Funder's Forum -
08/05/2015

Tri-County LTR Funder's Forum minutes

Aug. 5, 2015

The Funder's Forum meeting of Tri-County Long Term Recovery was called to order at 8:02 a.m. by Chairman Jim Fassino. In attendance were Terry Bibo, Stephanie Bina, Kathy Casey, Ben Davidson, Shelley Epstein, Fassino, Bruce Fitzgerald, Kevin Gramm, Sondra Hayes, Roger Holzhauer, Kristy Howell, Josh Monda, Jennifer M. Orban, Mark Roberts, Michael Swanson, Pam Tomka.

July minutes: Approved.

Chairman's remarks: Fassino said Tri-County LTR is approaching the end, although the July 17 tornado in Delavan may change things. LTR has run through a lot of resources -- for office space and supplies, case managers and administrative costs, etc. -- and will be more stingy in the next few months to ensure it has enough funding. The recent appeal for people to bring in their needs was more successful than anticipated, especially given the reduced number of case managers. He said it's important to remember ˜lights out' doesn't mean ˜over.'

Then he introduced Davidson, who will head the newly-formed Tri-County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD).

˜Handing it back' or ˜handing it off' to previously-existing groups and churches is more accurate than ˜over,' according to Davidson. He said LTR was a convenient one-stop shop, but it might not be feasible to continue in its current form for much longer. Davidson said instead of fretting about closing, œIt's thank you for staying open as long as you did.

Davidson continued that there is a lot of overlap between COAD and LTR, but the COAD is getting traction. It will meet quarterly. While he prefers attendance for relationship-building before the next disaster, he encouraged groups to join even if they don't come to regular meetings. For example, Lions Club has sent multiple representatives. Washington Lions Club member Pam Tomka noted that the next meeting is at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 27 at Bethany Community Church.

Cases considered:. Holzhauer offered to speed up the process by using Washington Illinois Area Foundation funds first.

WIAF paid all expenses for 16 of the 24 cases for unmet, non-soil reimbursement and helped with three others. Needs included insurance shortfalls and mold remediation. Some clients had more than one case. Rental assistance was covered by a collaboration of Rotary Club, Lions Club, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, The Salvation Army Heartland Division, First Baptist Church and LTR. Altogether, $49,099.43 was pledged. One case was deferred for more information.

Nine of 11 cases involving estimates for non-soil needs were at least partly funded. Requests included fencing, sidewalk repairs, stump removal and yard drainage. A total of $19,723.46 was pledged.

WIAF and the Lions Club combined to provide a $2,550 reimbursement for soil remediation. Three cases which involved estimates for soil remediation were at least partially funded with a combined $8,450.

Case management comments: Fassino said there will be more discussion about the hand-off to existing organizations.

LTR has reached out to Delavan. No representative from the community came to the Forum, although the Delavan group had indicated it would like help from LTR. Hayes and case manager Kathy Casey will go to Delavan Aug. 6 to provide training.

Fassino said one of the big case management issues is the lag time for checks. Howell said Rotary Club can't write checks directly; Roberts said Community Foundation of Central Illinois can't either. Fassino said that's why Friendship House acted as an intermediary, which became much more complicated when there were dozens of cases and pledges per month. Howell noted it was hard to keep track of what had been paid and what had not, but Rotary has devised a centralized system which would work better in the future. Holzhauer suggested it might be a good idea to add the total pledges and write one check per Forum.

Swanson said The Salvation Army has gotten about 30 first-time cases since the LTR call-out about seeking assistance before dormancy. Hayes said some of them were probably referrals from the LTR office, which lets clients know what might be available through The Salvation Army. The CANS system should reflect all the assistance provided.

Funders' comments: Thank-you cards were passed so funders could see their assistance is appreciated. Hayes said one man came to the office in tears last week to express his thanks.

Fitzgerald said St. Mark's gets thank you cards, as well. He said all the church funds for the tornado were used up today, and noted the church has a new administrator handling its finances.

Tomka said Lions Club has two separate funds with different requirements. Safety and health money is national. She said the sheets which detail the needs are helpful.

Holzhauer said WIAF may have been the big hold-up on some checks, but the issue should be squared away. œNone of us have ever been in a tornado before, he said.

Hayes said there are 90-some cases remaining.

Bina said St. Patrick's is starting a new chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and will have training soon.

Monda said First Baptist has left-over gift cards which LTR could use.

Fassino said anyone who would like to stick around after the meeting could help discuss the money and process. Roberts said one of the lessons learned is that œcash is king because it is much easier to assemble and distribute than donations such as clothing and water. Holzhauer said there was enough water donated after the 2013 tornadoes to fill two swimming pools.

Funder's Forum: 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at LTR center.

Next Public meeting: 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at LTR Center.

Next COAD: 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at LTR Center.

The meeting adjourned at 9:02 a.m.