July 23, 2023 UCP Board Meeting Updates

The UCP board met via Zoom with Pam Conley, Kim Elton, Jack Greenman, Liz McLellan, and Steve White attending. Sarah Greenman was excused.

Teen Entrepreneur Program Gets Major Funding

Big news for local teenagers. The Ford Family Foundation awarded UCP a grant for the Mentor Match Teen Entrepreneur program. Nine kids signed up for the program running July 19 through August 27.

The program teaches teenagers how to start their own businesses. It gives young people real skills while helping them earn money in the community.

Village Fund Continues Helping Neighbors

The Village Fund helped ten families in 2022 with utilities, phone bills, food, auto repairs, rent, house payments, and insurance. Another ten people applied for help in 2023.

Since starting in April 2020, the fund has received 43 applications total. The committee voted to continue the project for another year.

Firewise Community Cleanup Draws Big Crowd

Sixty people brought items to the June 10 Community Cleanup Day. Pam and Debi taught a Firewise class at Tree Day on June 30 in Baker City. They showed folks how to establish a Firewise community.

The fuels reduction crews worked for two weeks but went home early. UCP will try again in the fall with a different approach.

QuickBooks Training Gets Board Approval

The board approved spending for QuickBooks training. Kim Elton made the motion to provide training funds for Pam and Jack. Liz McLellan seconded the motion. The vote passed unanimously.

The new accounting software helps UCP meet grant requirements. Training costs around two hundred dollars but improves financial reporting.

PV2050 Projects Move Forward

The PV2050 steering committee approved several projects. The Emergency Operations Plan went to the Pine Valley Rural Fire District. The Halfway Main Street project continues developing. The Pine Valley Museum got help with archiving.

Solar Day provided speakers and information about home and community solar options. The community meeting on August 23 will invite people to get involved in more projects.

Grant Writing Help Secured

The Nonprofit Association of Oregon gave UCP a grant to hire a grant writer. The writer will help pursue government grants for the PV2050 Main Street project.

Professional grant writing improves the chances of winning funding for community improvements.

Board Plans Annual Meeting

The board needs to pick a date in August for the Annual General Meeting. Pam, Jack, Liz, and Sarah face reelection this year. One board position remains vacant.

Liz McLellan made a motion to approve the proposed budget. Steve White seconded the motion. The budget passed unanimously.

Insurance and Liability Addressed

Pam checked into liability insurance for the Firewise grant. The state waived the requirement for UCP but required the contractor to carry insurance. Insurance quotes ranged from thirty-five hundred to fifty-two hundred dollars per year.

Village Fund Gets Additional Support

Pam proposed using project money to help an applicant with a Verizon bill. Liz McLellan made a motion to give the money to The Village Fund committee to handle the donation. Jack Greenman seconded the motion. The vote passed unanimously.

This approach lets the Village Fund committee decide how to best help community members while maintaining their established process.

United Community Partners connects community members with resources, funding, and support for local projects that improve life in rural Baker County.