The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About12-07-2006 SCAC Minutes r CITY OFDUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 7, 2006 Call to Order Chairperson Greer Payton called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. Roll Call: Committee Members (CM) Present: Greer Payton, Al Edge, Barbara Gifford, Jim McCuen, Beth Wood; Parks and Community Services Commission Liaison Present: Burr Cain Staff Present: Anna Hudson, Recreation Coordinator; Paul McCreary, Parks and Community Services Manager; Camille Centeno,Recreation Technician; Diane Guenther, Office Assistant Oral Communications: John Sherwin thanked Staff for their hard work. Sherwin expressed that he felt the Senior Center van was under utilized and asked if it could'be used to transport seniors to the.Senior Center. He also suggested a user fee for those individuals who participate in the Senior Center's food distribution program because the program is burgeoning. He inquired if Jazzercise pays a fee to use the facility. McCreary responded that the van is scheduled for three trips a month, and as demand grows Staff will look at extended van use. The Center also offers transportation to and from the Senior Center for Special Events for a nominal fee of $2.00. In response to the food distribution program McCreary indicated that Staff will be reviewing this program and that Jazzercise pays a monthly rental rate plus percentage of their user fees. Raju Borra asked the Committee to consider establishing funds that seniors could apply to use in emergencies. He asked if the Center could provide dental consultations and establish a scholarship program for seniors in need. Martin Sirlin, indicated that attendance at the Bingo Dinner Program offered each month is declining. Sirlin stated that the Bingo program at the San Ramon Senior Center is very well attended and their Foundation provides a $100 subsidy for their blackout game. He suggested the Committee request the Dublin Senior Center Foundation subsidize the Bingo Dinner similarly. McCreary responded that Staff is working the Foundation to determine if they are able to begin sponsoring the Center's Bingo program. Rich Guarienti asked how the public will be informed about how-to register for Senior Center activities on-line. McCreary indicated that the Center is having a "soft opening" with the introduction of online registration for senior activities,. and will be advertising on-line registration,in the Center's January newsletter. CM Wood asked if training had begun on the new computerized registration system. McCreary stated Staff is currently in-training and volunteer training will follow. The system will be implemented Monday, December 12, 2006. Approval of the Minutes CM Wood expressed that the November minutes were too general and requested that the holiday party be added to the next agenda. In response,McCreary indicated the recording device was not working properly at the prior meeting. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER'2, 2006 MEETING. MOTION BY CM GIFFORD, SECONDED BY CM EDGE. • New Business SENIOR CENTER STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP—PART II The workshop was held at the Senior Center with approximately 20 participants. McCreary opened the meeting with an overview of the trends in retirement, volunteering, independent living, hobbies.,and interests and senior demographics. During the first planning session in November the Committee provided input on Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) for Senior Center programs, services and operations. McCreary reviewed the Committee's input. STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES Facility Advisory Committee issues not Funding from City/Foundation communicated to customers Willingness to improve and meet unmet Not enough participation needs Cost increases Volunteer dedication Staffing level Staff dedication Clearer identification of needs City's priority for seniors Marketing/Advertising Large number of senior programs Better communication/partnerships with Bus Trips non-profits Need data for decisions OPPORTUNITIES Boomer knowledge of technology New customers Relations with media/channel 30 Growing population Room to add more programs THREATS Reaching care.givers - Sustaining volunteers Flexibility to change Apathy on resident's part not engaged in More non-profit organizations involved public input Make Dublin more senior friendly Limited time for leisure Television Lack of transportation options to access services Demand for social services increasing-need to determine resources McCreary asked the participants if there were any additions to the SWOT list, none were given. • McCreary then reviewed the Strategic Goals that had been previously adopted by the Committee, which were as follows: Strategic Goal#1: Increase the number of volunteers and enhance volunteer training and retention. Strategic Goal#2: - Improve ability to provide consistent, responsive customer service and continue to refine office and building operation procedures. Strategic Goal#3: Develop new programs and services and re-package existing ones to meet the needs of all the segments of the senior market. Strategic Goal#4: Develop means for maintaining reasonable fees while minimizing increases in the subsidy provided by the General Fund for the Senior Center in the future. 2 Strategic Goal#5: Develop means to increase options for transportation to the Senior Center to improve access to programs and services by all senior residents. Strategic Goal#6: Enhance marketing and public outreach to increase awareness of Senior , Center programs and services in the community. At this time the Committee and the audience participants divided into breakout groups to brainstorm objectives to accomplish the Strategic Goals. The following are the objectives contributed by each of the four breakout groups. Strategic Goal#1: Increase the number 'of volunteers and enhance volunteer training and retention. • Advertise need • Publicize , • Provide and advertise training and perks for volunteers • Draw additional volunteers from professions • Church groups and public bulletin boards • Add phone only volunteer—have a'third volunteer answer phones to free up front counter • Develop an ambassador program to solicit for volunteers • Send ambassador to speak to potential volunteers • Provide a four-person committee to interview on Channel 30 • 30 minute TV program • Bring a friend and receive an extra month on supporter card • Develop an incentive/reward program Strategic Goal#2: Improve ability to provide consistent, responsive customer service and continue,to refine office and building operation procedures. _ , • Provide training for online registration • More full-time staff • Loss of friendliness • Volunteer/staff training for courtesy and friendliness • Wear nametags all of the time • New ways of doing things: training • Host in lobby to direct people to activities • Permanent suggestion box • More surveys Strategic Goal#3: Develop new programs and services and re-package existing ones to meet the needs of all the segments of the senior market. • Wicklow: card games; more boat trips, fitness for men, chair exercises,weights • More fitness programs • C.A.R.D. provided whistles and flashlights for every senior • Develop pamphlet 3 • • Expand special events • Art and crafts/creative programs throughout the year • Social services on designated day • Assist in registration/college • Lifelong learning program i.e. Dublin University • Charge only .25 for coffee • Repackage existing programs • Karaoke, sing-along, glee club • Provide notary for free or low fee • Dental services • Spa services: make-up, hair, makeover, nails, fashion • Fashion/trunk show • • Art shows • More free classes Strategic Goal#4: Develop means for maintaining reasonable fees while minimizing increases in the subsidy provided by the General Fund for the Senior Center in the future. • " Improve non-profit business support • Expand fundraising events • Sponsored lunch for businesses • Better relations with the Foundation • Scholarships • Special fundraising event for Foundation • • Form committee for fundraising, tax deduction • White elephant sale in place of rummage sale • Increase rentals to increase revenue Strategic Goal#5: Develop means to increase options for transportation to the Senior Center to improve access to programs and services by all senior residents. • Transportation to the Center for seniors in Dublin (2) • • Publicize bus routes that provide clear directions to the Center • Address homebound seniors and how to help with groceries, etc. • The Groves will have a van to the Senior Center • Study public transportation routes • Free bus/transport for seniors • Carpool to special events by neighborhood; organize by location • Volunteer drivers Strategic Goal#6: Enhance marketing and public outreach to increase awareness of Senior Center programs and services in the community. • Increase visible signage on Amador • Post daily activities • Promote more activities/ad campaign 4 • Programs for veterans and caregivers • Outreach for veterans • Outreach to caregivers • More ads with Channel 30 • Post on retailer bulletin boards • Online advertisements/web • Pamphlets in library and businesses • Ambassador/spokesman for Senior Center • . Mascot to be more visible • Wheels signs designating the stop at the Senior Center • More step out programs similar to Senior Day • Open Center on weekends and nights for working Seniors After the breakout groups presented their strategies each workshop participant was provided six stickers so participants could each vote for their top six strategies. Following is a'list of all items (in priority order) that received at least one vote. • Add phone only volunteer—have a third volunteer answer phones to free up front counter(6) • Increase visible signage on Amador(5) • Post daily activities (3) • Ambassador/spokesman for Senior Center(3) • • Provide and advertise training and perks for volunteers (3) • Open Center on weekends and nights for working Seniors (3) • More full-time staff(3) ' • Host in lobby to direct people to activities (3) • Improve non-profit business support (3) • Transportation to the Center for seniors in Dublin (2) • Free bus/transport for seniors (2) • Send ambassador to speak to potential volunteers (2) • Volunteer drivers (2) • Outreach for veterans (2) • • Provide a four-person committee to interview on Channel 30 (2) • C.A.R.D. provided whistles and flashlights for every senior(2) • Provide notary for free or low fee(2) • Advertise need (1) • Bring a friend and receive an extra month on supporter(1) • 30 minute TV program(1) • Provide training for online registration(1) • Volunteer/staff training for courtesy and friendliness (1) • More surveys (1) • More fitness programs (1) • Expand special events (1) • Art and crafts/creative programs throughout the year(1) • Karaoke, sing-along, glee club (1) , 5 • Spa services: make-up, hair, makeover,nails, fashion(1) • Increase rentals to increase revenue (1) • Carpool to special events by neighborhood; organize by location(1) • Outreach to caregivers (1) • Pamphlets in library and businesses (1) McCreary stated Staff will be reviewing recommendations made by the Committee and participants. Other Business McCreary announced City Council will be reviewing applications for the new Committee Members. Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:16 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane Guenther ' Office Assistant • APPROVED: Greer Payton • Committee Chairperson • 6