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Hingham Department of Elder Services
Board Minutes – October 4, 2010
Present: Peter Hanson, Thomas Hickey, Norma Jackson, Patricia LaLiberte,
Arthur LeMay, Ann Manning, Joanne Pollick, Barbara Farnsworth, Director
Absent: Katherine Bennett, Leah Godfrey, Susan Kiernan, Martha Urbati
The meeting was called to order at 4:40 pm
SENIOR CENTER RE-ACCREDITATION
Chairman Hickey welcomed those who had volunteered to serve on the Self-Assessment Committee in preparation for the 2012 Senior Center Re-Accreditation as awarded by NISC. In addition to the Board, volunteer members of this committee include *Ethel Franks, *Attorney Carolyn Kelleher, Katherine Glenzel, Karen Sadlon, William English, *Kate Granigan, *Betty Fernandes, *Caroline Gibson, *David Basler, *Betty Foley, *Donna Young, *Laurie Cosman, *Cecile Godderidge, *Ruth Scully, *Joan Wright, *Gale Fearing (*present at the meeting).
Barbara Farnsworth distributed a welcome letter and assignments to all committee members (attached). Barbara Farnsworth explained that the Self-Assessment process should be completed by August 31, 2011 and the application for re-accreditation will be submitted sometime in early 2012. Following introductions, the group broke into their subcommittees to get acquainted and review their materials.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
Motion by Peter Hanson and 2nd by Norma Jackson to accept the Secretary's report as submitted. In response to Thomas Hickey's question, Barbara Farnsworth stated that a new yoga instructor has started, thereby avoiding any disruptions in that schedule. The motion carried unanimously.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Norma Jackson reviewed the Donation Account activity for September. Expenses totaled $4,904.67 and include $3,000 for postage for the newsletter. Revenues received were $961 and the Donation Account Balance as of September 30 was $32,448.25. Barbara Farnsworth discussed expenses for the new chairs and classroom computers. These expenses will come in under $13,000. Revenues from the Annual Appeal are at the same rate as last year. Municipal budget report was not received in time to review prior to the meeting. Motion by Ann Manning, 2nd by Joanne Pollick to accept the Treasurer's Report passed unanimously.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT – Barbara Farnsworth reported:
Wisdom Works
Is a new job search skills training program for individuals 55 and older that will be offered through the Senior Center. This program is an initiative of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and based on the Marblehead model. Hingham will now be one of 10 Councils on Aging who offer this program and the goal of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs is to have 25 sites up and running by the end of 2010, and 50 sites by the end of 2011. The program utilizes Volunteer Workshop Leaders who have been trained by Elder Affairs. We had several individuals volunteer for the program with both HR and job counseling skills. We chose six volunteers as workshop leaders and two additional volunteers as mentors. During the first round we will offer an evening course and a day course, both beginning in October. The course is 4 weeks long and each session is approximately 2 hours. We have opened the program to those 55 and older living in other communities.
Van Body Repairs
There have been minor collisions with both the black and blue vans and we will be having the damage repaired that was caused by those accidents. In both of these accidents, we were at fault and there were no injuries. Also, we will be having some additional body work completed on the black van due to rust over the battery compartment.
Fiscal 2012 Budget
Instructions for the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget will be issued next week. Budgets will be due the first week of November. The Board's Fiscal Committee will be meeting during the last week of October.
Reminder
Barbara will be at the MCOA Annual Conference on October 6 & 7, and then on vacation beginning October 8 and returning to work on October 25.
NEW BUSINESS –NONE
OLD BUSINESS
Barbara Farnsworth distributed and reviewed the results of the Satisfaction Survey that was conducted in July and distributed through the newsletter. (attached)
Regarding the comment section of the survey and in response to questions raised by Board members, Barbara explained:
When publicizing the Red Sox games next year, we will make it very clear that the drivers do pay the full cost for their ticket.
This year we have been making a concerted effort to schedule speakers for Men's Breakfast in a timely manner and publicizing the speaker in the newsletter.
Regarding the 49% rating for van driver courtesy, not everyone who responded to the survey and/or answered the question, rode the vans.
There was a high interest for weekend and/or evening programs. This is an item for further study/review as outlined in the Long Range Plan over the next couple of years.
Barbara distributed the finished Long Range Plan as voted by the Board at the
September 13, 2010 meeting.
Chairman Hickey asked members if there were any agenda items that they would like to have placed on the Agenda for the November 8 meeting. No items were forthcoming.
There being no further business, motion to adjourn by Arthur LeMay, second by Norma Jackson, passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 pm.
The next regular meeting of the Board will be held on Monday, November 8, 2010, 4:30 pm at the Senior Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia LaLiberte
Secretary