http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ A place for Northern Berkshire communication en Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:10:35 +0000 http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/consider-starting-a-facebook-page#post-60 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:20:28 +0000 Albashevkin 60@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Wow, Suzy.. thanks for the interest. Clearly the traffic so far isn&#39;t being steered in the direction of this blog.. we can work harder at it as well as starting a facebook page. thanks for your inspiration as well as your assistance in helping us start a &quot;fan page&quot;. I&#39;m looking forward to seeing it. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/role-models-here#post-59 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:51:47 +0000 Albashevkin 59@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Wow. Peggy I just noticed your post. You&#39;ve offered some qualities of role models which is a great start. Are you looking for specific people to list as role models? That could get a bit tricky, hey.. any of us can offer our role models that we would like to see honored... What we need is a means for more people to be identified as role models.. and if this site can help with that..more power to all of us! </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/role-models-here#post-58 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:46:56 +0000 pdiggs 58@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>I&#39;ve become interested in finding role models in Berkshire County, folks of all ages, races, education levels, etc. Of course Utne&#39;s listing, and others like it, are wonderful and no doubt list the most visible and touted national leaders. But at the grassroots level, I&#39;m hoping there are high school students, young adults, middle-aged people, and grandparent-people who love mentoring, have things to say to others, who are confident and inspire self-reliance. Could someone start a listing? This site seems like one of the best in the county to develop it.</p> <p>Peggy Diggs </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/consider-starting-a-facebook-page#post-57 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:31:36 +0000 suzy 57@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Have you considered starting a facebook page for the nbcc? It&#39;s been helpful for our business in keeping in close contact with our customers and updating them on events, as well as, allowing us to invite them to events and then send reminders.<br /> It might be useful in spreading information about the group, or at least, widen the potential for members that could be helpful in spreading the information you want to make available to the people who need your services the most.<br /> i&#39;d be happy to help set up the account. thanks, suzy helme </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/health-reform-forum#post-56 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:08:40 +0000 Albashevkin 56@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>OK.. while we&#39;re talking about physical health care..anything happening with oral health for our folks here in Northern Berkshire? Our lack of oral health(particularly for young people) was stated as a big issue during our September forum. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/health-reform-forum#post-55 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:30:47 +0000 Albashevkin 55@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>We&#39;re about to embark on a very challenging topic for the brief time we have in a Coalition forum..the topic is health care reform and our guests include Congressman John Olver, Ric Palmisano, President of Northern Berkshire Health, Dr William Kober, State Representative Dan Bosley, and Andrea Peters. It&#39;s my hope we can all walk away with a better sense of what folks in DC are discussing in relation to health care reform. The October Coalition forum will be held Friday, October 9th from 10 to noon at the First Baptist Church in North Adams.</p> <p>To keep this topic flowing.. We&#39;re going to use the National Press Club method of index cards and look for people to file their questions on index card so we can get a good conversation going after the presentations. I&#39;m sure there are lots of questions out there. I&#39;ve already heard many that include:</p> <p>How does the federal legislation differ from the MA effort?</p> <p>Are new efforts in reducing costs taking a public health approach to prevention? Are we going to be capable of moving from a sick care system to one that places a stronger emphasis on well care?</p> <p>Will this new insurance be portable and capable of moving to other states?</p> <p>How is mental health care addressed in the legislation?</p> <p>Will mandates for having insurance survive the process?</p> <p>What are current thoughts about containing costs for health care?</p> <p>How will this affect one of our region&#39;s largest employers, Northern Berkshire Health?</p> <p>OK.. that&#39;s a start from amongst the issues that I have heard.If you submit your questions prior to the October 9th forum, I&#39;ll do my best to get them on index cards for inclusion into the discussion. What would you like to see addressed at the forum? Let&#39;s start by using our forum to get the discussions going..let&#39;s participate in the Friday, October 9th Coalition forum, and then continue on the Coalition Community Forum </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/what-issues-are-important-for-you#post-52 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:52:47 +0000 Albashevkin 52@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Mark..starting over again is not a bad idea..I'm curious how far back do you think we might want to go? the beginning of time? the beginning of our civilization? that would be an interesting travel. Where is the way-back machine when you really need it?</p> <p>But seriously I think you bring up two interesting points for further discussion... the role of the caregiver in these challenging times and what resources are there really to help.. and the role of technology in building community...or not...hard to know. </p> <p>I'm curious how others might see this. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/what-issues-are-important-for-you#post-51 Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:27:33 +0000 Mark Rondeau 51@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Well, there are of course the issues that need ongoing conversation such as the economic crisis, the flu and youth. </p> <p>I think we perhaps should have a forum on "The Role of the Caregiver." People who take care of loved ones with terminal or chronic illnesses can face enormous stresses. Coping with their own anguish at seeing a loved one suffer, caregivers very often find themselves facing new conflicts and challenges with work, family, finances and more. Some are in poor health themselves.</p> <p>There can be as many issues involved as there are such situations. Cancer patients, for instance, may need frequent rides to chemo and radiation appointments in distant cities, ranging from Pittsfield to Boston. Then there is the fact that hospitals will now admit only the most critically ill people. Home care and nursing homes are not always as feasible options in reality as they might seem to someone in a normal situation looking at a Web site or pamphlet.</p> <p>Yes, there are resources and support groups for caregivers. The support groups will often focus on a particular condition such as Alzheimer's or autism. Other condtions have nothing. Then there is the fact that the caregiver may not have time for a support group and may in fact be putting the priority on the person with the illness getting support.</p> <p>I could go on and on. But I wonder if a disucssion on this could be helpful in exploring real ways to help caregivers, even if it were just a readily available sheet or pamphlet of "Tips for Caregivers," reminding them that they are not alone, that certain feelings are normal, that they should take care of themselves too, and ideas to make the process of caregiving less burdensome.</p> <p>Another idea, I think, is the role of technology in social services, neighborhood activism, etc. How are things like Facebook and Twitter useful and to what extent do they create a false sense of community based on electrons and not on the real give-and-take of personal life?</p> <p>Are people overloaded with technology and information? Are we more connected but at a more superficial level? And why isn't this neat forum for discussion more used? Is it because people are already immersed in communications technology up to their necks and beyond?</p> <p>To liberally paraphrase Pope Benedict, Globalization and technology make us neighbors, but do not necessarily make us brothers and sisters.</p> <p>Anyway, I wish we could just start over again.</p> <p>Mark Rondeau </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/community-health-zine#post-50 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:05:16 +0000 Albashevkin 50@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Zine is out.. Thanks Jenna for putting this together each week. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/what-issues-are-important-for-you#post-49 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:39:33 +0000 Albashevkin 49@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>It's that time of year again.. back to school, summer's end, the beginning of color in our trees.. and maybe a drier season. Along with the coming of changes for September, folks in the Northern Berkshire region have an opportunity to attend the September monthly forum for the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition (September 11 from 10 to noon at the Baptist Church in NA) and help us set the agenda for our year's work. </p> <p>In order to get us thinking about our current issues, let's hear from you about what needs to be addressed? What are you hearing and seeing in the community that can help shape our conversations and work this coming year? </p> <p>Post your ideas here for others to see and I will do my best to keep this conversation flowing amongst all of us. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/pandemic-thoughts#post-48 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:36:10 +0000 Albashevkin 48@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Well.. there's lots of conversation about the swine flu and its slow spreading throughout the world. I'm not sure it's time to panic.. but it certainly is time to be cautious and mindful. Again and again.. they say we should continue to wash our hands. I intend to do a better job of that. </p> <p>But this forum is intended to serve as a device for the community to talk together about what is of concern.. and for others by following the forum to begin to get a better read on what's happening around here.</p> <p>Got thoughts about the swine flu? Got questions that aren't getting answered? Try here. We may not have the answers.. but no question will get answered unless it's getting asked.. </p> <p>We'll check into the forum regularly to be sure that your posting are not alone.. sitting out there without anyone reading them. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/50-visionaries-magazine-article#post-47 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:30:14 +0000 Albashevkin 47@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Wow.. certainly worth looking at.. I've downloaded it.. next step is to spend the time and read it.. thanks for offering this information! </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/50-visionaries-magazine-article#post-46 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:10:47 +0000 Mark Rondeau 46@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>This summer at Wild Oats market I picked up a magazine on a whim called the Utne Reader, sort of a Readers Digest of progressive writing. What attracted me was the cover article: "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World." It featured short articles and color photos of activists and social entrepreneurs of all types, including environmental educators, peace and justice activists, activists for gay rights, for people with disabilities, artist activists and many more. All were taking chances and "thinking out of the box," to use that very worn cliche.</p> <p>I thought what a great teaching tool for youth, to help open their minds to the possibilites if they follow their dreams and look for new or improved ways to make a difference, for themselves and others. Sort of like the idea of saints and holy people in many faith traditions: Not, here is somebody great you can't be like, but rather here is an ordinary person who dared to reach out, pay the price and make a difference.</p> <p>The article: "50 Visionaries Who are Changing Your World" can be viewed online, with links to related resources, at </p> <p><a href="http://www.utne.com/2008-11-13/50-Visionaries-Who-Are-Changing-Your-World.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.utne.com/2008-11-13/50-Visionaries-Who-Are-Changing-Your-World.aspx</a> </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/changes-for-northern-berkshire-neighbors#post-45 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:29:03 +0000 d.shirley81@yahoo.com 45@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Sounds like a good plan. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/changes-for-northern-berkshire-neighbors#post-44 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:31:58 +0000 Albashevkin 44@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Many thanks to Kathy Keeser for all she did in her work leading Northern Berkshire Neighbors these past twelve years. A lot has happened. Lots of people have been involved. And the community is better off for all of this.</p> <p>But times change. It's time now to hire a new leader for Northern Berkshire Neighbors.. It's time to look at what should be done in leading Northern Berkshire Neighbors in our changing world. </p> <p>I keep thinking of the remarkable election we just experienced and the organization that President Obama built throughout the country to get him elected. Putting aside for a moment our own political preferences, Obama’s organization is important because it worked remarkably well. Young, inexperienced, voters who all shared a similar passion for getting our world on the right track staffed polling stations. The polling staff was trusted to do the right thing, all under the Obama model for community organizing.</p> <p>That's a model for Northern Berkshire Neighbors as well. As you may know, we are beginning tonight (3/18) our training for community outreach workers. These workers will help get information to our neighborhoods about available resources. In addition, we have worked with others that are leaders in their neighborhoods and that may or may not be signed up to be our community outreach workers. What we have are relationships with current and potential neighborhood leaders.. Some invested through the Community Outreach Team.. Others invested just because they care.</p> <p>Like Obama's organization, we have a similar organization in our community through the Coalition and Northern Berkshire Neighbors and my hope is that our new staff person and Natalie and Tim will help to provide support, encouragement, ideas, and resources to our neighborhood leaders. We'll make the linkages when we can, and will provide the structure (neighborhood summits / neighborhood newsletters) for people to check in with each other and proceed with their work. Once a year, the Neighborhood Expo can be a celebration of events past and an opportunity to set an agenda for the coming year.</p> <p>Sound realistic? Sound like a job you may like or someone you know might like? Let us know. </p> <p>This will be a full time job with benefits at the Coalition office. Within a few days, a job description and instructions for applying will be posted on our website, <a href="http://www.nbccoalition.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.nbccoalition.org</a> </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/turning-to-one-another#post-43 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:09:13 +0000 Mark Rondeau 43@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>I very much agree with Emily's posting. </p> <p>So...I've brought this up before, back in September when the depths that this economic crisis has come to were as yet unimaginable, but I'd again like to suggest that as a community and Coalition we find a way to plan an event to demonstrate our solidarity with one another in these very difficult economic times. My original idea, which I still think has a lot going for it, is a solidarity march in conjunction with donations of money and food for those most in need and not fully covered by existing programs.</p> <p>This may also be the time to form a local economic crisis board or committee made up of people ranging from the unemployed to bank presidents. Besides being a show of solidarity, it may generate ideas that could bear fruit over the long term. It might lead to a regional financial community more in tune with the needs of those struggling to get by, and it might also lead to the development of a new crop of local activists ready to help Northern Berkshire adapt to the 21st Century.</p> <p>None of this would be a panacea, no cure-all, but in hard times symbolic displays of unity and concern can make a difference. They may well mean much more than such efforts during ordinary times.</p> <p>Moreover, one hopes this crisis will be an opportunity for the U.S. to transform its economy and lead to a more realistic and less consumeristic attitude among the people. With an informed infrastructure in place, we would be more ready to adapt to whatever changes come.</p> <p>But I'm not thinking of yet another business roundtable with academic input, filing reports that no one reads even if they know the exist. It's time for the average Janes and Joes to be empowered to be "movers and shakers." As we have seen, the economy is too important to be left to corporations and politicians. (Wasn't that the idea behind unions?) Could you imagine such a committee demandiing to meet the governor when he comes out here? And we know our governor is friends with our new president...</p> <p>The Coalition and its friends have the means (and the passion) to get EVERYONE involved.</p> <p>Mark Rondeau </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/outreach-for-community-members-needing-to-build-english-skills#post-42 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:48:51 +0000 tmarguli 42@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>To all,<br /> I am not sure this is the right forum for this outreach plee..but the Northern Berkshire Adult Basic Education program at MCLA is looking for new avenues to outreach to community members who may benefit from our Free "English for Speakers of Other Languages" classes at MCLA in North Adams. Our evening classes are for all levels of learners who want to improve English language skills. Classes are Monday and Wednesday evenings at 5:30 at Freel Library on the MCLA campus. If you have any suggestions for<br /> networking or know of someone who may benefit from our classes please let me know or call 662-5310. Thanks! </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/turning-to-one-another#post-41 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:07:58 +0000 EvergreenEmily 41@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Hi everyone,</p> <p>Al, thank you for the update on the unemployment figures. During these hard times I am inspired by the writings of Margaret J. Wheatley. I would like to share some thoughts from her book "Turning to One Another, Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future." </p> <p>"Large and successful change efforts start with conversations among friends, not with those in power...Change doesn't happen from a leader announcing the plan. Change begins from deep inside a system, when a few people notice something they will no longer tolerate, or respond to a dream of what's possible. We just have to find a few others who care about the same thing. Together we will figure out what our first step is, then the next, then the next. Gradually, we become large and powerful. We don't have to start with power, only with passion."</p> <p>Have a great day!<br /> Emily DeMoor </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/updated-unemployment-figures#post-40 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:49:18 +0000 Albashevkin 40@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Forwarded from Michelle Sylvester at WIC.. thought this might be of interest to all. Here are the updated unemployment percentage figures for Nov, 2008.</p> <p>Town Nov 08 Oct 08 Nov 07<br /> North Adams 7.2 5.8 4.8<br /> Adams 7.1 6.4 4.8<br /> Wmstn 4.6 3.7 3.5<br /> Pittsfield 5.5 4.9 3.7<br /> Gr Barrington 4.8 3.6 3.3<br /> State of MA 5.5 5.0 3.8 </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/current-economic-mysteries-and-solutions#post-38 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:33:42 +0000 Albashevkin 38@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Wow.. what a forum we had last Friday, December 12 at the Baptist Church in North Adams. thanks to Steve Crowe of MountainOne Financial Partners, Steve Sheppard of the economics department at Williams College, and State Senator Ben Downing for participating and giving us their insights in the mysteries of our economy. </p> <p>I walked away knowing that my hopes of learning something about our economic situation and of seeing folks of all backgrounds talk together about the economy were satisfied. I know we talk a lot about the economy, but geeez.. look at the state budget.. look at the jobs that have been lost (as an aside, Michelle Sylvester forwarded some unemployment figures.. did you know that for October 2008 Adams has a 6.3% unemployment rate; North Adams has a 5.9% rate; Pittsfield has a 4.8% rate and Great Barrington has a 3.6% rate?).. look at the retirement savings that are now 40% less than they were about a year ago.. You can't talk about current conditions without looking at the economy as a major contributing factor of what's happening right now.</p> <p>I liked what someone at the forum said about ensuring that our basic infrastructure continues. we need education, we need roads.. you get the picture.. there are basic needs that must continue.. otherwize what kind of a society are we? Who said the measurement of a society is how they treat those most in need.. </p> <p>So.. the thoughts that I have to stimulate others thoughts.. We're now seeing gas prices decline significantly and once again.. people are forgetting how to conserve gas.. in these days, why not tax luxury vehicles and SUV's or high octane gas that will help through a government tax people to conserve / drive less / or ride with others. We need to see these desperate times as opportunities for change.. and in that light why not live simpler (it's a mantra I'm getting lately).. maybe there's a lesson in all of these challenges we see and maybe we as a nation can begin to operate as a community. </p> <p>OK..in the interest of using this to inspire others.. I'm asking others to comment or offer their own thoughts of what they would have liked to say at our forum of if you were not there.. what opportunities do you see from our current conditions. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/upcoming-coalition-forum#post-37 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:44:47 +0000 revcbail 37@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>There are lots and lots of good questions we might ask.<br /> But here are three that are closer to my heart than most.<br /> (1) How can we locally work at increasing "green jobs" to boost the economy?<br /> (2) How can we make sure that mental health services, which will be even more needed in this kind of climate, aren't the first thing to disappear from local,state, federal budgets?<br /> (3) What kinds of creativity can be shown by local faith communities particularly with regard to facilities to figure out how to use the space, green the space, and pay for the space we already have? Should we think about ditching the buildings alltogether and letting Mayor Barrett buy them wholesale? Should we think about multipurpose uses for the spaces? Can we facilitate sharing among facilities? </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/upcoming-coalition-forum#post-36 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:08:49 +0000 Albashevkin 36@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>You are invited to the next community forum of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, Friday, December 12th from 10 AM to noon at the Baptist Church in North Adams. The topic of this meeting is the current and future state of our economy. We will have State Senator Benjamin Downing, Steve Crowe, President of MountainOne Financial Partners, and Steve Sheppard, an economist from Williams College present to help guide a community discussion with their opening remarks about where our region is headed.</p> <p>These are difficult times, and it's times like these that are important for the community to come together. Our December 12th forum is one opportunity to do just that. There are lots of questions that may come from the forum and I would like to see this online forum as a place where we can begin to get the conversation going. A measure of success of this forum will be the open and respectful conversation we can host about the economy with people from all walks of life.</p> <p>So.. post away with your questions that you'd like the forum about the current and future state of our economy to address. It'll help us to make this forum worthwhile for all. </p> <p>Thanks for your help! </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/summary-of-postings#post-35 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:43:24 +0000 Albashevkin 35@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>We've got some wonderful ideas about how to better inform the community about available services.I'm going to try to summarize what I believe are do-able projects to enhance our community outreach efforts:</p> <p>1. Create a weekly public health e-zine that will go out electronically to service providers. This will offer weekly information about available community resources. I'm hoping we can do this at the Coalition office, but it may not get off the ground until after the new year.</p> <p>2. Use the web-based software that BCAC uses for fuel assistance in helping clients of the social service network see what programs they may be eligible for. It would mean many organizations using the same software. A demo of this software will be held at the Coalition office in December. Contact us for details.</p> <p>3. Creating a neighborhood based attempt to inform every household within specified neighborhoods of available resources. Creating a common flyer to distribute to these households.</p> <p>4. Creating seasonal informational flyers with the most essential information available on those flyers. In the winter (now) this might include food assistance (pantries,meals), housing and day care and fuel assistance. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/outreach-methods#post-34 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:00:40 +0000 Albashevkin 34@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Carolyn.. I love the thinking.. I agree that information should be given out as direct as possible and that information should be simple to read with only necessary information and the hope that information can get the public to pursue greater specifics. I wonder if there is a way of evaluating the effectiveness of this approach, especially if we were to start only in one neighborhood. Thanks for taking the risk and posting. This whatever you want to call it will only work as we all take the risk and see our ideas be flushed out by others.<br /> See my next post for my summary of how we can enhance our outreach system. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/outreach-methods#post-33 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:34:02 +0000 carolynfab 33@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>In consideration of the overarching question of November's meeting, "How do we reach the people who most need our services?", here is one idea for consideration. 1)Identify in broad outline those areas of the city which house relatively low-income populations. 2)Design a very simple flyer stating NBCC's address/phone, and inviting people to explore it as a hub of information for area social services. 3)Get people (perhaps students as well as the rest of us) to volunteer to paper the houses in these areas with the flyers, each person getting a manageable number of streets to work on within a time frame. Groups of people working under a coordinator (who would oversee the addresses covered, the number distributed, etc.) could distribute quite a few flyers, wouldn't you imagine? Do you all think this idea is too - expensive? mundane? unappealing to volunteers? unmanageable for whatever reason? ineffective? Has it ever been tried? Carolyn Fabricant (this is my first-ever post, so I don't know how to put my name on this, alas) </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/outreach-fu#post-32 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:07:59 +0000 msylvester 32@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>I've been thinking about what the top needs are (for our clients at least). They are: food assistance (pantries,meals), housing and day care. (When in the winter months, fuel assistance). I know there are more, but this is what I am seeing as a demand now. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/outreach-fu#post-31 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:25:24 +0000 Albashevkin 31@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>That's a good idea.. one "informed person" at each agency.. one who has access to the variety of resources available...creating the common informational flyer is the challenge and I would be interested to seeing what you have. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/outreach-fu#post-30 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:31:27 +0000 msylvester 30@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>As Community Coordinator for WIC, 85% - 90% of my job is outreach. Our offices do refer to other agencies that we think would benefit our clients without a check off sheet. As much as I like the idea of having a check-off sheet, WIC nutritionists are only allowed a certain amount of time with each client and they are required by the state to go over certain topics and ask specific questions during this time. I do not know if this is true with other agencies, but to add one more thing for them to do, ??? I have a one page double sided paper in our waiting area and at the receptionist's desk with information our office feels is important to share with our clients. THe clients are free to take one and if they can't find what they are looking for, they usually ask us.<br /> Perhaps if there was 1 "go to" person in each agency that had this information, you could direct your clients to that person. That is how we've been doing it, and it seem to be working. If I don't know the answer, I will call an agency to see if they perform that service or if they know who does. Just thoughts </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/community-health-zine#post-29 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:36:09 +0000 Albashevkin 29@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Wow.. brilliant idea.. a weekly e-blast that goes out to agencies and individuals that would offer a calendar of public health/community events. I love the idea. What do others think? </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/community-health-zine#post-28 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:40:41 +0000 KimM 28@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Wouldn't it be great if we could follow the format of the e-zine that Rod Bunt puts out each week and have a weekly update of public health/community health events and opportunities? </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/outreach-follow-up#post-27 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:15:49 +0000 Tim Briggs 27@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Not sure exactly how the hand out would look. I think we would need to start out with an average. Say, the eligability for all the programs for a family of four and then the average income level of those families in our community. We would then get a average for people at that income level, and what resources would be avialable to them. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/outreach-follow-up#post-26 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:45:08 +0000 Albashevkin 26@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>So what would that fact sheet look like?? Would it include information about fuel assistance, food stamps, public assistance, WIC, hmm I'm trying to list all the services that have income eligibility guidelines and realize that they differ in many ways.. but I'm not writing to shoot down a solution.. just thinking.. how would this form look and how could we make it work? </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/outreach-follow-up#post-25 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:53:05 +0000 Tim Briggs 25@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>There was alot of good things said about outreach at the last meeting that would help get information out to the community. However, I back up what I mentioned about developing a universal fact sheet for each agency to hand out telling the individual if they are eligable for this service then you ARE eligable for this service. Add the name, address and phone number of the agency. Then each family can get all the help they want if they choose. </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/what-is-outreach#post-24 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:50:36 +0000 Albashevkin 24@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Wow... seventy one people can have seventy different approaches to how we coordinate the information that goes out to local residents about available services. I know that one consistent source of information about area services is the Coalition office. You got questions, call us at 663-7588 and you can get the answers. It may take a phone call for us to get the answer but we'll get it to you when we have the right answer.</p> <p>But that begs the bigger question.. Amongst all the area agencies, we have resources to help households in Northern Berkshire with needs in the areas of health care, food, fuel, parenting, youth development.. if you follow my drift...there are answers here and you can look at our resource guide (see Coalition website) for some of the answers. </p> <p>My bigger question is how do we train each other to help our families look at the bigger picture? They may be enrolling in local daycare but not aware that they are eligible for fuel assistance and food stamps. How do we get away from the huge salad of flyers and brochures informing the public of our resources.. but when there is so much information available and in front of the viewer's eyes.. very little of it sinks in.. at least that's how it works for me.</p> <p>I'm hoping to have a follow up meeting to our last Friday (Nov 14th) meeting..but want to flush some ideas out first. This is a good place to do just that. </p> <p>OK world.. what are your ideas about doing outreach better here in our little neck of the Berkshires? </p> http://nbccoalition.org/forums/topic/economic-solidarity-marchfood-fuel#post-23 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:33:43 +0000 Mark Rondeau 23@http://nbccoalition.org/forums/ <p>Took Rev. Bail's advice and went on the Northern Berkshire CROP Walk. A very worthwhile and enjoyable event. I think an Interfaith Solidarity March for Economic Justice in the spring would be a nice follow-up to the annual CROP Walk in the fall. Will see what I can do.</p> <p>In other business: Too bad more people aren't taking advantage of thid online forum. Could be a very useful tool. </p>