Nenana Wellness Coalition
Minutes
The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.
We had 11 in attendance today, including: Walter & Andrea Tommy, Rebecca Troxel, Kat McElroy, Terry & Art Thompson, Merrily & Merry Verhagen, Miles Martin, and (the late, alive, but late) David Poppe.
WELCOME followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Rebecca Troxel.
PRAYER: Was lead by Terry Thompson, followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.
PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: There were no modifications.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted at the WIN link at www.railbelt.com and emailed to members of the WIN e-list.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: There were no guests today.
Speakers/Topics
Sober Housing—Kat McElroy reported that the Native Council delivered eight loads of gravel to the building site this weekend. Milt Haken brought the Cat over and spread the gravel, to make it level. David Poppe needs to dialogue with Joe Verhagen about the building plan which calls for a 12 by 20 foot structure with a 4 foot overhang porch. It will be a dry cabin and use a small wood stove as a heat source. Next on the agenda is to develop the supply list. We are really pushing the season for construction, due to multiple delays over the summer and in to the autumn, so it is good to see this small progress. People continue to approach us to volunteer time and money for the project. We estimate 3 to 4 thousand dollars for building supplies.
Hallowe’en —Merrily Verhagen showed us a flyer they have made to advertise the Family Hallowe’en Party they are having at their place (the space next to Kristi’s Cuisine) October 31st, 6-8 P.M. There will be trick-or-treating around the hotel rooms. Snacks will be provided. Costumes are encouraged, not required; nothing too gruesome, scary or otherwise inappropriate, please. There will be games for adults and teens. Volunteers would be appreciated, especially to pass out goodies from behind the hotel doors; you may call Ester Smith to volunteer at 832-5215. They are inviting people to bring carved pumpkins to show off.
Wellness Thought
Updates/Announcements:
Walter: He got an e-mail from Robert Charlie, an overview of what they envision for Four Mile camp. Our youth today have lost their sense of identity; Walter wants to bring back cultural ways. The Cultural/Heritage camp at Old Mito has been successful; Four Mile would be year ‘round and more accessible.
Miles reported that the library board has made a positive report regarding Darcia’s efforts to work with youth. There is an opening on the library board.
Maryellen: The phone number for tobacco cessation assistance has changed. It is now 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669). Maryellen will need numbers of new people joining the wellness coalition for her quarterly reports. Also, she is inviting us to brainstorm with her how to get from informal to formal policies around tobacco use in our community. An example she uses is the recent move at the Senior Center to move the smoking area from in front of the building to over by the side so people entering and exiting the building do not have to walk through the smoking area. She also mentioned an online site for cessation smokeless tobacco users. She will email the URL for Kat to include in the minutes.
Rebecca: Is pleased to announce she and her family are happily receiving DSL through Alaska Communication Services.
Open floor for comments/questions/discussion:
None