Alliance Meeting Minutes:
Minutes
NH Statewide EITC Alliance
September 28, 2006
NH Charitable Foundation Conference Room, Concord, NH
Present: Cary Gladstone, Tobey Partch-Davies, Dennis Shea, Joy Barrett, Patte Ardizzoni, Cathy Haige, Mary Downs, Paula Roberts, Judy Woodward, Gregg Woodes, Joanne Yasika, Jeff Goodrich, Val Long, Suzann Knight, Torey Kortz, Deborah Schachter, and Lynda Brushett – consultant.
1. Report on EITC Research with Employers
Val and Suzann presented results of the survey research conducted with employers. The purpose of the research was to determine whether employers would be willing to inform their employees about EITC/AEITC, refer to free tax preparation sites in their area, and/or if they would be willing to host a free tax preparation site at their place of business. The results were very promising and we will be working more closely with selected employers this next tax year. The research report can be found at our NH EITC Web site at the following link:
http://www.nheitc.org/pages/Professionals/Professionals_research_06.htm
Some of the comments related to work with employers were:
- We should consider submitting a story to the NH Business Review.
- Should consider the language ability of employees…look at the Census Quick Facts for non-English speaking population (additionally talk with employers about their employee needs).
- Employees not aware of what HR Departments can do for their employees. This is a role that the Alliance could play. Capacity-building for the employers. Also, working with the EAP Departments.
- Make sure to promote VITA sites with businesses as a first step.
- The plans are to select a profit and non-profit business to establish tax preparation sites at the place of business.
- Manchester has done a mobile site with Easter Seals. Easter Seals has to do a lot of organization, but it works well.
- E-buses can be used.
- IRS spin is to bring employers into Coalition. Also go to businesses and do taxes online.
- Cary went on the road to go to the Hill School in order to reach residents of Hill.
- Gorham has the capacity to be mobile with laptops and printers (go to Berlin), so could also go to businesses.
- The United Way and the Chambers of Commerce can help in working with businesses.
- Could also partner with banks.
- May be helpful to do some focus groups.
Demographic/Research Information
Val will design a supplement to the IRS Intake sheet (will be a third and extra sheet – not a modification of the IRS sheet).
The purpose of this intake sheet is to collect demographic information and some information to help us understand our audience.
2. Preparation for the Next Tax Season
One general comment: we need to have PR materials that all coalitions can use. These materials should have a space for their name and location. This will save money and have a uniform appearance.
Gregg mentioned that AAPR needs to be more involved in the Coalitions as they may be losing some sites.
Franklin ABC: has become an IDA partner (Casey Family Services has partnered). Did a mailing with after-school families and those who had their taxes done this year at Franklin. They are a by-appointment site in Franklin and operate out of the FRC at the Franklin Middle School.
Making Money Work for You (MMWFY - UNH Cooperative Extension curricula) is being sponsored in October and November. Are continuing with the Smart CD (extended to home ownership). Additional coalition members are NHCTC-Laconia and Catholic Charities. There is also a Federal taxes course at the NHCTC in Laconia.
CATCH ABC: Cathy Haige will coordinate the site. Their COO is a CPA, and will be the site administrator. October 25th is the date of their first Coalition meeting and hope to have a site established by then. Their goal is to have 120 completed returns. CATCH currently has 140 units, and are going to 196 units. Cathy’s job is to provide a holistic approach to help families achieve self-sufficiency.
Cathy wondered how long it takes to go through Link and Learn? Answer: anywhere from 10-40 hours.
The NH Community Loan Fund director is excited about doing amended taxes, as they have 300-400 IDA clients. They have a captive audience. Mary had several questions about the nitty gritty of running a site and asset building. Housing Authority residents need to do community service and could do some financial fitness as part of this requirement.
Greater Manchester ABC: This summer planned to do amended returns/& prior year returns. AARP volunteers were scheduled to do this. Didn’t get enough people to come. The City of Manchester has provided the Greater Manchester Asset Building Coalition with a full-time VISTA volunteer. Working on asset-building, and the IDA program. Have seen great improvement in IDA program with more time into the program. Financial literacy programs are 2X/mo. With 4-6 participants.
The Greater Manchester Asset Building Coalition (GMABC) is a sub-committee of the Weed and Seed program (Department of Justice), and were just awarded 5 new computers (adding a second computer lab), and will have 16 computers. They are expanding and changing their hours of operation. Will be operating 2 days during the week, expanded Saturday hours, and adding Sundays. Customers want those hours and the GMABC will accommodate them. The biggest news is their partnership with Chase Bank (JP Morgan) approved to offer a pilot RAL program.
Rockingham County ABC: This is the second year and they are concentrating on outreach to businesses. Also have developed a detailed work plan for this coming tax season.
UNH Whittemore School of Business (WSBE) contacted them to give students experience. Patte had them use the UNH CE survey to employers and list of businesses. They applied for a Points of Light grant for a pilot program – applied for $6,000 to $8,000.
Space for site – last year was on the third floor.
Nashua ABC: Coalition is going strong. Have good involvement from the Mayor’s office. Added the Nashua Housing Authority to their Coalition.
Have suggested that when PR materials are developed, we consider using them statewide with a space on the flyers for the individual site to be identified.
IRS Recognition: IRS recognized Val and Suzann for their statewide work. Gregg also mentioned that with resources getting thinner, he will have to cover Maine, and that with the Alliance and Coalitions working together we can make the best use of these limited resources.
LARC: is forging ahead with ESL presentations and have applied for supplemental grant dollars to reach those above Concord (French-speaking). Also providing eviction prevention presentations and can include EITC/AEITC. Also, doing financial literacy.
Southern NH University: Runs the VITA site as a course with students. New crop of students every year. Runs sites at SNHU, Hooksett Library (but will not this year), and Pittsfield (will not run unless can get clients there). Services about 300 people at the SNHU site, with 50-75 people off the street. Space is a problem at the current site. Many of the returns are International returns.
Tobey Partch-Davies-SNHU: working with MCRC to reach people with disabilities and offer tax preparation and other asset building activities. Mayor Guinta has been asked to be at a summit in NYC (Tax Facts Summit). The purpose is to reach those with disabilities.
There is a potential grant application to replicate what is being done in Manchester to another area. Trying to promote to the disabilities community. National Press Club announcement around Tax Facts. Tobey will keep us posted.
Family Resource Center @ Gorham: Judy got a scholarship to go the National Community Tax Coalition conference in LA, California. She is now also financial literacy coordinator at the Family Resource Center. Providing programs to direct service providers using the UNH Cooperative Extension Making Money Work for You. They will be training volunteers who teach financial literacy. Also will be promoting the VITA site. Judy is also the computer lab coordinator. Two of her people have gotten scholarships to be trained by H&R Block (they aced both tests). Sam Chase has volunteered to train returning volunteers, and will handle investments, IRA’s, stock sales, etc.
Will be mobile again this year. Going to Berlin (Worker Assistance Program), and Family Resource Center. Also, will start training for volunteers with study groups.
Conducting focus groups to look at establish asset building coalition in the North Country. This coalition will be made up of social service agencies and financial groups).
Lunch- we all enjoyed a boxed lunch. After lunch, a workshop on coalition building was presented by Dr. Lynda Brushett.
Back to top. |
