Officers: Sally Butler (Planned Parenthood of Central Wa) Chair, Roger Krebs (Residential Services) Chair Elect, Jeri Strange (YMCA) Vice Chair, Bruce McComb (RECA Foundation) Secretary, Susan Thornton (League of Women Voters) Treasurer.

Meetings: Normally the first Wednesday of each month, 8:30 - 10:00 am, United Way Building.

In attendance: Carol Miller (B/F Health Dept.), Sandy Owen (B/F Health Dept.), Sylvia Bakan (Div. of Children & Fam Svcs), Nita Sullivan (FARE), Susan Thornton (League of Women Voters), Bruce McComb (RECA Foundation), Melanie Ogryzek (RYSC), Brenda Draper (TC Cancer Center), Roger Krebs (TC Residential Svcs), Coleen Drinkard (Volunteer Center), Lizann Powers-Hammond (WSU COOP), Jeri Strange (YMCA), Mike Stafford (Campfire)..

The meeting was called to order by Roger Krebs at 8:35 am.

Introductions.

Program: Dispute Resolution Center update. Darrell Puls (Board President) & Theresa Meade (Executive Director). The Benton Franklin Dispute Resolution Center is a nonprofit, independent corporation, established like 19 others under Washington State law. The dispute resolution centers have successfully mediated disputes including: landlord/tenant, neighbors, family disagreements, divorces, parenting plans, domestic property division, employer/employee, consumer/merchant, co-worker, commercial claims, citizen/government agency, construction, and interagency.

The local center is fully operational with 15 certified mediators. They operate on a sliding fee scale. The center is located at 5219 W. Clearwater, Suite 11 in Kennewick. Theresa Meade is the Executive Director and can be reached at (509) 783-3325. The center will host an open house on Monday, March 8, 1999 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm.

Business. Roger read the letter that will be sent to the legislators urging them to increase the biennium budget up to the 601 limit.

Volunteers are needed to take on specific items in the 1999 HSC goals. Already, a group is going to Olympia on March 18 is support of goal #2. The goals, are posted on the WWW as part of the February, 1999 minutes. Give Roger or Sally a call if you are willing to work in any of the goal areas.

Announcements (summarized):

• Mike Stafford, Chinook Council Campfire. It this year's "Absolutely Incredible Kid Day is Thursday, March 18. "Every child deserves to know how special he or she is. That's the purpose of Absolutely Incredible Kid Day - take the time to let a child know just how absolutely incredible he or she is." Call the Campfire or stop by to get a brochure, stickers, pens, and stationary. Or visit the Web site at www.campfire.org for details.

• Jeri Strange - Reminder that the YMCA's new location is 1234 Columbia Dr. SE. near the Richland Y (no pun intended).

• Susan Thornton - Success by Six was awarded $10,000.00 planning grant from Seafirst Bank. Will develop a strategic plan over next 9 months.

• Lizann Powers-Hammand has a new daughter!

• Bruce McComb - The Columbia Basin Calendar is online at https://www.tcfn.org! The events listed in this newsletter are already posted there. Anyone with WWW access should be posting their events - give me a call at 586-6481 to arrange a time when I can come to your office and show you how to make entries. It's easy! Also a reminder that any Washington State 501(c)(3) is eligible for free software from Microsoft - see http://www.microsoft.com/giving for details. Compumentor has made a very comprehensive Y2K analysis tool available for free at http://www.compumentor.com/y2k.

• Melanie Ogryzek - Still have 4 more slots to fill this year's RYSC program. They are also taking applications for the 1999/2000 program. The Reading Corp and RYSC are working together on a number of projects...

• Brenda Draper - Wednesday, March 17 from 12:00 - 1:30pm. Dr. May Harvey will speak on "Communicating with your Doctor". Call Brenda (737-3411) for details or see the TCFN Calendar. She also passed out a list of support group and counseling information which is also on TCFN's calendars.

• Sylvia Bakan - The Division of Children & Family Services will host and open house on March 30th. at their new location (former Smith's building). Details later (get them to me and I'll post them on the calendars).

• Nita Sullivan (Foundation for Acupuncture Education) - Several flyers on upcoming events. Call Nita at 943-4517 or see TCFN's calendar pages (Health and Human Services).

• Coleen Drinkard - Planning for National Volunteer Week. Beehive musical fundraiser, teamed with Kennewick and Pasco Rotary. Monday April 12, 60’s songs. Tickets from Volunteer Center or Pasco/Kennewick Rotarians. Riverfest informational meeting will be Wednesday, March 17 at 9:00am in the Reese Building (next to TCH on N. Cascade). RSVP the Volunteer Center by March 16.

• Sandy Owen- Dental program will be coming online again soon. 73 people showed up at last car seat event (Richland Fire Department).

Treasurer's Report: No new activity. Balance $3,668.54

February 3 Minutes approved by all (with one minor correction).

9:50 - adjourned.

Submitted by, Bruce McComb, Secretary.