MEETING TIMES

When:  The Boise Group meets the 1st Monday of every month, unless that day is a holiday (Labor Day, for instance; meetings will then be the following Monday.

Where: Boise 1st Community Center *

(First Church of the Nazarene)

3852 N. Eagle Road, Boise, ID

2nd Floor, Fireside Room

Time:. 6:30 - 8:30pm

* The community center is located on the east side of Eagle Rd between Ustick & McMillan, just north of Lowes.

Free Childcare is available during the meeting.

What to expect at your first GAP Meeting

• When you enter the Boise First building, please sign in at the table that is in the lobby. Put your name on the "GAP" sign-in page. Children don't have to be signed in here. This sign-in sheet is a Boise First requirement for using their meeting space.
• If you have children for the childcare, the room will be at the top of the stairs as you walk down the south hallway. You can ask at the sign-in table in the lobby which room we're using. SIGN-IN your child at the childcare room. Sometimes the kids go to a separate play area, too. If so, you'll also be asked to sign a consent form. We usually provide a snack (sometimes a drink. If you have any concerns about allergies, etc, please let us know.
• Older children will be directed to a different room after they are signed in.
• If your child has a problem, the childcare attendant will come get you. You are free to check on your children at anytime.
• The adult portion of the GAP meeting is in the Fireside Room - very southeast corner of the building. We will begin with reports from the Chair, the Treasurer and the Secretary.
• A basket will be passed around so members can make cash donations. We ask that you not make a donation on your first visit. However, if you want to purchase raffle tickets for the "white elephant", you just might find yourself a winner!
• A member attendance sheet will be passed around by the secretary. New members are asked to add their contact information on the back. If you list an e-mail address, you'll get e-mail meeting reminders. If you want someone to call to remind you of meetings, please indicate by your name.
• At some meetings we have an invited speaker. This portion of the meeting might be videotaped. If so, members are NOT taped and all identifying voice or video is edited-out before being posted on this website. Feel free to speak and ask questions during the meeting.
• If there is no speaker or after new business is handled, we will go around the room so each member can give a personal update. As a new member or visitor you'll be asked to be one of the first to share. New members often come with lots of questions and will get plenty of advice in response. Take whatever advice makes sense and leave the rest. We're not professionals.
• You are welcome back! If you have questions between meetings, contact any member you have already met.

GAP - Agenda

Boise First Church Of The Nazarene Community Center

3852 N. Eagle Road

6:30pm to 8:30pm, 2nd Floor, Fireside Room

1. Treasurer's - Marsha Maynes

2.Secretary - Eileen Orcutt

3. Co-Chairman -  Bob Orcutt

4. Chairman - Georgia Mackley

NEW BUSINESS:

2011 Legislation

Last session we had two bills put on hold because of time constraints they will be heard in the 2011 session. The legislative session will begin on January 10, 2011;

Grandparent Visitation: S1414 - Sponsor, Senator Mortimer - Repeals and adds to existing law relating to grandparent visitation to provide for petitions for visitation by grandparents and great-grandparents, to provide a rebuttable presumption, to provide a standard of proof, and to provide for consideration of the best interests of the child.

Caregiver Authorization Affidavit - Sponsor, Senator Darrington- The purpose of this legislation is to establish the Caregivers Consent Act, a new legal mechanism to assist relative caregivers access to educational  and medical services for children in their residential care.  The Caregivers Consent Act will allow a relative caregiver who is not a parent, legal custodian or guardian of a minor to enroll a child in school, consent to co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and consent to health care through an affidavit.

 (This bill has not been heard by committee yet.)

It will be important that we all make our voices heard this session if we are to get this legislation passed.

REMINDER: GAP Board elections are coming soon.

GAP is also on facebook. If you would like to have pictures of your family or other GAP pictures you may have, added to either the website or facebook, email Catherine at: chepner3@netscape.net.

Legislative Session starts January 10, 2011. GAP has 2 bills already printed which will be presented for consideration. One is on Grandparent Visitation and the other is an Educational Consent Affidavit which allows grandparents without formal custody to enroll the children in school.

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GAP Meetings are for any and all kinship caregivers no matter what your custody status:

• no custody yet
• trying to get custody
• informal custody
• de facto custody
  
• family court custody
• relative foster care
• guardianship
• family adoption
• seeking grandparent visitation
• or lost custody.

We will often talk about grandparents but all relative caregivers are welcome. Relative caregivers include grandparents, step-grand- parents, aunts and uncles, adult brothers and sisters, great grandparents, and same-gender families.

GAP is non-religious but we ARE political. We are interested in what is best for the children.

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Monthly Raffle Drawing Fundraiser

Everyone is encouraged to participate - either donate a "white elephant" item or buy tickets to become a lucky winner!

• Cost:  $1.00 a ticket or 6 for $5.00