rosemary Connelli, who actually wrote the article. They felt that although sympathetic, it missed some aspects of mental health that they would have liked to have seen conveyed, and that this is representative of general knowledge in communities everywhere: mental health is not well understood. In other words, it was worth doing but we need to keep trying with the enabling of education.   Board Members JH is sorry that KE has resigned, and also sorry that because AW cannot often attend we do not have a representative from the Medical Center apart from TF, who is of course valued, but as telepsychiatry case manager can’t really represent the Medical Center. JH will follow this up with AW. All need to keep thinking about new Board members, and succession when JH resigns at the next AGM, June 2021.   COVID-19 Disregard of Safety Requirements GR introduced concern in the community about a possibility – fact or rumour not known – but concern is known. This is that some workers with COVID symptoms are continuing to work and are thus infecting their colleagues and increasing the spread of disease in the community.  In the thoughtful and compassionate discussion that ensued the fears of economic distress vs fears of illness were recognized and also clarification regarding appropriate action. It was also recognized that this problem is not unique to Block island, but affects all communities throughout the world where inequality and fear of income loss and destitution is putting many in an impossible position. Here, on Block Island, what NAMI BI can do is communicate with those who need to be informed: the Medical Center, and the Town Council so that stronger communications are made to workers and employers, and this should include communication about the kinds of support that might be available.   As part of our relationships with the Medical Center and Town Council, JH, and KB, will communicate with Dr. Warcup, Andre Boudreau [new Town Warden] and Marianne Crawford, Town Manager, to bring forward a process of help rather than condemnation, and of course clear agreement from all that the risky Covid-spreading behavior has to be prevented.     KB said that messages of various kinds would be helpful, for example that testing is both free and quick. She also suggested that employers also had a role to play, and that work with town could start to create something like a “Covid Response Team” that puts the messaging and process of help together.   GR was thanked for bringing the concern to our attention, as fear is a matter that affects mental health, and cannot be ignored. Apart from real risk, even the rumour of this concern is very scary, especially for seniors.   JH with KB will follow this up.   The meeting adjourned with reminder that the next Zoom Meeting Date was January 12, 2021, 8.30 am. and good wishes to all for  the holiday Season and Happy New Year!     Submitted 12/11/2020, Elspeth Crawford

ACTIONS             SC           TF, EC       SC         KB, GR, SC     WY, KB         ALL     JH, AW               JH,     KB

NAMI-BI, Agenda, December 8, 2020, Virtual Zoom Meeting, 8:30 AM

Call to Order

Mission Statement

Minutes of November 10, 2020 Meeting

President’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Case Manager’s Report

Old Business

• Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents- Mentioned in BI Times but needs to be done more formally- All
• 5 Year Strategic Plan Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY
• BIBB Communication- Feedback Socha has received- SC
• 2021 May Mental Health Conference – COVID-19 Impact on our Island and Community Mental Health System- All
• Fundraising Appeal for 2020 Update- PT (by mail), WY (online)
• Social Media presence on Facebook- JS, All
• BI Times Article on NAMI-BI- any reaction?- All

New Business

• Succession planning- All
• New Board Members- All
• Relationship with Town Council- New council installed this week- All
• Face Mask Project- KB, WY

Adjournment- Next Zoom Meeting Date – January 12, 2021 (Happy New Year!)

NAMI BI Notes of Board Meeting, November 10th, 2020.                    

Zoom meeting, present: Jim Hinthorn, Pat Tengwall, Beth Gaffett Tengwall, Socha Cohen, Elspeth Crawford, Will Young, Tracy Fredericks

Apology: Jill Seppa

JH opened the meeting at 8:32am and read the Mission Statement: NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.

Minutes of October 13^th meeting were accepted.

President’s Report: As on the agenda, JH

Treasurer’s Report: PT reported as of our October 13, 2020 meeting, our checking account balance was $21,133.74. Since that date, we have received one donation of $50.00, in memory of Martha L. Smith. 
The only expenditure has been the $39.00 monthly payment to Community Software Solutions for hosting our donation database. The account balance is now $21,144.74.

Case Manager’s Report: TF not present

Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents and Children: JH had contacted Liz Dyer and found she has only 1-2 hours weekly at the school. He said Kristin Monje [head teacher] and the school superintendent are supportive so NAMI BI role is to help the school communicate about the service. JH will arrange a meeting between himself Tracy, Kristin Baumann and Kristin Monje and then report back to the Board. KB says we could prepare a letter to be sent to the paper, the school list serve etc. as the whole community needs to know about the service. JH feels it is important that the school leadership team are on board with the process. EC said that given the current COVID context where the school has had to close, and mental health matters are being frequently discussed as they never were before, that although communication needs to be tactful and supportive, we should take advantage and not wait.   5 Year Strategic Plan Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY no action   Fund raising, contribution report and the Landowner list are connected items. WY said the donation of $50 as in the treasurers report had been contributed following the Martha Smith obituary that referred to NAMI BI. He said the Landowner List, over 1,100 names on an excel file had been gone through and updated so that duplicates and other corrections  had been made. He has been in contact with Staples, and all files have been emailed to them. Price of sending the fundraising letter [without an insert, as that idea had been decided against] would be about $1000.  The letter proof will be circulated for last minute checking, but as this price is good and in line with what we have paid before the Board agreed that he go ahead. WY thought the letter should therefore go out to all of the landowner list by the end of this week.  With regard to approaching businesses, he said he thought approaching businesses is better done in person rather than by mailings and would consider how to do that.   JH expressed our sincere gratitude to WY for the work he has done, a gratitude shared by all. Thanks Will.     2021 May Mental Health Conference As discussed at the last meeting, this will now be on the COVID-19 Impact on our Island and Community Mental Health System. JH stressed that the committee should plan for a conference even if it had to be virtual. SC and KB were the only members of conference committee present. There was no report to make nor any further discussion of the pre-planning that might be needed, all were asked to keep conference in mind.   PROMOTION / COMUNICATION TO COMMUNITY All the remaining matters discussed had relevance to community communication and the recognition that COVID-19 had brought changes to the island. During discussions KB noted that there were new people on the island, for instance, 20 new children in the school, and people joining the library, and Library Friends getting increased funds. We also noted that in our relationship with the Town, Andre Boudreau was now First Warden and that there was a new Town Manager, Maryanne Crawford [no relation to EC]. We want to stress what we are doing, share our information, tell them what we do, they are ready to hear. Appreciation was expressed for all the parts of the community that also support wellbeing, the Library, SAC, the work of emergency services,  has all been exceptional and all connected with the island’s resilience to the circumstances.   The following is not reported in the order the discussions took place, so that repetitions of the above are unnecessary.   Succession planning and community relations: JH said succession needs to be in everyone’s mind. He confirmed that Kyra Ernst has resigned from the Board. There was discussion about new members and relations with other groups in the community with other parts of the community, whether via liaison members on the Board or via conversations with key people. Regarding the Medical Center although we do have both TF and AW on our Board, they cannot always attend meetings. It was thought that we should formally contact Dr. Warcup to let him know what sort of organization we are and how we work within the community of which he is medical director. Similarly there should be a meeting with Andre Boudreau, and Maryanne Crawford to re-establish relationship with the town and look to how we fit with finance and social services.  KB said she had already had meetings with the Town Manager regarding the Library, she and SC both agreed that Maryanne Crawford should be in on the Town conversation. EC said it reminded her of the template that NAMI BI had used some years ago when Community Conversations were initiated, and she would look this up and send to JH as it might be useful. JH will follow up the conversations.   BIBB Communication: SC said feedback is being received, mostly gratitude. All agree that the social context has changed with regard to mental health and conversations are now welcomed, rather than avoided as in previous times. SC said also that the feedback emphasized that our focus this year should be on the effects of COVID-19. All agreed she should continue posting on BIBB.   Postcard Distribution to the Business Community WY said he would reassess this after the mailing.   Social Media presence on Facebook: JS presentation at the previous meeting was very much liked and it was agreed that we should have a social media presence starting with a Facebook page. As JS could not attend  this meeting, she is asked to bring this forward next time. The moderation and management of the page needs to be thought about, who , how, payment etc. KB confirmed that the Instagram page would connect easily with a Facebook page and had over 100 views.   Interview with BI Times: Rosemary Connelli of BIT had made contact to create an interview article  and JH, KB and SC will respond to email questions from her. JH will set this up so that the article should be in the paper Friday after next.     Further thoughts: SC thought that NAMI BI should do “an act of kindness” to express empathy to families dealing with COVID. What would that be? KB said the Instagram account had a posting from a teenager expressing anxiety etc.  She suggested that NAMI BI makes a COVID mask with our logo and gives them out. WY and KB said they would look around to find how to produce a mask with the logo.   KB again thanked Will for his work on the fundraising letter and the Landowner list.   JH said that between now and the next meeting the following would happen: Information about the Child and Adolescent Telepsychiatry Service would be launched, and out to the community. There would be feedback from Andre Boudreau and Maryanne Crawford. There would be an article in the BI Times.   The meeting adjourned at 9.37am. Next Zoom Meeting Date – December 8, 2020, 8.30 am.     Submitted 11/11/2020, Elspeth Crawford

ACTIONS     JH, KB, TF         WY             SC, KB, ALL                         EC, JH       SC   WY     JS     JH, KB, SC     WY, KB     JH

NAMI-BI Agenda November 10, 2020 Virtual Zoom Meeting, 8:30 AM

Call to Order

Mission Statement

Minutes of October 13, 2020 Meeting

President’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Case Manager’s Report

Old Business

• Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents- JH, did contact Liz Dyer
• 5 Year Strategic Plan Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY
• Contribution Report- PT, WY
• BIBB Communication- SC, All
• Postcard Distribution to the Business Community- KB, All
• 2021 May Mental Health Conference – COVID-19 Impact on our Island and Community Mental Health System- All
• Landowner List (over 1,000)- WY
• Fundraising Appeal for 2020- WY
• Requests from 3^rd Party Vendors- EC
• Social Media presence on Facebook- JS, All

New Business

• Succession planning- All
• Interview with BI Times- JH, KB,  SC
• Relationship with Town Council- Approach? All

Adjournment- Next Zoom Meeting Date – December 8, 2020

NAMI BI Notes of Board Meeting, October 13th, 2020.            

Zoom meeting, present: Jim Hinthorn, Pat Tengwall, Beth Gaffett Tengwall, Socha Cohen, Elspeth Crawford, Will Young, Jill Seppa, Tracy Fredericks

JH opened the meeting at 8:31am and read the Mission Statement: NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.

Minutes of September 8^th meeting were accepted.

President’s Report: As on the agenda, JH also hopes to discuss a conversation that occurred at the local meeting of DNC. He has also had a call from Lars Trodson, Bi times editor, asking us for a story, JH will get together with KB to follow up..

Treasurer’s Report: At the time of our Sept. 8, 2020 meeting, our checking account balance was $21,172.74. There have been no new donations since that date. The only expenditure has been the $39.00 monthly payment to Community Software Solutions for hosting our donation database. The account balance is now $21,133.74.

Case Manager’s Report: TF reported that working with Dr. Warcup was “great” since his arrival on BI. The telehealth service has a full schedule with 14 clients , although appointment no shows make a bit of a problem with scheduling. There are 2 new clients this week, but nothing yet from the young people program – see below.

Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents and Children: TF confirmed that it exists , so the question is: how do we inform the community at large, and the primary focus at the school. How can NAMI BI assist the “marketing” of this service? TF said people are unaware. JS -suggested that the School could send out a tele-serve announcement on its list. There was discussion about the detail of what the information sent needs to be, e.g. access procedures, to whom is the information sent, etc. JS reminded us that Liz Dyer is now the school nurse and is working with the other care providers at the school. JH proposed that TF, KB and he would approach Liz to discuss the  Telepsych for Children and Adolescents, then communicate a plan to the Board, and get the word out.   Strategic Plan: Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY, no action   Landowner List: WY spent 6, 7 hours on this list and now has 1000 + names and new property transfers and then will communicate. Pam H is on Helping Hands Board – their list about 100 people, thanks to Will for the work done. It is nearly ready for  fundraising.   Postcards: Will and Socha distributed many of the postcards to the Business Community.   2021 May Conference Planning: JH said the conference planning team were considering a change in topic, suggested by Socha, from CIT to Covid-19 Impact on our Island and Community Mental Health System.  This relates to the DNC meeting where KB  reported there was interest in what NAMI BI could do regarding creating a community response  to Mental Health, many of the island organizations such as police, emergency, SAC were mentioned. WY recognized need for a coordinator, and JH suggested we could advocate for staffing of this position – or for the  expansion of the 10 hours weekly Island Coordinator of Social Services  position [held by Maryann Seebeck] or the need might be for a further person. EC wondered if this should be begun now, rather than wait for a conference focus about the BI community response to mental health, instead of Crisis Intervention. The conference could summarize the community coordination, which is needed now, rather than be the scene for setting it up.   Fundraising Appeal for 2020: A letter has been written and will be shared on the google group. It letter will then be printed with our letterhead and sent out. WY  will organize this, sooner rather than later, using the new landowner list. Rather than meeting t stuff envelopes, it will be arranged and paid for. WY asked about the idea of including a “magnet”  like a magnet postcard, with brief message rather like the lawn signs at the library. [These had come from JS via South County resources and are appreciated.] It was agreed that the letter would also be put on BIBB.   Communications: The messages to BIBB have been well received, one on the recent suicide, and Socha’s Family to Family posts, the latter having brought an enquiry about how to donate. SC confirmed these are posted with permission from NAMI and attribution. It was agreed they should continue. EC reported that Coffee chat now had little to do with NAMI BI and should come off the agenda. Only a few people join each time and conversation was general.   Requests from 3rd Party Vendors: EC had reported that requests came in via the website contact from people of various kinds wanting to use our platform for links to their own online space. (selling services, pushing books, etc. and also sometimes useful and pertinent information). She usually responds, politely, but sees the NAMI BI webpages as for the use of those on Block island, so general links to others outside RI are not what we want even if they are not trying to commercialize through contacts.  It was suggested that there might be a process to handle these kinds of contacts from NAMI national so could look there or contact Beth Lamarr re protocols. EC was not bothered by these contacts but wanted the Board to know that they did occur from time to time.   DNC meeting: JH reported that KB had attended this recent meeting chaired by Sean McGarry. KB had said she did not bring up topic but others had raise the issue of having a more significant relationship with NAMI BI. Town Council members Andre Boudreau, Chris Willi, and Sven Risom were all at the meeting as was Keith Stover. Martha Ball, also a Democrat was not present but is also a member of Town Council. The DNC conversation was about coordinating a community response to Mental Health issues being part of the Community response to COVID – 19. This is part of the motive for rethinking the conference topic as considered earlier. It was agreed it was important to respond quickly and JH will follow up with Andre.   Succession planning: JH asked all to continue to think about this and the next leadership.   There was no discussion re succession, as time was needed for the presentation of Social Media ways of bringing NAMI BI to the notice of a wider part of the community. This had been agreed last meeting when discussing “What are we doing as an organization?” and How does the community know?   Facebook Presentation: JS and EC both reported that they knew that many BI residents, their friends, families and regular visitors used Facebook frequently [~1000 known], athough most of the NAMI BI Board members do not. JS had prepared an excellent Power Point to screen share. This very clearly set out the ways a Facebook page could be organized for access to posts with all necessary regard that ensured privacy, appropriateness, monitoring, deleting if required, etc. JS also showed us Sonoma County NAMI page https://www.facebook.com/NAMIsoco so that we could see how others have presented themselves. Having learned the how, it was agreed that we should move forward with having a Social Media presence, on Facebook. This could also be linked to the Instagram account used by KB. Discussion made clear that the question of monitoring and the question of sustainability of a NAMI BI page all involved time spent regularly by someone, even if that time taken was small. JS could set it up, but also said she thought that there should be more than one monitor. EC thought this implied hiring someone, or one or two, possibly younger but thoughtful community members who would understand the commitment level, and also know to ask JS or other Board member if a post or reply seemed to them to be “off topic” or worse, trolling. This would be a project that might be funded by Roosa or from elsewhere. BT suggested that it could possibly be a Senior Project.JS agreed to look into going rates for such services, and also check if NAMI has guidelines, and bring further information to the next Board meeting, in order to go forward. All thanked JS for the work done.   JH commented that we had had a very good meeting with a lot good to follow up. Then the meeting adjourned at 9.45 am.     Submitted 14/10/2020, Elspeth Crawford

ACTIONS   JH, KB, TF [approach Liz Dyer]                         JH, WY     SC     EC         JH     ALL               JS

NAMI-BI Agenda October 13, 2020

Virtual Zoom Meeting, 8:30 AM

Call to Order

Mission Statement

Minutes of September 8, 2020 Meeting

President’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Case Manager’s Report

Old Business

• Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents- TF conversation with school?  PT feedback on funding from Roosa Fund?
• 5 Year Strategic Plan Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY
• Landowner List- WY, KB, JH
• Contribution Report- PT, WY
• BIBB Communication on recent suicide- JH, KB
• Postcard Distribution to the Business Community- KB, All
• Family Support Sessions- on hold

New Business

• 2021 May Conference Planning (consider a change in topic from CIT to Covid-19 Impact on our Island and Community Mental Health System- SC, All
• Fundraising Appeal for 2020- KB, WY, JH
• Socha’s BIBB Communications from NAMI-RI- SC
• Coffee Chats- EC
• Process to handle requests from 3^rd Party Vendors (a recent trend) to use our platform (selling services, pushing books, etc. – EC, All
• Jill’s Facebook Presentation- JS
• Succession planning- All

Adjournment- Next Zoom Meeting Date – November 10, 2020

NAMI BI Notes of Board Meeting, September 8th, 2020.                     

Zoom meeting, present: Jim Hinthorn, Kristin Baumann, Pat Tengwall, Beth Gaffett Tengwall, Socha Cohen, Elspeth Crawford, Will Young, Kyra Ernst, Alison Warfel, Gloria Redlich, Jill Seppa.

Apologies: Tracy Fredericks

JH opened the meeting at 8:31am and read the Mission Statement: NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.

Minutes of August 11^th, 2020 Meeting, accepted.

President’s Report: JH informed us of an email received from a NAMI college graduate Eugenie Kim, and said other items in his report are built in to the Agenda.

Treasurer’s Report: sent by email, an informal report. The current checking account balance is $21,172.44. Since our last meeting on 8/1, we received $200.00 from individual contributions (one was a memorial gift for Kelsey Gallant). There was one expenditure: – the $39.00 monthly payment to Community Software Solutions on August 2.

Case Manager’s Report: As TF was not present, there was no case manager report. The promotion of the Telepsych services for Children and Adolescents cannot be moved forward without TF’s conversation with BI school, this has not yet happened as far as we know. The first four items of Old business have nothing to report: feedback on funding from Roosa Fund?; 5 Year Strategic Plan Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY; Landowner List- WY, KB, JH; Contribution Report- PT, WY   The Informational Post cards have been delivered to the Med Center & Library. There are more – see suggestions for use below following the tragedy of a recent suicide.   New Business 2021 May Conference Planning: topic, Crisis Intervention, Committee for 2021 (KB, SC, AW, and KE. EC suggested that planning should begin now for a hybrid conference, same speakers who could be pre-recorded, for video or live presentation in the library, whichever was possible next May. Also as hybrid, depending on possible, there could be both physical and virtual attendees. As this requires technological skill EC further suggested that the committee explore locals who have the skills and pay them to create the recordings and necessary arrangements. It is a learning curve for everyone and it would be good to involve the young people in our community who might do the work. [EC suggestions Jake, Andre Miller, grandsons of SC and GR – think of more please]. The cost can be covered by our present bank account even if we do not get grants, though it is likely these can be obtained for such a specific project.   In relation to the conference JH and KE both said that Dr. Warcup would be a good person to involve, and to keep informed of NAMI BI activities generally. Others agreed and the planning committee will carry that and the hybrid planning forward.   Family Support: SC, BT, GR the family support trained facilitators had met with EC on Zoom to discuss the possibility of virtual meetings where EC could be the technical operator. They had decided that the group did not feel ethically able to manage the sensitive nature of encounters in virtual space, so that NAMI BI will not host a Family Support Group at this time. They do meet with another BI resident in an informal virtual group, which is safe as they already know each other, but because it is not open to anyone in the community it cannot be called a NAMI Family Support Group.   SC had attended the virtual training of NAMI RI “Family to Family” and she explained that the difference between it and Family Support was that Family to Family was mainly educational, offering materials and information that could help. She has obtained permission from Beth Lamarr at NAMI RI to share items from the materials [with attribution]. It was agreed that SC would regularly share these selections with the community on the Bulletin Board [BIBB], creating a title like “Did you know?” for the subject line and the attribution to NAMI BI and RI within the content, so that people would open up to read.   Fundraising Appeal for 2020: JH, B and WY will meet and propose a strategy to present at the October meeting of NAMI BI Board. WY thought that without a Strategic Plan the previously discussed approach to Washington Trust for a grant was unlikely to be possible before this year’s deadline in November.   NAMI BI response to COVID -19: KB has resumed the COVID-19  communications to BIBB. EC reported that Coffee Chats had been held fortnightly on Saturday mornings, and would continue. She informally facilitates the discussions to enable hearing and sharing of BI concerns and activities whatever they might be, as far as possible developing emotionally reflective rather than complaining attitudes in the conversations, as the first is conducive to mental health while the latter is not. EC belongs to an international group Climate Psychology Alliance and brings that perspective as one of her own concerns. It is shared by the others, as are the mopeds and the masks etc and huge sympathy for the EMT service this summer. AS JH commented, BI has had a Wild West summer.   EC then spoke of a possible initiative to bring a virtual community together discussing Mental Health issues more directly. She proposed a virtual form of the previous summer’s successful library TED talks and discussions. Using BIBB, participants could be asked to pre-watch a TED or other short video, and then meet virtually once monthly to join in comment and discussion.   This led to lively and very valuable conversation around “What are we doing as an organization?”. JS proposed ideas for current stressors or “a topic of the month” like climate suicide so we came across as NAMI BI as well as offering education and help. She also suggested using another avenue of contact, social media, say by creating a private Facebook group. KB reported that the Instagram group had over 100 followers. As many of the Board do not know the detail of how social media works, JS said she could bring a demonstration of a private FB group to the next Board meeting, and EC says that Zoom screen sharing can be arranged to enable that. This was agreed, JS said it should take maybe 10/15 minutes plus comment time, and she will prepare it. The Board appreciates this. EC also thinks it is a great idea, but warned that to make it happen well, someone would be required to take on its regular implementation and management, including moderation of posts. She was very clear that she could not do this but hoped someone would be willing.     Succession planning: JH repeated his intention to stand down next June. He wants all to think about succession planning and also to think of community members who might be encouraged to join NAMI BI. He has spoken to Nancy Greenaway. GR said she would be very willing to join JH in a group to think about how to draw others in. EC confirmed the formal information she had given in a recent email when SC had been approached by someone unsure of how to support NAMIBI: the Board welcomes new people to our meetings, but as the Bylaws state, they cannot become Board Directors, nor vote, until after formal nomination and approval at the next AGM.       NAMI BI response to the recent suicide: JH reported the news of a young seasonal worker’s suicide at PPP. All agreed that NAMI BI should make a response of sympathy and support to those affected. JH agreed to send a message to BIBB and would include the contacts that people in stress can make. There was discussion regarding action NAMI BI might take towards prevention, as JH said be more aggressive, word change to assertive, pro-active. The early June employer/employee program that was cancelled this year because of COVID should be run next year, virtually, or hybrid, or physical as can be at that time. Even though the season is nearly over, it was agreed to act NOW, and make use of the remaining postcards. JH will bring them to the Library and all will collect a number to deliver to businesses, stating the specific area of Town or New Harbor etc. they can cover. KB will note this process. All on island agreed to do this.   The meeting adjourned at 9.55 AM.   The Next Zoom Meeting Date is Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at 8.30 AM.   Submitted 09/11/2020, Elspeth Crawford

NAMI BI Notes of Board Meeting, August 11th, 2020.              

Zoom meeting, present: Jim Hinthorn, Kristin Baumann, Pat Tengwall, Beth Gaffett Tengwall, Socha Cohen, Elspeth Crawford, Will Young, Kyra Ernst.

Apologies: Gloria Redlich, Jill Seppa, Alison Warfel, Tracy Fredericks

JH opened the meeting at 8:31am and read the Mission Statement: NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.

Minutes of July 9, 2020 Meeting, accepted with minor amendments, typo and apology from Jill Seppa.

President’s Report: JH had communicated with Dr. Warcup re his weekly COVID bulletin, suggesting the regular inclusion of information about the mental and behavioral health services available to people on BI. 

Treasurer’s Report, sent by email, no income since last month, only outgoing the regular payment $39 to Community Software Solutions [database]

As TF was not able to be present, there was no case manager report. The promotion of the Telepsych services for Children and Adolescents cannot be moved forward without TF’s conversation with BI school. As school is not yet open, and COVID-19 makes opening problematic, this item has to wait.  For the same reason, requesting funding previously available from the Roosa Fund has also to be put on hold. Other old business, the Strategic Plan, the creation of the landowner list and reports re contributions are without progress in the present uncertain circumstances.   It was however noted that the family of Martha Smith, via obituary in BI Times, had requested that in lieu of flowers donations should be made to the BI Rescue Squad or to NAMI BI. KB remarked that this is, as far as we know, the first time such a request for donation of this kind to NAMI BI has been made, and it may reflect the way in which PR work with the community has been carried out and raised the NAMI BI profile.   PR work, discussed at various times during the meeting, will continue. KB will continue with regular postings, and EC continues with Zoom Coffee Chat. JH had spoken with Lars Trodson of BI Times re PR, again he is supportive if we send material. WY had more of the postcards that had been produced and posted to residents earlier, so some had already been sent to Vin Carlone, and it was agreed that others would be delivered to the various public spaces, starting with the Library. JH would also take cards to other places, such as the Medical Center.   JH reported that he had sent the NAMI BI Annual report to Dr. Warcup, Ken Lacoste [First Warden], Molly Fitzpatrick [Town Clerk for circulation], and Lars trodson. He said he would be meeting with the new Town Manager, Maryanne Crawford [no relation to EC] and would give the report to her also. It was suggested that other island organizations, such as churches and Police, might also be given a copy. As Vin Carlone had recently commented on Mental Health and the effects of pandemic restrictions, to respond by passing on our report would be a non-critical engagement.   JH then asked that we look again at the 2021 May Conference Planning and Crisis Intervention. Discussion suggested that although the work done for 2020 would allow the idea and speakers etc to be quite easily resurrected for 2021, the way so many things had moved opened up the possibility of thinking of a different format, maybe a hybrid format, part physical presence, or part online activity. Many of us have now taken part in both live online groups, and also accessed recordings of activities. When NAMI national held their conference online, some members of NAMI BI Board had attended some of the events via Zoom, and all the events are now available as recordings. The discussion about conference format led to more general thoughts such as regular hosting of Zoom meetings, the online equivalent of the work done in previous summers via physical TED talk presentation and discussion. This needs thinking through, and all are asked to bring ideas. We can be creative, even build up a bank of recorded events!   The online, physical or hybrid way of meeting was also part of discussion about other items on the Agenda. The Kiley Hall online presentation at the library had been excellent but was not recorded. We will need help with technical learning. The Family Support Group is not meeting as an open support group, although its members continue to support each other. SC and BT will discuss with GR the possibility of being more online open if technical back-up and help can be obtained from NAMI RI. Another possibility is joining and then promoting an RI online group, again to be discussed with RI. SC and BT agreed to meet and report back.   KE gave a brief report of her perspective from the Medical Center, stressing that it was her perspective, not a Medical Center official view, of COVID-19 and its effects on BI. Unfortunately the numbers are not something we can take security in. The RI R-number is greater than 1, so cases are still rising within the state, and almost certainly also on BI. JH commented on the major concerns of non-compliance and visitors who are non-engaged, and obviously careless “on holiday”. This echoed what EC has learnt from Coffee Chat concerns. These are real concerns about health, and real losses experienced such as not being able to host grandchildren in one’s own home, only see them at social distance. All were aware of the accidental death that had occurred on the island. The families of those young visitors must be devastated, and BI emergency services, responding time and again daily, are very over-stretched. There is a rising concern for mental health, so the COVID-19 induced concerns and the concerns raised by EC of effects of climate crisis on mental health is something that should remain on the agenda for NAMI BI to work out how it can respond. All were also asked to think about how or when we proceed with a fundraising appeal.   JH ended the meeting with a repeat that he intended to resign from the presidency at the AGM of June 2021, so the matter of succession planning needs to be considered. He would still be part of activities, for instance, if by next summer a Fun Run was a viable option he would again organize and manage it. . JH was very clear that his reasons for resigning were about self-awareness of his own strengths and limitations, and his understanding that a group such as ours was healthy when “new blood” came to the fore. Although developing a Strategic Plan is not a useful way forward when external circumstances are so very uncertain, there is nevertheless and need for NAMI BI to think about the kind of direction it will pursue in the next few years. During the discussion, there were only six members of the Board present as both PT and KE had to leave early for work commitments. We all know that the summer season is happening, that there are often clashes of commitment, and we all know that BI has not yet got good internet access, so for various real reasons our last few meetings have had low attendance and several apologies. The day of meeting has been changed to Tuesday to try to avoid some of the clashes, but may still be difficult. Everyone is encouraged to try to attend the next meeting, as the direction in which NAMI BI moves forward will be stronger and more in touch with our community with input from all of us.   The Next Zoom Meeting Date is September 8, 2020, 8.30 AM BI time. [We know PT has to leave early, his input is offered via frequent contact.] The link will be sent just before.   Submitted 08/12/2020, Elspeth Crawford

NAMI-BI Agenda August 11, 2020 Virtual Zoom Meeting, 8:30 AM

Call to Order

Mission Statement

Minutes of July 9, 2020 Meeting

President’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Case Manager’s Report

Old Business

• Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents- TF conversation with school?  PT feedback on funding from Roosa Fund?
• 5 Year Strategic Plan Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY
• Landowner List- WY, KB, JH
• Contribution Report- PT, WY
• PR Work with BI Times & Community Organizations- All

New Business

• 2021 May Conference Planning (topic, Crisis Intervention Team)- Committee for 2021 (KB, SC, AW, and KE)
• CIT Subcommittee Report on Tasks- KE, AW, KB,  and TF
• Josh’s Yellow Benches Proposal (Suicide Prevention Awareness)- JH
• Fundraising Appeal for 2020- All
• COVID-19- BI Status & Communications resumed- All and KB for any reaction from community?
• Climate change and its effect on mental health- EC
• Annual Report- sent to Molly F. (TNS), Lars, and Dr. Warcup
• Kiley Hall Presentation on August 4^th– KB
• Family Support Group Meetings sponsored by NAMI-BI- on hold?
• Information to Police Chief- JH
• Dialing for Dollars or Let’s talk succession planning- All
• Big “Thank You” to our International Host- EC

Adjournment- Next Zoom Meeting Date – September 8, 2020

NAMI BI Notes of Board Meeting, July 9, 2020.           

Zoom meeting, present: Jim Hinthorn, Kristin Baumann, Pat Tengwall, Beth Gaffett Tengwall, Socha Cohen, Elspeth Crawford Will Young, Gloria Redlich.

Apologies: Alison Warfel, Kyra Ernst, Tracy Fredericks, Jill Seppa

JH opened the meeting at 8:37am and read the Mission Statement

NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.

Minutes of June 18th, 2020 Meeting and the Annual meeting were approved with amendments. EC informed the Board that all files are now available online. Items of Presidents report are in the Agenda.

Treasurer’s Report: PT had submitted three files “FY 2020 End of year Treasurer Report”, “FY 2020 Profit & Loss” and “P&L COMPARISON FY 2020 & 2019”. Discussion agreed that the main differences were due to the Case Manager relocation at the Medical Center and the necessary adjustments to both income and expenditure created. It was also noted that in both the years 2019 and 2020, there had been no mailing for fundraising. Pt was thanked and the reports approved. Case Manager’s Report: not given, TF absent.   Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents:  PT gave feedback from the Roosa Fund saying that as the previous grant application had been to pay for the extra time needed for case management, now Medical Center responsibility, NAMIBI should re-apply for this for materials to support the launch. EC commented that not only was there little promotion of the new adolescent and child service, the BIHS website had no information provided about any of the Mental Health Services. There is no mention under any heading of the avaiablility of Telepsychiatry for adults or young people, no mention of the services of Peter Oppenheimer, psychologist or any of the Counsellors to whom referrals can be made. EC had emailed AW about it but not received a reply and did recognize that the Medical Center had many commitments at the moment due to the pandemic. JH said he would speak to AW.   5 Year Strategic Plan Committee: KB, JS, PT, WY – JH asked that this committee meet as the matter should come to the fore this year. The final conflict of Interest form from GR is in the mail.   Data Base Report: WY asked that this matter be separated into the Landowners list for mailing which needs attention and the wider question of Fundraising. The data-base is up and running, and can add donors as and when necessary.   PR Work with BI Times: The Board congratulated PT on his new job of manager with the BI Times. EC asked that promotional work be considered more widely, to include BIHS, the Chamber Calendar etc. JH responded that this item could be PR work with Community Organizations. This is connected with need for promotional material.   2021 May Conference Planning cancelled this year because of COVID -19 restrictions would be about “crisis” in 2021. It was clarified that the conference planning committee was KB, SC, AW and KE, and there was overlap with the Crisis Intervention Training committee KB, AW, KE and TF. That committee had not reported. SC suggested that because of COVID-19 there might be a need for more of a hybrid plan as neither group had met recently. EC suggested that one difficulty since restrictions had affected everyone was that the groups, like the Strategic Planning group, did not have a convenor so the meetings did not get set up. JH said that he would talk with these groups about the best way to move forward.   Concerning Josh’s yellow benches this is Suicide Prevention Awareness, needs to stay on agenda..   Fundraising Appeal for 2020: JH said he would take the lead and put a plan together. WY and KB would join him and report back to the Board.   COVID-19: JH reported that Police Chief Vin Carlone had made comments at a recent Town Council meeting about mental health. KB had responded at the time. Considering what more NAMI BI could be doing it was agreed that KB would continue with BIBB postings, and the Instagram posts that now had 64 followers, would also keep going. She would refer to the NAMI national help available, and other sources. EC will continue the Zoom Chat meetings.   Climate change: EC reported that COVID was not the only crisis. While COVID seemed to have more deleterious effect on older people, not just in being more dangerous physically but also in separation from social needs, the climate crisis appeared to affect children and young people, and that their anxieties were a realistic response to the realization that their future was threatened. EC belongs to a group Climate Psychology Alliance with international membership, and one of the problems they reported was that the effects of climate emergency on young people could be misidentified as the young person’s problem rather than their valid response to a planetary problem. This is a more hidden crisis, where the pandemic is a very public one. The Board agreed to keep this in mind.   Annual Report 2019 -2020 was accepted, with thanks and congratulations to EC for producing it. JH thought it should be sent to various groups in the community such as Town Council, who do not really know what NAMI BI does. The Board agreed and suggested it be sent with a covering letter to the Town Council members, Town Clerk Molly Fitzpatrick (so that it would be inserted in the council record as a letter received), new Town Manager Maryanne Crawford, our donors, the Roosa Fund, BIHS, BI Times and BI school superintendent. JH will do this. EC will put it on the website and send to the friends Google group.   KB asked that social services funding be brought the fore, especially in the present atmosphere nationally where “defunding police” was being talked about. She pointed out one Bi example – that a police person might be in the school at lunchtimes, but the school did not even have a school nurse. Better Social Services funding should be part of our advocacy. EC and GR agreed.   The Dates of Future meetings were discussed as KE & AW have a conflict with BIMC staff meetings on Thursdays, and their input to NAMI BI is important. It was noted that PT might not be able to attend because of his new post at BI Times, or would have to leave early to begin his work at 9am. This would apply whatever day was chosen. JH suggested the second Tuesday of each month, so it was agreed:   The next meeting (Zoom or in person) will be August 11, 2020 at 8.30am.   The  meeting adjourned at 9:47 am.

Submitted 07/09/2020, Elspeth Crawford

NAMI-BI Agenda July 9, 2020 Virtual Zoom Meeting, 8:30 AM

Call to Order

Mission Statement

Minutes of June18th Regular and Annual 2020 Meeting

President’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Case Manager’s Report

Old Business

• Launch of Telepsych services for Adolescents- TF conversation with school?  PT feedback on funding from Roosa Fund?
• 5 Year Strategic Plan Committee- KB, JS, PT, WY
• Conflict of Interest Forms- was mailed to Gloria
• Data Base Report- WY, KB, JH
• PR Work with BI Times- KB, WY

New Business

• 2021 May Conference Planning (topic, Crisis Intervention Team)- Committee for 2021
• CIT Subcommittee Report on Tasks- KE, AW, KB, TF & Peter Preiser
• Josh’s Yellow Benches Proposal (Suicide Prevention Awareness)- JH
• Fundraising Appeal for 2020- All
• COVID-19- what more should we be doing from a mental health perspective- Carlone’s comments at recent TC meeting
• Climate change and its effect on mental health- EC
• Annual Report- All, comments
• Dates of Future meetings- KE & AW conflict with BIMC staff meetings on Thursdays

Adjournment- Next Meeting Date (Zoom or in person)- August 13, 2020 subject to change