Welcome.

Many opportunities to volunteer:
Social Skills Group – to be run with professional staff. Meeting at 12:30 tomorrow at Deerfield School with the Principal Louise Lipsitz, Lori Hodgins from a Newton program with experience in Autism Spectrum, and others to discuss proposals/feasibility.

Website: Help Carmel Sterling with regular maintenance of the site – to keep the website up to date.

Lending Library – organize materials that may be borrowed by families, staff, community.

Audrey Seyffert – Director Student Services, unable to be in attendance this evening but sent message: Department of Education is in process of Coordinated Program Review (this week and next week). Already looked at documentation/evidence of compliance with the laws. Reviewing Special Education, Civil Rights and English Language Education. Will conduct interviews, including 3 SEPAC members.

Nominations: All Board Positions are OPEN. Nominations for the April election are due to Joyce Ford, Secretary by FEB. 28. See email and website for nomination papers. Please consider taking on an active role to continue forward movement of this organization….or to take the organization in new directions.

Tracey Stoll, Treasurer’s Report:
Current balance $2,965.11 in account.
Portrait Fundraiser was a great success; netted $1464.85. Will be able to offer scholarships to at least 2 students with special needs.

Volunteers needed:
Writing Grant Applications – limited time commitment from Dec. – June. To help complete applications for money to support our mission.

Portrait Fundraiser – need volunteers to help plan next year’s event from Sept. – Nov. or December

Idea – shared by Tracey for a calendar fundraiser.
Art by children would be selected for each page of the calendar and pizza party for winners/ participants.
Vista Print costs @ $3.00 ea./ can sell for @ $10.00.
Need volunteers to help with planning and promotion.

Jen Maggiacomo and Faith Kimball are working to develop a “specific disabilities” section for the website…to be coordinated with Carmel Sterling.

Library volunteer needed to help organize systems/materials for a lending library.
Identifying camps for children to attend is needed by many…share ideas.
Look to links on Concord SEPAC website for some useful resources.
MaryAnne Carty reminded members that camp scholarships are available through the WW Community Chest with applications available through WW Youth and Family Services and at other public places in town.

Liaison group - new list of liaisons is posted on the website.
Liaisons are making use of inter-office mail instead of physically disseminating flyers.

Announcements are being put in school newspapers as well as in local community newspapers --- book of past articles/announcements was circulated.
Brochures are being reworded to reflect that member parents of children on 504 plans DO have voting privileges at WW SEPAC elections.

Discussed briefly last month’s workshop, “Let’s Get Organized.” Very favorable remarks…”fabulous,” “very useful”….

Tax Exemption forms…help needed for efficient operations.

Next meeting January 8, 2008 - no workshop so plenty of time for discussion/planning/feedback on how SEPAC has been going thus far. Next after that will be Feb. 12, also with no workshop.

Tonight: Presenter – Beth Dworetzky from MA Family to Family Health Information Center (Federation for Children with Special Needs) - Speaking about public health benefits.
For more information: contact massfv@fcsn.org or visit www.massfamilyvoices.org

Adjourned 9:00.