Minutes from January 21, 2009 Congress Meeting

Community Congress Meeting
Providence College – Feinstein Institute
January 21, 2009, 12:00 p.m.

I.Greetings and Salutations

II.Appointment of Secretary – Nicole Kenney

III.Old Business
A.Approval of last month’s minutes

B.Selection of representatives for neighborhoods
o Smith Hill Area – Ms. Althea Graves
o Chad Brown - Tom Cotter and Jennifer Eberle
Will work on finding new directions to recruit new community members to build relationships
o Elmhurst discussion of possible point people, will consult with Sue Viau for suggestions and involvement

C.Smith Hill Library Update from Ms. Althea Graves and Allen Gunther
o Friends of the Smith Hill Library Meeting 1/26 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Smith Hill Library
o Providence Public Library has stated they will potentially close five of the nine small branches, leaving four branches and the Providence Central Library open
• Smith Hill Library is one of the libraries at risk to be closed
o Providence Community Library (PCL) Organization has been formed in response to potential closings with the goal to find a solution to keep all branches open
• Visit ProvidenceCommunityLibrary.org for more information and to sign a petition to go to Mayer and city council
o Providence Community Library Organization has proposed a plan for the nine public libraries to concede from the Providence Public Library
• State funding and funding which was designated to branches available to support breakaway
• 10 City Councilmen are in support which is how many are needed to pass vote
o Descision if nine branches will concede from the Providence Public Library and function under the Providence Community Library organization must be made by March 1, 2009.

D. Tom Twitchell Tree Planning
o Two plantings are planned, one in spring and one in fall
• Spring planning proposed to take place either March 28th or April 18th (Final date will be posted on blog when determined)
o Volunteers are needed to adopt a tree to care for it
o Proposed planting sites:
• Jewett street, Orms Street, Duke Street, Esten street, Candace Street, Goddard Street
o For more information contact Rebecca Twitchell rtwichell@hotmail.com for more information.

o Elmhurst Clean and Greet Update from Sue Viau and CDC Director
o Next monthly meeting on Tuesday 2/3 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Feinstein Institute
o Elmhurst Clean and Green is not limiting their involvement to the Elmhurst area
o In April groundwork can begin for community garden plots
o On April 25th will be a clean-up service day sponsored by P.C. Service Board
• P.C. Service Board is a collaborative of all service groups on campus
o Smith Hill CDC and Groundworks supporting Elmhurst Clean and Green to in order to be supported by a 501(C)3 organization so Elmhurst Clean and Green can apply for grants.
o Davis Park (near Nathaniel Green School) revitalization is Elmhurst Clean and Green main focus which will begin in May or June
• Will create more green space, community garden and potential for famers market
• Initiative developed out of increased violence in the park this past summer
o Smith Hill CDC has proposed Community Congresses and/or Providence College students involvement in applying for the Clean and Healthy Living Grant from the Rohde Island Foundation which can be used for Davis Park
• Grant would allow potential to add a play ground to the park
• Grant deadline February 27th
• Ellen Salvatore has information about the grant, contact her for involvement, esalvatr@providence.edu

E. Cemetery Update from Griffin Rouse
o Plans successfully moving forth for ivy planting and head stone restoration
o Dioceses agreed to be a member of the committee which is made up of local organizations
o Proposal will be submitted to bishops and arch dioceses
o Fundraising will be planed in to ensure the project can continue in the future

F. Logo Design
o Smith Hill Library youth and students will participate in logo competition
o Tom Cotter and Allen Gunther will develop competition at the library

IV. New Business
A. Community Congress Day
o Looking to organize a Community Congress Day or a clean-up featuring organizations and assets from each of the three communities
o Logo reveal could take place

B. Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence
o Alyssa Metthe, VISTA at the Institute, spoke about three part, thirty hour, Nonviolence Training-of-Trainers session
o Training talking place at Providence College February 7 -8, February 28 – March 1 and March 21 -22.
o Application information will be mailed out to congress members
o For any further questions about training or the Institute contact Alyssa Metthe Alyssa@nonviolenceinstitute.org

Next Meetings:

Meeting Adjourned 1:30 p.m.