This is a quick reminder for next Tuesday’s Annual Joint Meeting of the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition and the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness. After lunch, the VAHC Annual Meeting and the VCEH monthly meeting will be held concurrently in different rooms at the same location:
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM Baptist Fellowship Church 1051 Route 66, Randolph, VT (Directions below)
I hope you or someone from your organization can attend!! Click here for the meeting agenda. We have a number of special guests confirmed, in the following order:
Scott Milne, Republican Nominee for Governor Kate Ash, Field Representative, Office of Senator Patrick Leahy Ken Schatz, newly appointed Commissioner of the Department for Children & Families Senator Tim Ashe, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee Governor Peter Shumlin — RESCHEDULED FOR NOON
Governor Shumlin has had to reschedule, he will now meet with us at 12 noon. Mr. Milne is scheduled to meet with us separately at 10:15. Both he and the Governor will share their perspectives on state funding and policy for affordable housing and homelessness and respond to questions from coalition members. We have provided both with questions to help them frame their remarks. Kate Ash will give us a federal update on behalf of Senator Leahy’s office. Recently appointed DCF Commissioner Schatz will introduce himself and talk about his vision for DCF and the many challenges the Department faces, especially as they relate to affordable housing and homelessness. Last up will be Senator Ashe, who will give us his perspective on the 2014 legislative session and outlook for next year, from his vantage point as Chair of the Senate committee that raises the revenues required to meet the State’s needs for affordable housing, homelessness and vulnerable Vermonters. VAHC STEERING COMMITTEE & OFFICER ELECTIONS At the VAHC annual meeting, members will be electing a Steering Committee and officers for the 2014/15 year. We are fortunate to have seven current members willing to continue serving. Treasurer Julie Lowell, who recently received her Ph.D. in Social Work, has resigned to take a new job (congrats on both scores, Julie!!). Harold Nadeau also left the Steering Committee earlier this year. We thank both for their years of service to the Coalition. As a result, there are two potential vacancies on the Steering Committee. Anyone who is interested should contact current Chair Ted Wimpey at twimpey@cvoeo.org. The by-laws allow for up to nine people to serve and call for direct election of officers by the membership. Nominations from the floor are also permitted. George Mathias is willing to serve as both Secretary and Treasurer. The Steering Committee recommends that members elect the following slate of officers and at large members next Tuesday: Ted Wimpey, Chair & Director, CVOEO Fair Housing Project Chris Donnelly, Vice-Chair & Director of Community Relations, Champlain Housing Trust George Mathias, Secretary/Treasurer & Chief Operating Officer, RuralEdge Terry McKnight, At Large Member & Executive Director, Addison County Community Trust John Broderick, At Large Member & Executive Director, Shires Housing Sara Kobylenski, At Large Member & Executive Director, Upper Valley Haven Ray Brewster, At Large Member & Independent Consultant Click here for Steering Committee bios and contact info. DIRECTIONS TO BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP CHURCH: Take I-89 to Exit 4, head toward Randolph (right off south bound exit, left off north bound exit). At the bottom of Route 66 there is a flat stretch. The Randolph Animal Hospital is on the right at the end of that stretch. The Baptist Fellowship Church is the next right The meeting space does NOT have a speakerphone, so we will not be offering a call-in option this month, but will resume that at the regular monthly VAHC meeting on October 8 in Montpelier. Hope to see you next Tuesday!