COUNCIL ON AGING MINUTES
AUGUST 12, 2015
Present: Council on Aging Members Jack Jordan, Jean Noussee, Virginia McIntyre, Marijo Gorney, Ernest Cornelssen, Council on Aging Director Lynne Waterman, Outreach Coordinator Darlene Perkins.
Absent: Irving Goldberg, Mary Gaffney, Norah McCormick
Vice Chairman Jack Jordan opened the meeting at 8:35 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 8, 2015
Motion: Ernie Cornelssen moved to approve the minutes of July 8, 2015, seconded by Jean Noussee. Vote unanimous 5-0
Public Comments
None
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Lynne Waterman distributed her report for the month of July. She reported she met with a volunteer who agreed to run a six week writing program and with the leader of one of the dance classes. The Director said that she and the Outreach Coordinator met with the Enrichment Director of the new assisted living facility located in Mashpee to discuss how we can work together for the benefit of Mashpee Seniors.
The Director thanked DPW staff for the work they did on the van (5,000 mile service, replacing the wiper blades and addressing the heater malfunction). She also thanked the DPW staff who replaced light bulbs and fixed the leaky bathroom faucet.
The Director reported that she attended the Parkinson’s Support Network of Cape Cod Board of Directors and Programs Committee meeting, the Mashpee Human Services Committee meeting and Staff and Van Drivers monthly meeting. She also met with the gardening volunteers and with the Volunteer Coordinator and Decorating Committee to develop an annual schedule.
The Director noted the Mature Worker from Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands has been selected and he has begun his training.
The Director wrote and submitted to the Town the annual formula grant budget and she and the Outreach Coordinator prepared the annual SGA report that is required as part of the grant process and they both worked together in situations involving elders experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Director reported she and the COA Office Assistant have been working in strengthening the “Frequently Asked Questions” portion of the COA’s section of the website. She signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Regional SHINE (Serving Health and Insurance Needs of Everyone) Program.
The Director noted her goals were to complete tasks for end of the year Property Tax Program, train the new Mature Worker, continue update of shared drive on computer and do the annual clean up of the building.
Motion: Jean Noussee moved to accept the Director’s Report, seconded by Ginny McIntyre. Vote unanimous 5-0
TREASURER’S REPORT
Director Waterman distributed the budget report for the new fiscal year which began July 1 and reviewed the budget figures with the members.
Motion: Jean Noussee moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Ernie Cornelssen. Vote unanimous 5-0
OUTREACH COORDINATOR REPORT
Darlene Perkins distributed her report for the month of July. She reported the new program “The Mail Box Sticker Program” is starting. They sent out letters to citizens who are on the civil defense list for a test run. The program is in partnership with the Mashpee Post Office. The mail carrier will report to the Senior Center when they see a five day buildup of mail in the mail box. We will try and contact the resident and if unable the police department will make a well call. The Outreach coordinator and the Director toured the new memory care assisted facility, Bridges. Darlene is a member of the Elder Services Board of Directors nutrition subcommittee and attended two site visits with the Elder Services nutrition program to review the companies who submitted
bids for the upcoming three years.
The Outreach Coordinator highlighted the home visits and office visits which included meeting with residents of Mashpee to review, policies and procedures for the use of our van and volunteer transportation. Many of our fragile elders who are middle income are in need of services but can’t afford to pay for the amount of services they need which leads to many referrals made to Elder Services and other agencies. The Brown Bag program served 25 seniors this month and she thanked the five volunteers who helped out.
The Outreach Coordinator reported she meets monthly with volunteers, seven Mashpee residents turned 90+ and received flowers delivered by a volunteer. She reported there is a new volunteer working with residents needing help filling out Housing Applications and will be attending fuel assistance training to help with applications this fall.
The Coordinator noted she attended the monthly meetings of the Mashpee Hoarding Task Force and met with the public nurse.
Motion: Jean Noussee moved to accept the Outreach Coordinator’s Report, seconded by Ernie Cornelssen. Vote unanimous 5-0
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR REPORT
The Director distributed the Volunteer Coordinator Report for the month of July. She highlighted that 4 volunteers were enrolled this month. They have signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Deborah Converse reported in her report that two volunteers are cross-enrolled with RSVP and the Council on Aging.
Volunteer trainings will happen on the 16th of September to speak with the volunteers in general about their volunteer experience and the second training will be given by a volunteer on October 21 about emergency preparedness. She will have materials for volunteers who have direct contact with volunteers such as the drivers who take people to doctor appointments.
Motion: Jean Noussee moved to accept the Volunteer Coordinator Report, seconded by Ginny McIntyre. Vote unanimous 5-0
ACTIVITY COORDINATOR REPORT
Director Waterman distributed Christine Foisy, Activity Coordinator’s report for July. She highlighted the Happy Birthday USA luncheon and the Native American Flute program. She also reported that an audience enjoyed a comedy called “Jerry Atric – The Older I Get which was brought to us by the Mashpee Cultural Council.
Motion: Ernie Cornelssen moved to accept the Activity Coordinator Report, seconded by Jean Noussee. Vote unanimous 5-0
Old Business
None
New Business
A Presentation was made to volunteer Lorraine Malcolm. She was nominated for the 2015 AARP State Andrus Award for community service. The Senior Center wanted to give this award to her as a special acknowledgement for her volunteer activities.
The Director thanked the Friends for their generous contribution of a new shredder for the front office. She also distributed a thank you letter received from a client who moved out of town thanking the Outreach Coordinator and the staff.
The Director asked the Council on Aging members if they wished to write a letter to continue funding of a Domestic Violence Grant. The Domestic Violence Special Police Officer is fully funded through this Grant. One area of priority is to alleviate domestic violence with the elders. The letter is to ask not to decrease the funding. The members agreed to write the letter and Ernie Cornelssen agreed to meet with the Director to compose the letter.
The Director said the Massachusetts Councils on Aging is always working on different programs and projects. She noted a couple of programs: intergenerational programming and cultural competency. They have training and her and the Outreach Coordinator attend the trainings.
Motion: Ernie Cornelssen moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Jean Noussee. Vote unanimous 7-0
Meeting adjourned 9:55 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Judy Daigneault
Recording Secretary
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