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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-06-2007-6aORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 6, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. &-Q SUBJECT: Special Request to Use Forum 2007 Proceeds to Seed a Non Profit Community Initiative on Domestic Violence DEPARTMENT: Manager's Office PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Gwen Harvey, Asst Manager 245-2300 Emily Adams, Chair Yvette Logan-Jeffries, Vice Chair Human Services Advisory Commission PURPOSE: To request BOCC permission to allow the Human Services Advisory Commission to dedicate and donate registration proceeds from the 2007 Human Services Issues Forum to a charitable non profit community initiative that develops in response to the theme, "Domestic Violence Hurts the Whole Community". BACKGROUND: The Human Services Advisory Commission, in conjunction with community agencies including the Orange County Commission for Women, Family Violence Prevention Center, Planned Parenthood, the Chapel Hill Police Department, UNC Hospital's Beacon. Program, NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the School of Government Public Intersect Project, is preparing to present the 18th annual Human Services Issues Forum titled, "Domestic Violence Hurts the Whole Community". Department on Aging, Human Rights and Relations, Health, Social Services, and Cooperative Extension are among participating County departments. Forum 2007 will take place on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at the Bible Church of Chapel Hill at the corner of Sage and Erwin Roads from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. As in prior years, the Human Services Advisory Commission requests that the BOCC allow the registration proceeds from Forum 2007 to be dedicated and donated by the HSAC to seed a non profit community initiative that is an outgrowth of the Forum theme, "Domestic Violence Hurts the Whole Community". Forum 2005, "Coming Home: A Bold Proposal for Ending Homelessness in 10 Years", proceeds in the amount of $1000 were shared by the Interfaith Council and Orange Congregations in Missions in service to homeless populations. Forum 2006, "Communities Responding to an Aging Society", proceeds in the amount of $1,500 were donated to Senior Care of Orange County, Inc. to provide adult day health for low-income seniors. This year, the HSAC membership chose not to name a recipient Orange County non-profit in advance, opting instead to involve and inspire a broader coalition of local non profits who can collaborate and create a unique proposal in response. HSAC will develop objective and verifiable criteria for evaluating proposals and monitoring results. General registration for Forum 2007 is $25.00; seniors (age 60+) and students, $15.00. Scholarships are also available upon request to individuals who certify a financial hardship. Typically, 100-125 persons attend the annual forum, whose registration fees could create up to $3,000 for reinvestment in preventing or treating domestic violence. The HSAC is aware that the BOCC reserves the right to approve or deny the request for registration dedication and donation and respectfully requests consideration. In response to questions raised about the necessity for any registration fee, the growing practice of donations, and the lack of specificity about the non-profit on this occasion, the County Manager and staff will work more closely with the HSAC membership in the coming year to assess overall impact of this approach. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The BOCC provides an annual appropriation for the Forum in the amount of $6300 as part of County Non-Departmentals. These funds cover the production and operating costs for the event - space and audio/visual rentals, postage, supplies, participant materials, meals, snacks, beverages, graduate student and speaker honoraria. Prior to Forum 2005 registration proceeds returned to the general fund balance. 2 Approval of this request will authorize County payment of Forum 2007 proceeds to a community non profit to help seed a project that grows out of the participant discussion on "Domestic Violence Hurts the Whole Community". The BOCC will be informed of the actual proceeds and payment made. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the Human Services Advisory Commission request and authorize dedication and donation of Forum 2007 proceeds to a community initiative in response to "Domestic Violence Hurts the Whole Community". The Manager also requests any direction from the Board regarding future parameters that need to be considered for the Forum, specifically in regard to the registration fee and allocating unspent registration fees to a future initiative.