Minutes from PDAC Meeting
7-8 pm at the Pittsfield Town Hall
November 23rd, 2009

In attendance: Denise Morin, Jim Maestrani, Sarah Sadowski

Meeting called to order at 7pm.

I. Report on Retail Forum
The group briefly discussed why the retail forum had such a poor turnout despite invitations, face-to-face invites and follow-up RSVP conversations. Possible factors include the time of the meeting and a perception that the meeting would focus on enforcement rather than collaboration- a conclusion supported by a review of the language of the invitation which highlighted Lieutenant James Wilson from the Liquor Commission as a guest speaker. Denise offered to review future invitations to see how they may “read”. Although the forum was not a success, Sarah shared some of the qualitative data she gathered during the six informal one-to-one interviews she conducted while following up on forum attendance. Each of the retailers interviewed offered a variation of the same theme: that their businesses were not the problem and they were concerned about parents buying for their children. The group then discussed how receptive retailers may be to sticker-shock campaign with the conclusion that although retailers may be reluctant to engage in anything that would damage their bottom line it wouldn’t hurt to ask. Sarah will bring examples of stickers used by other groups to the next meeting.

II. Upcoming Focus Group
Sarah explained the CRCPC social marketing focus group initiative. The group briefly discussed using local businesses for the participation incentives and possible recruitment methods.

III. Safe Homes
A collection strategy for the Safe Home pledges was discussed. Members are being encouraged to contact Sarah if they are participating in any community activities this holiday season that would be good spots to collect pledges. School concerts, sporting events and the Breakfast with Santa event were all identified as collection points that could reach a wide audience. Denise suggested a few names for local residents who have youth in the target range (4th grade and up) who are well known and may be willing to be spokespeople for events.

IV. Sector Representation
Despite the lack of response at the retailer forum, it is important that PDAC continue our strategy of recruiting members by sector to ensure adequate community representation and to lay the groundwork for sustainable efforts/fundraising. Retailers are not identified by CADCA as a sector that needs to be represented in order to apply for a Drug-Free Communities grant; however the group agreed it is important to continue trying to build those relationships. The group decided that a one-to-one approach with retailers may be best. The next sector PDAC will be conducting an outreach forum for is the civic sector on December 14th.

V. Housekeeping
Sarah will be presenting at an upcoming Parents’ Group meeting on November 30th. The next PDAC meeting will be held December 14th (Civic Forum). It was also decided that there will be no December 28th meeting. In January PDAC meetings will resume meeting at the Pittsfield Youth Workshop.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Sadowski
Coalition Coordinator