Sandy Grant, Art Rosenblum, Kathy Osbun, Gloria Stubbs, Ann Walker, Arlene Irizary, George Irizary, Marc Alexander, David Getzoff, Dana May Casperson and Barbara France
Members Absent:
Davis Brown and Suzanne deKozan
Guests:
Steve Pryputnierwicz and Colleen and Ron Trouse
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 10:10 a.m. by Chair, Kathy Osbun.
Approval of Minutes:
The Minutes of the February 19, 2014 meeting were approved as read.
Treasurer’s Report:
The audit committee audited the 2013 year end statements and all was found to be in order.
Sandy led discussion of the proposed 2014 budget during which several changes were suggested. Sandy will incorporate these changes and present the budget for approval at the April 16, Board meeting.
Arlene felt that along with an increased amount to be allocated to Outreach that we should search for a person who would send cards to members who were having health problems. Arlene and George have been doing this on an ad hoc basis but Arlene thinks this part of our outreach should be undertaken on a permanent basis by a volunteer.
Programs:
Susan Wiegman will talk to the Caregivers Breakout Group at the April 5, 2014, General meeting. A $100 stipend was approved at the last meeting.
Sandy has spoken to Alexis Glidwell at Redwood Care Givers who said that her best days for Facilitator Training Workshops are Thursdays and Fridays. After discussion, it was decided to tell Alexis that a Friday in May and June would be most workable. We will then proceed with a date that suits Alexis as well. Sandy did not know if there was a charge for the workshop but she would ask and perhaps we could make a contribution to the Redwood Care Givers if there is not a set fee.
Marc reported that the 2014 Speakers Calendar is filled out. In addition to those speakers listed already on the website, Dr. Zhang from UC Davis Neurology Faculty and a panel on aspects of driving and alternative transportation will fill out the Calendar in October and November.
Fundraising:
Mary’s Pizza fundraiser date is set for April 9, 2014. Kathy will announce the date at the April 5, General Meeting. Downloadable coupons will be sent out in two email blasts and there will be a downloadable coupon on the website. In addition, we will have 100 fliers printed which will be available at the meetings for members to distribute to friends.
Johnny Garlic’s fundraiser date has been confirmed for April 24th. Kathy contacted the National Parkinson’s Foundation to obtain their permission to use their name in our fundraiser publicity. They gave their approval and sent brochures that we can use for the fundraiser. Marc contacted the Michael J. Fox Foundation for permission. They require that we be registered as a “Team Fox” member in order to use their name in publicity. Marc registered PSGSC as a Team Fox member and he is the contact person.
Johnny Garlic’s sent a template flier which Kathy and Dana May personalized for PSGSC. Participants must use a coupon and Johnny Garlic’s donates 25% of pre-tax food amounts for the entire day.
Dana May has been working on publicity and has contacted KZST. They will post information about the event if we provide a press release. Dana May read a draft press release that she is working on. Dana May is also preparing for a 15 minute week end interview with Nate Campbell on KZST. Dana May thought that having two or more people participate in the interview would be a good idea. Tentatively, Dana May, Marc Alexander and Ann Walker will do the interview.
Johnny Garlic’s website will carry information about the fundraiser on their website with direction to the PSGSC website for a downloadable coupon. The PSGSC website will also carry information and a coupon for both Johnny Garlic’s and Mary’s Pizza, Marc will place information on the Michael J. Fox Foundation website. We will have 100 preprinted coupons for Johnny Garlic’s available at the April General meeting for members to give to friends and family.
The Round Table Pizza fundraiser date has been confirmed for May 7. We will print 50 copies of their coupons, fewer are needed as they have 2 coupons per page. These will be available at the May General Meeting. The information will be available on the website as well as in email reminders.
Data Base:
The Redwood Care Giver brochures are still not available but they should be soon and Sandy has asked for 350. This number will complete the New Member Packets that Kathy and Gloria are preparing.
Library:
The American Parkinson’s Disease Foundation sent a large amount of materials and brochures that will be of interest and useful for our group. Kathy has read and found the brochures covering many aspects of Parkinson’s to be extremely educational and thinks we might order more of them to have available for members through the Library. The American Parkinson’s Disease Foundation provides these at no cost.
Ann inquired about a booklet with accompanying DVD from the Michael J. Fox Foundation; A Guide for Patient’s and Families, which was advertised in Neurology Now magazine. The M.J. Fox Foundation sent her 10 copies which she will place in the Library.
Volunteer Center:
Sandy sent an email to all Board members that she received from the Volunteer Center. The Volunteer Center provides help in making groups like our Board more effective bodies. If we want to participate there is a long survey which describes the group and the areas in which we might like some guidance.
Further discussion about whether we want to participate is tabled to the April meeting.
TeleMedicine:
Arlene has reprinted copies of the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation article in their News & Review about telemedicine. This may be another avenue to follow to get a Movements Disorder Specialist in this area. We can read the article and discuss possibilities at the April Board Meeting.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 by Chair, Kathy Osbun. The next meeting will be Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at Brush Creek Senior Living.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara France,
Recording Secretary