COALITION MEMBERS

FY'10 Planning Session Notes

The Coalition meets monthly.
Looking for upcoming meeting dates & times? Visit the Homepage.

WORKSHOPS, EVENTS, AND TRAININGS

For most recent listings, click HERE!!  If you plan to attend or have question, email or call Janet at 979-4130

ACTION TEAMS

GUIDING GOOD CHOICES ACTION TEAM: Point Person = Donna Macdonald.  

The curricula is designed to give parents and caregivers with children aged 8 -14 the knowledge and skills needed to guide their children through early adolescence.   A targeted marketing plan has been finalized to work toward the institutionalization of the program via 5th/6th grade parents/elementary schools and Melrose places of worship.  Sustainability of this program is the Action Team's current focus.  Planning for Spring 2010 workshop series.  A $500 community grant was received from Eastern Bank to help cover 2009/2010 facilitator stipends!

Next meeting: Contact Donna.

Click thumbnail for larger image

Meet our Facilitators! Guiding Good Choices Policy and Procedures Manual Link to more info on Guiding Good Choices

POLICE ACTION TEAM:  Point Person = Michael Plumer.

665-TIPS promotion continues to move forward.  With an underage drinking grant, the first ever alcohol compliance check were conducted in Melrose in May '09 and results found 3 of 8 establishments checked to be in compliance.  Bi-annual rounds of alcohol compliance checks will be conducted in fiscal year 2010.  Support on Social Host law outreach and Drunk Driving prevention initiatives continue.

A marijuana public consumption ordinance is slated to be presented to the Board of Aldermen as the state decriminalization of marijuana will undoubtedly have local impact.  Click here for more information.

Next meeting: Contact Mike.

POLICY ACTION TEAM:  Point Person = Kara

Local policy:  Once approved, marijuana public consumption ordinance promotion.  Social Host Liability:  local ordinance outreach continues.  Liquor Licensing:  incorporated the following “safeguards” into the revision of the liquor licensing regulations:  a) advertising signage controlled b) compliance checks required c) mandatory server/seller training.  Updated regulations approved by the Liquor Licensing Commission on Feb 25, 2009!  Liquor Licensing Commission and Melrose licensees partnership plan...to be created with the help of the Cambridge Prevention Coalition.

State policy:  talking to regional Coalitions to determine where they are in the process of state policy issues.  Following certain alcohol, tobacco, and other drug pending legislature and keeping Coalition informed.  Visit www.jointogether.org or www.madd.org for more on state policy.  Contact info for State Rep and State Senators is listed below:

-Katherine Clark, State Representative, Room 254, State House, Boston, MA 02133, Tel: (617) 722-2220

-Senator Thomas McGee, Room 112, State House, Boston, MA 02133, Tel: (617) 722-1350

-Senator Richard Tisei, Room 308, State House, Boston, MA 02133, Tel: (617) 722-1063 OR Senator Tiseis’ District Office, 979 Main Street, Wakefield, MA 01880, Tel: (781) 246-3660

Next meeting: Contact Kara.

SCHOOL ACTION TEAM: Point Person = Jan Flynn.

Drug recognition training for faculty/staff/coaches happened in Fall 2009.  Continue implementation of Project Northland Class Action and discussions around K-12 collaborative health prevention curriculum.  Continue to review and improve alcohol, tobacco, and other drug policies/protocols.  Continued implementation of Student Assistance Team through Melrose Guidance Department and Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.

Next meeting: Contact Jan.

SPORTS ORGANIZATION OUTREACH ACTION TEAM:  Point Person = Trisha Keane.

Coalition banner hung at Morelli Field for Babe Ruth baseball season and throughout the summer.  Coaches of Melrose National Little League gave kids a pep talk about making good choices.  Letter appeared in the Melrose Free Press and Melrose Weekly News acknowledging our partnership with Frank Sorrenti and the Melrose Youth Hockey league!  Contact made with basketball league; plan to hang the Coalition banner at their facility, distribute literature and giveaways at the games, add the Coalition link to their website and giving the kids a pep talk about making good choices.

Next meeting:  Contact Trisha.

YOUTH ACTION TEAM:  Point Person = Charlie Ciccone.  High School Teen Leader = Joe Singer.  Middle School Teen Leader = Natalie Emerson.

Moving forward with a youth-led, youth-empowered group.  Discussion groups were conducted in Fall 2008, teen-to-teen on prescription drug abuse and healthy alternatives.  Facebook page "Melrose Youth Action Team" and mySpace pages have been created.  If you are a youth and would like to join this Team, contact Charlie.

Current initiatives:

-Melrose Draws the Line (Credit to Wyoming's We Draw the Line)....where do you draw the line?  Visit the Melrose Draws the Line website to post your story!  Campaign is designed to spark discussion in community around behaviors that cross the line.  Click to view sticker, alcohol poster, and marijuana poster.

-Environmental Scan....click here to check out what teens found at teen party "hotspots"!

-Thanks to Roosevelt and Hoover schools for piloting our Media Literacy lessons in Spring 2009.  Taught by middle school reps and Youth Advisor to 3rd-5th graders...click here for info packet and pre/post survey results!  Coming in Spring 2010 to Hoover and Lincoln.

-Healthy Alternatives....visit the Recreation Department or YMCA's Common Ground websites for upcoming events.

-Marijuana Prevention/Social Marketing....."aRe YoU PaRt Of ThE 75?" at MHS.

Next meeting:  Contact Charlie.

CONTACT KARA WITH QUESTIONS/COMMENTS: kshowers@cityofmelrose.org