MINUTES: May 23, 2017
Past President Sean Priebe presided over the meeting in Jaclyn’s absence. Thanks to Gene Owens who gave the invocation and to Faye Gilbert who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Thanks also to Dan Davis and Johnny Stevens who served as our greeters today.
Tracie Fowler welcomed our guests. Kate Cooley is a guest of Ryan Kelly. Joe Mordica and Phil Watson are guests of Kory Moore. It was also announced that Katie Anthony who was a guest of Samantha McCain last week has submitted a membership application to the board of directors.
Sean reminded members of the upcoming RYLA nomination deadline. If you know of a rising senior please get with Angela Herzog and complete the application by next Tuesday’s meeting. He reported that a board meeting is set for Tuesday, June 13 immediately following the membership meeting. He also reminded members...
...that the July 4th meeting is canceled.
Lynn Walton noted the 50/50 raffle prize is now at $4,600. She reminded members that the drawing will be held on Tuesday, June 27th. All tickets should be sold by that date.
Ryan Kelly then introduced today’s guest speaker Dr. Candace Forbes Bright. Dr. Bright is an Associate Scientist in the Department of Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs at USM. She currently heads up the Hattiesburg Area Health Coalition, a part of the Gulf States Health Policy Center.
The Hattiesburg Area Health Coalition was formed in November 2014. The group currently has about forty members who meet monthly. The Coalition’s primary goal is to foster productive and sustainable partnerships with a broad group of stakeholders committed to improving health outcomes for our area. The group conducts community-based research, training and entertains speakers on important health issues. They also plan events that are focused on educating the public relative to health issues.
The Coalition has conducted a grant writing workshop, put together training publications, conducted academic experience training and conducted a community baby shower. During the shower, the expectant mothers all received car seats and obtained education about health issues and resources for them and their baby. The Coalition created the Mayor’s Health Council which has conducted a Community Health Forum. They also conducted a speed mentoring event at Hattiesburg High School and created a healthy campus competition where the students built and planted a school garden.
Two specific focus areas the Coalition is currently involved in is domestic violence in expecting mothers and healthy food choices for employees at the workplace.
Dr. Bright is doing a social network analysis of the Coalition. She is trying to determine existing relationships of Coalition members and their level and frequency of collaboration. She is looking for newly established relationships and relationships where public health information is shared.
The Hattiesburg Area Health Coalition meets again on July 6th at the Peck House. Anyone interested in the work of the Coalition is welcome. You can get more information by calling Dr. Bright at 601-266-6545 or contact her by email at Candace.Forbes@usm.edu.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned by Jaclyn with our motto, “Service Above Self”.