CAFCA Adoption Committee Minutes

Thursday, November 9, 2006

Attendees:  Adrienne Elliott (Adoption Options), Melissa Maile (Catholic Charities), Erin Jones (Lighthouse Adoptions), Susannah Carroll (CAFCA), and Anna Padden (intern for Adoption Options)

2006-2007 Legislation:  Susannah talked about the language of the Felony bill is being worked on to move the bill along in the legislation.  Fofi is sponsoring the bill and working on the language.  We talked about the Expedited bill and worked on the fact sheet.  We found language that we had talked about at the last committee meeting and Susannah is taking this back to Senator Sandoval who is sponsoring the bill.

Other issues:  

• Erin talked about the accreditation for Hague and that testifying in Washington D.C. will be televised on CSPAN at 10:00 a.m. 
• Melissa brought up if anyone else was having problems with FBI checks again and that they (Catholic Charities) are having problems with the State losing them.  Others agreed that there are still problems with FBI.

Strategic Planning for Next Year:

Kurt wanted the committee to look at goals, purpose of CAFCA and why we do what we do.  What is the vision of this committee? 

• Barriers – the committee identified that sometimes the time and location of the meeting can be a barrier.  We looked at having other agencies host the meeting every other month.  This could lead to an increase in participation if it was closer to some agencies.  The committee felt that the time and the meetings every other month should not be changed. 
• Look at topics that are interesting to people.  Such as training, legislation, and other topics that we could discuss in January and set for the entire year.  This would increase potentially the number of people coming to the meetings each time.
• Have the agenda done in advance and sent to all members so that they can plan ahead and it is a good reminder.
• Create hot topics that will interest members so that they will want to participate in the meetings.
• Have members follow through with assignments and make them accountable for getting them done.
• Susannah will prepare a flyer for the upcoming meeting in January and then try and get all members to commit to coming and setting the agendas and meetings for the rest of the year.
• Update the member list and do an updated committee packet.

We looked at what makes a good meeting –

·        Need more people

·        there needs to be more accountability

·        good leader

·        be open to people’s suggestions and feedback

Next meeting:  January 11^th from 9:30-11:30 at LDS

Susannah will complete a flyer for the meeting and forward to Adrienne to look at and approve.