Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Safe Communities of America Steering Committee met Jan. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

(MEETING HELD VIA ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCE)

CALL TO ORDER

Dan Martin called the meeting of the New Lenox Safe Communities America Steering Committee to order at approximately 2:00pm

IN ATTENDANCE

Daniel Martin/Village of New Lenox, Jim Mihalovich/Top Driver, Jen Hahs/Rosecrance, Kathleen Burke/Will County Office of Substance Use Initiatives, Anna Schultz, Mike Mecozzi/Hope with Me,

NEW BUSINESS

Steering Committee Members – 2024 Appointments

Dan made a motion to approve all appointments to the Steering Committee. Dr. Burke seconded the motion, and all approved. Anna will be leaving the committee at the end of March 2024.

The appointments are as follows:

Domestic Violence Prevention – Meaghan South

Substance Use Prevention – Jen Hahs & Kathleen Burke

Motor Vehicle / Traffic Safety – Jim Mihalovich

Suicide Prevention and Awareness – Mike Mecozzi and Marie Goulet

Emergency Preparedness – Vacant

Older Adults Falls Prevention – Anna Schultz (until March, 2024)

New Lenox Safe Community Coordinator – Dan Martin

New Lenox Safe Community Coalition By-Laws

The committee reviewed the steering committee by-laws. The only proposed change was to Part 5, section 5.3. Rather than meeting every other month, the steering committee will now meet twice a year, once in January and once in June. Dan made a motion to approve the above change to the by-laws. Dr. Burke seconded the motion, and all approved.

2024 Strategic Plan

The committee reviewed last year’s strategic plan and discussed the 2024 strategic plan. The goals and objectives of the proposed 2024 strategic plan remained the same. In discussing the plan, the committee agreed that the 2023 plan was an effective tool, and therefore the 2024 strategic plan will maintain the same goals and objectives.

Dan highlighted some of the goals and objectives, and the committee discussed the importance of increasing community awareness and community participation.

The committee then discussed Goal 4 of the strategic plan. Dan reviewed some of the programs that Safe Community members created and presented to the community. Dan then shared the Safe Community roster. Currently there are 129 Safe Community members, representing 81 organizations. Dan noted that not all 129 members actively participate, and he asked the question: how can we get more engagement with our current members.

The committee discussed that the goal is for Safe Community members to serve as the liaison for their represented organization. It was concluded that at coalition and task group meetings we should remind everyone of the expectation that members are communicating with members of their organization. The committee discussed the option of having members sign a document indicating their commitment to the Coalition, but it was decided this wasn’t needed.

Guest Speakers / Presentations for 2024 Coalition Meetings

The committee then reviewed the Guest Speakers list. Last year each task group was responsible for securing a speaker for the larger Coalition meeting. There are six task groups and six Coalition meetings, so this worked well. We will continue this process.

The schedule is as follows:

January 31, 2024 – Domestic Violence Prevention

March 27, 2024 – Substance Use Prevention

May 29, 2024 – Motor Vehicle / Traffic Safety

July 31, 2024 – Suicide Prevention and Awareness

September 25, 2024 - Emergency Preparedness

November 20, 2024 – Older Adults Falls Prevention

March 27, 2024 Coalition Meeting / Luncheon

Dan proposed that for the coalition meeting on March 27, 2024, it be changed from Zoom to an in-person meeting, with lunch to follow. The group discussed potential locations, including Gatto’s and the VFW. The group also discussed who to invite to the luncheon. It was decided that it would be more helpful to allow Coalition members to invite a guest, as opposed to formally inviting agency leadership. Jen mentioned that the luncheon provides an opportunity to thank Coalition members for their work and dedication to Safe Communities. Dan shared he will work on putting the details together, and that the meeting will be a working meeting and appreciation luncheon with the opportunity for Coalition members to invite a guest.

Large Event (Combining Some of Our Signature Events)

The committee briefly discussed the possibility of combining a few of the signature events into one event. No formal decision was made on this. Further conversation to occur in future meetings.

OLD BUSINESS: None

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

We addressed these throughout the meeting.

NEXT MEETING DATE: Wednesday, June 26th at 2pm

ADJOURNMENT: 3:00PM

https://www.newlenox.net/files/documents/SafeCommunitiesAmericaTaskGroupsMinutes01-03-24052601011624PM1352.pdf