HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-07Dryden Youth Commission
March 7, 2012
Present: DYC members Stephanie Mulinos, Chrissy Guest, Shelby Murphy, Tracy Kurtz; County liaison
Kris Bennett; "town Rec. Director Melissa Bianconi; Guests: CCE staff Linda Schoffel, David Hall,
Nikki Nease; DRC members Steve Meyer, Sharon Todd, Jeff Humphrey, Billie Downs
Welcome Stephanie called the meeting to order and welcomed DR.0 and CCE; all did introductions.
Membership updates Tracy has been appointed by the Town board; Steve Kirsch has not yet submitted an
application to V. Dryden but will do so shortly. That will fill all seats.
CCE Overview & Updates Linda distributed copies of the 4H Skills Wheel which shows a framework
(like Search's 40 Developmental Assets, Communities that Care, Resiliency, Circle of Courage) of skills
and attributes youth need. CCE programs intentionally build development of these skills into the
programming. The most basic premise is belonging, making sure all feel welcome. CCE program
managers seek out youth who most need to build oil these skills and then add youth from the general
population so balanced groups are achieved. Based on research, programs: 1) create relationships with
trusted adults; 2) give youth an opportunity to try new things and feel successful; and 3) have high
expectations. The Rural Youth Services (RYS) system provides peer support for program managers from
across the county, training, and supervision. Program managers use a database to record info about
programs, participants, etc.
Dave shared copies of his program report; all current programs are full. He gave an overview to Teen
®Challenges (in- school, lunchtime alternative for �60 students); Primitive Pursuits (building outdoor
appreciation using ancestral skills); Doggie Do (dog graining, career exploration); Science Explorers; and
Winter Hiking. Dave's programs create opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills; an example
is one veteran Primitive Pursuits participant co- taught with Dave recently at Lime Hollow. Others will be
helping out with Outdoor Cooking at this weekend's Cabin Fever festival.
Dave and Linda met recently with DMS principal Larry Hinkle and counselor Tara Buckman as part of
the youth needs assessment the Tompkins County Youth Services Dept. is conducting. They shared that
there is less money available now for school clubs and extracurriculars. Kids are stressed out and
experiencing more mental health challenges and extremes in behavior. There's a lot of student transience
(moving in & out of the district due to family circumstances). Kris explained that the full needs
assessment is looking at all age groups and will guide funding decisions and focus of work for the future.
Nikki shared her program report; currently 50 -60 Cornell volunteers are involved. They have an elected
board that does fundraising and grant writing to support OURS which serves kids in 3 Freeville -area
mobile home parks. Grants are often program - specific, it's harder to find support for the van, a critical
component of the program since the participants often do not have transportation. OURS has connected
with Friendship Donations Network for food donations. Recently °rues. Teen /Tween Leadership Council
welcomed Cornell Film Club and learning about film making. Teens are using 2 shared cameras. On
Fridays, Chef Ricardo has really engaged kids in the cooking and nutrition component. Also offered are
Fitness & Arts & Crafts.
Linda shared copies of 2011 annual reports for DYS and OURS and highlighted the success stories
®
included in each.
Kris distributed copies of the youth programming continuum, the "pyramid"
DYCIDRC Restructuring Next Steps A meeting will be set for the chairs of the 2 commissions plus
Melissa and Kris to develop a "to do" list for moving forward. (The meeting was later set for 3,121; 2:00
PM at Dryden Town Hall.) After a poll of those present, it %aras decided that a small group with reps. from
DYC and DRC, along with Kris and Melissa, will work jointly on developing a recommendation for a
restructured, blended commission.
Drafi 2011 DYC Annual Reno Members reviewed the draft report, awaiting photos from Dave and
Nikki. Looks OK; at next month's meeting we'll develop a distribution plan.
Town Updates Father /daughter dance in Feb. drew 30 couples. Basketball winding down. Freeville
concept designs nearly ready to be presented to village trustees. Applications for grants coming in, some
new applicants, process will be more competitive. Planning underway for Music in the Park, spring break
programming, track & field, lacrosse, egg hunts, Dryden Lake Nature Study, pottery painting, floating
classroom, tennis. Up in the air: adult softball (school grounds likely will not be available) and Red
Cross babysitting class (price has ballooned; hard to reach someone to talk with about it due to RC
restructuring) and When I'm in Charge class (RC regional doesn't know about this class).
Minutes from February were moved (Ch.rissy), seconded (Tracy); passed unanimous.
Other Freeville elementary school will not be available for canmp this summer due to renovations; trying
to arrange access to playground (canmp could take place at nearby church). Dryden elementary building
and fields and Cassavant fields may be available. Schools are doing paving projects this summer;
community orgs, have been frustrated by school's lack of help in making much needed space available.
Kris shared flyers: upcoming Recreation Partnership annual meeting (March 28); and Underage
Drinking: The Power of Parents and Communities (April 4 at TC3). She also showed the 2010 G1S map
(shared previously with DYC) showing participation in Dryden in CCF programs, Dryden Rec. programs,
and Rec. Partnership programs. Chrissy announced that a TC3 cinema club wants to do a fundraiser to
build an accessible playground in Dryden, possibly at Montgomery Park, based on "Shane's Inspiration ".
Will also be holding a frisbee golf tournament as a fundraiser for a Rochester hospital.
Next meeting April 18; agenda items: annual report sharing; who will represent DYC on DYCIDRC
restructuring group.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20.
youth drydnycJogiximii-kV2012'ma r minutes