Kathy Osbun, Sandy Grant, Art Rosenblum, Davida Brautman, Ed Brautman, Nancy Wilson, Gloria Stubbs, David Getzoff, Marie Kay Hansen, John Hamilton, Marc Alexander, Ann Walker and Barbara France
Members Absent:
Suzanne deKozan and Dana May Casperson
Call to Order:
The 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 November 18 meeting were approved as read.
Treasurer’s Report:
November income included $249 from the donation jar, $.65 interest, $25.09 from Oliver’s Community Card Program, $35.00 theatre tickets, $148 from Mary’s Pizza fundraiser and $2.76 tulip pin sale. Total income was $460.50. Expenses: a net expense of $139 for Dance for PD class, $17.98 for Library, $50 Meeting set up and break down and $90 net expense for Singing class. Total expenses were $546.98 with a net loss for the month of $86.48. Through November income exceeds budgeted expenses by $2723.33. Art verified that financial statements match bank statements.
Programs:
Dance and Singing classes: Both classes continue with very good attendance. The classes have had a successful start this year and look forward to continuing success through next year.
Holiday Party:
Kathy asked for feedback after saying the the lyric sheet mixup was her oversight and she thought that detracted from the sing along. Others thought that there was a little lack of flow to the sing along. One suggestion was to try to have the Dance class pianist lead the sing along next year as he is a more accomplished performer and can flow from one song to another and provide musical riffs in the in between times. All in all though most thought it was an enjoyable afternoon. There was a discussion about how secular the song selection should be. It was agreed that in a large group not everyone will be totally satisfied but we have tried to include music that would be pleasing to as many as possible.
Speakers:
There will be no January meeting but John Forsyth PhD will speak at the February 2016 meeting about Why We Get Parkinson’s and the risk factors. Greg will do a Rocksteady Boxing demonstration for the patient breakout group at the February meeting. Sandy said that she had been asked by several people if a Program schedule could be emailed out so people could schedule ahead. She will email out a six month program list.
Publicity:
Sandy will order 500 new brochures in January. There will be no changes necessary for the new printing.
Fundraising:
Nancy said that they are planning the Dance for PD performance for
March. It was agreed that a general fundraising letter would be better timed
for April. There are so many other programs seeking support at this time of year that people are getting overwhelmed. A letter in April would tie in with April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Kathy has been provided with 24 tickets to the play “Other People’s Money.” We will sell them for $15 each or 2 for $25. The play will be presented three weekends in January.
Data Base:
Gloria said that 44 attended the Holiday Party. None were new patients. Dana May had been volunteering with the phone tree and now that she is leaving the board we needed a new leader. Davida said she would take over the job.
PD Movement Disorder Specialist:
Marc said that Suzanne had talked to Dr. Bernstein and he has a half time position open at the West County Medical Center. Marc has passed that information on to Dr. Thakkur, who had earlier indicated that he knew of a specialist who is interested in coming to this area.
Clinical Trials:
Marc reported that several members are participating in one of the
clinical trials Dr. Galifianakis is conducting on telemedicine. He also mentioned two new studies.
1) A phase 3 study of an inhalation powder form of levodopa for people experiencing more than 2 hours of off time. However, this study requires 14 visits to the Parkinson’s Institute in a year’s period.
2) A UCSF nursing dept. study of ways to support family caregivers of patients with MCI or dementia. This study is described more at a website: http://leafstudy.ucsf.edu It requires only virtual visits by means of a tablet that they provide. Anyone interested should fill out the survey on the website and expect it may take some months before they are contacted.
2016 Board:
At the January 20, 2016 meeting we will first hold the Annual Meeting during which we will elect the new Board members before adjourning and holding the regular meeting.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. The next Board meeting will be Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at the Brush Creek Senior Living.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara France, Recording Secretary