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Meeting Minutes for December 17th, 2014

12/25/2014

Members Present:
Gloria Stubbs, Ann Walker, Marc Alexander, Arlene Irizary, George Irizary, Suzanne deKozan, David Getzoff, Art Rosenblum, Dana May Casperson, Kathy Osbun, Davis Brown, Sandy Grant and Barbara France

Guests:
John Hamilton, Marie Kay Hansen, Nancy Wilson, Davida and Ed Brautman

Call to Order:
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Parkinson’s Support Group of Sonoma County (PSGSC) was called to order by Chair, Kathy Osbun at 10:30 a.m.

Approval of Minutes:
The minutes of the November 19, 2014, Board meeting were approved as read.

Treasurer’s Report:
Sandy reported that income for November included $213.50 from the November Donation Jar, $100 from an individual donation, .50 interest and $5.52 from sale of Tulip Pins. Expenses were $59 for Library materials, $50 for meeting set up and take down and $29.18 for meeting supplies.

Net income for the month was $421.34. Net income for the year through November is $2811.41.

Kathy said that PANC has voted to abolish membership dues but they do hope for charitable donations. She asked for discussion about making a contribution and the amount that should be. It was felt that we should continue to support PANC as they provide our meeting insurance which would be otherwise quite costly. Kathy then asked if we should make a contribution in the 2014 year and then budget another contribution in the 2015 year. David moved that we contribute $350 to PANC for the 2014 year and fit $500 contribution in the 2015 budget. Sandy seconded the motion which was passed on a voice vote.

Program:
Singing Group:
Kathy reviewed the surveys that were given to the singing group attendees. After general discussion it was agreed that we should rethink the Singing Program. Kathy will discuss the Board’s desire to go in another direction with Cheryl. The Board wishes to express their thanks to Cheryl for getting the group started and for all her time and effort.

There will be no singing group meeting in January. Jamie Blumenthal, a local musical therapist will attend the January Board meeting to discuss possible new directions for the singing group.

2015 Speakers:

February 7, Dr. Neng Huang from Valley Parkinson’s Clinic in Los Gatos March 7, Dave Iverson and Torri Campbell, Dance for PD and film “Capturing Grace”
April 4, Dr. Paul Larson, Surgical Treatment of PD
May 2, Dr. Gary Johanson Advanced healthcare planning
June 6, Open
August 8, Dr. Wynnelena Canio, Cognitive Changes with PD
October 3, Dr. Kathleen Poston, non-motor symptoms of PD
November 7, Open

Note: Dr Kahandhar will speak at either the June 6 or November 7 meeting.

Christmas Party:
It was agreed that the party was a success and everyone enjoyed the sing along.

Special thank you to John and Marie for their contributions.

Outside caregiver support group:
Marie said that five people attended and that the group felt a desire to continue and they will meet again in January. Contact Marie Kay for information.

Library:
John said that 2 DVDs of the Mark Morris “Dance for PD” have been purchased for check out through the library. The cost was $56. He asked for discussion about how to manage the DVDs so that they would receive the widest circulation. After discussion it was decided that all materials being checked out from the library will require a phone number so that reminders can be made to have the materials returned to the library in a timely manner.

Data Base:
Gloria said that 42 people attended the Christmas Party and three of these were new attendees.

Fundraisers:
Mary’s Pizza
Mary’s Pizza has confirmed the April 8, 2015 date for our fundraiser event at the Summerfield location of Mary’s Pizza.

“Riding with Larry”
Marc suggested that we show the movie as a fundraiser at the Church on a Saturday from 1-3. Kathy said she would check the Church calendar for a Saturday in April.

Mark Morris Dance Program:
Nancy is looking at venues with a 1 1/2 hour time slot. Insurance, appropriate floor surface, parking access and convenient location is of prime consideration. She hopes to have a developed plan by January.

Memorial:
A Memorial Service will be held for Mike LeMole at the Cove Presbyterian Church on Old Redwood Highway on January 11, 2015, at 3 p.m.

Adjournment:
Kathy reminded the Board that the January Board Meeting will be in two parts. At the Annual Meeting all Board Members will be voted in and Officers will be elected.

Kathy thanked George and Arlene Irizary and Davis Brown for the many hours of time and other contributions they have made over the years to PSGSC.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m. by Chair, Kathy Osbun. The next Board meeting will be Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at Brush Creek Senior Living.

Respectfully submitted,
Barbara France, Recording Secretary

Meeting Minutes for November 19th, 2014

12/1/2014

Members Present:
Arlene Irizary, George Irizary, Marc Alexander, Sandy Grant, Kathy Osbun, Gloria Stubbs, Ann Walker, Art Rosenblum and Barbara France

Members Absent:
Davis Brown, Suzanne deKozan, Dana May Casperson and David Getzoff

Guests:
Nancy Wilson, John Hamilton, Marie Kay Hansen and Ed and Davida Brautman

Call to Order:
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Parkinson’s Support Group of Sonoma County (PSGSC) was called to order by Chair, Kathy Osbun at 10:00 a.m.

Approval of Minutes:
The minutes of the October 17, 2014, Board meeting were approved with the following corrections:

Under Treasurer’s Report, the September income was 80 cents in interest and Mrs. Greenway’s check will appear in the October statement.

Under Board Intentions for 2015, Davis Brown said he would resign from the Board for 2015 if there were a replacement for him.

Treasurer’s Report:
Sandy reported that we received $260 from the donation jar at the October meeting , we had three donations: $1000, $20 and $10, sale of 2 tulip pins brought in $5.52 and we earned 52 cents in interest. Expenses included $50.00 for meeting set up and take down, $7.61 printing for Mary’s Pizza flyers, $30.45 printing material for meetings. We have paid $500 for meeting facility rent through February. For the month of October we earned $607.98 for a total of $2390.97 for the year.

Art said that he had verified that the three financial statements matched our bank statements.

Program:
Singing Group: Kathy reported that she continues to receive mixed reviews on the Singing Group. In order to make the group meaningful and useful, as well as deserving of financial support, she felt that she needed a more accurate way to gauge the feelings of the group. To this end, she and John Hamilton designed a survey asking all those who do and have attended the Singing Group to rate various facets of the program on a graded scale and to write whatever comments or suggestions that they felt relevant. Kathy distributed the proposed survey and asked for discussion.

Arlene questioned the need for the survey at all as it seems there is adequate dissatisfaction to make changes without this survey which might not discover the true feelings of people because they would not want to hurt anyone’s feelings if it were disclosed how they felt. Nancy said that most groups starting out have growing pains and it is best to make changes quickly before problems become too ingrained to be overcome.

Kathy said that if changes need to be made she will be the one to carry them out and she would prefer to have some real evidence of group feelings in support of her actions. She also agreed that all surveys would be returned without names and the final tabulations would contain only numbers and no names would be attached to findings at any point. Nancy added that perhaps a prompt could be added in the introduction to the comments and suggestion line, asking if there were a specific change like venue, time of practice, song selection, vocal exercise time or teacher that would improve the group. Kathy said that she and Gloria have attended sessions and know all the attendees, they could hand out the surveys individually.

Kathy asked for a motion to accept the survey. Sandy moved that the survey be distributed to all who have attended the Singing Group, Gloria seconded the motion. The motion was passed with 8 votes and 1 abstention.

2015 Meeting speakers:  Marc said that so far he has scheduled Dr Paul Larsen to speak on surgical treatments for PD in April, Dr. Gary Johnson in May will speak on Life time planning, Dr. Wynnelina Canio from Kaiser Geriatrics Dept will speak in August and Dr. Kathleen Poston will talk on non motor symptoms in October. Dr. Khandhar will speak sometime during the year but a definite time has not been set.

Christmas Party:  Kathy and Gloria are taking care of decorations and the Singing Group will Perform in a Sing-a-long. The Church janitor will do set up and take down.

Outside Caregiver support group:
Marie Kay said that she was interested in starting a caregiver support group that met midway between regular general meetings. She asked for suggestions about getting such a group started. Sandy suggested that she make up an email notice that stated the purpose and a time and place for a first meeting with herself as contact.

Sandy would send out the email to the mailing list. Marie Kay could go from there making changes in time and place as best suited those who wished to attend. Sandy and Arlene both noted that they thought such a group was a good idea.

Publicity:
Kathy said that she had finally received the NPF booklets on various PD subjects and has put them in the storage cupboard at the Church.

Ann said that we would probably need to reprint brochures early in 2015.

Date Base:
Gloria said that there were 69 attendees at the October meeting and 16 of these were new.

Fundraising:
Mary’s Pizza: Kathy said that Mary’s Pizza had contacted her about setting up a date for the spring fundraiser. It was agreed that we should continue with Mary’s Fundraiser. Art made the motion that we schedule the Mary’s Pizza fundraiser for April 8, 2015. Sandy seconded the motion which was passed by a voice vote.

Riding With Larry:  Marc talked to the people at Summerfield Theater about showing the movie there as a fundraiser. They charge $400 rental and then the ticket proceeds would go to the group. The film could not be shown on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. He had spoken to Adam Brown at Disability Service who said they could help with publicity and Summerfield would do some publicity as well. Marc didn’t think it was a very good idea since it would take a lot of ticket sales to pay the $400 rental. Kathy suggested the Church because members were familiar with it, there were facilities and good parking and we could do the showing in the afternoon which would be better for most members. Marc agreed with that idea. Kathy said she would check with the Church for open dates and we continue the discussion at the December meeting.

Tulip Pins:
87 pins of the original 300 remain

Board intentions:
Suzanne and Dana May have indicated that they will remain on the Board for the 2015 year. Arlene and George have both indicated that they will not rejoin the 2015 Board. Kathy thanked them both for their great contributions over the years.

Long Range planning:
Arlene had suggested a group of facilitators who would guide the Board in a discussion of future planning. Kathy has suggested having them come to our March Board meeting which will be devoted primarily to such a discussion. She is suggesting March because in January we hold the Annual Board meeting as well as the Regular Board Meeting and then new Board members would be more familiar with things after the February meeting and be ready to participate in long range planning discussions at the March meeting. Arlene suggested that Kathy talk to the facilitators to see if the meeting time would be sufficient for such a discussion.

Mark Morris Dance:
Mark Morris started dance classes for PD patients in Brooklyn NY and his programs have received widespread publicity and interest. Dave Iverson has made a film of a program participant called, Capturing Grace and there is a program in San Rafael led by Tori Campbell who has been trained in the program in NY. Nancy has been very interested in bringing a class to our area and after a lot of investigation thinks it is a real possibility . She attended a class led by David Levanthal and Tori Campbell and has since discussed having a class in Santa Rosa with Tori. Tori works with an assistant and a piano player. They each receive $50 per session. Nancy has been searching for a suitable venue and has thus far talked to the Bennett Valley Senior Center, the YMCA and the Oddfellows Hall at Pacific and College. Getting a program like this started is difficult and she asked whether this is something that PSGSC would be interested in supporting.

John and Marie Kay also went to the class and saw the movie and were greatly impressed and thought that a class would be worth supporting. Consensus of general discussion was that it would be a program worthy of our financial support.

Nancy said that Tori has said that she would come to a meeting a give a talk about the program. It was suggested that she might be a speaker for a whole meeting. Marc thought having her as a meeting speaker would be good, perhaps in March. He has contacts with Dave Iverson and it might be possible to have him as well. All Board members were enthusiastic about the possibility of supporting this effort. Nancy will continue to investigate venues and costs. Discussion will continue at the December meeting.

Aware-In-Care:
Erin Chapel from the Parkinson’s Institute in Sunnyvale has contacted Kathy about coming to a meeting to talk about the fundraiser walk-a-thon. Marc and Kathy discussed the proposal and think having her come to speak at the end of a Board meeting might be a better idea. She will attend the February meeting.

Adjournment:
Kathy reminded that the December Board meeting will be from 10:30 to 12:30 with a light lunch. She hopes all will be able to attend.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m. by Chair, Kathy Osbun. The next meeting will be Wednesday December 17, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Brush Creek Senior Living.

Respectfully submitted ,
Barbara France, Recording Secretary