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Minutes 11-02-09 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 2, 2009, 3:00 P.M., AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Denise Chamberlain, Chair Steve Lulkin, City Liaison Virginia O'Connell Betty Spinelli (arrived at 3:07 p.m.) Katharine Cregan, Alternate Jean Young, Alternate Bernice Begleiter Lillian Bruzzese Elizabeth Jenkins Rose A. Love I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 3:02 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. IV. Approval of Minutes Motion Ms. O'Connell moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Young seconded the motion that passed unanimously. V. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. O'Connell moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Cregan seconded the motion that passed unanimously. 1 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 2, 2009 VI. Chairperson's Remarks ?Introduce two new alternates New alternate members, Katharine Cregan and Jean Young, were introduced. VII. Old Business ?"Community for a Lifetime" Committee update (Pass out survey sheets) The Community for a Lifetime Committee met last month. The survey form was prepared by Mr. Lulkin and a Committee member. The Committee was attempting to raise monies and secure funds from the Chamber of Commerce and other sponsors in order to print additional copies of the survey. It was intended for the survey to be distributed to the Little League and placed in the Library, schools and various facilities within the City. It was noted on the form that the survey was required to be submitted by December 2, 2009. The deadline, however, could be extended if necessary. People of all ages were invited to participate in the survey. The Committee would be meeting on November 18, 2009 and it was hoped, by that time, sponsors would have been identified. A number of surveys had already been submitted to the Senior Center, and once all the surveys had been received, the Board would tally the information. The Community for a Lifetime Committee would be discussing "CarFit" at its next meeting. "CarFit is an educational program designed to help older drivers improve the "fit" of their vehicles for safety and comfort. Mr. Lulkin noted the Department of Elder Affairs would send a team of volunteers to various locations where it would be determined if mirrors, steering wheels and seats were adjusted properly. Chair Chamberlain noted the Committee was attempting to set up a mini-fair in Boynton Beach. Board members, as a segment of the Community for a Lifetime Committee, were encouraged to attend Committee meetings on the second Wednesday of every month. Members of the community were also encouraged to attend the meetings which were open to people of all ages. It was noted most of the members were currently employed in the health-care system on a full-time basis and as such, were not always available. ?Update-Boynton Beach Community High School response to the flyer and letter Chair Chamberlain, Mr. Lulkin and Ann Forster, Recreation Specialist at the Center, previously sent letters to the club advisers at the High School, inviting the clubs and organizations to provide a presentation or performance for the seniors at the Center. This would provide an opportunity for the students to interact with the senior 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 2, 2009 generation while accruing community service hours. A high-school senior had visited the Center and worked a number of hours over a five-day period. Most high-school seniors had already accrued their community hours. While high-school seniors were generally available from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., sophomores and juniors unfortunately were not. The hours of 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. were the hours the students would be needed to volunteer at the Senior Center. As set forth in the minutes of the last meeting, flyers had been provided to the High School notifying sophomores and juniors of volunteer opportunities at the Center in the event they were available. ?Review "roles" for seniors in intergenerational program at Senior Center Chair Chamberlain clarified the roles would be proposed for high-school seniors in the intergenerational program at the Senior Center. Interviews had been set and the students would be assisting the seniors in decorating and serving refreshments at holiday times and parties, as well as posting flyers and socializing. In interacting with the seniors at the Center, the students learned about the Great Depression and World Wars I and II. The students had participated in the special events by handing out door prizes. It was suggested the senior high-school students assist with letter writing, journaling, scrapbooking, creating memory books and with "how to" programs. These opportunities had not yet been scheduled as volunteers were scarce. It was noted Palm Beach Atlantic University ran a volunteer program entitled "Workship," wherein students provided volunteer services while accruing credits for their work. Chair Chamberlain suggested flyers be sent to the University in order to attract volunteers. VIII. New Business ?Letter concerning 211 Elder Needs Report Chair Chamberlin read the following letter which was sent by Wally Majors on May 27, 2009 to the Department of Elder Affairs: "Enclosed please find the Elder Needs Report reflecting the problems or needs of individuals 60 years of age and older who called 211 Palm Beach Treasure Coast in 2008 in regard to community resources. The goal of this report is to summarize the daily issues facing older adults in our community as expressed through calls to 211 and to bring these issues to the attention of the members of the aging network. We believe you will find this report informative and useful. It is 211 Palm Beach Treasure Coast's hope that the Elder Needs Report will provide data to substantiate 3 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 2, 2009 efforts to advocate on the local, state and national level for our growing elder population and the services they need." Chair Chamberlain added the City had been conducting a survey to determine the problems facing older Americans, the nature of the calls and questions to 211. It was believed these issues would be addressed by the Department of Elder Affairs. ?Discuss Intergenerational programs from area high schools at Senior Center Chair Chamberlain had not received very many responses, other than from the student referred to earlier. She could not be certain of the progress of the program because, as previously noted, most of the high-school seniors had already accrued their community hours. Discussion ensued regarding the joint workshop meeting of the Recreation and Parks, Education and Youth and Senior Advisory Boards on October 17, 2009. The workshop would assist in determining the manner in which the citizens of Boynton Beach valued the various programs offered by the Recreation and Parks Department and to develop a Vision Statement. A consultant had been engaged to serve as the facilitator. A number of issues were addressed including greenways, blueways, signage and the use of digital boards to provide updated information to the community. While digital boards could be installed at the Senior Center, the cost must be considered. Smaller boards could be used in lieu of the marquee. A follow-up meeting was held last week with staff in order to develop the Vision Statement and to determine the direction in which the Recreation and Parks Department would be proceeding. It would be essential to demonstrate to the City's leaders and its citizens the significance of the programs offered and the value of recreational activities when considering a move to a municipality. Discussion ensued with regard to the Silver Alert. The program had been brought to the attention of the Legislature and Department of Elder Affairs. While the Silver Alert had been widely used, pursuant to the advice of the Police Department, no rules or regulations had been established to date. Thus far, nothing further had been heard with regard to the status of the Silver Alert program. ?New Ideas from members on Senior problems Some of the ideas suggested at the last meeting included: Placing a list of emergency telephone numbers, medications and o physicians' numbers on the refrigerator; Having a handyman on call; and o 4 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 2, 2009 Installing a Life Alert system. o Chair Chamberlain noted the Community for a Lifetime Committee would be working on the above suggestions. It was noted that while a list of emergency numbers was maintained at the Senior Center, it was important the list be distributed to the community. The list had been included in a newsletter several years ago. Discussion ensued regarding decals for windows and refrigerators, as well as informational packets noting medications used by Senior Citizens and from whom the decals and packets could be obtained. It was suggested Vial of Life, 211 and the Marketing Departments at Humana and Bethesda Hospital be contacted. Ms. O'Connell agreed to contact Humana and Ms. Cregan agreed to contact 211 on behalf of the Senior Advisory Board. Chair Chamberlain requested feedback at the next meeting. ?Senior Center Report – Steve Lulkin st The new fiscal year commenced on October 1. The Center's 10-year anniversary was celebrated with a show, entertainment, door prizes, and dessert. The event had been very successful and was attended by approximately 130 people. The Columbus Day pizza lunch was very popular and attended by nearly 200 people. The Halloween magic show and costume contest was attended by approximately 100 people, and it was reported all enjoyed the event. As of October 1, 2009, 368 people had been re- registered. Nearly 1,200 people are registered each year. In August, Mr. Lulkin attended the Florida Conference on Aging, and the Senior Center was the recipient of the Florence Goldman Award for the Outstanding Senior Center for 2009 in the State of Florida. Congratulatory letters had been received from Senators Atwater and Aronberg. Reporters from the Channel 5 News Team had provided coverage of the Senior Center in the "Making a Difference" segment of the news. The piece was aired shortly thereafter and several people at the Center, including Mr. Lulkin, were interviewed. Chair Chamberlain suggested the sign posted on the door of the Senior Center relating st to October 1 re-registration be made larger. Mr. Lulkin pointed out he would request the volunteers be more assertive and ensure that registered visitors to the Center scan their cards and wear their identification badges. Mr. Lulkin and Ms. Forster would attend to this and would arrange to meet with the volunteers stationed at the front desk. 5 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 2, 2009 IX. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 3:54 p.m. Next Meeting - January 4, 2010 ~~ H/ Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 120709 6