After introductions, Renée Speh opened the agenda:

• Hiring of second School Health Coordinator. Now that Robin Mayo is serving SAD 46 and a new Community Partnership Director is in place, it is time to hire the second SHC to serve the Piscataquis County school districts. However, the Fund for a Healthy Maine will be targeted for additional budget cuts in the upcoming legislative session, and expected reductions in our grant may affect our ability to fully fund the second SHC. We won't know for certain on funding cuts until early spring, but if we wait that long we may lose our momentum.
  Action: Members voted unanimously to go ahead with the SHC hiring process now, rather than waiting for a resolution of the legislative funding question. During the hiring process, we will be up-front with candidates and tell them that the future of the position is subject to continued grant funding. Renée Speh will contact area superintendents, and prepare a help wanted ad for the Nov. 17 weekend newspaper. Council members will also spread the news of the SHC opening by word of mouth.
• Legislative advocacy. Members discussed the need to communicate with our legislative delegation in order to minimize any potential budget cuts. Approaches discussed included holding a local legislative breakfast reception, a letter-writing campaign, and attending the Jan. 8 Healthy Maine Day celebration at the State House.
  Action: Tom Lizotte will sound out selected legislators to gauge their receptivity to various advocacy approaches. (Result: Logistics of getting all of delegation together locally for a reception are difficult. Recommend we write letters in next few weeks, and also arrange meeting in Augusta with delegation members on Jan. 8 prior to start of Healthy Maine event.)
• Report from School Health Coordinator: Robin Mayo has recruited 17 students from local schools to attend the "My Turn" Maine Youth Tobacco-Resistance Network Training at Camp Kieve on Nov. 17, and the number may grow to more than 20. Robin also shared the tobacco-free school policy she has developed for SAD 46 and discussed the goals for the coordinated school health program. A local advisory committee will ultimately be formed in all school districts to help implement the eight components of the school health program.
• Public media campaigns. Renée Speh and Robin Mayo discussed the variety of projects, and their timelines, being developed through the Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine. Renée distributed a handout detailing these programs.
• Community/needs assessments. Renée expects to receive our area's community health profile by Thanksgiving, which will be used with other data to help conduct our community assessments.

Minutes submitted by Tom Lizotte