Minutes 01-07-02MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD AT THE
SENIOR CENTER, 1021 SOUTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOYNTON BEACH,
FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2002 AT 3:00 P.M.
Present
Betty Collins, Chairperson
Olive Field
Jeanne Hasty
Christine Wilson
Absent
Elizabeth Jenkins
Joan C. White
Mary Coma, Alternate
Lillian Bruzzese, Alternate
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Chairperson Collins called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. and led the
members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silent
prayer.
2. Roll Call
A quorum was declared present.
3. Approval of Agenda
Motion
Ms. Field moved to approve the agenda. Motion seconded by Ms. Hasty and
unanimously carried.
4. Approval of Minutes
Ms. Field moved to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Ms. Hasty and
unanimously carried.
5. Chairman's Remarks (combined with Item 6, below)
Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January 7, 2002
Other issues that needed to be addressed included determining how many
seniors live alone and how many would need assistance in the event of an
emergency. Currently, there is no way to find this out. Secondly, members
noted that when a senior citizen is discharged from the hospital, they are sent
home with no one to care for them. The Board would like to see a social service
agency in the City that could assist in these areas.
Members agreed that the Board should remain together to address issues as
they arise. Ms. Hasty pointed out that when a person joins the Senior Center,
they are required to complete a form to provide the name of a contact person in
the event they are injured or need assistance.
When Ms. Hasty speaks with Mr. Livergood, she will ask him if volunteers,
provided by this Board, could be allowed to ride the buses to assist the seniors
with their groceries.
7. Discussion
Ms. Hasty reported that the Senior Board sponsored the variety show at the
Senior Center and it was a great success. Over 200 people attended.
Chairperson Collins felt that the Board should concentrate its efforts on joining
organizations and setting up chapters in the City to assist seniors. Ms. Hasty will
look for more organizations on the Internet and report back to the Board.
8. Other Business
The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 1, 2002 at 3:00 p,m. in
the Senior Center.
9. Adjournment
Motion
Ms. Hasty moved to adjourn. Motion seconded by Ms. Field and unanimously
carried. The meeting properly adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara M. Madden
Recording Secretary
(one tape)
(January 8, 2002)
Meeting Minutes
Sen ior Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January7,2002
6. Purpose and Goals of This Board
Chairperson Collins said she has been trying to determine the purpose of the
Board. There are still issues concerning seniors that need to be addressed. One
is transportation and seniors being permitted to board the bus with more than two
bags. Bus drivers are no longer allowed to assist seniors with their packages
and volunteers are needed. Ms. Hasty said she spoke with Mr. Jeff Livergood,
the City's Public Works Director. He informed her that the rule of only two bags
per passenger is a safety requirement. It is also a requirement of Palm Beach
County.
Ms. Hasty suggested taking one seat out in the back of the bus and placing a
rack for packages. Members felt the two-bag limit, was way too restrictive and
would require seniors to go shopping several times a week. Ms. Hasty will
arrange a meeting with Mr. Livergood to further discuss the issue. Ms. Hasty
pointed out that Leisureville has a volunteer staff that assists passengers on the
bus, but this is not the case throughout the City. Members would like to have
volunteers on all the buses.
Chairperson Collins pointed out that RSVP no longer operates in the City and
she spoke to the Area Agency for the Aged last week that will be taking over the
RSVP Program. She asked if they could assist with volunteers on the buses, but
has heard nothing further on this. Ms. Hasty pointed out that before anyone can
serve on the Board of the Area Agency for the Aged, they are required to go
through a 10-week training program. Ms. Hasty thought that Denise Chamberlain
wou~d be Willing to take the course so that Boynton Beach could have a
representative on the Board.
Chairperson Collins would like the Board members to try to recruit volunteers to
ride the buses. Ms. Hasty suggested speaking to various communities and
neighborhoods. Ms. Wilson suggested speaking to the Community Forum, since
it is well attended by seniors. It was also mentioned that announcements could
be made at various churches.
Organizations for Seniors
Chairperson Collins said she searched the Internet to determine the number of
organizations available for seniors and discovered that there were many good
groups that this Board could join. Members reviewed and discussed the various
organizations and what they had to offer.
Ms. Wilson announced that Ms. Carolyn Sims, the Board's liaison, is in the
hOspital again.
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