HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-16Dryden Youth Commission
April 16, 2002
Minutes
Present: Penny Green- Brown, Kristen Blackman, Walt Matyjas, Kris Bennett, Nita Baldwin, Allen Green
(IYB), Marie Vitucci (CCE), Carissa Mann (CCE)
Absent: Jean Simmons, Mary Bachner, Colleen Emerick - Daniluk
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm. After introductions, Penny told the group that Mary had
contacted her to say she will not be continuing on the Commission after her term is expires. Penny asked
Mary to send a letter of resignation so we can tell the Town about this opening.
Program Presentation: Youth Conservation Corps — Allen Green from the Ithaca Youth Bureau talked
about possible projects for this summer. He has not yet been able to connect with the new director at the
Nature Conservancy about continuing work begun last year at the Malloryville Bog. He will continue to
try. He had hoped to be able to work at a camp at Hammond Hill but it is privately owned at this time and
therefore not eligible. Perhaps next year. Other ideas he is following up on are an extension of V.
Dryden park, maintenance of the playground at Montgomery Park, ball fields (but this is unlikely for this
year since it involves moving a light pole first), Dryden Lake trails. Kris suggested he contact people
about work on the Finger Lakes Trail, there was an article in that day's Ithaca Journal about it. He was
asked if there are still plans to build a trail from Freeville to Dryden Lake, he didn't know about this. When
asked about deadlines for lining up projects, Allen explained there is no exact date but that since supplies
are often needed, they can't be done at the last minute. Anyone with other ideas will relay them to Allen.
Youth who participate are typically 14 or 15 years old. Allen prefers getting a mixed group of both boys
and girls. Any materials needed for projects are supplied by the municipality or site.
Carissa reported that she gave out 20 applications last week for YCC jobs and has received one
completed application. She has placed recruitment ads in the Cortland Standard, and Dryden Tidbits.
Allen suggested placing one also in the Shopper.
The Commission reviewed a draft evaluation form for YCC to use this summer. It is slightly different from
the one developed several months ago, there are questions specific to YCC (such as learning job skills
and suggesting future projects). All agreed the form looked fine and Allen will have YCC use it this
summer.
Update from Cornell Cooperative Extension — Marie passed out the CCE budget through March 31
and an update on publicity costs. While DYC had thought CCE would distribute program flyers in the
Shopper several times a year, it is too costly to do more than once a year. (The original prices we looked
at were only for inserting the flyer in the Shopper, not for copying costs.) Cheaper copying is available
thru BOCES but only for schools. (Question whether Dryden Schools could request this on our behalf.)
Another option is to pay for a Shopper ad. Marie will ask if the school would print the info. in their regular
bulletin. Also Tom at the TidBits will print an ad with program info for free. CCE will continue to hang
posters in the school and elsewhere and do direct mailing to current and recent participants.
Summer programming is coming together and locations will include Freeville, Varna and Etna. Carissa
passed out a list of her summer program plans; many of the ideas came from kids' suggestions, including
the magazine and camping trip. Locations are yet to be worked out; they will keep us posted.
March Minutes —
were approved. Now that nice weather
is here,
the
Commission decided to start
meetings for May
-July at 7 pm. Times for meetings for the
rest of
the
year will be decided later.
Discussion of youth needs /programming for older M.S. youth — Kris collected some program ideas
from other Commissions that work with slightly older youth than Dryden. Trumansburg/ Ulysses has a lot
for this group; the ideas and initial set up came from the kids themselves with help from Jolene the
Program Mgr_ Some projects are: Environmental Action Club for H.S. students (organized an Earth Day
event, created and managed a cafeteria compost system, attended National and State lobby days), Big
Friend - Little Friend (matches HS and elementary students in mentoring relationships), Open Mic (on
Mondays when the Rongo is not open to the public, during school vacation weeks and also during the
summer, teens have organized bands, dances; program managers are chaperones), Valentine Dance (at
Conservatory), Open Gym (MS gym is open one night per week during the school year for youth in
grades 7 -12 to play basketball; adult supervision is provided). The Joint Youth Commission has done
service projects; Youth Works (sets up guided apprenticeships, career exploration and visits to potential
work sites), Computer Clubhouse (takes place at the ScienCenter; youth 10 -17, mostly low income, work
with mentors from I.C. and Cornell to develop skills and build confidence using technology. There are
daily drop in hours and structured weekly workshops and occasional visits to high tech facilities).
What worked about all these was that ideas came from the kids, not the adults. If DYC is interested in
doing more for slightly older teens, we should ask Dave and Carissa who have relationships with kids to
consider youth's ideas when doing future programming. (They certainly do this now but could perhaps
keep lists, contact past participants who have °aged out" for suggestions, etc.)
Review of Budget — Kris told the Commission that the County is likely to reduce support to the DYC
because of budget cuts. And since the Town's practice has been to match exactly the other revenue, the
Town may reduce its support as well. The County has asked all departments, including the Youth Bureau
through which DYC funds come, to prepare scenarios showing cuts of 10% from the 2002 budget and an
additional 10% from the 2003 budget. In addition, S1500 in DYC's 2002 revenue from the County is one-
time rollover funding and will not be available next year. If the County decides to make cuts in 2002, it
makes it hard to adjust; once summer is over, the bulk of the MJP money is spent. Nothing firm has been
decided but we should assume less funding will be available next year and will need to discuss what
programs may need to be reduced or cut. We will use our goals and program monitoring in order to make
these difficult decisions.
Kris asked if she could email the agenda, minutes and program reports to Commission members in the
future in order to save money. Since Nita doesn't have easy email access, Kris will mail her materials but
all others agreed to try the email method.
Webpage, Membership Update —The DYC webpage has been updated, Kris passed around a printout
showing the revisions. Thanks to Dianne at T. Dryden for doing this. Since the Commission will have 2
7. Dryden openings with Mary's departure, and since we will have difficult decisions to make because of
reduced funding next year, all agreed that it is a high priority to fill the openings. Nita will pass this on to
Spvr. Varvayanis. Kristen will check with a few people who might be interested and Kris will follow up
with the man she sent information to last month.
Plan for next meeting — Next meeting will be May 21 at 7 pm, No visitors are scheduled. Kris will bring
a draft of letters used in the past to solicit program proposals for 2003 for the Commission to review. We
will also review our goals,
Dryden Youth Commission Minutes Page Two April 16, 2002