Meeting Minutes

President John Brewer called the meeting to order at 7:30am.  Dick Pilling led the flag salute.  Guests included Jessica Hernandez (speaker) and Chris McDonald (reporter from the Peninsula Daily News).  The thought for the day was:  Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach him how to fish and, if you are lucky, really lucky, he will be gone all weekend.

Announcements:  Sam Phillips, Fire Chief District 2, thanked everyone for their help during the “Fill The Fire Engine” food drive.  Sam said 2000 lbs. of food and $770 in cash was collected.

Stephanie Noblin said she did not need the funds that PABA had allocated last year for a new camera.  She said she would be cutting back on the number of meetings she attended and filmed but she would continue to cover PABA meetings.

No minutes were read covering the Christmas Party.

President Brewer said that Vice President Phil Kitchel would fill in for him on the 12th.  The Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 18.  The Business Meeting will be on January 26.

Treasurer Jon Faber reminded people that he is collecting dues but will send out invoices to those who have not paid their $70.

Phil Kitchel reported that County Commissioner, Bill Peach, has been sworn in as a representative to the Department of Natural Resources.

Chamber Report:  PABA Representative Andrew May said eight applicants were interviewed for the position of Chamber Executive Director.  Out of town applicants were interviewed via Skype.  Andrew mentioned his concerns about the whole election process and the lack of full Board interviews.  The new Director will be named within the next week.

Program

Andrew introduced Jessica Hernandez, Director of the Port Angeles Food Bank.  Jessica said she was interested in the position she took on in 2014 because of her background in accounting, leadership, and her concern for people.  She said a food bank is more than a place to hand out food.  Good health, nutrition, and well balanced meals are just as important.  The Food Bank Coalition is now handing out 500 Friday Food Bags to students so they will have healthy meals over the weekend.  She has helped set up the Clallam County Food Bank Coalition which is made up of the Food Banks in Port Angeles, Sequim, at the Salvation Army, Senior Nutrition Program, the Jamestown S’Klallam, Quileute, and Makah tribes and several churches.  The Coalition has helped in times of shortages and in times of surpluses.  Figures for 2014 showed 25% of the County used the food bank, with 10% of those being veterans, 21% over the age of 55 and 29% under the age of 18.  Seniors and those with limited mobility are served on non-regulation distribution days.  She said the 15 tons of food from the Polar Pioneer  were a blessing and have been distributed to members of the Coalition.

Q & A Period

Which is best, food or money?  Number of staff? Food stamps or other governmental help?  How to reduce the annual 10% increase.

Andrew May made a motion that PABA send a letter of thank you to the parent company of the Polar Pioneer for their donation of food.  Bill Feeley seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30am.