ABSENT WERE: DAVIS BROWN, DANA MAY CASPERSON, ANN WALKER AND BARBARA STILIING.
CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Parkinson’s Support Group of Sonoma County was called to order at 10:02 a.m. by Chair/President Kathy Osbun.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On the motion of Sandy Grant and the second by Art Rosenblum, the Board approved the minutes of the Board Meeting of August 15, 2012.
As a follow-up to a question by David Getzoff, Sandy said she would check to find out the extent to which the group’s money market savings is FDIC insured.
TULIP PINS: On the sale of signature tulip pins to promote awareness of Parkinson’s Disease, Sandy reported that only 39 more pins need to be sold to break even on the cost of the pins. After that threshold is met, the remaining $5.00 pins will be sold at a profit to benefit the support group budget. Correspondence Secretary George Irizary sent a letter to Vintage Brush Creek Senior Living thanking them for their help displaying and selling the pins.
MARY’S PIZZA FUNDRAISER: Kathy Osbun reported that discount coupons for the October 10, 2012, fundraiser at Mary’s Pizza on Summerfield Road have been sent out to members by Email. Additional Emailings are planned and Arlene Irizary said she would have 100 copies made of the discount flyer/coupon, to be distributed at the October 6 support group general meeting. At the October meeting there will be a sign-up sheet for those wishing to dine at Mary’s back room for a “lunch group” Oct. 10. Kathy also reported that she will confirm with Mary’s about an April 10, 2013, date for another fund raiser.
PUBLICITY COMMITTEE: Following discussion of updated contact information, a motion was made by Sandy Grant and seconded by Gloria Stubbs to replenish the dwindling stock of well-received support group brochures with the printing of 1,000 additional copies. The motion was unanimously approved.
MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT: Suzanne deKozan reported that she met with Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey about having Sonoma County declared an “urban” rather than “rural” county so that Sonoma County receives Medicare reimbursements on par with other regions like Napa and Marin County, which have the “urban” status. Suzanne said Rep. Woolsey was “not optimistic,” that the issue is politically complicated, and that any increase for Sonoma County would in effect take away from funding to other counties that already have the “urban” designation. Suzanne said she would continue working on the issue.
SOUND SYSTEM: Karen Lovvorn moved and Phyllis Sands seconded a motion to send the support group’s troubled sound system to Gold Crown Electronics in Carson, CA, a repair company referred by School Outfitters, which sold the equipment to us six years ago. The Board approved the motion unanimously. According to a representative of Gold Crown, the repair would be made for a flat fee of $60 plus $20 for return shipping. The board approved up to $100 total in case there are expenses for packing the equipment for shipment to the repair facility. If successfully repaired, the sound system would serve as a backup should the sound system of the church-owned meeting place become unavailable
PROGRAMS: Vice-Chair/Program Coordinator Arlene Irizary reported that Neuropsycholgist Lisa Grossman, Ph.D, will be the featured speaker at the Saturday, Oct. 6, general meeting, on the subject “Parkinson’s Disease and Depression: Strategies for Improving Mood & Adjustment.”
November’s speaker will be a return engagement by Dr. Graham (Alec) Glass, Neurologist, UCSF Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology, and Deputy Director of Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder’s Clinic at the Veteran’s Hospital in San Francisco.
The December 8 meeting will be a potluck Holiday Party featuring the River Choir, which performed last year.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS CLINIC: In Dana May Casperson’s absence, Kathy Osbun reported that Dana May is still working on contact with Sutter Hospital regarding recruitment of a movement disorder’s specialist. Kathy Osbun said she learned from Dr. Graham Glass, her husband’s doctor, that he is aware of an advertisement placed by Sutter seeking a movement disorder’s specialist in Northern California. Currently there is no movement disorder’s specialist in Sonoma County.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT: There was a discussion about a seven-item needs assessment survey that will be distributed to members to obtain member input about what the Parkinson’s Support Group of Sonoma County (PSGSC) can provide to the Parkinson’s community. The survey is to be used to establish priorities that can be achieved.
TREMBLER’S TRAY: Jack Wright, president of Crosswind Concepts, played a video of an adjustable tray that is designed to assist people with Parkinson’s and other conditions when eating, drinking, applying makeup, shaving and reading. The tray was invented by a 95-year old woman whose husband, still living, has Parkinson’s Disease. Mr. Wright said he came to the board for input about the tray, now at the beginning of the manufacturing process.
MEETING ADJOURNED: The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m. by Kathy Osbun. The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 17, 2012, at Brush Creek Senior Living off Hwy. 12 east of Brush Creek Road. The above minutes are subject to approval at the October meeting.