Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order by Edna at 7:30am. Julie H. led the pledge.

Peggy gave a history moment.

Minutes:

Julie H. moved to accept February 25 meeting minutes, second by Dick. Motion passed.

Guests:

Andrew Dahl from Lumber Traders, Tim Martin from Hallett Advisors, flooring store owner Mark, and Julie from Harborview. Julie demonstrated the recommended method to wash hands.

Announcements:

Treasurer Debby stated there are 25 members still to renew.

Edna announced PABA’s board meeting Monday morning at 7:30am.

Jim M. said his article ran in the PDN on Sunday and that there is a proviso to take an independent look at the DNR timber calculation.

Brian Garrett, EDC Board Chair, said they hired a lobbyist as part of NOLA. They are working on grants for the county, have a Memorandum of Understanding with Jefferson County, and continue to look at bringing business to the county.

Julie Hatch talked about the Sequim Sunshine Festival this weekend.

Peggy is selling tickets to Kiwanis’ Clallam-Jefferson-Kitsap annual dinner auction.

Program:  Michelle Gentry, AmeriCorps

Members are normally 20-25 years old and live in poverty wile here because their mission is to break the poverty cycle. In Port Angeles specifically there is generational poverty.

Across the country there are about 250,000. members, and the focus is on education and reading, environmental stewardship and disaster relief. Federal AmeriCorps hands grants to the state level for states to decide what they should do with the funds.

Locally, they have dedicated on AmeriCorps member for Native American students because their graduation rate is as low as 14%.

In our area there can be up to 18 members, currently there are nine. Michelle said they can be reactive to what our community needs. They help with summer school, including free play and experiments, and last year there were 120 students.

In order to receive their award, members must contribute 1700 hours during their term. They receive just under $1,000 per month and must pay rent out of that. Michelle helps search for housing and they usually ride school buses to get around. Terms start in September.

Upcoming Meeting:

March 10: Human Trafficking

March 17: Rep. Derek Kilmer

Meeting adjourned at 8:25am.