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 10:08 a.m. by Chair/President Kathy Osbun.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the board meeting of February 15, 2012, were approved as read.
With minor changes, the Board approved a 2012 budget anticipating income of $2,324 and expenses of $4,735. The largest fixed expense is for facilities and storage rental costs of $1,200 for the year. Bank balances as of Feb. 29, 2012, were: Certificate of Deposit, $10,241.13; Market Rate Savings, 10,633.96; and Checking, $2,524.64.
The financial records maintained by Sandy Grant have been reviewed by Finance Committee members Art Rosenblum and David Getzoff and found to be in order. “We’re following appropriate practices,” said Art Rosenblum. Sandy was thanked by the board for her work on the budget and preparation of monthly financial statements.
SOUND SYSTEM: Pending further study, no action was taken on upgrades to the sound system used at general meetings. In a letter to the board, Patrick Hardman said he would continue work on the existing wireless system, but if the static noise problem persists he will recommend to the Board the purchase of a wireless system that is compatible with a trouble-free speaker component already in use. There were no sound problems at the last general meeting using a “wired” sound system, but a “wireless” system with a lapel microphone enables a guest speaker to do a presentation hands-free.
PUBLICITY COMMITTEE: Ann Walker reported on the locations where PSGSC brochures have been placed and took note of additional places board members suggested for placement.
HUMAN RACE: By unanimous vote, the Board decided that the PSGSC will not take part in the Human Race fundraiser at this time. There currently is no member available to take on the responsibility of chairing and organizing participation.
MARY’S PIZZA FUNDRAISER: Kathy Osbun reported that the Mary’s fundraiser will be on April 11. Mary’s will donate to the PSGSC a percentage of proceeds from the April 11 event. Reminders and flyers will be sent to members via E-mail and handed out at the next general meeting on April 7. The flyers will serve as “coupons” to be used by members when ordering meals on April 11 to enable Mary’s to calculate the percentage of proceeds going to PSGSC. Art Rosenblum said he would look into the possibility of a local business printing the color flyer as a charitable donation.
Kathy said she would provide a sign-up sheet for members interested in dining together as a group in the back room at Mary’s for either lunch or dinner. Take-out and delivery orders also qualify for the fundraiser.
S.H.E. FUNDRAISER: Dana May Casperson discussed arrangements for a fundraiser at the S.H.E. women’s apparel store in downtown Santa Rosa on May 17. The event will be a fashion show. Ten per cent of the proceeds of sales will go to the PSGSC, netting somewhere between $200 and $400. PSGSC brochures will be displayed and Kathy Osbun will speak to the audience about the role PSGSC plays in the Parkinson’s community.
OTHER FUNDRAISER: Art Rosenblum said he is working with his church—Unitarian Universalist Congregation--to share a basket of Sunday donations sometime in May to be earmarked for the PSGSC. He invited Kathy Osbun to speak on that day about PSGSC before the baskets are passed around.
PD TULIP A NATIONAL SYMBOL: On the motion of Dana May Casperson, seconded by Gloria Stubbs, the board voted to allocate up to $575 to purchase 300 “PD Tulip” lapel pins at $1.79 each, plus shipping and handling. The pin is a red tulip with leaves shaped to form the letters “PD”. They are being promoted as a grass roots effort to become the national symbol for Parkinson’s awareness. April is Parkinson’s Awareness month. The plan is to sell the lapel pins for $5.00 each as a fundraiser, possibly in time for display at the S.H.E. event. There was some discussion about how to maintain a record of the sale of that many pins. Dana May said she would create a display board for the pins as a way of keeping track of how many are being sold.
COMMITTEE AND OTHER REPORTS: Due to the absence of committee members, there were no reports on the Aware in Care Outreach Committee, the Long Range Planning Committee and the Medicare Reimbursement Committee. An update on the Practical Ploys publication also was postponed.
SECRETARY CHANGE: George Irizary requested that someone take over the duties of Secretary as he is finding it difficult—because of a hand tremor--to take notes for the meeting minutes. Art Rosenblum volunteered to take minutes at the next meeting.
MEETING ADJOURNED: The meeting was adjourned by Kathy Osbun at 12:02 p.m. The above minutes are subject to approval at the next board meeting scheduled for April 18, 2012, at 10 a.m. at Brush Creek Senior Living off Hwy. 12 east of Brush Creek Road.
Respectfully submitted,
George Irizary, Outgoing Secretary