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Minutes 11-12-98 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1998 AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Wilfred Hawkins, Support Services Maynie Boles Manager Joy Currier, Vice Chairperson Blanche Girtman Beth Miller Stephanie Mingo-McKoy Brenda Lee Williams Floyd Beil, Alternate ABSENT Betsy Wallshein I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. and asked Ms. Boles to lead the members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silent prayer. II. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll and a quorum was declared present. III. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Loretta “Lori” Wilkinson who assisted with the STAR Program was welcomed to the meeting. IV. AGENDA APPROVAL Ms. Girtman moved that the Agenda be approved. Motion seconded by Ms. Mingo- McKoy. Motion carried unanimously. MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 12, 1998 V. MINUTES APPROVAL – Regular meeting of October 14, 1998 Motion Ms. Girtman moved that the minutes of the October 14, 1998 meeting be approved. Motion seconded by Vice Chair Currier. Motion carried unanimously. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS th A. Vice Chair Currier announced that on November 18, 300 HeadStart children, ages three through six, will be enjoying a Thanksgiving Day meal. th Vice Chair Currier announced that on November 24, at the HeadStart Building, between 500 and 800 persons will be fed a Thanksgiving Day meal. The meals are prepared for shut-ins, elderly and children. The meals are prepared at 10:30 a.m. and then distributed by the police in vans throughout the City. th B. Ms. Girtman announced that on Tuesday evening, November 24, St. Paul AME Church located at 315 NE Martin Luther King Boulevard will be feeding the hungry and all are welcomed to come. th Ms. Girtman announced that on Tuesday, November 24, Treasure Chest th would be feeding parents and friends at the Treasure Chest, 101 NE 5 Avenue. Ms. Girtman announced that Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority would be distributing Thanksgiving Day Baskets. C. Chairman Washam announced that the Boynton Beach Holiday Parade th would take place on Sunday, December 6th at 3:00 p.m. Chairman Washam said the Royal Palm School is participating in a food for families’ project, which is done each year, together with some of the local Kiwanis Clubs and the Santaluces Key Club. D. Ms. Mingo-McKoy announced that the Juvenile Transitional Center would be taking 30 middle school and high school children to Orlando on Friday, th November 20 to attend an educational fair. There is a possibility of th obtaining scholarships for students in the 10 grade and above. 2 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 12, 1998 Discussion on whether or not this Board should participate in the Holiday Parade will be added as a new item under New Business. VII.PUBLIC AUDIENCE None VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. Review STAR Program Vice Chair Currier stated that the youth that participated in the program were wonderful children. Chairman Washam stated that the business aspect of the program was a disappointment and methods must be determined on how to improve that aspect to make it better next year. Chairman Washam stated that the cooperation with the City staff was excellent and Debbie Majors was a tremendous help in working with everyone in putting the program together. Also, Chairman Washam stated that the staff at Galaxy School was of great assistance. Chairman Washam stated the first week was very successful and there was a nice write-up in the Boynton Times about the program. Chairman Washam stated that the youth completed evaluation forms and he had them present tonight for review by the members. Chairman Washam asked Lori Wilkinson to discuss the evaluation form, which she had prepared. Ms. Wilkinson stated the participants were informed to complete the form honestly and to complete the form even if they did not like the program. This information was important so that future programs can be made better. It was suggested that the program should have more of a multi-cultural base of presenters. Ms. Wilkinson stated that the youth that showed up were well diversified in terms of race and gender, as well as ages. There were even children 13 and 14 that attended and there were 19 year olds as well. Vice Chair Currier inquired about the adults that attended and Chairman Washam said he took their names and numbers and referred them to agencies that might be of assistance to them. Chairman Washam noted that the people from the Community College that stated they would facilitate did not show up and they had volunteered through Jeff Industries. 3 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 12, 1998 The students from Santaluces High School informed Chairman Washam that their teacher offered extra credit to those students who attended the program. Chairman Washam suggested the names of the students that participated be kept on file so that next year they could help facilitate. Chairman Washam stated that the business aspect of the program needs to be improved greatly and there needs to be a better commitment from businesses that did not show up as promised. Chairman Washam said a very nice reception was scheduled for the businesses and none attended. Ms. Wilkinson stated that all the managers she spoke with had varying excuses for not attending the job fair. Mr. Hawkins suggested that next year the newspaper advertisement should be utilized to enlist the cooperation of the businesses and also the students should be used to inform the businesses that their presence is appreciated and needed. Ms. Wilkinson stated she picked up applications the morning of the job fair and spoke with some of the managers. Ms. Wilkinson informed these managers that there were 25 children waiting for them at the job fair. Chairman Washam also noted that the businesses were faxed on three different occasions to attend. Ms. Wilkinson noted that the original commitments from these businesses were made in July and is unsure why in October they no longer wished to participate. Mr. Hawkins suggested next time the commitments from the businesses be made in writing and that the businesses be informed that their names will be used in advertising. Also, Ms. Girtman suggested that next year when businesses are invited to participate in the program, they should be contacted through their home offices instead of going to local managers. If a directive were issued from the home office to attend the job fair, it would be more effective. Ms. Girtman suggested that the age limit of the participants should be expanded. However, Ms. Girtman was informed that there was no age limit and that the job fair was open to everyone. It was noted that the newspaper advertisement stated “age 16 and over”. Mr. Hawkins said he would have Ms. Majors follow up with the names and addresses of the corporate offices and regional vice presidents. Ms. Williams suggested that next year the high schools could be approached with the idea of giving students extra credit for attending the job fair. Ms. Wilkinson noted that the students that were offered extra credit were not the students the job fair intended to target. These students were well informed and did not need the basic information that was being offered. 4 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 12, 1998 Ms. Mingo-McKoy stated that the job fair was not intended to reach a certain type of student, but was trying to target disadvantaged students, which does not mean that those students are not well-informed and lack common sense. Ms. Mingo-McKoy indicated the program also intended to reach children at risk. Chairman Washam stated overall the program was a success and the Board should be proud of the program. Chairman Washam stated he would like October to be known as Boynton STAR month. The next step is to get commitments from the business community. Mr. Hawkins stated he would have Ms. Majors review all the evaluation forms and prepare an overall evaluation and bring back some specific recommendations. Also, Mr. Hawkins said next year he will ask Ms. Virginia Farace to become involved as a representative of the Chamber of Commerce to enlist participation by more local businesses. Ms. Wilkinson also suggested that the businesses be more diverse. Mr. Hawkins inquired if any of the participants did in fact get a job. Vice Chair Currier stated the participants were instructed to call if anyone got a job and no one called. Mr. Hawkins suggested that the participants be contacted to determine if any one received a job. Discussion took place on whether or not to write to the businesses and thank them for “participating” and to remind them of the STAR program in the event a participant showed up at their business seeking employment. Mr. Hawkins stated a thank you letter to the businesses thanking them for allowing STAR to use their application would be in order. Also the letter could state the STAR program was a success. The certificates that had been prepared for the businesses could be included with the thank you letters. Also, Mr. Hawkins stated that these businesses should be informed that next year their corporate headquarters will be contacted to ensure participation. And lastly, the letter should state we look forward to their participation next year. IX. New Business A. Review upcoming holiday events This was previously discussed at the beginning of the meeting. B. Chairman’s Presentation 5 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 12, 1998 Chairman Washam thanked all the members for their hard work on behalf of the STAR program and Chairman Washam presented a Certificate of Appreciation to each member, as well as Ms. Wilkinson. Vice Chair Currier suggested a letter be sent to Ms. Renque, the teacher at Santaluces who encouraged her students to attend the program by offering them extra credit. Chairman Washam informed members he was planning to present Ms. Majors with her certificate at a Commission meeting to thank her publicly for her assistance. Chairman Washam welcomed Ms. Beth Miller, a new member of the Community Relations Board and asked Ms. Miller to introduce herself to the members. Ms. Miller stated she was originally from New Jersey and has resided in Florida almost three years. Ms. Miller stated she has always been involved in the community and her background is in victims’ rights. Ms. Miller stated she just moved to Boynton Beach in August and graduated last night from the City’s Citizen’s Police Academy. Everyone welcomed Ms. Miller to the Board. C. Christmas Day Parade Discussion took place regarding this Board’s participation in the Christmas Day Parade. Vice Chair Currier suggested having some of the STAR students participate in the parade. Ms. Williams noted that the Carnival starts at 11:00 a.m. and goes until 3:00 p.m. The parade follows the carnival at 3:00 p.m. Dr. Beil suggested using his boat, which is on a trailer and which could be towed in the parade. Chairman Washam stated an application needs to be completed and turned into the City and Ms. Currier stated she would pick one up. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion Ms. Girtman moved that the meeting be adjourned. Motion seconded by Vice Chair Currier and unanimously carried. The meeting properly adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 6