Topic

Key Points Raised

Decision/ Action

Notes from the chair

(Cheri Rolnick)

April Meeting Minutes

Meeting minutes were reviewed.

Survivorship Conference Recognition

Brian Rank and Cheri Rolnick provided a review of the conference.  The presentations and participation from attendees were great. 

Proposed Bylaw Amendment to Chapter IX

Cheri Rolnick and Jennifer Lundblad reviewed the bylaw change to Chapter IX.  Discussion included possibly changing “Steering Committee Member” to “Steering Committee Officer.” It was also suggested to remove the last line in article 6: “After a one (1) year absence from the Steering Committee, a person may again seek election to the Steering Committee.”

Meeting summary was approved as written

Cheri Rolnick will revise the bylaws to reflect the discussion and will send the bylaws by email to the SC members for approval. 

Endorsed Projects

(Jennifer Lundblad)

Jennifer Lundblad explained 3 “levels” of projects.  The first level is “chartered projects” which are projects chartered by the SC.  The second level is “endorsed projects.”   The third level is “associated projects” which would be listed in the Cancer Connections Catalog.  These allow the Alliance to track projects and organizations can submit projects by completing a form online.  

The majority of the discussion focused on endorsed projects.  These projects will be listed on the website under “endorsed projects.”  Endorsed projects are projects that would include two Alliance members working together to address CPM objectives.  Discussion included the criteria of endorsement (ex: evidence-based, on-going updates) and un-endorsement process.  Other discussion included requiring only 1 or more than 3 members/non-members to apply for endorsement.

It was motioned and seconded to use this process to endorse projects and revisit the process if necessary.

It was decided that endorsement criteria would be added to the application to ensure that it reflects the principals of the Alliance.  It was also decided that a statement stating that endorsement is at the Alliance’s discretion and can be revoked at any time would be added to the application.

It was decided to still require 2 members working together to apply for endorsement.  Including non-members or more/less members will be discussed at a later time.   

The motion passed with 3 nays.

Update on charted projects

(Jennifer Lundblad)

Kathleen Gavin provided an update on the Non-Clinical Support Services Project Update.  There was a conference call in April regarding.  It was decided to review completed assessments rather than conduct own assessment.  A 1/2-1 day meeting is proposed to have organizations/agencies present their assessments and have facilitated discussion regarding the assessments.  The meeting will most likely be in the fall, the group will apply for a grant from the APA in order to support the meeting and a survey will be sent before the meeting.  The grant money is available to attendees of the June 16^th training and is channeled through the APA from the CDC to support disparities work.  Currently there is not a chartered project, but it is possible that one will come from the meeting.

Heather provided an update on the HPV Vaccination Project.  Heather stated she had followed up with suggested contacts from the last meeting.  There is not currently a project.  The MMA Public Policy group is proposing an endorsement to vaccinate all children at the age of 9 years old.  There may be an Alliance policy workgroup project that would come from the outcome of this proposed endorsement.  Possible projects also discussed was working with MNCM to develop measures, moving this to the policy workgroup agenda item and working with MMA (dependent on outcome). 

Kathleen stated that any participation in either planning or attending the meeting is welcomed.  Kathleen will provide updates to the SC about progress.

Members are encouraged to continue thinking about possible projects for this objective.  Warren stated that this issue may be discussed at the next policy workgroup meeting. 

Finance Committee Update

(Al Levitan)

Angie Rolle chaired the last Finance Committee conference call.  Current expenses have not been billed or compiled yet.  It was decided that mini-grants will not be given out at this time.  Travel funds are not available due to the state shutdown.  All of the hard copies of the Cancer Plan have been handed out.  More copies will not be printed at this time, but the plan can be downloaded on the Alliance website. 

A formal thank you note should be MN Oncology for their contribution to the Survivorship Conference.   

Policy Workgroup Update

(Warren Larson)

There have been several meetings of the policy workgroup and there was meeting prior to the Steering Committee meeting.  Members reviewed CDC expectations and intervention criteria.  Agenda interventions cannot already be in place in Minnesota.  They have been looking at the cancer plan for possible interventions (radon, UV, HPV).  There will be 3-5 priorities over 5 years (first year is almost over).  Members include Warren Larson, Jennifer Lundblad, DeAnn Lazovich, Pamela Hayes, Ellie Beaver, and Joshua Deer.  More members are welcomed and there may be additional groups formed after interventions are identified. 

There will be a longer (1/2 day) meeting possibly in August.  Workgroup members are asked to bring suggestions for policies/priorities. 

CRC Workgroup Update

(Matt Flory)

Matt reviewed the history of CRC screening and other agencies working on this issue.  May update the map of CRC activities. 

One current project includes the ICSI collaborative with 13 clinics.  Matt passed out information sheet and schedule.  The collaborative is closed right now (unless a clinic is able to review the first webinar by the end of June).  Materials and webinars will be available online once the sessions are done.  Collaborative is funded through SageScopes an ACS.  Disparities may be addressed in 1:1 discussions with clinics and in a broad view.  The hope is to develop tools and testimonies to be shared after collaborative is completed.

Steering Committee member nominations update

(DeAnn Lazovich)

Nominations opened July 1^st.  Members leaving include Matt Flory, Karen Karls, DeAnn Lazovich, Brian Rank, Cheri Rolnick and PattySwanson.  Current SC members can assist by nominating people, promoting nominations and voting for members in the fall.  Discussion included what type of expertise, organizations should be targeted or what gaps are there in the SC.  Recommendations included: ACS, Masonic Cancer Center, UMN, MC3, HealthPartners, more diversity, individual members, rural/greater MN and survivors. 

Also discussed was the role of emeritus members.  Emeritus members will be invited to meetings and included on the listserv for 2 years after their term ends. 

Please nominate members if you have individuals you think would be good to have on the SC. 

Member Education: Advance Care Planning and POLST

(Michele Fedderly)

Michele Fedderly provided an educational presentation on Advance Care Planning, Health Care Directives and POLST.  Also reviewed work of the MN Network of Hospice and Palliative Care and Honoring Choices.  Good discussion followed the presentation on importance of this issue, resistance to EOL care, and how MNHPC and MDH are working together to develop EOL curriculum (Opening Doors to Multicultural Community).  Also discussed was how EPIC is working to include health care directives. 

Mari Damhoff mentioned that she has encouraged patients in rural areas to file with a local ambulance service.  Parish nurses can also be advocates. 

On August 24^th, TPT will air Honoring Choices listening sessions.  AARP will promote 60,000 robo-calls.

Communications Survey review

(Heather Hirsch)

Reviewed communication survey results.  Questions and comments will be brought back to Barbara:

Response rate was low, it might be interesting to know about non-responders

Can this be evaluated other ways (ex: Can we tell if people open the monthly emails and use links from the emails?)

Can we track website use?  Maybe track the next three months to get a baseline?  Google analytics was just added to MCA website in June.

Comments/questions will be brought back to Barbara.

Announcements

1.     MDH recently applied for a federal integrated chronic disease grant.  This is a broad approach to chronic disease and the grant is a planning grant. 

2.     Barb Kunz would like feedback on new website mygenepool.org.  Feel free to contact her.  She was also featured on MPR Midmorning with Kerri Miller re: cancer genome atlas on June 29^th.