During the meeting, the task force announced that the Town Council had approved the naming of a pavilion in Veterans Park after Sergeant Gary Cardinus from the US Army, with plans for a dedication ceremony on July 4th. The pavilion will feature a QR code to display Gary’s picture and biography, celebrating his service and contributions.

The discussion then shifted to the creation of mental health awareness banners. Task force members engaged in a debate over the phrases to be used. Some members proposed uplifting messages like “you are loved” or “you’re beautiful,” while concerns were raised about the potential interpretations and impacts of such statements. The debate extended to the content of other banners, with slogans like “fight the stigma,” “mental health matters,” and “forgive yourself” being suggested. A motion was made and seconded to approve the banners with the proposed changes, but uncertainty remained regarding the final wording.

The task force also expressed frustration over the lack of discussion of items related to mental health awareness in a recent council meeting, particularly regarding the approval process for monthly posts aimed at raising awareness. A motion was passed to confirm the status of these mental health posts.

Budget discussions were a focal point, with members deliberating on specific line items. The task force emphasized the need for transparent and accountable budget allocation, with debate over the amounts designated for various events, including the Farmers Market, the NAMI walk, and banners for mental health awareness. The proposed budget allocation for the various events totaled $22,100, with a motion to approve this amount.

The task force also discussed the need for marketing materials such as shirts and banners for events, emphasizing the importance of bilingual flyers and secure flyer holders. There was a debate on the allocation of funds for workshops and community awareness, including the suggestion to use funds for marketing materials to provide water bottles with the organization’s logo.

Furthermore, the meeting highlighted plans for a workshop in collaboration with the police department and crisis support team, focusing on responding to mental health calls with compassion. The workshop, tentatively named “Responding with Compassion,” is scheduled for October 10th at 6:30 p.m. The members discussed the importance of educating the community on this topic, especially in preparation for the upcoming holiday season.

In terms of community engagement, the task force plans to make their presence felt at the Farmers Market, with discussions on potential sponsorship to fund games and giveaways. They also recognized the need for a dedicated planning meeting for the NAMI Walk.

The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the workshop and a request for a draft flyer for the event, along with a motion to adjourn.