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Washington Association of Professional Guardians
President’s Report
May 7, 2009

 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAST YEAR:  

·        Several general meetings with 15 to 25 members in attendance

·        Secured tax exempt status from Internal Revenue Service

·        Affiliation with National Guardian Association

·        Charitable Solicitations approval in the State of Washington

·        Public Relations program with eletters to Legislators and a published editorial

·        A WAPG letterhead

·        Very successful Fall Training

·        A contract for creation and coordination of two training seminars in 2009

·        Continued respect from the CPG Board and input on issues

·        A visionary budget that planned for an Executive Director

·        A buffet breakfast for UW CPG candidates

·        A short seminar on Medicaid and Medicaid for new CPG WAPG members

·        A herculean effort by our Nominating Committee to secure new officers

 MEMBERSHIP:

Glenda Voller, Secretary, reports that as of March 31, 2009 there are 33 CPGs who have renewed their membership in 2009 and 7 new CPGs and 3 affiliates.  

FINANCIAL REPORT:  

We are in good shape.  Bill Jaback, Treasurer, provided detail of our finances that I have summarized as follows:

 

 

To 12-31-08

1-1-09 to 3-31-09

 

 

 

Opening balance

$5,033.58

$6,286.96

 

 

 

Income:

 

 

  Membership Fees

$6,345.00

$6,475.00

  Donations

 

300.00

  2008 Spring Training

6,080.00

 

  2008 Fall Training

8,935.00

115.00

Total Income 

$21,360.00

$6,890.00

 

 

 

Expense:

 

 

  Corporate Fees

$     360.00

$   104.14

  Bank Fees

116.76

10.50

  2008 Spring Training

4,815.19

 

  2008 Fall Training

8,814.67

 

  2009 Spring Training

 

372.30

  PR Contract

6,000.00

2,000.00

Total Expense

$20,106.62

$2,486.94

 

 

 

Net Gain

$1,253.38

$4,403.06

 

 

 

Balance

$6,286.96

$10,690.02

 CONCLUSION:

 My congratulations go out to our new Presidents and Secretary and my best wishes as they move WAPG forward.  Just a reminder to all our members, the officers can’t do this work by themselves.   

Personally I will be involved in trying to start a Certified Guardian Accreditation Commission to identify and recognize CPGs who do all the tasks of a Guardian correctly.  In my tenure as WAPG President I have noticed that identifying the good Guardians and thanking them isn’t occurring.  It is not in the responsibility of the CPG Board to do this (and they have said so) and WAPG has too many other tasks that it needs to focus on.  A separate entity with a single focus is needed to do this.

 KENNETH CURRY

WAPG PRESIDENT


President’s Report – January 12, 2008 – Kenneth Curry

Communications Consultant Lauri Hennessey – we are half way in to our four month contract and have seen the following moving ahead:

WAPG Logo for letterheads, emails, etc.  At the top of this report you will see our new logo and an adopted slogan “Taking Care of What Matters Most.”  We are grateful to Lauri and her staff for designing and developing this and other iterations which the PR Committee and Board reviewed and approved.

WAPG eletters. We have circulated two eletters so far.  The first one on an overview of CPG education and experience went out on December 5, 2008. The second one on our Fall training session went out on December 29, 2008. I have drafted two more, one on the eight tasks the WAC assigns and pays Guardians to perform and one on how much CPGs probably save the State each year. These were and will be sent to WAPG members, Legislators, the CPG Board, etc. Members have been asked to circulate to their network.  I have sent each one to the King County Financial Workers in Home and Community Services; attorneys, GALs, realtors, nursing homes, adult family homes, and financial consultants I work with. I hope many of you have done the same.

WAPG OpEd. Lauri took a few ideas and articles about elderly abuse that could have been avoided if the individuals had CPGs. She is pitching that oped this week to a variety of newspapers.

WAPG key messages. Lauri interviewed the WAPG Board and PR Committee to evolve our Key Messages for future use in responding to issues related to CPGs and developing more op end pieces. She is planning to interview more CPGs and get more ideas.

2009 Budget Adoption.  The WAPG Board adopted a visionary budget on December 4, 2008 that calls for continuing our Public Relations Consultant and securing an Executive Director. It visions finding financial sponsors for WAPG.

Income:

           WAPG member dues: 150 at $200 per year             $30,000

           Training Income: 150 at $150                                                22,500

           Sponsors, Donations and Grants                                72,500

Expenses:

           Executive Director                                                    $80,000

Training Expenses                                                      18,000

            Communications Consultant                                     24,000

           Chapter Transport                                                        2,000

           Committee Support                                                      1,000

Sponsorships to fund Budget and secure Executive Director:

What: three levels -- $1,000 (list on web site with member testimonial); $5,000 (list on web site and display at training sessions); $10,000 (previous two plus present at a training session). Need to determine what would be donation and what purchase.

Who: attorneys, adult family homes, financial investors, assisted living, realtors, etc.

How: members who secure $5,000 in sponsorships (5 - $1,000 or one $5,000) get free annual membership and training.

　

Presentation to UW Guardian class:  On January 10, 2008, Officers Ken Curry, Mimi Hudson and Glenda Voller along with members Sylvia Curry, Lynda Ryan and Loralee McDonell-Williams addressed the first class on WAPG benefits and projects. Victoria Barr gave us the idea and provided the initial contacts and planning but was unable to attend due to a family emergency.

IRS Tax Exemption:  As your President, I filed a request on May 24, 2008 for tax exemption for WAPG so we could accept tax deductible donations.  On November 18, 2008 our application was finally assigned to an IRS worker and she requested additional information on December 11, 2008 which I provided on December 15, 2008.  On December 29, 2008 I received a letter requesting more information which I provided on January 5, 2009 along with our 2009 budget. We are still waiting to see if I have answered them the way they want.

National Guardian Association affiliation.  We have been accepted as an Affiliate State members as soon as our IRS Tax Exemption is approved. This will add several member benefits (when you are a member of WAPG and NGA) including a 10% discount on E & O Insurance when the NGA sponsored plan is used.

Nominating Committee.  According to our bylaws (Article III), the President is to appoint a Nominating Committee thirty days prior to the general meeting in May. Kenneth Curry’s term as President and Glenda Voller’s term as Secretary expire May 31, 2009.  As President I have appointed the following people to a Nominating Committee to have a report back to the President by April 20, 2009: Chris Neil, Chair; Scott Malavotte; Lynda Ryan; Victoria Barr.

2009 Training. The WAPG Board is negotiating to contract with Leesa Camerota to provide a Spring and Fall Training.

Executive Director Search.  The Position Description and request for interested people to send resumes was sent to WAPG members on December 20, 2008. No resumes have been received as of this date.

Committees I would like to see:

　

Legislative. A few months ago the Legislative Committee disbanded because there was no interest in planning for the Legislative session. The direction those attending that general meeting wanted to go was to wait for a crisis and then organize.

Member Health Insurance. A few months ago there was a strong desire to offer health insurance to our members as a benefit.  We learned that Group Health only wanted to deal with employers and not organizations but we don’t know what else is out there at this time.

 

 Strategic Plan for Washington Association of Professional Guardians
December 4, 2008

The Basis of the Plan

Our purposes are stated in Article IV of our Articles of Incorporation:


1. To educate on issues relevant to guardianship as a profession;
2. To establish, promote and facilitate standards and ethics for guardians;
3. To advocate for the interests of guardianship as a profession;
4. To enhance the quality of guardian services provided professionally in Washington State.

The Plan through Officers/Board and Committees

The bylaws identify the officers and in Article VI state that "the Board shall appoint a Committee when three members express an interest in creating or serving on a Committee". The purpose of this Article was to make sure that not just one member could or would do all the work and that WAPG would not identify a lot of things it should be doing without anyone doing them.

Elected Officers/Board: Ken Curry, Mimi Hudson, Glenda Voller, Bill Jaback

Purpose: to maintain WAPG as a viable organization and lead members in identified purposes.

Plan:

1. President secure and maintain incorporation and not for profit status in the State of Washington.

        1-24-07 receive Certificate of Incorporation as Non-Profit Corporation

2. Apply for and retain 501c3 status with the IRS through the President.

        5-30-08 apply; 9-22-08 as of 10-6-08 IRS working on 5-08

3. Apply for and retain affiliation with the National Guardianship Association.

       Apply 4-17-08; need 501c3 before will accept

4. Maintain roster of members by Secretary

5. Develop, adopt and distribute Strategic Plan and Budget

        12-4-08 -- adopted

6. Encourage members to participate in Committees

7. Research staffing for WAPG, approve visionary budget, create job description

         12-4-08 - adopted - begin looking, hire when sponsor funds secured

Public Relations - Victoria Barr, Ken Curry, Sylvia Curry, Michael Johnson, Laura Sealey

Purpose: to enable WAPG members to share their story and services and respond to negative and positive press relations.

Plan:


1. Officers approve use of $8,000 of WAPG surplus to pay for PR services from 10-08 to 2-09.

          10-15 approve PR contract - begin PR program development

2. WAPG Board approve visionary budget for PR of $24,000 per year.

          Adopted 12-4-08

3. PR Committee prepare letters and email list:

          12-3 - first letter sent out

2009 Training Committee:

Purpose: to plan and hold two 6 hour training session in 2009

Plan:

1. Secure Committee or review contract with Leesa Camerota or other person to plan both trainings

2. Secure date, site and presenters.

3. Develop fees to cover expenses (including staff) and provide WAPG with $1,200 surplus.

4. Carry out training sessions

 

 

  Washington Association of Professional Guardians  

President’s Report

May 9, 2008  

From November 5, 2007 to May 9, 2008 we have had a busy time.  We adopted Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation and were incorporated in the State of Washington as a not for profit corporation on November 24, 2007.  

We have gained respect from the Certification Professional Guardian Board accepting monthly reports and eager for input from CPGs. The University of Washington Extension Program wants our help to evolve the new certification training program.  The Institute for Public Policy wants our help in establishing its evaluation of the Office for Public Guardianship.  And, the National Guardian Association wants us as affiliate members again.

 MEMBERSHIP:

 Glenda Voller reports that there are 83 CPGs who have joined WAPG in less than six months.  There seem to be 258 CPGs in the state last December so we have 32% of the CPGs in the State who are members of WAPG.  

One of the key things for a state association is to find a way to be a state association.  I found it interesting to identify where the 251 CPGs were which I did from the OAC list in November 2007.  The following is that breakdown:  

bullet Puget Sound Area: 133 of 251 or 53%
bulletKing 85, Pierce 36, Thurston 12
bulletNorthwest: 28 of 251 or 11%
bullet Skagit 8, Snohomish 11, Whatcom 9
bulletOlympic Peninsula : 37 of 251 or 15%
bulletKitsap 23, Clallam 5, Grays Harbor 4, Island 2, Jefferson 1, Mason 2
bullet Inland Empire : 37 of 251 or 15%
bullet Spokane 28, Asotin 2, Chelan 2, Benton 2, Okanogan 1, Yakima 1
bullet Southwest Washington : 16 of 251 or 6%
bulletClark 9, Cowlitz 6, Pacific 1

 Not surprisingly, our membership follows a similar pattern:  

bullet Puget Sound Area: King 37, Pierce 21, Thurston 8 – 66 of 83 or 80%
bulletNorthwest: Skagit 3, Snohomish 3 – 6 of 83 or 7%
bulletOlympic Peninsula: Kitsap 3, Grays Harbor 1 -- 4 of 83 or 5%
bulletInland Empire: Spokane 4, Asotin 1, Chelan 1 – 6 of 83 or 7%
bulletSouthwest Washington: Clark 1 – 1 of 83 or 1%

 The big question: How does a State Organization involve members in chapters or meetings across the State when there are not members across the state?

 Another interesting statistic on our membership.  There are 163 individual CPGs and 95 CPGs in Agencies in the state.  WAPG members include 34 individual CPGs and 48 CPGs in Agencies. 

 FINANCIAL REPORT:

 We are in good shape.  Bill Jaback, our Treasurer, has asked Dian on his staff to maintain our records.  The following is their report as of March 31, 2008:

             Inflow:                                      $9,008.58

            Outflow:                                          94.88

            Balance 3-31-08                      $8,913.70

 COMMITTEES:  Our bylaws call for a Committee or task force to be formed when three members indicate an interest and willingness to do something.  This has been confusing to some who want to see regular Committees but don’t want to be on them.  It has been frustrating to others as they are afraid to suggest anything as they will be asked to help in the group.  I believe we have accomplished a lot with this procedure and we have a lot of ideas that would be nice to get going but can’t without people.

 Steering Committee: our first Committee.  Chris Neil, Christopher Fast, Laura Sealey, and Miryam Gordon brought the recommendation on the amount of our application fee.

 Spring Seminar: Leesa Camerota, Christopher Fast, Bill Jaback co chaired the group and planned the Seminar for May 9th.  They have visions for future programs and Leesa has already committed to do a Fall Seminar.  She also believes there should be a permanent committee so the whole education program for CPGs can be planned out and a WAPG education philosophy developed.

 GR 23: Chris Neil, Laura Sealey, Resa Raven, Jamie VanArsdall were a group very committed to getting comments to the Supreme Court on General Rule 23 which governs the Certification Board.  In depth research and analysis and a detailed report provided members with information to send to the Supreme Court.  It also enabled us to meet with representatives of the CPG Board and have some changes recommended to the CPG Board.

 Insurance:  Resa Raven led an effort to understand the CPG Board’s requirement for Insurance and see who was having trouble meeting the requirement.  The main thing that came out was members had sticker shock from the cost of insurance and the majority of those who faced decertification for not getting insurance were getting out of the business anyway.  There is still work to do to make sure the CPG Board and the WAPG members are on the same page with the waivers and exceptions.  With an affiliation with the NGA our members will be able to get a 5% discount on the NGA E & O Insurance.

 CPG Board: Tom O’Brien and Ken Curry have attended the CPG Board meetings and provided reports that have been posted on the WAPG web site.  Several others have attended the CPG Board meetings.  WAPG members on the Board include CPGs John Jardine, Lori Peterson, and Gary Beagle.  WAPG members Michael Longyear and Robin Balsam are attorney/CPGs on the Board as well.  Chris Neil and Ken Curry have been appointed to the CPG Board this month by the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court.  Ken Curry has been advised that there may be a conflict of interest to serve as an officer of WAPG and a CPG Board member.

 WAPG Web site and WAPG list serve.  Tom O’Brien agreed to continue these two services established in the previous WAPG.  The Web site has a variety of reports and tabs to get to significant web sites.  The WAPG list serve is currently for any CPG that asks to be on it to exchange information and ask questions.

 Nominating Committee: Chris Neil, Lynne Fulp, Lori Petersen, and Scott Malavotte were a dedicated group that met by phone and determined that the interim Officers should be asked to continue if they were interested.

 Legislative Watch: Sylvia Curry did quick web research and found legislation that could impact Guardians and circulated it.  None were passed but the message was clear that CPGs need to get to know their local legislators so we can quickly impact legislation if we need to.

 Data Collection: Ken Curry, Sylvia Curry, Carole Gaherin, and Sharon Johnson provided source data on their clients for the Institute for Public Policy.  The Institute for Public Policy was directed by the Legislature to create an Evaluation Plan for the Office of Public Guardianship.  The Senior Researcher contacted WAPG and our data collection group provided some facts about their clients (in summary fashion) to help the Institute correct its first draft.  There is a possibility that this WAPG group could contract with the IPP to provide a comparison group for the financial evaluation of the OPG.  It would be great to have more members participating in this effort.

 UW Extension:  While not an official group of WAPG, we must be proud of the CPGs who were asked to be on this group to help evolve the new training program for certification.  Gary Beagle, Mimi Hudson , John Jardine, Lexie Lamborn, Amy Miller and Tom O’Brien were asked to help with the effort.  The Director of the program asked to speak at a WAPG meeting and asked WAPG members to comment on the training program as it evolves through web site input.  It is also known that CPGs will be asked to be instructors in the new program.

 POTENTIAL COMMITTEES: Groups that have been suggested but do not have member support yet:

 WAC 388.79:  There is a great need to increase the $175 per month that has been in place for nearly ten years.  With the Legislature allowing the new OPG to pay $400 per month to Public Guardians it seems that the opportunity is ripe to have the RCW reflect the amount instead of the WAC and that a Cost of Living be allowed each year.  Eliminating the MNIL on fees and conform the notice to court rules should also be goals of this group.

 Membership:  A lot of talk and interest but no coordinated effort.  Several members have recruited new members and want to do more.  We gathered several more with our Seminar.

 Speakers Bureau: Identify individuals who will speak at events such as Rotary, Chambers, etc. about Guardianship.

 Pandemic Preparedness:  What part will or can Guardians play when a disaster such as the pandemic flu hits and not only our clients are affected but the staff in the facilities which they live are impacted. You may have noticed that an influential group of physicians in Chicago drafted a grimly specific list of recommendations of who won’t get services:

bulletPeople older than 85
bulletPeople with severe trauma
bulletSeverely burned people older than 60
bulletPeople with sever mental impairment including advanced Alzheimers
bulletPeople with severe chronic disease (heart failure, lung disease, poorly controlled diabetes)

Member Dr. Ken Fernandes is serving on a Pierce County Agency responsible for this disaster preparedness.

 NATIONAL INVOLVEMENT BY MEMBERS OF WAPG:

 Center for Guardianship Certification:  Gary Beagle has just completed a term as President of the CGC and Lexie Lamborn is the new President of CGC.

 PRESIDENTS TOP PROJECTS:  

bulletFind a way to contract with a Public Relations Firm to improve the image of CPGs in the State as well as counter negative press with positive articles on CPGs.
bulletIdentify someone willing to serve as President in the next year or after my one year term expires.
bulletFind a way to have regional chapters with Vice Presidents (if we gather sufficient members) who will gather members together and then bring those opinions to a Board meeting.
bulletFind a way to get WAPG members to share data on their clients so we can provide accurate information to the CPG Board, Legislators, and the Public.