THOSE PRESENT, Michelle Christensen, Kathy Hicks, Jacque Norris, Gil Morrison, (Sandwich): 12 attended (Hiawatha) 10 attended (Hinckley Big Rock): 12 attended (Genoa Kingston) 12 attended (Sycamore): 10 attended (Indian Creek): 8 attended (DeKalb): unable to attend

 

Last meeting went well with the speakers from Southeast Asia. Gil reported that NIU will be having more groups willing to come to speak with us as long we were interested. The students voted in favor of having more speakers attend a future meeting (May 7^th is a tentative date).

 

There is going to be a t-shirt contest for this year’s DCP/SAFE t-shirt. All DCP/SAFE students are welcome to submit their ideas. The designs must be submitted to Kathy Hicks by the first week in February. The best design will be used. The t-shirts will hopefully be ready for the YMCA event. At the next meeting, we will discuss the color and sizes.

 

Last year the event was in April. This year we are aiming for a Saturday in March (before spring break). Kathy Hicks is going to contact the YMCA for a day that will be good for them.

 

Michelle Christensen reported about a new opportunity for students to get involved with their communities through changing public policy. She is going to lead students in researching the current policies – looking to see if they are outdated, do not fit the area, etc. The students will then work together to bring about change within that policy and their communities. If anyone is interested in getting involved, they should contact Michelle by email (michelle@bengordoncenter.org).

 

The Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) of Illinois is hosting a walk to raise money for their organization. CAC works with children who have been through a trauma and are in great need of supplies. The five mile walk is to be held in May, and they are still working on getting a location for it. More information is to come. Monique (from CAC) will be at the next meeting to talk more about the walk and what CAC does. They are asking that individuals try to raise $150 to $200 to support this great cause. Gil is challenging the schools to compete against each other, and the school that raises the most money will receive a $100 donation from Gil himself. The money that is raised will go towards purchasing the equipment that CAC needs in order to help children who have been physically or sexually abused. 

 

  

Gil asked that the individual schools comment on how the clubs were working on violence prevention month, blue ribbon week, and the YMCA events.

 

Indian Creek – For Violence Prevention they are planning a poster competition between the classes (Senior vs. Junior and Sophomore vs. Freshman) as well as hanging blue ribbons on lockers and cars. They are also putting together an anonymous reporting box. For the YMCA event, they are planning on coming and are working on providing transportation for all the kids who want to go.

DeKalb – unable to attend

 

Genoa-Kingston – For Violence Prevention, they are going to the elementary schools to read to the kids about bullying. They are also having an assembly at the middle school to raise violence prevention awareness. They are hanging blue ribbons on the teachers’ doors as well as posters around the school. Also to raise awareness, they are having a “blue-out” at a basketball game (where everyone wears blue). The students are also planning on attending the YMCA event and are providing a bus for the middle school students. In May, they are planning a seat belt check where they will take pictures of students who are not wearing their seatbelts. They will be providing conditioner for the Youth Service Provider backpacks.  

HBR – They established a Hati fund and been collecting money to donate to the Red Cross. For the YMCA, they are going to send kids to help out. To promote a safe, family environment, they are planning a family movie night for the elementary and middle schools. They will sell candy and popcorn. For violence prevention, they are going to the middle school to put ribbons on the lockers and post facts and figures. For the Youth Service Provider backpacks, they will be providing the shampoo.

 

Hiawatha – For violence prevention month, they are planning a “Blue Dance” where everyone wears blue to raise awareness. They planning a fun fair and hanging posters to raise awareness. For the YMCA event, they talked about having a dodge ball tournament to create an incentive to go. They will be providing lotion for the Youth Service Provider backpacks. 

 

Sycamore – To raise violence prevention awareness, they are going to put blue ribbons on people’s cars, have dance where everyone dresses in blue, and have a dodge ball tournament.  

Sandwich – On February 5^th they will be going to the elementary school to promote bus safety (and will be bringing “Buster the Safety Bus”). They are going to incorporate violence prevention into the skit. Also for violence prevention, they will be having a “Bluao” dance (it’s a Blue-out Luau where everyone wears blue). They will also attend the YMCA event. Another activity that they are doing is a family movie night. They want to provide a safe thing for families to do together. For the Youth Service Provider backpacks, they will be providing the brushes and combs.

 

The final announcement Gil made was that the date of the April meeting may change.

 

Sincerely,

Jacque Norris