May 7th 2009

Dale congratulated everyone on their work to keep the hospital open
And have everyone check out the Island Clippings to find the LHIN website to fill out the Engage 2009. We need to particate.

She gave an update from the Steering Committee
Steering committee met for over 4 hours last time, regarding how to keep people engaged and motivated, and strategies/next steps. They are planning a combined meeting with all the groups to share ideas – status quo is not an option according to Ron Gagnon

Funding – still not sure on where we are financially, Dale has not submitted bill for the signs she had done. Ad in Island Clippings placed by Dale and paid for by the township.
Media – the ad in the Sault Star was fantastic
Buttons – over $400 most are already distributed (Kathy ordered 500), we should order more. Kathy is to phone for a quote on 1000 and email us for approval. She is to get an email quote as well.
Upcoming Events:
Health Care Luncheon at the Legion May 14 10am to 2 pm – Sue Barlow will work a table there and have buttons, display board and petitions
Signs – Dale removed all the signs on Bridge Road – they were illegal, she will work on re-erect them asap (probably this weekend)

Petition – will probably be audited for multiple signatures of the same people
The pages all need to be numbered and then the names entered into an excel spreadsheet to find out if there are multiples – we need volunteers to alphabetize and enter
Brian suggested contacting the Katimavik students to do this – they have offered to help us. Marilyn Bowyer to contact Joanne regarding getting the students to do the audit.
Page # First Name Last Name Address

Brain Storming:

Float – community parades ‘Rural Health on Life Support’. Richards, Hilton, Desbarats, Bruce Mines, Echo Bay. Also have info tables at Jocelyn Harvest Fest, Laird Fair and Bruce Mines Fair (we have a free table offer from the Bruce Mines Fair committee) Approach Katimavik, Hospital Aux. for help

Brainstorming session: Close the hwy, Cattle in hwy, wrecks on hwy – demonstrations – keep attention including media positive way – Dan Cedolia staging an event for the media close a highway – sponsorship opportunity/corporate sponsers, record in two scenarios, mock disaster, MMH closed to the Sault. Video tapes sent to W5, utube. Proactive and positive. Mock disaster – tanker takes out the bridge. Car wreck, Swine flu, isolate the hospital. Lets practice the plans of the townships… Brian to follow up.

Form Letter – should we have a new form letter available for people to be mailing? Should we provide the phone numbers and email addresses
Can we provide an insert paper for the Sentinel to send out? Donald will check with the Sentinel if they would do this.
A new letter needs to be designed
Placemats – down to legal size – Fox’s will email to township to photocopy as well as to the rest of the group.