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Minutes 01-24-01 MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2001 AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Shanna St. John, Chairperson Lori Wilkinson Dorothy Davis Amy DeVries Spencer Calder Sherri Claude, Assistant to the Director ABSENT Evelyn Geathers Hattie Miller Mary Morera Stephen Waldman, Vice Chair Welton Sanders Amanda Hollis I. Call To Order Chairperson St. John called the meeting to order at 7:25 p.m. I1. Moment Of Silent Prayer - Pledge Of Allegiance After a moment of silent prayer, Ms. Sherri Claude led members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. II1. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. DeVries moved to approve the agenda, which was seconded by Ms. Wilkinson and unanimously carried. IV. Approval of Minutes of November 30, 2000 Members were not certain if they received the minutes and requested approval of the minutes be tabled until the next meeting. Meeting Minutes Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida January 24, 2001 Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to table approval of the November 30, 2000 minutes. Motion seconded by Mr. Calder and unanimously carried. V. Announcements/Presentations/Correspondence A. Board Dinner- January 25, 6:30 p.m. Benvenuto's Restaurant Chairperson St. John announced that the Board Dinner will be held tomorrow night at Benvenuto's. Letter from Christina Milstead (Bob Borovy Student Citizen of the Year 2000) Chairperson St. John requested that a copy of Ms. Milstead's letter be included with the original minutes of the meeting and that a copy be included when the minutes are sent out. C. February 16, T.N.T. Concert at Oceanfront Park (PreViewlR&B) Chairperson St, John announced that the next T.N.T. Concert is scheduled for February 16th at Oceanfront Park. VI. Old Business Ms. Wilkinson noted that the Art Teacher at Royal Palm School who did the judging for the Youth Expo still has not received a thank you note. Chairperson St. John inquired if thank you notes were sent to the judges? Ms. Claude was not certain on this, but will follow through on getting the cards out. VII. New Business A. Review of 2000 Projects and events that the Board participated in were reviewed which included: 2. 3. 4. 5. The Green Market for two months; Year end review and planning was done at the January meeting; The Board participated in Black Awareness events, but there was not a strong showing; One Open Board Forum was held. Unfortunately, this Board was the only Board, which actively participated. Participated in G.A.L.A.; 2 Meeting Minutes Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida January 24, 2001 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Participated in the Youth Summit that took place in Boca Raton; A Commission presentation on the Teen Center was made; The Youth Volunteer Banquet was held; The Bob Borovy Student Award was given; The bowling tournament took place; Youth Expo Planning was done in September and the Expo itself took place in October; and Award ceremonies were held in November. Also, Chairperson St. John noted that surveys on the Teen Center were mailed throughout the City and over 1,000 responses were received. She felt that the response was excellent. B. Planning for 2001 The January Meeting is designated as Year 2001 Planning. A Teen Center Committee meeting has already taken place. The year-end review takes place at the December meeting. The Youth Volunteer Banquet and the Bob Bovory Student Award will take place in May. Chairperson St. John questioned whether the Board would be participating in Black Awareness Week and noted that this event is scheduled for February. Ms. Wilkinson stated she would be willing to man a booth if the Board wished to be represented at the events. Chairperson St. John was not certain of the activities planned and did not think the Board would have enough time to plan for the event. Ms. Claude reported that Black Awareness Day is on the 24th and she will check to determine what events are scheduled. Chairperson St. John requested that when the minutes are mailed to the members that a calendar of events for Black Awareness be included. Ms. Claude said she would furnish this. Included in the minutes is a preliminary schedule of events for Black Awareness. As soon as the final Schedule for Black Awareness Day is ready, Ms. Claude will mail it to the members. o This year the Board will be part of the City's booths at G.A.L.A. instead of having their own booth. Chairperson St. John asked if the Board still wished to participate? Ms. Claude said she would notify Chairperson St. John when the next Committee Meeting is scheduled. The G.A.L.A. is scheduled for March 16th through March 18th. Ms. Claude 3 Meeting Minutes Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida January 24, 2001 reported that Ms. Nancy Conway is in charge of the City's section for the G.A.L.A. Chairperson St. John suggested during the G.A.L.A. that the Civic Center be used for a babysitting service and the City could partner with MOTOROLA for beepers. There could be a set price per hour and student and adult volunteers could watch the children. Chairperson St. John would also like to have a coffeehouse set up where jazz could be played. This would be further discussed at the February meeting. With regard to the May Volunteer Banquet and the Bob Borovy Student Award, Chairperson St. John said she would have all the sponsor letters ready and that sponsors need to be located. Ms. Claude presented and reviewed the volunteer list. Ms. Claude said a mailing went out in December to update the list and a return form was included. They were told this was necessary in order to remain part of the program. Ms. Claude noted that there were several letters returned by the Post Office as undeliverable. These persons need to be contacted. Ms. Wilkinson and Chairperson St. John said they would contact the persons whose letters were returned. Chairperson St. John suggested that any one who turned in hours last year should be kept on the list. She requested that Ms. Claude bring another list to the February meeting. Also, a mailing needs to be developed and sent to the volunteer participants to keep track of their hours. Chairperson St. John would like to be able to send out the notices on a postcard. Ms. Claude said that some persons have already asked for the forms and she forwarded the forms to them. Ms. Wilkinson will come up with the wording for the postcards and will work with Ms. Claude on getting it completed. June is "Stand for Children Month" and Chairperson St. John will prepare a proclamation. Ms. Claude suggested that the proclamation be furnished to the City sometime in April in order to get it on the agenda for the first meeting in June. Members decided to hold the bowling tournament during the month of July. Ms. Claude felt that more publicity is needed to attract more participants. There will be no Youth Expo because this is held every other year. Members were asked if they wanted to hold a Help (Volunteer) Project this year and it was agreed that a Help 4 Meeting Minutes Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida January 24, 2001 Project should be held. Discussion ensued on holding the Youth Expo one-year and the Volunteer Project during the other year. It was decided to hold the Help Project in October or November. The original plan had been to do some planting around the Rolling Green playground. It was suggested that Dan DeCarlo, the Neighborhood Specialist be contacted for his assistance. 10. Guest Speakers at meetings. Chairperson St. John said it had been previously discussed that for each meeting a member would bring in a guest speaker. Ms. Wilkinson felt that the speakers that do attend the meeting should be tied into the programs and events that the Board is involved with. Also, Ms. Wilkinson said that the speakers should be apprised that they would be limited to 10 to 15 minutes. 11. Teen Center Committee. This Committee.will be meeting monthly, but there is no set date. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 21st at the Library at 6:30 p.m. The Committee is doing very well and at the last meeting five people from the community participated. Ms. Claude requested that she be furnished with the names of the people who attended the meeting to keep her list current. 12. The Annual Board Dinner will take place in January of next year. 13. Two members of the Teen Center Committee are working on a letter to send out for commitments from representatives of various programs that would be willing to come in and work with teens. It is intended to bring in outside programs that are grant funded and would be of no cost to the Teen Center. 14. Chairperson St. John said that another presentation to the Commission would be done again this year. She would like to be able to report on people who have committed to working with the Board on getting a Teen Center. 15. Chairperson St. John suggested that fundraising for Youth EXPO 2002 should begin sometime in August or September. Ms. Davis inquired if the Board received information from the Faith-based Organization? They would like this Board to participate in the "Love Feast", which is scheduled for February 17th. The purpose of the Love Feast is to bring 5 Meeting Minutes ' ' Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida January 24, 2001 various organizations together similar to a multi-cultural festival. Ms. Wilkinson said that she had attended last year's event and felt it was something this Board should have participated in. Chairperson St. John said that this Board needs to be informed of the events that am scheduled. She said that she has asked Dan DeCarlo and the Education Advisory Board to keep her apprised of what is going on in the City, especially when them am going to be speakers at meetings. Chairperson St. John said by way of these minutes she is making a formal request that the Advisory Board on Children and Youth be furnished with the Education Advisory Board agenda prior to their meetings, so if a speaker or special program is scheduled, this Board can attend. Ms. Davis also stated that Mr. DeCarlo has put together many projects that this Board could have participated in. Chairperson St. John requested that Mr. DeCarlo place her on the mailing list for all City events. Also, when the speakers are lined up by this Board, Chairperson St. John would like the list mailed to the Recreation Board, the Education Board, Community Relations and Mr. DeCarlo. She felt it is important for the Boards to communicate now that the Open Forum is no longer held. Ms. DeVries thought that this Board should try to schedule an Open Forum. Ms. Claude suggested sending a copy of these minutes to Mr. DeCarlo. Chairperson St, John suggested that the City prepare a calendar of all scheduled City events that could be available to everyone. She also suggested having it posted on the City's web site. Chairperson St. John suggested that if a Forum is scheduled all the City's Boards should be included and that the City Manager's Office make a presentation on who and what advisory boards are and their purposes. This would be beneficial for new members. It was suggested that a date for the Forum be discussed further at the next meeting when mom members are present. VII. Next Meeting: February 22, 2001 VIII. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 6 Attn: The Advisory Board on Children and Youth ,]AN 2 4 2001 I am writing to thank you for your encouragement to continue volunteering as I entered college. I have had a wonderful first semester at the University of Florida (Go Gators!). The professors are wonderful and my classes have provided a very enriching experience, but again I've found that an education is not complete without reaching out to the humanity around us. Since I am pursuing a medical career, I decided to join the American Medical Student Association chapter at UF. I have become very involved in the health outreach committee and am loving every minute of it. This past Halloween, we threw a festival for the local diabetic children (complete with sugar free candy!). Trick or Treating isn't quite the same experience for them that we take for granted; it was wonderful to see the look on their faces when they found a Halloween party they could fully participate in. We also hold regular blood pressure and blood glucose level screenings for the students and faculty of UF. Not only has this been a great hands-on experience for me as a pre-med, but it's a great reminder to faculty and students to see their doctor and get needed medical attention. This spring we are planning on campaigning aroUnd the local elementary schools to show the kids the importance of certain health issues. (like exercise, going'for check-ups to the doctor, dental hygiene, etc) and inform their parents of local equal-access clinics so that everyone can receive the care they need. This: fall I also began volunteering at Shand's Hospital in the inpatient psychiatric unit as a recreational therapist. I talked to the patients, played card games with them, played the piano for them and had them sing with me, did arts and crafts, held relaxation therapy, and helped with group therapy sessions. This was an amazing experience for me. Many of the patients in the unit were suffering from clinical depression. It was so rewarding to see them smile for the first time in months after an hour or more with me. I learned a lot last semester about how our emotions and mind works, but some things still baffle me. One patient with Alzheimer's talked to me one week about Broadway for nearly two hours. I promised to bring in my piano music the next week so she could sing with me. The next week she was visiting family, so I did not get a chance to talk to her, but two weeks after I had met her, I walked into the dayroom where she jumped up and called to me by name asking if I had brought the music. The psychologists surroUnding her were amazed; they had been trying to get her to remember her name and where she was, to no avail, until I walked in. It's incredible how much something you do or even promise to do can mean to people. This spring semester I am transferring to the children's mental health unit for some first-hand experience for my 'developmental psychology class, I am sure it will prove to be just as fulfilling. I have not lost sight of my goal one day to work in poverty medicine. I am currently working with a team of doctors to try and join them for two weeks this summer in Bolivia on a medical mission trip. Helping someone who cannot repay you is more payment in itself than anything they could ever give you. Thank you again for your encouragement, letting 'me know that my actions really can impact others. I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful new year and are finding even more ways to Continue helping Boynton Beach. Thank you again! Sincerely, Christina Milsted (Bob Borovy Student Citizen of the Year 2000) Black Awareness 2001 Schedule of Events February $ Time: 19.:50 p.m. 2Fricm Araerican Book Cid F~ilfl Smrg Host at Bounton Beach Librar9 '~osie, The Coumffeous Czgb~g"wi~h AUthor F~nie D. A~ins JeFFemo~ (The first ten families arriving for the,: ~ autographed cop9 of the author's book) Promote Reading... Donate New Famil9 Registration will take place at the Librar9 Famil9 Collection ... dr~ Mildred Highwa~ Februar~ - 4 p.m. Contest Avenue February 17 Time: 1 - 4 p.m. $ci~c~ Disp.%g at the Bo§nton Beach Mall, 801N. Congress Avenue Award Presentation 4:00 p.m. Angela Girtman, (561) 737-6067 Febr~r~ 17 Time: TBA at the Ezell Hester, Jr. Communitu Center, 1901 N. Seaerest Boulevard Doroth9 Wflker, (561) 36~-0138 Februar~ 17 Time: 10 a.m.- 19, p.m. & 19.:$0 ~qpe/lJn~ Contest $ - z~ p.m. dr. Comraunit§ Center, Center, Avenue 1901 N. Seacrest Boulevard Februar~ Time: Times var~ B/sckAwsr~n~ss Bask~bs/! Foum~ at the Ezell Hester, dr. Communit§ Center, 1901 N. Seacrest Boulevard doe Evans (561) 74P,-6550 THE BLACK AWARENESS FOR MORE INFORMATION, COMMUNITY EVENT EVENTS OFFICE AT (561) 742-6244