Minutes 05-23-13 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MAY 23, 2013, AT 6:00 P.M., IN CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS,
100 E. BOYNTON EACH BLVD. BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
PRESENT:
Steve Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, Board Liaison
Mary Morera, Vice Chair
Carla Colebrooks-Spencer
Carol Lundquist
Dr. Tiffany North
Loretta Wilkinson (arrived at 6:11 p.m.)
Kellsie Kershaw, Student Voting Member
Dawson Charles Hagger-Lendoiro, Student Non-Voting Member
ABSENT:
Hattie Miller
Gerline Christophe, Alternate
Lourdes Paola Alvarez, Student Voting Member
1. Call to Order
Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Self introductions were made.
11. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silent Reflection
The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of
silent reflection.
Ill. Approval of Minutes of April 25, 2013
Ms. Lundquist moved to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair
Morera and unanimously passed.
IV. Approval of Agenda
It was noted Jeanne Heavilin of the Sister Cities organization was present. Her
presentation would be heard under Old Business as Item D.
Motion
Vice Chair Morera moved to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Colebrooks-
Spencer seconded the motion that unanimously passed.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida May 23, 2013
V. Announcements /Presentations /Correspondence
Ms. Claude commented she had articles from the Boynton Beach Forum about the Bob
Borovy winner and the Tennis Carnival. The Palm Beach Post also had an article in the
local section about Bob Borovy and the Youth Volunteer Awards. The programs
received some very positive press coverage.
VI. Public Audience
None.
VII. New Business
A. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Ms. Lundquist nominated Steve Waldman for Chair. Ms. Colebrooks- Spencer seconded
the nomination. There were no other nominations made, and the nominations were
closed. The vote was unanimous.
Ms. Lundquist nominated Mary Morera for Vice Chair, Ms. Colebrooks- Spencer
seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations made, and the nominations
were closed. The vote was unanimous.
Chair Waldman expressed on behalf of Vice Chair Morera and himself, it was an honor
to serve. The Board was an active Board with good members and they accomplish good
things. He expressed his thanks and appreciation to the members.
VIII. Old Business
a. Shred -A -Thou
Chair Waldman announced the Board was unable to hold a Shred -A -Thou this summer.
Ms. Claude explained Ms. Wilkinson had expressed to her the company could not hold
the event on the dates the Board was interested in during May, and they did not want to
hold the event during the summer when it is hot. Ms. Wilkinson had agreed to approach
the company in late summer and try to schedule a date in October.
Chair Waldman noted the Shred -A -Thou has been the Board's most successful
fundraiser, and they should try to hold it more than one time a year. He conveyed the
secretary at the high school was receiving inquiries when the next one will be held. Ms.
Claude had received inquiries as well. He agreed, since the school year starts in
August, October would be a good time for the Shred -A -Thou and then have another
event later during the year. The company requested the Board pay $500 to cover the
cost of the employees' time, but in three hours, even with the charge, they made nearly
$1,000. He thought it was important to continue the relationship.
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Boynton Beach, Florida May 23, 2013
Ms. Wilkinson arrived and explained the company gave her a list of dates that were
available, and they hold these events on the 1st and 3rd Saturday. Nothing was on their
calendar at this time, so all the members had to do was select a date.
Ms. Claude suggested time could be saved by having only one contract for two events.
After discussion, October 19th and April 19th were chosen. Ms. Wilkinson agreed to
obtain the school's permission as the event was held on school grounds and the time
would be from 9 to 12 noon. The event only needed to be advertised in the Palm Beach
Post. In addition to issuing the press releases, it was suggested the Board contact Eliot
Kleinberg from the Palm Beach Post and inform him of the purpose of the event and
recruit his assistance.
b. Youth Volunteer Bank /Bob Borovy Award
Ms. Claude had nothing official to report, but commented she thought when the Awards
were presented at the City Commission meeting on May 7, it was very impressive.
About 40 to 50 youth attended and it was a great venue for the community and
Commission to see what the Board and students were doing. It was good to recognize
them in that forum.
C. Fundraising
Chair Waldman commented on a personal note, his name was submitted to the Molina
Healthcare Program who gives awards in Palm Beach and other counties. Chair
Waldman announced he won the award and, at a dinner next Thursday, he will be
receiving a $1,000 check to issue to his favorite charity. He announced his favorite
charity is this Board. He invited Vice Chair Morera and Ms. Claude to the dinner with
him and his wife when he accepts the award. The check will be turned over to Ms.
Claude for the Board and the members can decide how to use the money. He noted
funds were down to $850 in the Oyer Fund and he anticipated Galaxy and Poinciana
Elementary School would request support for programs such as Adapt -A- Classroom
plus the Borovy Award, which only had two years worth of money remaining. Chair
Waldman emphasized It was important to raise more money. He would like to have the
funds available to help as requests for support were made.
A suggestion was made Chair Waldman approach the City Commission for funds. Chair
Waldman commented he may be successful if he appeared and made the request, as
the City Commission does know about the Board and what they do, but he felt it was
important he approach them at the appropriate time.
Chair Waldman also reminded the members that teachers return to school August 16th.
In prior years, he went to Poinciana Elementary School to sign up students for the
Youth Volunteer Bank, but he missed it this year. He spoke to the principal who invited
him to return. He noted Galaxy Elementary School also has a "Meet the Teacher"
evening, and he suggested volunteers go to the various schools to try to sign up
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volunteers. He would like to approach the new person who would be handling the
student council at the high school on a temporary basis to see if he could recruit some
of those students. They had been unable to do this in the past. He inquired if it would
violate the Sunshine Law to call a fellow Board member to ask if they could go to a
school. Ms. Claude suggested the matter be handled through her via email.
d. Sister Cities
Jeanne Heavilin, 734 NE 9th Avenue, thanked the Board for its donation to the Young
Artist Competition. She presented the Board with a certificate and thanked the
volunteers and members for setting up the exhibit, especially Vice Chair Morera and her
family. She noted there were 148 exhibits this year, and it was the best exhibit so far. It
was a great venue and she appreciated the help.
Ms. Heavilin explained she recently attended the Florida State Sister Cities Conference
in Sarasota. There was much discussion about the upcoming Sister Cities International
Conference in July in San Antonio, Texas, and one activity piqued her interest, which
was a youth leadership summit for high school students aged 14 to 18 who would
participate in a mock United Nations. The topics would pertain to what is occurring
globally, and she would like to send a youth from Boynton Beach. She printed flyers
which she distributed to the Board and commented another member from their Sister
Cities Board was attending. They were requested to send an invitation to officials in Les
Cayes, Haiti, Boynton's Sister City, and she requested the City Commission send a
Commissioner to the event, as it is a good way for them to see what can be
accomplished through the organization.
The cost is $450 for the hotel and registration. Airfare was about $500. In 2014, the
Conference will be held in San Jose, California, which may be less expensive in terms
of air travel. The organization provides chaperones that would take youth delegates
from the airport to the hotel, and the hotel has a wing set aside where the youth and
chaperones would stay.
Ms. Heavilin pointed out the Sister Cities may be able to help with the cost. While she
did not believe participation from the Board was possible this year, she suggested the
matter be put on the Board's calendar for next year and Sister Cities would do the
same.
Ms. Heavilin proposed it would be a great experience, although she did not know how
delegates would be selected. Chair Waldman agreed and thought it should be
considered next year. The expenses could be split between the two Boards. There was
discussion the delegate could be a volunteer, the winner of the Borovy Award, or a
member from the Youth Leadership Program, (YLP). Ms. Claude noted Board members
Hagger- Lendoiro and Alvarez were involved in that program, and she agreed to pass on
the conference details and contact information to Chris Gonzales, Recreation Specialist,
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who handles the program. Mr. Hagger- Lendoiro was also approached to see if he
would be interested in attending, but he deferred to other students in the YLP.
Ms. Heavilin commented the City Commission was approached for assistance, but they
have been financially unable to do so for a number of years. She hoped it would be
addressed on the Commission level at the next meeting. She noted Sister Cities held
several fundraisers and had not developed any selection criteria, but the Conference is
in July and there was time to decide before then.
Ms. Wilkinson thought the delegate should contribute financially towards their
attendance. If planning for next year, the student had time to plan how to pay for it as
well. The matter could also be addressed as a scholarship.
Ms. Kershaw indicated her interest in attending the Conference this year or next, but it
was recognized participation was open to the YLP members too. Chair Waldman
thought if participating this year, the Board would need to indicate its support to spend
monies up to a certain amount because the Board will not meet again until August.
Chair Waldman noted his donation added $1,000 and $500 could be spent from the
Oyer Fund and replaced with his donation. Discussion ensued about how much each
party should contribute and a suggestion was made each party contribute $300 to $350.
The conference, this year, will take place July 11 to the 13th. Attendees would stay at
the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk in San Antonio. Ms. Wilkinson emphasized the support
was not just for Ms. Kershaw, it should be more generic in case someone else attended.
Any motion made would be to expend the funds for a youth participant to attend the
Conference in San Antonio.
Motion
Ms. Wilkinson made a motion to expend up to $500 for a youth to attend the Sister
Cities International Power of Exchange Youth Leadership Summit in San Antonio. Ms.
Colebrooks- Spencer seconded the motion.
Vice Chair Morera inquired if Sister Cities had the ability to contribute an additional
amount so the family would know how much they would have to pay out -of- pocket. Ms.
Heavilin could not speak for the Board, but agreed to poll the members and know by
Monday. Ms. Wilkinson liked the idea of splitting the cost into thirds as it was
recognized there would be some miscellaneous expenses.
Vote
The motion passed unanimously.
In response to a question about the organization, Ms. Heavilin explained the
organization is named Sister Cities, International. It is their conference and there will be
attendees representing 260 countries. Delray Beach has two or three delegates from
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Boynton Beach, Florida May 23, 2013
their Sister City in Japan that would attend. It was thought sending someone from
Boynton Beach, and more specifically, from the Board would give the Board great
prestige as it was indicative of what the Board does. Additionally, the City Commission
may contribute to this event since it is a prestigious event. It may also encourage the
Commission to send a delegate.
Ms. Heavilin explained she emailed the Mayor and City Manager urging an official
representative of the City to attend the Conference. Chair Waldman and Ms. Heavilin
agreed to attend the City Commission and make the request. Ms. Heavilin agreed to
make copies of the details for all the Commissioners and, as discussed earlier in the
meeting, would make the reservation for the student to attend the Conference as they
are the registered member of Sister Cities International. The Board's contribution would
be to reimburse the student for airfare and miscellaneous expenses.
I. Future Meeting Dates: August 22, 2013; September 26, 2013; October 24, 2013
X. Adjournment
Motion
There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Wilkinson moved to adjourn. Ms.
Kershaw seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at
6:48 p.m.
Catherine Cherry
Minutes Specialist
052813
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