COUNCIL ON AGING MINUTES
MARCH 12, 2014
Present: Council on Aging Members Irving Goldberg, Virginia McIntyre, Jack Jordan, Mary Gaffney, Jean Noussee, Marijo Gorney, Council on Aging Director Lynne Waterman, and Darlene Perkins, Outreach Coordinator
Absent: Jack Dorsey and Norah McCormick
Also Present: Wayne Taylor, Selectman Liaison
Chairman Irving Goldberg opened the meeting at 8:32 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 8, 2014
Motion: Mr. Jordan moved to approve the minutes of December 11, 2014, seconded by Jean Noussee. Vote unanimous
Public Comments
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Lynne Waterman distributed her report for the month of January. She met with the volunteer who completed the beginner’s Tai Chi training which was sponsored by the Department of Public Health to schedule an 8-week session at the Mashpee Senior Center beginning in May. The Director also met with a representative from the AARP Safe Driving Program to plan their 2014 presentation scheduled at the Senior Center. Lynne and the Outreach Coordinator met with a certified life coach to plan workshops for Mashpee Seniors.
The Director noted the van annual inspection was completed and thanked the DPW staff who ordered a roof rake and a brush to wash the van.
The Director met with the IT and DPW staff to discuss where to locate a LED screen in the lobby and thanked the Friends for paying for it. The Director also thanked DPW staff who adjusted the front door and replaced lights in the multipurpose room and administrative areas.
Lynne noted she completed the annual evaluation of the Outreach Coordinator and the van drivers completed their annual training classes which are held at the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority.
The Director met with the principal clerk and office assistant to develop a 2014 schedule for the newsletter mailings and the goal is to increase the number of volunteers to participate.
The Director noted her goals is to purchase the LED screen for the lobby, cross train the office staff and work with the volunteer coordinator on planning for the annual volunteer luncheon.
Motion: Jean Noussee moved to accept the Director’s report, seconded by Virginia McIntyre. Vote was unanimous.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Director Waterman distributed the Treasurer’s report. She reviewed the budget to date and stated there are no concerns but is still watching the energy account. In answer to a question from Mary Gaffney, the Director stated she continues to pursue any grants that the center is eligible for.
Motion: Jack Jordan moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Jean Noussee. Vote unanimous.
OUTREACH COORDINATOR’S REPORT
Darlene Perkins distributed her report for February 2014. She reported that the seniors’ budgets have been strained due to the cold winter we have had. She is still taking applications for fuel assistance and had an American Red Cross volunteer come in to discuss emergency preparedness information with seniors.
Darlene noted she had six home visits in addition to many client contacts by telephone and visits to her office. She reviewed her home visits which included medical treatment support, transportation, affordable housing, filling out applications. Darlene said she is working with people on how to use computers for different services such as filling out job applications and setting up emails. The Brown Bag program served 34 seniors this month and six volunteers volunteered to help.
The Outreach Coordinator stated she is meeting monthly with volunteers. The volunteer biographer is looking for a senior to write their life story. We have a new volunteer driver and 7 Mashpee residents turned 90+ and received flowers. She is matching up Friendly Volunteers with seniors who are isolated and need a visit from a Friend.
Darlene noted the monthly meetings she attended: Elder Services Board of Directors meeting, Cape Outreach Coordinator’s monthly meeting, the public nurse and Elder Services Mature Workers Annual meeting.
Motion: Jack Jordan moved to accept the Outreach Coordinator’s Report, seconded by Jean Noussee. Vote unanimous.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR REPORT
Director Waterman distributed the Volunteer Coordinator report and reviewed the report with the council members. There are currently 209 volunteers in the data base and the volunteer coordinator will be updating the list in preparation for volunteer recognition.
The volunteer coordinator also noted the current volunteer drivers have kept up with the requests and she is welcoming new newsletter volunteers.
In her report, the volunteer coordinator noted National Volunteer Week will be on April 5-12. There will be posters displayed and one volunteer name will be drawn for a gift on April 12, 2014 and this would be a great time to thank a volunteer.
The coordinator is working on the Welcome Wagon packet with the Director and the volunteer. The packets now have new contents. About 100 packets are given out over a 3 to 4 month period.
The coordinator is also working on the Volunteer luncheon which will be held on May 15.
Motion: Jean Noussee moved to accept the Volunteer Coordinator’s report, seconded by Virginia McIntyre. Vote unanimous.
ACTIVITY COORDINATOR REPORT
Director Waterman distributed the activity coordinator report and highlighted the computer class and the I Pad classes which went very well and are planning to offer more classes.
A disaster preparedness program was held by an AmeriCorps representative for the Cape and Islands Red Cross and met with seniors and handed out information for us to share with members regarding shelters and other information.
On February 12, a Birthday Club was held for the first time and the next one will be held on March 12.
A history, Mystery and Macabre presented by CAIPRS was enjoyed by 22 participants which was very well received and Mass Audubon did an excellent bird program at which 23 seniors attended
The Social Dining Around was at Laura’s Home Cooking. The Poetry Club met. Assertiveness Training was held by South Bay Mental Health and the participants gave very good feedback
The first meeting of the 60s Social Club was held on February 20th and attended by 13 people. The next social is scheduled for March 20th.
In the Activity Coordinator’s report, she also stated she attend the Mass Recreation and Park Associations Showcase and also networked with two of her colleagues from Falmouth and Brewster COAs and had excellent exchanges of ideas and information for Senior Programs.
Jack Jordan asked about shelters. Darlene Perkins said there are 6 shelters and Mashpee residents are normally taken to Falmouth since we don’t have one in Mashpee. There was a discussion on how the seniors get to the shelters and how they should prepare for emergencies. The Director said we are trying to run on an ongoing basis emergency preparedness programs so seniors know what to do in an emergency.
Motion: Jack Jordan moved to accept the Activity Coordinator report, seconded by Jean Noussee. Vote unanimous.
Old Business
Director Waterman gave an update on the CORE Values. These CORE Values will be in the newsletter and they are Welcoming, Respectful, and Supportive.
The Director said she is not taking any action on the coffee issue as of yet and will be investigating other options.
New Business
The Director asked for feedback on what decorations should be done at the senior center. There was no concensus.
Lynne passed along some information on sleeping pill usage, psychiatric bed shortage and a newsletter from Barnstable County Health and Human Services.
Motion: Jean Nousse moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Jack Jordan. Vote unanimous.
Meeting adjourned 9:35 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Judy Daigneault
Recording Secretary
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