South Windsor Alliance for Families (SWAFF)
Meeting Minutes – May 17, 2011
Call Meeting to Order: Joann Moriarty called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
Roll Call
Members Present: Jennifer Anderson; Keri Apt; Elise Diaz; Tom Field; Sue Gerich; Ali Jennings; Alicia Metzger; Kayleen Misale; Joann Moriarty; Ashley Murphy; Kathy Reed; and Dennis Sheridan
March Meeting Minutes were reviewed and approved.
Diane Gerber’s Resignation
Joann announced that Diane Gerber has resigned for personal reasons. This requires that a new chair person be elected in September. The chair’s responsibilities include assisting in developing meeting agenda’s, co-facilitating meetings and to help organize subcommittees.
Medication Disposal Day
The South Windsor Triad hosted a Medication Disposal Day on Saturday, April 30 at the South Windsor Police Station. The 338 pounds of medication was boxed and taken to Meriden for disbursement to either Norwich or New Haven to be burned. The vast majority of people dropping off were above the age of 50 although there were a few parents because of the flyers distributed at the schools. There is a pilot state program being launched for a 24 hour drop off box location at designated police stations.
Smoking Prevention Week
The response was good; the comments on the speaker were that his message was hard-hitting but strong and balanced. The students were excellent they were respectful and listened to his message. The week ended with three SADD students breaking up into groups asking them trivia questions etc. Prizes were then handed out to the winner of the poster slogan “Too Bright Too Smoke.” This program is paid for by LPC grant money.
Youth Update SADD
Pledges have been made by over 125 students to not text and drive. After reading and signing the pedge they were given thumb rings that say “DNT TXT N Drive.” Another suggestion is to get plain water bottles and make SADD stickers to add to them.
Fifty lawn signs have been ordered. They will say, “Congratulation Seniors, Celebrate Sober” with the SADD and SWAFF logo on the bottom. They have been approved for town property.
Mentoring Grant
South Windsor has paired up with Hebron, Andover and Marlborough to apply for a grant that will split $75,000 a year to work on hiring a person to administer the mentoring program. The grant will be awarded at the end of August and is a ten year program.
Meeting Schedule
Five years ago when SWAFF was formed, the merge advisor suggested the meeting schedule that is followed now. After review of this schedule, it was decided that it would be more productive to eliminate the June meeting and add an October meeting. A vote was taken and unanimously approved.
Fall Activities
One activity being researched is provided businesses with training kits for their employees on responsible sales of alcohol. These kits can be bought from a company called FACE and could be purchased with Drug Free Grant money. The seven liquor stores could be contacted by letter or a possible one-on-one visit.
Another project is to form a campaign to target underage drinking again and revisit the idea of a brochure as well as researching extra enforcement for senior receptions, graduation day etc.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. The next meeting is September 20 at 5:30.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy A. Aborn,
Recording Secretary
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