Letters: ~30 Letters were mailed to a number of organizations, B & B’s and churches for the purpose of seeking help in providing emergency shelter this winter.
Anchorage ABC show Your Alaska Link 9/21 They invited me to call in.

OCS- was asked by OCS to help teach a class to their workers on 9/18. I agreed – just for this purpose only – establishing relationships. Total time – 7-8 hours – so not a lot – but still a contribution. The fruit from this will come in the future – but in the mean time – it placed me directly in meetings with top admin. and all their front line caseworkers.

Alternative Shelter for Winter: A lot of energy is going into this presently. First Presbyterian has a keen sense of mission and urgency. We are addressing every barrier: liability, insurance, protocol, etc.

At the last meeting 9/20 we had reps from police dept., Access AK, FNSBSD, First Pres., Joel’s Place, Rescue Mission, Office of Children’s Services, and Fairbanks Counseling Adoption’s SOAP program. We problem solved some unknowns and took a look at the facility together. Lt Eric Jewkes, from FPD, was instrumental in suggesting some safety/ checkin location ideas. First Pres. is going to install cameras, a buzzer and a few other things to promote safety. FCA will offer to serve a hot breakfast. FRM has cameras to offer, First Pres. is footing the bill for some of the physical changes.

As of 4:35 last night, 9/21, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation agreed to provide us with funding for 1) Program/Shelter Director, 2) Shelter Supervisor (salaried) 3) Shelter worker (hourly). These positions will be for 8 months Nov. 1 – to June 30, and  4) and case worker for 15 hrs. a week for 4 months – because it will take awhile to get licensed. Unfortunately – they needed lots of paperwork and I was unable to comply at the time. Today I will try to send some of the documents. . . and the rest will have to wait until my return.

Parenting Campaign – tips for parents of teens – We’ve been doing the research for this – I have subscribed to several online blogs, etc. Unfortunately – I have not found the silver bullet. I still think this is a great idea – an awesome and needed contribution/PSA – however – the idea is going to have to get inline – and behind the more pressing items.

Admin: 138 Tenth is now registered as being owned by FYA. Name change – has ongoing implications – not to mention Alaska Housing Finance asking for documents with FYA’s name on it that we did not have yet. Insurance – not only our needs are changing – but the name change has implications here as well and all policies need to be updated and not as simple as one would hope. Banking – adding Danny’s signature has NOT happened yet – I went to the bank but the minutes needed to have precise names.  Rodney also suggested that anytime I need to do something big – that it be covered in the minutes first – with board approval – for my protection. Getting 138 tenth changed over from CMI’s name to FYA – would have been a good thing to cover in minutes.

Staffing:Dave Bates & I meet weekly, & I meet with Dick and Sarah individually then together. We also join in staff mtgs. at FRM. Since Dick and Sarah are both new to Fairbanks, we do something cultural – as often as we can. In August, we went to Creamer’s field and observed bird banding at the height of migration. Dick and Sarah did the net rounds with the ABO volunteers as they gathered migratory song birds, watched them take measurements and then got to release the birds.After advertising for a month through the state ALEXSYS program and Craig’s List Anchorage and Fairbanks, we have decided to pay money and advertise on Monster.com. This site was recommended to us by another agency who has had success with them. Dave opened an account yesterday and we listed the Family Therapist.

Volunteer Development: Please see website for new application form, etc. Also Dick will be putting up fliers at the college for the. We have had about 10 people contact us recently about volunteering for overnight shelter. HELP us get the word out at your places.

Brad, Dave Bates and I met this past week regarding issues to overcome due to the name change. Alternatives were NOT pleasant. However, Brad in his crafty thinking has devised a plan that will be a little cumbersome at first – but solve all problems. As of January 1, 2013 – ALL payroll will be written from FYA, including Dave’s paychecks. FYA will be reimbursed from Clearwater Counseling (CC).AHFC: this funding stream has a 7% Admin allowance – it would be my recommendation that we hire someone part time to help with bookkeeping.

As you know, I ended up talking to Pikes, Princess, Westmark, & Borough people regarding the Civic Center at Pioneer Park and Birch Hill. The prices at the larger name venues are overwhelming.I would like to recommend – that if we think the first Saturday of February is going to be our weekend in the future – then I would like to suggest we submit an application for the Birch Hill Facility:  It is very cost effective – it has the potential esp. in winter – with uplighting – to be romantic and a great venue for dinner and dance. It would also be novel – in that not too many know of it. Right now it is mostly used for weddings. If 2-3 fundraising folks would like to go see it – we can submit an application for 2014.

Donor Development: We have been asking for donations, the PR has helped, as well as Patrick’s FatBet, and we just finished an e-newsletter this past week – it will go out the first of next week and also has an ask. The event on 9/28 will raise awareness AND funds, but I don’t know that it will raise regular donors.

Meryem joined the Board. She is officially our Youth Representative. Personally, I would like to see at least one more young person participate as a board member too or act as a consultant.

Suggestions:
First Dave & I are grateful for all of you and pray for you regularly. This was an intense week for us at the office for many reasons – but some of the urgency was because of my plans to be gone. Right now, so much is happening so fast, that we often feel we are barely holding on. Imagine the craziest roller coaster ride, or if you have ever been on the back end of a large dog team straight out of the dog lot – you will know what I mean. It is imperative that WE ALL independently check in to the FYA’s website & blog,  FYA’s Facebook, & FYA’s board blog – to stay abreast of what is happening.