Synopsis of Meeting of Wednesday, April 23, 2014
The meeting was called to order by Karen Halley at 9:35 am.
In attendance: Jim Robinson, Faye Ellis, Joe Sullivan, Karen Halley
1. Minutes were approved from the meeting of March 10, 2014. Faye Ellis will be sent meeting minutes and agenda by regular mail.
2. & 3. Louise Charbonneau, Paula Early, and Cindy Smith of the Holden Senior Center attended the meeting and a discussion took place on: the Welcome Aldrich Relief Fund application and application process; the gathering of facts for the next edition of the Resource booklet (see #6); and, the process by which donations are received and processed (see #5).
- The application is tweaked fairly regularly and approved by the CoA. An electronic version of the application will likely be available soon via the Town of Holden website.
- The Outreach coordinators will propose changes to the application policy and document to help streamline the process and track repeat appliers.
- Not just electricity needs should be met.
- How can we help?
Discussion centered on “getting the word out” to increase awareness and to therefore increase the number of applications for assistance. In order to increase awareness and help more families, the following points were made:
- Clergy outreach
- The Landmark and T&G – a personalized approach like a case paragraph, perhaps?
- Town Manager’s blog; Channel 11; electronic message board
The following message will be sent to the list above:
Neighbors helping Neighbors! Help at H.O.M.E. is here to help residents of Holden! Should you need assistance, please call 508-210-5570 to find out how to make that possible.
4. CoA: Faye Ellis provided information regarding the Council on Aging activity concerning Welcome Aldrich/Help at H.O.M.E.
Since 1/2014:
- Requests for help: 14 (9 for heat; 4 for electric; 1 is unsure)
- Heat: helped – 5; payment plan – 1; application not returned – 2; too early for their year – 1
- Electricity: helped – 2; application stalled due to incorrect contact information; application not returned – 1
- Unsure: have not heard from resident again
5. Treasurer's report: Jim is still in the process of researching the level of financial connectivity between Help at H.O.M.E. and Welcome Aldrich Relief Fund. Corporate donations were mentioned and this was tabled until the next meeting tentatively scheduled for early September. Donations can be made electronically via the Town of Holden website.
The following process was suggested as a way to streamline donation handling:
The checks will be sent over to the Senior Center from HMLD via the Starbard Building. Louise will track the donations and write the donation receipt letters (unless there is a large volume and Karen and Faye will help!). The letters will get dropped off at HMLD to be stamped using its postage meter (the cost will be tracked).
6. Emergency reference booklet: Susie Marsh was unable to attend the meeting however she will call Paula and Cindy in May and set up a time to meet with them. Changes to existing facts in the Resource booklet, as well as new resources need to be captured and then made available for the next edition of the booklet.
7. Clergy outreach: Marty Holman was unable to attend the meeting.
8. Food/WFP update Karen Halley gave a report on the Wachusett Food Pantry and other organizations with which she has been in contact. There were 140 families helped at the WFP in April. There is enough food for the five towns, as well as homeless in Worcester and Friendly House in Worcester.
9. The date for the next meeting: tbd in early September.
10. Adjournment: The meeting ended at 10:30 am. The minutes were taken and written by Karen Halley.
| 
