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Minutes 05-29-08 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 29,2008, AT 7:00 P.M. COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Stephen Waldman, Chair Mary Morera, Vice Chair Pamela Camel Robert Chiste, Student, Reg. Voting Member Roberta Fasano, Alternate Brianna Frank, Student, Reg. Voting Member Lisa Pierre, Student, Reg. Non-voting Member Sherri Claude, Board Liaison Absent: Carol Lundquist Hattie Miller Lesha Roundtree Loretta Wilkinson I. Call to Order Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silent Reflection The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Mr. Chiste, and observed a moment of silent reflection for our troops in harm's way. III. Approval of Minutes of March 27,2008 Motion Vice Chair Morera moved to approve the minutes of March 27, 2008. Ms. Frank seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Approval of Minutes of April 24, 2008 Motion Ms. Morera moved to approve the minutes of April 24, 2008. Mr. Chiste seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 1 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 29, 2008 V. Approval of Agenda Chair Waldman advised he would be adding one item to New Business regarding a meeting in Delray Beach on June 11, 2008. Motion Ms. Frank moved to approve the agenda with the addition. Ms. Morera seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VI. Announcements /Presentations /Correspondence Chair Waldman introduced new board member Roberta Fasano to the members. Ms. Fasano explained she is a teacher in Broward County, who lives in Boynton Beach. Self- introductions were made and Chair Waldman noted the members who could not attend. He briefly highlighted their backgrounds for the benefit of Ms. Fasano. VII. Public Audience Mary DeGraffenreidt, Senior Recreation Manager for the Boynton Beach Recreation . and Parks Department, was present with the All Star Cheerleader Coaches, Kayla Lundy and Shundelyn DeGraffenreidt; the Parent Liaison and Travel Consultant, Kim Garcia; and Mr. Greg Davis, the Vice President of the Parent Committee. Also present were members of the All Star Cheerleading Team. Ms. DeGraffenreidt expressed the team's thanks for the board's contribution. She reported the Mini -Me Team, one of their youth teams, traveled to Norfolk, Virginia on May 1, 20087, where they competed against the world's best in the Final Destination Competition. The team placed fifth out of 25 teams from all over the country. The Mini - Me Team was also ranked number one in local regional, and state competitions. It was noted that the girls competing were five to eight years old. Because of the board's- donation they were able to offset expenses and were able to compete on the national level and in the Final Destination Competition. As a token of their appreciation, the team presented the board with a sponsorship plaque with sincere thanks for the board's support. The plaque was presented by Altiana Garnett and Mia Garcia to Chair Waldman. Chair Waldman explained Commissioner Hay mentioned the team was in need of funds. Chair Waldman congratulated the team on their accomplishments and invited them to come back next year. The board members congratulated the team as well. Sherri Claude distributed articles about the Borovy Award and advised thank -you letters were sent to the tennis pro's at Hunter's Run for the Tennis Carnival. She also 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 29,2008 prepared Certificates for Chair Waldman's signature recognizing Hunter's Run and the head tennis pro for their efforts. The two winners of the Borovy Award were Alana St. John and Andrea Fishman. It was noted Andrea's brother previously received the award and was attending Harvard University. VIII. New Business Chair Waldman announced the Schoolhouse Children's Museum was holding a Kids' Night Out, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. There would be games, karaoke, dancing, and pizza for no more than 30 children. The cost was $20 per child and $10 for each additional child from the same household. He explained the museum does a wonderful job with programs and would be offering summer programs as well. He extolled the museum's work with children. Chair Waldman received an email from Commissioner Ross about a meeting on June 11, 2008 at the Schoolhouse Square in Delray Beach. The email advised the Delray Beach Education Board advocates existing public school programs. One of the initiatives was Character Education. Ms. Meeks, of Delray Beach, was approached about joining with others to further the program, and she approached the Delray Beach Mayor, who proclaimed Delray Beach as the "City with Character". The United Way has taken the initiative to raise awareness of the program on a county-wide basis and created the Character Council of Palm Beach County, using Delray Beach as a model for other municipalities. The meeting was a visioning session to increase community awareness and to determine how to incorporate Character Education in existing programs in support of the Mayor's City with Character initiative. Different participants would be present, and it was noted Character Education was endorsed by the State. Chair Waldman invited the board members to attend the meeting, which would start at 6:00 p.m. He would provide the location information and requested the members notify him by email whether they could attend. He would then provide the information to Ms. Meeks. Chair Waldman felt Boynton Beach should be well represented. IX. Old Business A. Proposal to Reward Academic Accomplishment at BBHS There was no formal report given. Plans were in the works for a Jeopardy Game at the high school which would continue throughout the year, culminating with an awards plaque. It was anticipated the board would be approached to supply the plaque. Another program which was recently approved by Ms. Perry, Principal of Boynton Beach High School, was a program where students would conduct an interview with a Veteran and create a historical record. The program would be coordinated by Michael 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 29,2008 Hall, the Schoolhouse Children's Museum Director, who was seeking a social studies teacher to partner with to teach, organize and conduct the interview, and then create a historical record. Chair Waldman offered to find a teacher for him. Chair Waldman thought the members might want to alert other interested individuals to have their schools/areas represented. B. Youth Volunteer Bank Ms. Claude explained the board had previously begun to review the program and suggested they complete their review. This year, the Youth Bank had only had 54 members remaining which were comprised mainly of 11th and 12th grade students. She advised there were few elementary school students in the program and the board needed to decide if it wanted to continue the program. Chair Waldman felt the program was worth continuing and fundraising for, particularly, in the middle schools. Ms. Claude explained the members needed to determine what concept they were marketing. She advises individuals the program is intended to recognize, reward, and encourage youth volunteerism. The board could be more interactive in providing volunteer opportunities, but had not done so in the past. The board needed to determine what youth activities should be offered. Chair Waldman suggested putting this item on the next agenda for full discussion. Ms. Claude explained it would be helpful, as discussed at the March meeting, to determine the type of work or develop topics for the board to make decisions about so they would have a concrete plan. More specifically, the board should determine the purpose of the youth bank, and what the benefit to the students was. Another decision was to decide what the value of the program was to the youth, or whether there would be two or three opportunities provided per year for youth to participate in. Lastly, the board needed to determine whether they would send out lists reflecting what volunteer opportunities were available or if they would actively arrange activities for them. Chair Waldman thought they should develop one board-sponsored plan/activity for youth. Examples of activities youth undertook in the past, were volunteers painted a house for someone who could not afford to paint, assisting Veterans and planting a butterfly garden. Ms. Claude explained the board could also partner with other boards, such as the Community Relations Board, and once the purpose and goals of the program were communicated to the parents and students, the plan could then be marketed. It was noted youth keep busy. Many students were involved in sports, school, held jobs and were required to obtain a certain amount of volunteer hours for school. The board would need to ascertain how the program would benefit the younger children. The members thought a survey might be helpful. It was decided the bulk of the June 26th meeting would be set aside for this topic. 4 Meetiflg Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 29,2008 c. Fundraising Chair Waldman announced the board members have to fundraise next year. The board could continue fundraising at the Oceanfront Concerts. He asked if the City had any other fundraising activities in which the board could participate. Ms. Claude explained the board could look for simple things where there were no vendors, such as youth soccer games, and selling popcorn and hot chocolate. The board could try to solicit businesses and partner with them and noted that by doing so, a relationship could be established. The board could return each year and hopefully receive annual donations. Chair Waldman thought they needed to discuss the issues further. It was noted it was difficult to find volunteers to sell cookies at the Oceanfront Concerts. Other members liked the concept of business sponsorships and suggested developing a brochure offering gold, platinum, or bronze levels of recognition. A graphic artist within the City could put the brochure together, with the board providing the pertinent ideas for them to include in the brochure. If no graphic artist was available, the board could use a publisher program. Chair Waldman explained Bonefish Grill donated two dinners valued at $45 each. It was thought the board needed to clarify its purpose and list prior accomplishments so the potential sponsors would be aware of them. Ms. Claude explained the program flyer listed programs they have, but if the board would be asking for sponsorships, local business owners would want to how they would benefit, and if the program was a recognizable event. She believed personal contact was the best. Additionally, if the board were a 501 (c)3, donations could be written-off as a tax expense. The idea was to get the name of the organization out there and let people know what the board is and what their purpose was. The board needed to give businesses a reason to donate, and determine how they would publicize their contribution. It was suggested listing names of sponsors in FunFare Magazine. The members agreed to circulate comments prior to the June meeting, so a draft could be developed for the July meeting, and then more fully discussed. Chair Waldman explained a Doubles Bowling Tournament has been held in prior years. The participants were mostly board members and families. Last year the bowling alley charged a higher rate. There was agreement to defer the event and revisit the item when they discussed fundraising activities. x. Future Meeting Dates: June 26, 2008 July 24,2008 5 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 29,2008 XI. Adjournment Motion Ms. Fasano moved to adjourn. Mr. Chiste seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m. &:uJWLUrLt (~ltOUj~ Catherine Cherry a Recording Secretary 060608 6