HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-16Dryden Youth Commission
October 16, 2002
Minutes
Present: Walt Matyjas, Kristen Blackman, Jean Simmons, Nita Baldwin, Amanda Verba, Dave Hall,
Carissa Mann, Russ Kowalski, Kris Bennett
Kristen called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm. Penny is out of town due to a family issue. A quorum was
not present so minutes were not approved. Russ Kowalski introduced himself. He is a Town resident
interested in joining the DYC, visiting tonight to get an overview.
Updates from Cooperative Extension Dave Hall — (see report) Primitive Pursuits is up to 15 participants
and still growing, Dave showed photos from a recent Outings caving trip and Animal Helpers group.
Outing group (9 youth) did a canoe trip; archery was as popular as always, animal helpers was very
popular; photo and volunteer club were cancelled. For fall recruitment he and Carissa ran a half -page ad in
the Shopper which was cheaper (total cost $218 and reached 24,000 homes) than adding an insert as in
the spring and has yielded new kids recruited for programs. They continue to advertise via posters and
mailings, too. Carissa Mann — (see report) Horseback riding (and horse care) at Patchwork was very
successful; only 10 could participate (priority to last year's Girls Group, then first come, first served). Girls
Group will continue; Creativity Club has new members still coming. A new offering is a joint venture with
United Way's Youth and Philanthropy. A group of 6th graders is meeting this fall with Amy Bonn and
Carissa; they are doing leadership and group building activities; will do a photo needs /asset assessment
and then will be responsible for awarding $2000 in grants to programs serving Dryden. Carissa has a very
dynamic youth employee (with youth employment funds). Amanda Verba — Amanda passed out a CCE
budget showing activity through Sept. It shows only $15.40 remaining for program expenses for rest of the
year. But there are also $1365 in funds available from fees that have been charged for various programs
and Amanda pointed out that spending on salaries is slightly under target (because of a gap from when
Brooke left and Carissa started.) She is confident that they will be able to stretch available funds to last
until the' end of the year. (Unspent funds do not carry over to the next year except for program fees.)
Amanda also gave an overview of Cooperative Extension's youth development services and clarified the
differences between CCE on Cornell's campus (responsible for providing service throughout NYS to
individual extension offices in counties) and to the local county branch. Kris gave a brief update on the
present status of the County budget which ended all funding for the Outing Program. While things can still
change it does not seem likely that there will be County funds to support Outings next year. The DYC
asked Dave to consider how present Dryden Outings participants can continue to be served. One main
difference with the Outings approach to most of the other CCE programs is that youth participate weekly
over the course of an entire school year; Outings also provides transportation, equipment and additional
staffing. Walt asked whether the current equipment might still be available. Kris explained that some
equipment is owned by the Ithaca Youth Bureau and other equipment is borrowed from Cornell Outdoor
Education which is also a partner in the Outings Program. Amanda will inquire about the potential
availability of COE equipment should the DYC want Dave to offer some similar programs. Dave said that
Outings staff is still hoping to find a way for a scaled down version to continue (charging fees, looking for
other funds, etc.)
Russ discussed the girls' basketball tournament he has helped organize in Dryden; teams come from
. across the state; the tournament generates revenue for the local program (funds are carried from one year
to the next). He can provide more details in the future If the DYC wants.
• Fundinq Clarification — Nita gave Kris a copy of a bill the Town received from the Brooktondale camp. The
Town's records did not reflect the additional $1000 the DYC had allocated to the camp. Kris will call the
Town and clarify this.
Community Forum — Tentative date is Nov. 14 in the evening. Kris asked for feedback of the draft letter
she'd sent to DYC members and asked for suggestions for location and who to invite. Location suggestion
— Dryden School Room C -13; Kris will make the request. Suggestions on who to invite included youth
leaders, local officials, booster teams, PTA/PTO, service organizations, (Sertoma, Serateen, Kiwanis), Rec.
Commission, faith based community; since McLean is right on the Dryden- Groton line, Kristen suggested
including the Rev, from the local church. DYC members each agreed to bring a snack.
Review Funding Decisions for 2002 — Kris explained the concern of TCYB staff of making such a drastic cut
to the Police and Community Program (large percentage cut from 2001, below what V. Freeville has been
allocated, below the threshold V. Dryden would get from NYS if not part of the joint Dryden commission),
DYC members reiterated their concems about this program. These include: lack of detail in the budget
(where does the money go? DYC funds only half the program.) Who is benefiting and how, especially.in
the school programs? What is available from other sources (like bike helmets)? Kris asked the
Commission to consider reinstating half of the $1200 it moved from Police & Community to Youth
Employment. If all DYC members present tonight agreed, she would get Penny's vote by phone, Walt said
he would abstain from voting on this issue at the present time. All members said they would be willing to sit
in on a meeting with Mayor Taylor and Chief Ryan to learn more about the program and get clarifications.
The time that would work best for all would be a Tues. afternoon, after 2 pm. Kris will make arrangements.
Review goals, calendar — The was postponed for the next meeting. Kris asked all to think whether the
format this year of having all funded programs come to a meeting was useful and should happen again in
2003.
Next meetings — The Nov. 14 forum will take the place of the usual November meeting. The next regular
meeting will be on Tues. Dec. 17 6:00 pm at Dryden Town Hall. We will discuss the results of the forum,
review goals, confirm funding, review membership roster, nominate officers for 2003, make a schedule for
one visit by each funded program (except CCE which will be scheduled more frequently).
Kristen adjourned the meeting at 8:30 pm.
Dryden Youth Commission Minutes Page Two October 16, 2002