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Minutes 01-05-09 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 5, 2009, AT 3:00 P.M. AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Denise Chamberlain, Chair Steve Lulkin, City Liaison Lillian Bruzzese Elizabeth Jenkins Virginia O'Connell Absent: Bernice Begleiter Rose Love Betty Spinelli, Alternate I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 3:07 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll and a quorum was present. IV. Approval of Agenda Ms. Bruzzese moved approval of the agenda. Ms. O’Connell seconded the motion that passed unanimously. V. Approval of Minutes Ms. O’Connell moved approval of the November 3, 2008 minutes. Ms. Bruzzese seconded the motion that passed unanimously. VI. Chairperson’s Remarks ? Membership 1 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 5, 2009 Chair Chamberlain announced the City Commission reappointed the members and two alternate positions were open. Virginia O’Connell’s position on the Board changed from an alternate member to a regular member, and Lloyd McCoy advised Chair Chamberlain he would not be participating in the Senior Advisory Board meetings. Chair Chamberlain requested the members recruit individuals to serve as alternates on the Board. Anyone interested in the position should contact her or submit a completed Advisory Board Application to the City Clerk’s office. VII. Old Business ? Reminder for attendance of January 14, 2009 Meeting for “Community For a Lifetime” Chair Chamberlain reminded the members January 14 was the “Community for a Lifetime” meeting. The meeting would be held at the Senior Center, and would begin at 4:00 p.m. She expressed she would like some representation from the Senior Advisory Board at the meeting, but commented attendance was not mandatory. She requested if a member planned to attend, that they bring a friend who may be interested in serving on the Lifetime Committee. The last Lifetime Committee meeting was publicized but the turnout was low. Only three women expressed an interest in serving on the Committee. On January 13, 2009, Chair Chamberlain and Steve Lulkin, Senior Center Recreation Supervisor, would be making a “Community for a Lifetime” presentation at the Chamber of Commerce. It was hoped someone from the Chamber would be involved in the effort. ? Update on “Silver Alert” Project for “Lifetime” Committee The Community for a Lifetime Committee suggested instituting the “Silver Alert” project in Boynton Beach. The project would be managed by the Lifetime Committee. However, if the Committee dissolved, or needed assistance with it, the Senior Advisory Board would assume the task or assist with it as needed. Chair Chamberlain researched the project and contacted the Police Department. Officer John Huntington advised there was no printed information available on the program. When an elderly person is missing or lost, the caretaker dials 911 to make a report and the Police immediately conduct a local search. While the search was ongoing, specific information is gathered. It was noted, collecting and verifying the information was a time consuming process – sometimes taking up to six hours. If the individual was still missing and the information was verified, a Silver Alert was issued. The Lifetime Committee wanted to put together a brochure detailing the information needed for the program, and valuable time would be saved if the information was available. 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 5, 2009 Chair Chamberlain did not want to duplicate efforts by creating a brochure for the program. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs had no printed information available; however, the Internet did. The information distributed by the Lifetime Committee would be valid Statewide, but would be for the benefit of the residents of Boynton Beach. Mr. Lulkin would publicize the program, which became law in July. The program was particularly important for Alzheimer’s patients and the Alzheimer’s Association strongly supported it. He also advised Silver Alerts were issued more frequently than Amber Alerts, which was the same program used when children go missing. VIII. New Business ? Advisory involvement on “Timeline” for “Lifetime” Committee The Board had discussed a timeline for the Community for a Lifetime Committee. Chair Chamberlain indicated since it was a Lifetime Committee task, the Board would defer to them, but would be happy to assist if needed. She suggested tabling the item and waiting to see what occurred with the Committee. There were no objections to tabling the item. ? Update on new programs at Center for future accreditation Chair Chamberlain advised Bethesda Memorial Hospital used teenaged volunteers at their facility and having youth volunteers was something that could benefit the Senior Center. The Board had previously considered the concept, but thought the Center’s hours would interfere with school. Chair Chamberlain advised most high school seniors finished school by noon or 1:00 p.m. She also noted the volunteers had to have a 3.0 grade average, and student volunteer hours were necessary to satisfy community service requirements for school and college. For the purpose of future Center accreditations, it was suggested the Center’s educational components involve youth. Volunteer students could visit the Center from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and help straighten up the premises, police the area, file, assist with special events, or perform other tasks. Similar to the two seminarians who regularly volunteered at the Center, school volunteers could also sit with the patrons, play cards with them, dance with them, and more. The members discussed using volunteers from Park Vista, Santaluces, and Boynton Beach Community High Schools because they were located in Boynton Beach. Chair Chamberlain agreed to contact the School Superintendent to obtain further information. 3 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 5, 2009 ? Ideas for new projects Mr. Lulkin announced the Center had three new programs, which were the “Travelogue,” the “Movies”, and “Current Events.” The “Travelogue” and “Current Events” classes had not yet started. Chair Chamberlain requested the members develop ideas for new classes. There were twelve painting classes scheduled. Although the classes would be held at Boat Club Park, the classes were a senior activity. The exercise, chair exercise and computer classes at the Center were full. Sterling Village would also be putting on a show at the Center. Developing a senior transportation program was mentioned, and it was noted the Senior Advisory Board attempted to institute a “We Care” transportation program in the past. Due to lack of volunteer drivers, and issues with vehicles and insurance, the initiative was unsuccessful. Efforts to have a book club, poetry club and arts and crafts classes were also unsuccessful. The members discussed Boynton Beach Community High School and noted it has programs in musical theater, dance, and an outstanding art program. Chair Chamberlain explained the Center needed cultural programs and she agreed to contact the school about having a program at the Center. Programs addressing roadway overgrowth and reporting roadways with visual obstructions was suggested and Chair Chamberlain opined that could be a task for the Lifetime Committee. ? Senior Center Report – Steve Lulkin Mr. Lulkin announced the new registration period began in October. The Center registered over 600 people in the first three months – of those, 103 registrants were non-residents. The Center installed new scanners. Individuals were returning to Florida and activity at the Center was increasing. There were 140 people at the anniversary show, and the holiday party had 187 attendees. The exercise classes were full, as was the line dancing class. Upcoming events at the Center included a Valentines Day Show, a Health Fair on March 4, 2009, and a St. Patrick’s Day event. There was a Sterling Village Show scheduled in February, and other shows were forthcoming. AARP would be preparing taxes Monday through Thursday, commencing February 2, 2009 to April 9, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Center served lunch to 89 patrons. Mr. Lulkin pointed out patrons needed to call the Center a day in advance if they wanted lunch served. 4 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 5, 2009 Purchase orders associated with a grant to improve the Senior Center, were sent and Mr. Lulkin was waiting for companies to contact him to install cameras, shutters, a public address system and awnings. New scanners were installed which keep count of how many patrons used the Center. The next meeting was March 2, 2009, at the Senior Center, at 3:00 p.m. Chair Chamberlain reiterated her request the members recruit individuals who could serve as alternates on the Board, and bring guests to the Committee for a Lifetime meeting that may want to work on the Committee. She clarified the person did not have to be a retiree. They wanted a Committee that was comprised of diverse individuals and backgrounds. The meetings would be quarterly. IX. Adjournment Motion There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 3:42 p.m. futJLLhlJYl.L GJ.vuu..L~ Catherine Cherry a Recording Secretary 010609 5