Board
of Commissioners Meeting
September 28, 2005
| BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: | Leonard Bradley, Glenn Carter, Dot Dobbins, Jose Gonzalez, Linda Mattson |
EMPLOYEES
PRESENT: |
Bonnie Campbell, Edwina Chappell, Dinah Gregory, Yuri Hancock, Pamela McEwen, Demitria Norman, Renee Pratt, Gerri Robinson and Metro Social Services (MSS) employees |
| GUESTS PRESENT: | Margaret Holleman, Metro Legal Department and Rebekah Stephens with Results Matter |
Chair Mattson called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m.
Introductions: Rebekah Stephens with Results Matter and Edwina Chapell, the new Researcher for Metro Social Services
Motion: Approve August, 2005 meeting minutes
Made by: Leonard Bradley
Seconded: Glenn Carter
Passed unanimously.
Executive
Director’s Report: Ms. Robinson began her report by
commenting on Results Matter and how well the first week had gone.
She noted that the next level will begin on October 17th and will involve
more MSS staff. Ms. Robinson is continuing her work in the community
by helping people to become more aware of the restructured Metro Social
Services. Examples given were meetings with the Urban League, NAACP,
and the Executive Director of Tennessee Commission for Children & Youth.
Ms. Robinson commented on the MSS first newsletter, “The Connection”.
This newsletter will be distributed quarterly and is currently at
the printers for distribution. On page 3 of the newsletter, the focus
was mainly on our Summer Camp which was a huge success. TSU is conducting
evaluations to give a more detailed report on the camp. The newsletter
also highlights work we have done in the Edge Hill community. Ms.
Robinson also referenced The Metro Nashville
968
Pocket Guide to Using Performance Information, which was provided by Rebekah Stephens of Results Matter. Ms. Stephens will provide us a brief overview of Results Matter at our upcoming board retreat.
Ms. Robinson concluded her report and asked for questions. Commissioner
Bradley commended her on the response to the audit questions and how
it gives a clear definition to what is actually happening within MSS.
Chair Mattson also gave recognition to Tarver Smith and the staff that
worked with the Summer Camp.
Finance Report: Pamela McEwen reported that we do have a finalized budget for the
year and the annual budget for the year is $8,828,400.00.
Program Updates: Demitria Norman and Dinah Gregory reported the Program updates.
Adult and Family Support Services: Demitria Norman began by stating that her program numbers are increasing. She commended her staff for the hard work they have done with accommodating this increase. The average caseload per worker is a minimum of 20 cases per COA standards and per the attached data; MSS staff has exceeded this number. The data presented to the board is collected on a monthly basis.
Demitria also commended staff for the hard work dedicated to the Katrina efforts. Employees collected non-perishable food items and clothing. The food and clothing were collected in conjunction with the 2nd Harvest Food Bank and The Salvation Army.
Planning
and Coordination
Dinah Gregory
-
Planning and Coordination unit sent out over 100 information brochures to different nonprofit and other community agencies within the Metropolitan area to educate them on what services we provide.
-
Homelessness Commission meeting was held on August 31 and the next meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 7th at 9:00 a.m. in the Howard Office Auditorium.
-
VISTA Project for Homeless Commission is in the process of searching for candidates who can support the activities of the Metropolitan Government, particular the Homelessness Commission. Announcements have been distributed to the community and applications are due by the end of September.
-
Pilot Project-Homemaker and Nutrition Services is currently being operated with the Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency and has been announced publicly through the bid process. Mid-Cumberland was the only agency that applied, and we will still hold a panel review before the contract is prepared.
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Immigrant Coordinator will begin work on September 6, 2005. This person will work toward implementation of recommendations in the Immigrant Community Needs Assessments. The Immigrant Coordinator will collaborate with agencies of the Metropolitan Government as well as non-profit organizations to develop a comprehensive plan regarding services and issues related to the immigrant community.
-
Research Coordinator will also begin work on September 6, 2005. Research Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the research being conducted by TSU and the University of Tennessee’s Center for Business and Economic Research. This person will also gather and analyze data on referrals to and from MSS.
Administration
Personnel Updates Yuri Hancock:
MSS is currently working toward staffing 12 vacant positions. 300
applications for open positions have been submitted.
New Business
The Issue Brief on The New Title Protection Act for Social Workers.
Edwina Chappell began her presentation by comparing MSS and the qualifications
of the law and its impact on MSS.
Commissioner Bradley felt the Commission should vote on a right to grandfather in. Commissioner Bradley felt that the Commission should take the first step and let the legislature know how this particular agency (MSS) will be affected by this ruling and the importance of grandfathering in existing staff.
Commissioner Dobbins could not see how the title change would affect an employee if the employee’s pay and job would remain the same. Ms. Robinson felt that a change of this magnitude would definitely matter to staff.
Comments from the MSS staff confirmed their concerns about future
jobs and being able to apply for jobs in the department without getting
additional education. Commissioner Carter expressed his opinion that
all an employee would have to do is change the title of the position
an employee is applying for to accommodate the employee for any future
job opportunities.
Margaret
Holleman commented that the Hospital Authority, Health Department
and Central HR had given feedback that they were going to precede
with the classification name change. Ms. Robinson has requested information
from HR regarding this matter and has yet to receive a reply. However,
it was then clarified by Ms. Holleman that she had received this
information about a month ago via email and it was confirmed that
a re-evaluation of classification titles would take place.
Commissioner Bradley felt that the Commission should take a position
on whether we want the title change and not accept a lawyer’s
recommendation or HR recommendations. “We as the Commission for
Metro Social Services should be giving the recommendation to Metro.”
Commissioner Carter did not feel we had enough information to make a recommendation either way. It was decided that staff would gather more information and then provide a statement to the appropriate people within Metro.
It was then suggested by Commissioner Bradley that the Executive Director of MSS inform Metro HR that the Commission will be submitting recommendations regarding this issue. Mr. Bradley also suggested that Commissioner Carter gather additional information from NASW to give the Commission a better sense of the organizations position
Chair Mattson made a recommendation that the Personal Committee work with Edwina Chappell to pull all the issues together so that they can be addressed at the next board meeting.
The Executive Director is to inform the Metro HR department of the Commission’s work on this issue. The Personnel Committee will act as the lead to pull all information together. Edwina Chappell, will act as staff to the Personnel Committee.. The Executive Director will also inform other Metro Departments that could be affected by this legislation.
Personnel Committee Updates
Commissioner Carter
Committee met and based on the Executive Directors performance review the committee is requesting a 5% additional increase of salary this year.
Motion:
5% increase of Executive Directors salary this year
Made by: Jose
Gonzalez
Seconded by: Leonard Bradley
Approved unanimously
Board Retreat
Planning Committee met last Friday and retreat is scheduled for October 14th and 15th at McCabe Golf Course. Start at 9:00 a.m. on Friday and 7:30 on Saturday.
Chair Mattson moved to adjourn.
Motion: Moved to adjourn
Made by: Leonard Bradley
Seconded by: Glenn Carter
Approved unanimously
Chair Mattson adjourned the meeting at 4:25 pm.
______________________________
Gerri Robinson
Director
Metro Social Services