Loading...
Minutes 02-22-96 MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1996, AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Angela Girtman, Chairperson Shanna St. John, Vice Chairperson Dr. Floyd Beil Marvin Blitz David Helwig Denise Panton ABSENT Judy Moss Keturah Lee, Student Sorin Michalski, Student I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Girtman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Panton was not yet present. II. MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER A moment of silent prayer was observed. III. AGENDA APPROVAL No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the agenda. Motion Mr. Blitz moved to accept the agenda as presented. Vice Chairperson St. John seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. IV. MINUTES APPROVAL No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the minutes of the last meeting. Motion Vice Chairperson St. John moved to approve the minutes of the November 30, 1995 meeting. Dr. Beil seconded the motion, which carried 3-0. (Messrs. Blitz and Helwig abstained from voting since they were not present at that meeting, and Ms. Panton was not yet present.) V. PUBLIC AUDIENCE None. At this time, Chairperson Girtman changed the order of business to welcome Messrs. Blitz and Helwig to the board and asked them to introduce themselves. IX. NEW BUSINESS 2. New Board Members Mr. Helwig has been a resident of Boynton Beach for approximately four and a half years. He works for Winn Dixie and attends First Baptist Church. He has done extensive work with the youth in his home town in Jamaica. He looked forward to working with the members of this board. Mr. Blitz is a nonpracticing attorney. He moved to Boynton Beach two years ago from Boston. He is interested in working with children. He was on the National Board of Little League Baseball and Dixie Baseball for several years. He has been involved in various youth programs through his temple. One of his greatest concerns is what is happening with the youth and the opportunities that they will have. He looked forward to working with the members of the board and was sure we can provide some programs and leadership for the youth of this community in the years to come. At this time, Ms. Panton arrived. VI. OLD BUSINESS 1. Youth Orchestra Ms. Panton stated that the gentleman who is interested in conducting the youth orchestra will not be able to offer his assistance until about April because his mother is ill. For the benefit of the new members, Chairperson Girtman explained that the board is trying to establish a youth orchestra in the City of Boynton Beach. She said many children are introduced to instruments in middle school. However, it is expensive for many families to participate in the high school band. The board thought it would be nice if the children, after learning an instrument and developing a love for music, were able to participate in the high school band. Also, it would be a big bonus to Boynton to have a youth orchestra and have all the children come together from all the different schools to play for the City. MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 22, 1996 2. Youth Expo Chairperson Girtman and Vice Chairperson St. John explained the Youth Expo to Messrs. Blitz and Helwig. The theme for the Youth Expo this year is Harmony - Multicultural Awareness and Acceptance. Mr. Helwig asked if a vocational booth was set up at the last Youth Expo. Chairperson Girtman said there wasn't one last year, but she thought this was a good idea. Mr. Blitz asked what age group the Youth Expo centered around. Chairperson Girtman advised him that it was for all ages. Vice Chairperson St. John said she spoke to Sheila Bell of the mall. The only dates available for the Youth Expo are November 1, 2 and 3. She pointed out that Halloween is the night before the Youth Expo and they have Trick or Treat in the mall. She suggested we hand out flyers at that time. Ms. Bell can set up a stage with stairs and supply 14 or 15 tables in the center of the mall. If we want more tables, they can be set up in the offshoots, but we would have to supply the tables. Ms. Bell suggested we use tables with outback drops so we can fit more of them in. She thinks she has enough tablecloths and skirting for all the tables. Vice Chairperson St. John will get back to her on that. Ms. Bell has foam core that we can use, but we need to buy the teeth and studs to put up the art projects. We need to submit a written proposal to the mall as soon as possible. Vice Chairperson St. John also spoke to Dr. DuPont's Office at the School Board, and they are going to send her forms for the contests. We have to fill out one form for each contest. Once these are approved, we can send the information to the schools. In addition, Vice Chairperson St. John called Public Affairs at the School Board, and they have nothing planned for that weekend. She has yet to call the band directors to find out if there are any band contests that weekend. She pointed out that Rite Aid is no longer in business. Therefore, we will have to find someone else to develop the film for the photo contest. In addition to the City officials, she suggested inviting the State and Federal officials, the School Board, the school faculties, and the School Superintendent to the Youth Expo this year. She believes none of the stores in the mall responded to the board's letter soliciting prizes last year. Chairperson Girtman stated that we are going to have to call and ask for donations of prizes if there are going to be contests. 3 MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 22, 1996 Mr. Helwig suggested asking the stores in Oakwood Square for donations also. He will ask Winn Dixie to develop the film for the photo contest. Vice Chairperson St. John suggested tying in the prizes to each particular contest. For example, we could ask the local frame shops to donate the prizes for the photo contest, and the bookstores to donate the prizes for the creative writing contest. Chairperson Girtman suggested contacting the Boynton Times to see if they would print the winning essay. Also, she was sure the banks would donate something if we sent them a letter, along with a proposal. Vice Chairperson St. John suggested that each member of the board coordinate one contest. Motion Vice Chairperson St. John moved to hold the Youth Expo at the Boynton Beach Mall on November 1, 2, and 3, 1996. Ms. Panton seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Vice Chairperson St. John will confirm these dates with Ms. Bell. Chairperson Girtman will work with Beth Bailey on sending the written proposal to the mall. She asked for volunteers to coordinate each contest. The coordinators' duties would be to write up what the contest should entail, and solicit prizes. They should present this information to the board at the next meeting so that a letter can be sent to the School Board. She volunteered to coordinate the creative writing contest. Mr. Blitz volunteered to coordinate the art contest, and Mr. Helwig volunteered to coordinate the photo contest. Vice Chairperson St. John suggested there be a drama contest for middle and high school students. They could perform a short skit dealing with this year's theme. Dr. Beil suggested having a musical contest for individuals. Since Commissioner Rosen founded the photo contest two years ago, he suggested that the photo contest this year be a memorial to Commissioner Rosen. Motion Dr. Beil moved that the photo contest be a memorial to Sid Rosen who founded it two 4 MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 22, 1996 years ago and who was one of the members of this board. Ms. Panton seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Vice Chairperson St. John will ask Rev. Ackermann to do the innovation again this year. She suggested getting some children to sign the Pledge of Allegiance or the Lord's Prayer. Chairperson Girtman stated that the last Youth Expo was opened by a high school band playing as they entered the mall, and the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts marched up to the stage carrying the flag. Vice Chairperson St. John will contact the Girl Scouts. Vice Chairperson St. John suggested giving a Certificate of Appreciation to every child who enters a contest. First, second and third place winners can receive their awards at the City Commission meeting. The Youth Expo will be discussed further at the next meeting. The contest coordinators will outline how their contest is going to be held, and solicit prizes and judges. Three judges will be needed for each contest. Dr. Beil suggested asking former board member Jayne Fail to judge the creative writing contest. Chairperson Girtman advised that the staff photographers from the Sun-Sentinel, the Palm Beach Post, and the Boynton Times judged the last photo contest. Vice Chairperson St. John is going to contact different cultural dancers and storytellers. 3. Update on "Let's Build a Playground" Ms. Panton advised that construction of the playground has begun. Volunteers are needed to help build the playground from February 27 through March 3. Meals will be provided by some of the local restaurants; however, baked goods are needed. Chairperson Girtman's sorority and girls' group volunteered to help build the playground on Saturday, March 2. Mr. Blitz will contact Bageland for bagels, muffins, etc. VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS The members who have assignments relative to the Youth Expo will report on their progress at the next meeting. VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 5 MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 22, 1996 1. "Let's Build a Playground" - Build Dates - February 27 - March 3 This item was discussed under VI.3. Ms. Panton reminded the members of the board that the money is due for the pickets they purchased. Each member previously agreed to contribute $22.23 for two pickets. IX. NEW BUSINESS 1. Budget Workshops Chairperson Girtman announced that there are going to be workshop meetings this Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Delray Beach City Library regarding the proposed budget cuts and the effect this will have on different programs. There are going to be speakers on Medicaid, SSI, child care, and welfare reform. The workshops are going to run concurrently. There will be panel discussion type workshops with a facilitator. The purpose at the end of each workshop is to come up with a plan of action to address what may be coming down the pike regarding the cuts in the various social programs. Following the individual workshops, each group is going to bring their proposal for a plan of action back to the entire group, and Congressman Alcee Hastings is going to speak. These workshops are being sponsored by NOW, along with other organizations. 2. New Board Members This item was dispensed with earlier in the meeting. 3. Other At Chairperson Girtman's request, the members of the board introduced themselves to the new members. Chairperson Girtman stated that we need to update the welcome flyer for families moving into the area. This flyer contained the telephone numbers of organizations that pertain to children. Many of those numbers may have changed. She and Dr. Beil advised the new members of what the board has done in the past and what their plans are for the future. Dr. Beil stated that the board has been interested in starting an Adopt-a-Grandparent program to help match up children who need adult guidance with seniors who have time to 6 MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 22, 1996 spend with those children. Mr. Helwig volunteered to work with Dr. Beil on this. He explained that he was involved in a Grandparent's Day program at one of the private schools. This program was very successful. Two hundred and fifty grandparents showed up the first year. The next year, this figured increased to 500. Chairperson Girtman advised that the board has also been interested in starting a children's clinic that would be operational in the evening hours when the regular doctors' offices are closed. This clinic would alleviate the need to bring children to the emergency when there truly is not an emergency. This would eliminate the emergency room expense. Mr. Helwig asked if the board has any programs for teenagers. Chairperson Girtman advised him that the City sponsors many activities for young people. She stated that in the past, board asked the children to fill out a survey regarding what they would like to see in the City. She suggested we have them fill out this survey again at the Youth Expo to get some new ideas from them. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 7