July 2017 Minutes

The FOR-NY meeting of 7/5 opened at 6:05. There were no minutes available at that time.

Stephanie Campbell attended the meeting, and gave a talk/presentation on the work that FOR-NY has been doing recently. Major points included these:
     - a finalized RCO tool kit, which should be beneficial for those needing to get support and learn new strategies
     - a Family to Family resource guide, available for download
She asked that we familiarize ourselves with these, which were passed around, and give feedback as to whether or not they were helpful.
The larger group is focusing on bringing the professional (medical and law enforcement, etc.) communities who are not always on the same page as we are, up to speed so we might all be on the same page.
Community Asset Mapping Training was done in NYC. It could be helpful, along with Messaging Training.
Stephanie and Jessica will connect to discuss ways to reach out to doctors more effectively, as we are in a public health crisis. "At the height of the AIDS epidemic we were at 47,000 deaths, with this, we are at 59,000." The focus on criminalization rather than recovery needs to change.

There was no treasurer's report, as Jim is on vacation.

Mary Beth was also away, but Betsy read a report from her, similar to that reported in the minutes of the June meeting. Stephanie stated that the main focus of the monthly RCO conference call is to give people ideas about what works and what doesn't.

Bill and Jane continue to send weekly postcards to those in office, encouraging them to support funds for recovery. Manja suggested they share a prototype to our group, so that even more voices are heard.

Manja asked that we look at the website so that we can add items to the calendar.
friendsofrecoveryorange.org

National Night Out will be Tuesday, August 1, from 6-9 at most locations.
We will try and be visible at 7 locations:
     Greenwood Lake (Jessica), Port Jervis, Highland Falls (Manja), Middletown (Susan),
     Newburgh (Ashley), Wallkill/Walden (Bill)
Boxes/kits will be available for pickup at ADAC. Volunteers will need a table, chair(s), water bottles, etc.
Look for emails with further details.

The meeting of August 2 will start at 5:30, for the purpose of devoting more time to work on our position statement. Please think about how you feel regarding what it should be, and how it should be worded.

Upcoming events:
     Candlelight Service, ADAC, 8/31, Goshen Village
     Presentation, Dose of Reality, Greater Pine Bush Partnership, 9/19 Ashley will speak.
     Run for Recovery, 9/23, RC Ward. There should be a FOR table there.
Business sponsors needed.

Matt will speak with Jim regarding our little public shaming/recovery education campaign. Maybe a strongly worded letter to ER's, MD's? Jessica would like to help with that, and has many connections.

There was discussion about the possibility of ordering T-shirts. Betsy and Stephanie Campbell will come up with a few leads and prices.

Meeting adjourned. I neglected to note the time, but it was later than we would have liked.

Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Armistead