Renee Speh opened the agenda with the following updates:

• PPHC brochure. Renee presented draft version of tri-fold brochure explaining the PPHC. She will have the piece reviewed by PTM before arranging for printing.
• Hiring of second School Health Coordinator. Advertising for this position produced only one candidate, who was not the right fit. Timing of the ad and uncertainty over future grant funding may have contributed to lack of candidates, as well as the requirement for a bachelor's degree. It was agreed to readvertise, not only in the Bangor Daily News, but also in local weeklies, over the holidays. Renee has also posted the job in local schools, with the Dept. of Labor, and on the UMaine and UMF job lists. If no suitable candidates emerge for the second, full-time position, another option might be to offer stipends to existing staff in the Dover-Foxcroft, Milo and Greenville districts.
• My Turn. Renee and Robin Mayo accompanied 18 students from our area to Camp Kieve on Nov. 17-18 for the My Turn: Maine Youth Tobacco-Use Resistance Network training. This was a positive team-building experience for all. The challenge will be to keep the momentum going by having the youth group continue to meet and grow.
• Legislative advocacy. Renee will attend a legislative breakfast in Bangor on Dec. 18. Later that day, Renee, Robin and Tom Lizotte will have lunch in Dover-Foxcroft with Kiely Foley from the Maine Coalition for Smoking OR Health to discuss local advocacy strategy. The PPHC is planning to attend the Jan. 8 Healthy Maine Day celebration at the State House, and to meet with our local legislative delegation at that time. Renee will check to see whether any of the My Turn students can travel to Augusta that day. Old business:
• Legacy Grant. Renee explained Medical Care Development's Legacy Grant application, a pilot project that would target our area for an expanded tobacco-cessation program to address the needs of rural families with low socio-economic status. A letter of support has been requested from PPHC.
  Action: Unanimous vote for Renee to write letter of support.
• PPHC mission statement. Although the draft brochure contains a statement of purpose for the PPHC, it was felt a broader mission statement was needed that would encompass the council's transition from a specific project (i.e., tobacco grant) to an eventual goal of becoming a coordinating body for public health activities throughout the region. Members discussed linkage with the North Country Healthy Communities project and the state's intention to create a true public health infrastructure. The need to further organization of the PPHC, with officers, by-laws and committee structure, was discussed.
  Action: Renee was directed to draft language for a mission statement and present at next meeting.
• Other business. PPHC will air anti-smoking messages on WGUY Dec. 31-Jan. 11... Olympia Sports coupons will be distributed to celebrate drop in teenage smoking rates.

Minutes submitted by Tom Lizotte.