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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-06-2009 SCAC MinutesCITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF AUGUST 6, 2009 Call to Order Chairperson CM Baron called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. Roll Call: Committee Members (CM) Present: Martin Baron, Delilah Vanderpool, and Diane Bonetti Absent: Al Edge Parks and Community Services Commission Liaison Present: Rich Guarienti Staff Present: Anna Hudson, Recreation Coordinator; Diane Guenther, Office Assistant Oral Communications Audience members Celia Sirlin, Hernando Fidel and Connie Mack introduced themselves. Staff announced the passing of Mary Lou Bielke on August 1, 2009 who was a former Advisory Committee Member, current Foundation member, and an active Senior Center volunteer. Chairperson Baron announced CM Villegas has resigned from the Advisory Committee for personal reasons. Baron asked about the process for replacement; Staff indicated the Mayor will choose the replacement. Approval of the Minutes – THE JULY MINUTES WERE AMENDED AS FOLLOWS; SPRING 2009 SUBCOMMITTEE ACCOMPLISHMENTS PAGE 5 PARAGRAPH 6 “CM Vanderpool asked the Advisory Committee if they would be willing to help prepare and host the first pancake breakfast in September.” UNDER OTHER BUSINESS PAGE 6 PARAGRAPH 2 “He also suggested placing the Dublin Advisory Committee meeting information in the front of the newsletter.” CM VANDERPOOL MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE JULY 2, 2009 MINUTES AS AMENDED; CM BONETTI SECONDED THE MOTION. THE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 2, 2009 MEETING AS AMENDED. Written Communication – None Unfinished Business SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTTEE BYLAWS AND RULES OF PROCEDURE The Committee reviewed the changes proposed by City Council on June 16, 2009 and recommended the following addition under Officers; “...with the intent that no one should serve in the position for more than two consecutive years.” CM Baron motioned to approve as amended. CM Vanderpool seconded the motion and the Committee unanimously approved. New Business OVERVIEW OF SATURDAY MORNING PROGRAMS CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF AUGUST 6, 2009 PAGE 2 OF 4 Staff is planning activities for Saturday mornings starting in September 2009. Popular classes were identified and scheduled in hopes of drawing both new and existing patrons to the Center on Saturdays. One of the goals of the Saturday program is to provide activities for working seniors. Staff provided the Committee with an overview and description of the scheduled programming. CM Baron stated the overall strategy of the Saturday programs is to attract working seniors and new people to the Center. He would like to see continuity where activities would pull people further into programs; i.e. the “string theory.” People would get involved in one program and find other programs in which to participate. Guarienti commented, in addition to attracting working seniors there is also the need to attract working seniors who are now caring for their grandchildren during the week. Guarienti stated the new Talk and Walk program was scheduled once in September to determine the interest level. Hudson commented that the Talk and Walk program could also be an intergenerational program. She also noted the Trail Trekker Program Model can be used to develop new programs, such as a Talk and Boat program, where people with a common recreational interest can get together and create new experiences as a group. CM Baron is still waiting to hear from Congressman McNearny about conducting a Saturday morning town hall meeting at the Center. Guarienti suggested that if the Congressman was not available, then invite Mayor Sbranti to speak at a Town Hall type meeting. Hudson reminded the Committee programs need to be pre-planned to coordinate with the Center’s newsletter distribution. CM Baron suggested there may be special circumstances when Staff needs to be prepared to respond to advertising with an adhoc campaign. BRAINSTORM PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES Staff utilizes many free venues to publicize events and the most valuable publication is the Dublin Doings. The Center’s newsletter is available on-line and is mailed to over 600 supporters. Staff provided the Committee with a list a various media organizations to which Staff sends press releases. Hudson noted that “word of mouth” is the best way to promote an activity. Hudson commented that the Senior Center Greeters are also utilized to pass along information about current and upcoming activities. CM Baron suggested utilizing a blog called “Around Dublin.” Hudson noted the Committee photos are framed and hanging in the Center’s lounge area. Hudson indicated that CM Vanderpool made phone calls to invite people to the Committee meeting. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF AUGUST 6, 2009 PAGE 3 OF 4 Guarienti commented the personal contact is the key. He stated that in trying to advertise Committee meetings the agenda topics are the draw. He also suggested submitting upcoming activities to the newspaper to be included in the “What’s Up in the Bay Area” section. The Committee suggested following up on the blog “Around Dublin,” the “What’s Up in the Bay Area” section of the paper and adhoc special purpose promotions. OTHER BUSINESS Staff provided the Foundation report. The Foundation has reimbursed the Center for the purchase of the ping pong table and is purchasing additional bingo cards. The casino trips for the remainder of the year have been scheduled. Guarienti gave a brief overview of the last Parks and Community Services Commission meeting and noted they recommended amending their bylaws. SPRING 2009 SUBCOMMITTEE ACCOMPLISHMENTS Committee Members each provided a brief report on their strategies. Strategy #1: Expand availability of Advisory Committee Members to listen to the community about the recreational and social needs of older adults. CM Baron reported on the first outreach event held at Safeway. He polled the Committee on what they felt was the success rate of the event and the Members gave it a 4-5 on a 1 to 10 scale. The Members engaged in a discussion about the location of the next outreach if it should be held at the eastside Safeway or another location. Guarienti suggested the Committee have a booth at the Day on the Glen, that this is a place where people go to pick up informational material versus running in and out of the grocery store. CM Baron noted that Safeway was chosen to try and reach working seniors. CM Baron will check to see if there is booth space available for Day on the Glen. CM Baron discussed reaching out via live streaming to homebound seniors. He will be researching the technology. Strategy #2 – Serve as Ambassadors and expand outreach to older adults in the community. CM Vanderpool discussed having a BBQ and inviting residents from the Groves and Wicklow and possibly have the Mayor attend. CM Vanderpool made phone calls to invite Center supporters to this Committee meeting and three persons did attend. Strategy #3 – Promote and support the proposed Saturday morning programs at the Senior Center. No report as CM Edge was absent. Strategy 4: Making old adults feel valued in the Community. CM Villegas has resigned but was in the process of creating a Senior Profile of Joe Kleponis, Staff will complete the profile. CM Vanderpool volunteered to carry on this program. CM Baron asked Vanderpool to report her status at the next meeting. CM Bonetti volunteered to assist her. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF AUGUST 6, 2009 PAGE 4 OF 4 Audience member Connie Mack suggested gift certificates for lunches. She has heard many positive comments about the Center’s lunch program. She recommended getting a sponsor for this program. Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m. Respectfully submitted, __________________________________ Diane Guenther Office Assistant APPROVED: ___________________________________ Martin Baron Chairperson