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Minutes 04-27-17MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN CITY HALL, 100 EAST BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017, AT 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Dr. Tiffany North, Chair Anthony Altiere Carla Colebrooks Peggy LaGuerre Carol Lundquist Gregory Murphy Angelica Nevin Valencia Spells Anderson (Arrived 6:95 p.m.) Alana Thomas ABSENT: Robert Whedon Darianna Rodriquez Kathleen Wilkinson I. Call to order Amy Blackman, Recreation Supervisor Chair North called the meeting to order at 6: 08 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance Ms. LaGuerre led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. Approval of Agenda Motion Mr. Murphy moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Lundquist seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Approval of Minutes of January 26, 2017 Motion Mr. Murphy moved to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Colebrooks seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2017 VI. Announcement/Presentations/Correspondence None VII. Public Audience Morisa Fontaine, High School Guidance Counsellor, Boynton Beach High School, started a service for high school and college students. She works individually with them outside of school on college and scholarship applications. High school guidance hours are limited to what they could offer students. She started Fontaine's College Knowledge. She works with students from other high schools, to avoid conflicts of interest, from application to acceptance and beyond. If there is a group of students from Boynton Beach that could use that service, she requested they refer them to her. She has a Facebook page, a website, fontainescollegeknowledge.org. Ms. Fontaine had few cards and flyers. Since she is a high school guidance counsellor, she shares her knowledge. Dr. North inquired when is a good time for a student to start looking for college. Ms. Fontaine explained in Palm Beach County, Juniors take their SAT exams and they should have a plan and or direction. Students should apply to colleges in the beginning of their senior year. Ms. Fontaine commented there are tricks of the trades as she meets with college admission counsellors often. She has programs and boot camps for all grades, she advises what they should do as Freshman, how to build a resume, what types of community service they should perform, what clubs to be involved in. Dr. North asked what some of the biggest changes and challenges was and learned one challenge is getting good letters of recommendation. (Ms. Spells Anderson arrived at 6:15 p.m.) Ms. Fontaine explained college is becoming incredibly competitive and most students are not able to have in-depth conversations with their guidance counsellors. Most schools and universities in Florida have medical schools attached to them. By the time students are seniors, if they not built the curriculums, and taken advanced placement or honors classes, it is late because the GPA is not where it should be. Children also tend to give up and parents let them. She feels it is a disservice. Students need to be taught life skills. Ms. Fontaine also teaches at Palm Beach State College and they are encouraging retention because many students start, but do not finish. Students have not learned the skills they need to stick with course work. She teaches life lessons and noted it is important to stay in college. Ms. Colebrook's vouched for Ms. Fountain as she was her son's guidance counsellor during his junior and senior years. She made it through to him and it made a big difference. She gave him life skills and made sure he stayed in school. He is now in college and what she did helped him a lot. She praised Ms. Fontaine and thought life skills should be offered in lower grades. She prepared her son for college. Ms. Fontaine teacher internal college experience class which has a lot of test, reading and note taking strategies. She sits on a scholarship committee for the Classroom Teachers K Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton each, Florida April 27, 2017 Association. She enjoys what she does. She has access to scholarships and college representatives. She can arrange a job shadow experience. Ms. Fontaine explained she has competitors that charge a lot more, but she was not in it for the money. She left information and her cards with the Board. I. New Business None \Illi. Old Business A. Fundraising/Account Review Chair North explained there were a few items they had discussed such as a breakfast fundraiser. She contacted Chris Francois, Women's Club and Culinary Solutions, who had previously appeared before the Board and had indicated if the Board would organize an event, she would assist with a breakfast and donating to the Board as they have a catering facility. Ms. LaGuerre advised has not been able do anything but she did receive a floor and table plan. Ms. Nevin explained she had reached out to a community member with prior event planning experience. She would be willing to help and Ms. Nevin agreed to provide that information. Chair North explained the Board needs to increase its fundraising activities. Ms. Blackman explained the CRA may be an avenue to pursue as they have events that are well attended and local. She was referred to Mercedes Copans, CRA Special Event Coordinator. Discussion followed the Shred a Thon was still a viable option, but the Board needed to find a company to donate services if they provide them with advertising. Chair North advised they were still reaching out to other companies. Ms. Blackman announced the Board received a $50 gift Card from Publix and it was noted Ms. Spells Anderson had sent out several letters. The gift card would be used for supplies. Ms. Nevin hoped Publix would sponsor a pancake breakfast. Ms. Colebrooks was working with another board on another event, and noted as long as the organization is a 501 (c) (3), they will help with funding. Ms. Blackman explained the City is not a 501 (c) (3), but she suggested working something out the Greater Boynton Foundation, which was set up for parks, but may be able to assist. Currently, there is not tax write off to donate to this Board, and it was part of why the foundation was formed. Ms. Claude will hold the gift card until the Board decides how to use it. Ms. Blackman explained the Board received a very cute thank you post card from the Lego champs. Correspondence was also received from Ms. Florida, Autumn Nobles, who was looking for a donation. 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2017 Dr. North did not realize how many participants are in the Lego League. Her old high school in the Bahamas sent participants and she did not know it was an international event. Dr. Murphy inquired what the plan would be if the Board was unable to use another shredding company. Dr North explained the reason for trying to obtain another company was the last shred a thon had a good turnout. Ms. Nevin explained before paying the shredder, the Board received $561. After paying the shredder $500, the Board yielded $61. Dr. North commented many people who came, donated over and above the $5 per box fee. If they were supposed to pay $10, they paid $20. If that had not occurred, the event would have been a wash. Everyone holds Shred a Thons and sometimes they are free. It is hard to compete and the Board needed new ideas. The idea behind a new shredding company was to trade off payment in lieu of free advertising so the company would feel they are receiving something. Ms. Nevin commented if they hold a breakfast, they could have a table sponsored by a company and the Board would setup a sponsorship for them, but they would not be charged like the Board would for an outside business. Ms. Blackman explained there is a value to advertise. When a marketing manager is hired, they could put together a package. Ms. Blackman explained there would be numbers and data. B. Youth Volunteer Bank/Bob Borovy Award Ms. Blackman advised there is one first place award of $1,000 and a letter was sent to the winner. The question is if the Board wanted to award a second place award as the Board has in the past. If the Board opted for the second place award, it has been $300 but the amount can change. The selection committee was Steve Waldman, Jean Heavilin and last year's winner, Kyler Correia. The judges are independent from the Board. This year's Bob Borovy Student Citizen of the Year was Nicole Brodi. The potential second place winner was Claudia Elysee. Winners are usually presented with certificates. This year the certificates will be presented at the May 16th City Commission meeting along with the Youth Volunteer Bank volunteers. The City Commission meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Motion Ms. Nevin moved to issue a second place award. Ms. Colebrooks seconded 'the motion. Ms. Lundquist expressed concern about depleting the fund. Ms. Nevin noted the account has $2,305. Issuing both awards would leave the fund with $1,005 and would ensure at least one award for next year. In the interim, it was hoped the Board would be successful with their fundraising. In Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2017 Vote The motion unanimously passed. Chair North requested the Board attend the City Commission meeting. Ms. Nevin commented last year, they took pictures with the recipients and the Mayor. It was a very nice meeting and she encouraged all to attend. Ms. Blackman explained the Youth Volunteer Bank certificates were prepared. There were 10 recipients. She explained youth turn in their information about volunteer hours they earned throughout the year and they are recognized for their achievement by the Education and Youth Board, and they will also be recognized at the City Commission meeting and receive a gift bag. Ms. Colebrooks asked how much is spent for the gift bags for the youth volunteers and learned it was about $30 in total. They try to keep it to something meaningful. They were given items that were meaningful and they have already such as a small recreation and parks notebooks. C. Back to School Event — August 5 Dr. North explained the members had agreed they would participate in the back to school bash. They participated last year with the Bridges of Boynton Beach program in collaboration with St. John Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, August 5th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Last year the Board had to bring a gift card and they had a raffle and Chair North noted the Board now has a gift card to use. They set up the tables to make people aware of the Education and Youth Advisory Board. It was a nice event as parents were unaware of the Board and it was good to see other agencies. The Back to School Bash gave out backpacks, food and activities and health screenings. When dealing with kids, they do not want paper items, so they had to have trinkets. Ms. Blackman explained distributing candy would be against the City's health pledge they signed with the Recreation and Parks Association. She explained they are strict in what they give away and she will obtain pencils. Recreation and Parks signed a pledge with 90 other agencies to support a healthy lifestyle. The Recreation Department has a large Connect 4 and giant Jenga game which the youth like as well as tattoo stickers and others to distribute. Ms. Spells Anderson suggested taking fundraising letters as someone may want to donate. Ms. Colebrooks ordered very inexpensive pencil/holder for her classroom with their name on it holders. Youth like them and it advertises the Board and parents get the information when they come over. She will forward the information to Ms. Claude. Dr. North recalled at the last event they wore tee shirts. She asked, due to new members, if there were extra shirts. The members will see Ms. Blackman after the meeting so they can be ordered. 6i Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2017 Ms. Nevin noted they have two seats and she thought they should take shifts. Chair North commented last year they realized the entire Board did not need to attend, and they should mingle promoting the Board and its mission. Mr. Murphy explained there are opportunities for volunteer. If they take shifts at the table, they can rotate. The Board participating makes a statement. Pathways to Prosperity is an important organization in the community. Last year, the Board was not on the activities roster (Checkerboard) and all who attended had to attend so many spots and marking. It was suggest the Board do so this year. Ms. Nevin noted there was a lot of activity outside. It was thought if they had a tent, they would stay outside as there was more activity outside than inside the Church. Ms. Blackman noted the Recreation and Parks Department has a tent. They were giving away food. The Department also has a popcorn machine. Ms. Blackman will check if the machine is available. A decision on what to do with the Publix card will be made at next meeting. IX. Future Meeting Dates: May 25, 2017 June 22, 2017 July 27, 2017 Dr. North reviewed the future meeting dates and commented if a member cannot attend, they contact Ms. Claude or the City Clerk's Office. X. Adjournment Motion There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Murphy moved to adjourn. Ms. Nevin seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 10