Minutes 12-05-13 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
HELD ON DECEMBER 5, 2013, AT 6:00 P.., IN CITY HALL COMMISSION
CHAMBERS, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD. BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
PRESENT:
Steve Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, Board Liaison
Carla Colebrooks- Spencer
Carol Lundquist
Kellsie Kershaw, Student Voting Member
ABSENT:
Dr. Tiffany North
Mary Morera, Vice Chair
Hattie Miller
Loretta Wilkinson
Gerline Christophe, Alternate
Dawson Charles Hagger- Lendoiro, Student Non - Voting Member
1. Call to Order
Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. Self- introductions were made.
Pledge of Allegiance /Moment of Silent Reflection
The members recited the Pledge of Al .legiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of
silent reflection.
Approval of Minutes of October 24, 2013
Motion
Ms. Lundquist moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Colebrooks seconded the motion
that unanimously passed.
It was noted the date of the Tennis Carnival on page 4 should be April 26, 2013, not
April 24.
Motion
Ms. Kershaw moved to approve the minutes as amended. Ms. Colebrooks seconded
the motion that unanimously passed.
Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL December 5, 2013
IV. Approval of Agenda
There were no changes to the agenda.
V. Announcements /Presentations /Correspondence
Ms. Claude announced the Board received a $100 donation from Josy and Peter Boeck
of New York, who were friends of former Board Member Phyllis Stern. The donation
was specifically earmarked for the Tennis Carnival. Ms. Claude advised she sent a
thank you letter from the Board to the donors.
A. Presentation by SEEME from Freedom Shores
Jacqueline Gates representing the Southeastern Consortium of Minorities in
Engineering, (a /k/a SECME) was present and explained the Club is a hands -on,
science, engineering and math enrichment Club at Freedom Shores Elementary School.
Students participate in science, technology, engineering and math projects, such as
building balsa wood bridges, exploring force -in- motion by building bottle rockets,
manipulating energy by building a mouse -trap powered car, and building a gravity -ride
rollercoaster while applying reading and math skills. There are many other projects
which Ms. Gates reviewed.
Ms. Gates thanked the Board for their donation to Club last year. The donation was
spent on supplies, some of which are expensive, and to allow the students to attend
competitions. The first competition the students attended was a Palm Beach County
competition at Santaluces High School. One of the students, Allison Jobin, entered and
won the essay competition and went on to the national competition and won second
place, which was a significant accomplishment. The Club also participates in the Brain
Ball competition at the Science Museum in the Spring.
The program is funded mostly by the parents. Students ask for donations, they
fundraise and hold a pancake breakfast. The Club is limited to 25 fourth and fifth grade
students. Once or twice a year, the Club opens for students to join. Students write a
paper explaining why they want to be in the Club and must have good grades and
attendance to be selected. The Club meets after school once a week and as
competition approaches, the teacher stays after school five days per week.
Ms. Colebrooks commented the SECME program was a very good program for
students and it was significant that students from the Club achieved high honors for
their work at competitions. The Club has been ongoing for eight or nine years and has
been steady for the last four years. The parents have been very cooperative, as they
must guarantee they will support the student and can provide transportation. Some
assistance is available for students from different economic backgrounds. In preparing
students for competitions, the students create a project as taught by the teacher. When
students go to a science museum, the team measures everything down to the tiniest
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL December 5, 2013
millimeter. It was noted many girls are involved in the program and students wear
goggles, use power tools and dress appropriately for safety, including pulling hair back.
Ms. Gates completed the request form which was for $600. Discussion followed $600
was significant in terms of funds in the account. A suggestion was made to give half.
Motion
Ms. Lundquist moved to give $300. If other donations were received, the Board could
reconsider giving more funds. Ms. Kershaw seconded the motion.
Chair Waldman agreed if additional funds are received, and funds were still needed, the
Club could re- approach the Board. He commented the Board had another fundraiser
scheduled and asked Ms. Gates to help spread the word, the next Shred -a -Thon would
be held on April 19
The motion unanimously passed.
Ms. Gates left the essay submitted by Ms. Jobin, who won second place at the national
competition. It was noted the student was 10 years old, and the essay was a technical
essay.
VI. Public Audience
None.
VII. New Business
None.
VIII. Old Business
A. Shred -A -Than (4/19/14)
The Shred -A -Thon was still tentative and needed to be confirmed. It was hoped before
the next meeting they would have a date and another contract. Ms. Claude agreed to
email Ms. Wilkinson about the matter and Chair Waldman agreed to contact the school
district to secure the same location as was previously used.
B. Tennis Carnival (4/26/14)
Chair Waldman agreed to contact Ms. Stern about the event and would request Vice
Chair Morera contact the Tennis Pros at Hunters Run. They would obtain trophies and
Chair Waldman explained one of the Tennis Pros agreed to give tennis lessons. Ms.
Claude explained the event was in FunFare Magazine and the new issue was out.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL December 5, 2013
Registration will begin next week, but if the members had any specific locations for
flyers or had suggestions to promote it, they should let her know. Chair Waldman
wanted to drop off flyers at the Day Star School at St. John as it was important to have
student diversity. Ms. Claude explained presently, all recreational facilities have the
flyers advertising the event, including the Library. The flyers will be distributed
sometime in January.
C. Youth Volunteer Bank/Bob Borovy Award
Ms. Claude explained there are about 120 volunteers and about $1,700 left in the fund.
Discussion followed the Board has not been spending a lot of money from the fund
every year.
Chair Waldman explained the program was open to youth of any age. If students sign
up for the program, they receive something at the end of the year. The idea is to do
something for someone else. Helping a teacher set -up a room is counted as volunteer
service. The hours have to be recorded, verified and submitted to Ms. Claude. Once a
student signs up for the program, they do not have to reapply each year.
Discussion followed whether different companies were approached for donations,
plaques, trophies or award certificates. Chair Waldman explained anyone can approach
a company, but the Board should decide who they want to approach. For many years,
Publix gave a $1,000 donation and the Board had a banquet with a D.J. Savings bonds
were given and the awards were contingent on the number of hours earned. For the
last several years, recognition has been given at a City Commission meeting where all
participants would receive a certificate and a $10 gift card. Discussion followed that
monetary donations are always helpful. The American Legion, for a few years, had
provided funds for the Borovy Award.
Ms. Kershaw noted this was her last meeting unless she is reappointed. She explained
she submitted her application for reappointment.
D. Fundraising
Chair Waldman suggested the members discuss fundraising with a full Board present.
Further discussion followed Ms. Kershaw's mother works for Chase Bank who may be
helpful to obtain donations. It was known Chick Fil -A will allow fundraising events and
gives back 10% of the evenings total. Chipotle also gives 50% of the sales from
individuals who identify themselves as supporting an event. The total coming from the
school was over $800. When a school holds a function, all the parents, relatives and
friends attend. When the event is not a school event, it is more challenging. The event
can be publicized through FunFare. At the last meeting, the Board had considered an
event at Smashburgers.
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Meeting !Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL December 5, 2013
Ms. Lundquist suggested putting more effort into marketing the Shred -A -Thon. It was
pointed out News Channel 12 holds a Shred -A -Thon for free. Ms. Colebrooks
commented she was told individuals who used the Channel 12 event preferred the
Board's event because the lines are not long, it is close by and the proceeds go for
youth programs. Chair Waldman hoped they could get a few thousand dollars more
from the event. Ms. Colebrooks agreed to publicize it as much as she could.
Additionally, Commissioner Casello had indicated the Board could approach the City
Commission to discuss donations. Chair Waldman wanted to ensure when he
approached the City Commission, he had a specific project for the funds. This matter
will also be discussed at the next meeting and he was unsure when he should approach
the City Commission.
E. Sister Cities
Ms. Claude had no information to report. Chair Waldman advised Sister Cities held a
golf putting contest to raise funds, and he would ensure a representative attends the
next meeting to explain what they are doing. They have a Young Artist/Young Authors
contest which is an international contest. Boynton Beach's Sister City is QuFu China,
and the students from China participate as do students from Boynton Beach and South
Tech Academy.
Ms. Claude announced Rick Beau -Lieu, a local artist, is the Grand Marshal of the
Holiday Parade to be held on Saturday, December 5, 2013 at 5 p.m.
Ms. Claude also announced a new Recreation and Parks Department series of free
family events called Play Outdoors Unplugged. These events will take place the third
Saturday of the month, beginning in January. The January event will be Bark at the
Park. Postcards will be distributed at the Holiday Parade to ensure all know this will be
a reoccurring event. The events are also in FunFare.
IX. Future Meeting Dates: January 23, 2014
February 27, 2014
X. Adjournment
Motion
There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Kershaw moved to adjourn. Ms.
Colebrooks seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting was
adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
Catherine Cherry
Minutes Specialist
122313
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