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 at 10:05 a.m. by Chair/President, Kathy Osbun.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer, Sandy Grant reported that the January income included $259 from the Meeting Donation Jar, $13.80 from Tulip Pins and $1.53
Interest-Savings, Short-term CD. Expenses were Dues and Subscriptions $125, Facilities Rental $500., Mailbox Rental $200, Printing & Copying (Publicity Committee) $223.04, Total Printing and Copying $95 and Professional Services $1,143.04.
Sandy reported that in her conversations with Linda Rosen she learned that PSGSC will have to pay sales tax on the sale of the Tulip pins so this will result in a slight change in prior income from these pins. Sales Tax Payment will be a new item in the statements. State Board of Equalization Payments are made quarterly and one will be made in March.
Linda Rosen also suggested that since Sandy takes care of all the books that someone else should look at all statements as an oversight measure. Today Art Rosenblum will check the statements and initial them. This will be a regular practice.
Sandy also learned the if the Group receives a large donation that is repeated over time the Group would have to become a Foundation. This would not apply if there were a Major donor making only one donation. Starting this year Sandy will keep a list of all donations.
FINANCE: In regard to the upcoming Budget, Sandy would like input from committees about their needs for the upcoming year. Sandy, Art Rosenblum and David Getzoff will meet to make a tentative budget and set up an audit.
FUNDRAISING:
The MARY’S PIZZA Fundraiser will be April 10, 2013. Emails will be sent reminding members and will include coupons to use at time of service. There will also be reminders and coupons available at the March and April General Meetings.
TULIP PINS. We have not yet broken even on the pins, with approximately 11 more sales needed to hit that point. Kathy said that Dana May had made two small boards that hold pins and money envelope for use in various locations. These are not placed at the moment and if anyone has an idea for placement see her.
PUBLICITY: Kathy said that she had heard from a new member that they had not seen any PSGSC information. She said that Kaiser now had some available. Ann Walker is keeping track of where brochures are placed and asked members to take them to Dr. appointments and other locations where they would reach people who might want to join the group.
AWARE IN CARE: Suzanne deKozan and Davis Brown have spoken with Ryan Roberts about his Power Point presentation to the Board at the January 16, 2013 Meeting. Concerns included the audio and narration as well as making the overall presentation more appealing. Ryan welcomes these comments and is working to incorporated them. Kathy noted the project is in its infancy in regard to it being placed on the PSGSC website. It will have to be reviewed by a Movements Disorder Specialist before the Group can consider including it on the website.
DATA BASE UPDATE: Gloria Stubbs reported that there are 214 name tags but has received only 72 forms needed for the update. Gloria has made copies of these forms and Art will add them to the new Data Base. Gloria reported that there were 80 people at the last Meeting and this included 20 new people. Gloria also said that we would need more New Member Packets. Arlene suggested that there be an additional break out group added for Atypical Parkinson’s patients. Their needs are significantly different and we might consider even hiring a facilitator.
PROGRAMS: Arlene reported that the Panel on Community Resources and Other Options will be at the upcoming March 2, Meeting. Panelists will be Dorothy Foster of Redwood Caregivers Resource Center; Liz Claret of Care Management/Sonoma County Adult and Aging Services; and Joy Lovinger of Senior Placement Services and a board member on the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging. Upcoming speakers include Alan Bernstein, neurologist and researcher; Lin Zhang, a movement disorders specialist at UC Davis Medical Center and Casey Kho from the California Telephone Access Program.
Arlene asked for suggestions for future speakers as August, October and November programs are open. Kathy Osbun said that she would talk to Susan from the Memorial Neurological Unit Exercise Group to do a presentation on Balance.
NCMA - RUTH SKIDMORE (CEO NCMA) UPDATE FROM DR. GLASS: Kathy reports that events are moving forward to the point that Ruth Skidmore is taking care of setting up an Office and Billing Procedures. Dr. Glass stated that two Movement Disorder Specialists, Dr. Gale Kang and Dr. Kelly Mills have expressed interest in the project. This would be a Private Practice and
Medicare would be accepted. It was suggested that Dr. Kang would be an excellent speaker when the Office is nearer fruition.
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER CONCERNS: Kathy Osbun asked, in light of concerns about treatment of some Parkinson’s patients at a major health care provider, what the role of PSGSC should be and how we should act on that role. After discussion, it was decided that Suzanne would help people who had had bad experiences to write out their statements and in the meantime, Sandy would contact Attorney Don Winkle to speak to the Board about the legal/non-profit ramifications of any action we might take.
PLANNING AHEAD FOR APRIL, 2013, PARKINSON’S AWARENESS MONTH: Dana May Casperson has found a Booklet called 30 Ways to Raise Awareness of Parkinson’s Disease. Dana May is also hosting a table At the Historical Fundraiser on April 13, 2013, at the Finley Center. Her table theme will be Bringing Awareness to Parkinson’s Disease.
Kathy Osbun suggested contacting Chris Smith at the Press Democrat for a mention of April as PD Awareness Month. Arlene Irizary and Kathy will meet to discuss placement of something in the Newspaper and to consider longer range plans for more newspaper exposure.
OTHER: Marc Alexander informed the group that there will be a World Parkinson’s Congress Meeting in Montreal Canada, October 1-4, 2013. Website for this is www.worldPDcongress.org.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 12 noon by Kathy Osbun. The next Board meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at Brush Creek Senion Living off Hwy 12 east of Brush Creek Road. The above minutes are subject to approval at the March meeting.