Coalition Charter
Description
The Gravenstein Health Action Coalition collaborates and partners with local organizations, agencies and individuals in order to work together to support policy, system, and environmental change to improve the health outcomes of all residents of West Sonoma County using the self-healing community model.
The Self-Healing Communities Model reflects the path forward to meet our Mission and Vision. This model was developed in Washington State and introduced into 42 Communities from 1994-2012. It resulted in a dramatic reduction in the rates of the social problems which can create decreased health and well- being in the community. The model uses community capacity to create a culture of health and well- being. Leaders from different sectors work together and invite new community members into leadership teams. The community comes together to identify the major problems which have a negative impact on the overall health of the community and determine the root cause of the problem allowing those who are most impacted to be part of identifying what is important and what is needed most. This creates a dynamic cycle of learning, action, and reflection. Learning from the reflection starts the cycle again.
Mission
Mobilize and collaborate with community partners and resources to improve equity, health, safety, and well-being for all in West Sonoma County.
Vision
West County is a healthy and safe place for all residents to live, work, play and belong.
Guiding Principles
1. Place equity at the center of all we do by identifying inequities and reducing barriers to improving health, safety, and well-being.
2. Support and collaborate with West County stakeholders to increase each one’s influence on improving health, safety, and well-being for all in West County.
3. Provide opportunities and support for building community capacity to generate improved health, safety, and well-being in West County.
4. Increase the impact of our efforts through alignment and collaboration with allied networks of public and private organizations in West County.
Board Membership – 5-15 members
Positions:
Mary Lou Schmidt, President
Vice President, vacant
Ellen Barnett, Secretary
Kathy Meechan, Treasurer
Sandra De Bella Bodley, Past President
David Rose, Superintendent of Gravenstein School District
Bill Bullard, Graton Fire Chief, Ex Officio Executive committee representative
Skip Jirrels, Safety outreach coordinator for Sebastopol
Randy Coffman, Real Estate Manager
Michael Reynolds, West County Community Services
Advisory Council:
Ellen Bauer - CEO, Chief Executive Officer, West County Health Clinics
Katie Davis, Sebastopol Senior Center
Stephen Zollman, Sonoma County Nurse Family Partnership Program Board
Helen Baum, private citizen
Patrick Woodworth, private citizen
Caitlin Beale, Dietician
Nichole Warwick, Daily Acts
Elizabeth Beaty-Smith, Whole Child Program
Michael Tinoco, Sonoma County Department of Health Services
Government Liaisons
Sarah Gurney, Sebastopol City Council
Board Meetings
Occur once a month on the third Monday from 4-5:30 PM, unless otherwise necessary for an urgent reason.
The Executive Board – President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, past President and Ex Officio Board representative, meets the Wednesday before the Board meeting every month.
Advisory COUNCIL
Participation is sought across all sectors of the community and County to look for common solutions in our approach to equity for all and well-being for the community.
Meetings are once a quarter and can be related to any particular project or issue the council would like to explore and/or contribute time, expertise, or in-kind services to this subject.
Advisory council is chaired by the past president.
PROJECTS CommittEE
Committee shares updates and progress on current project sthat are driven by yearly goals
The committee is chaired by the GHAC secretary and meets once per quarter
MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS
Neighborhood emergency preparedness groups
Monthly leadership meeting