Board Members Present:
Kathy Osbun, Arlene Irizary, Sandy Grant, George Irizary, Jim France, Gloria Stubbs, Ann Walker, Suzanne deKozan, Art Rosenblum, Davis Brown, Marc Alexander and Barbara France.
Board Members Absent:
Phyllis Sands and Dana May Casperson.
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.
Approval of Minutes:
The February 20, 2013, Board Meeting Minutes were approved as read. Future Minutes will be signed, “Respectfully submitted by Barbara France, Recording Secretary.”
Treasure’s Report:
Treasurer Sandy Grant reported that in addition to the income and expenses cited in the Treasurer’s Report, additional income and expenses for February include: income of $163.00, from the General Meeting Donation Jar and expenses of $24.97, for Financial Committee and $41.53, Library expenses. The sales tax on the sale of Tulip Pins will be paid in April rather than March as stated last month. Sales taxes are paid on a quarterly basis.
Finance:
The Budget Committee (Sandy Grant, Art Rosenblum and David Getzoff) will meet on March 26, to develop a proposed budget which will then be sent to Board Members for consideration at the April 17, Board Meeting. An audit will be set up at this meeting.
Arlene Irizary questioned the status of the contract with the Church where General Meetings are held. Kathy asked Sandy to check on the matter. Sandy noted that Tulip Pin sales were at break even point, all future sales are profit.
Sandy stated that Attorney, Don Winkle would charge $375 per hour to advise the Board.
Publicity and Library:
Ann Walker said brochures were available for anyone who needed them.
Ann and Arlene are reorganizing the Library so that it functions as a more effective resource for PSGSC. Previously, people have taken books and no record has been kept and the books are not returned in a timely manner, if at all. An announcement will be made at the General Meeting asking people to return books and as this project goes along Ann will catalogue the materials and have a check out system so that materials can have as wide a circulation as possible. Ann will also attempt to gather the videos of Meeting Speakers so they can be checked out as an additional resource. These videos were recorded by Mike LeMole.
Arlene noted that set up and take down at General Meetings is a big job and more volunteers are needed.
Aware In Care:
Davis Brown reported that Ryan Roberts has accomplished his degree with the completion of the Parkinson’s Video he presented at the February Board Meeting. He will work further with Dana May Casperson on the presentation aspects. Davis and Suzanne deKozan will work on having it reviewed by Movement Disorder Specialists.
April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month:
April 10th there will be a PSGSC Fundraiser at Mary’s Pizza on Summerfield Drive. Coupons will be coming to membership through emails and copies at our April 6, meeting. Kathy announced that Dana May is hosting a table themed Parkinson’s Disease Awareness at the Historical Society Luncheon to be held in April. Davis and Suzanne volunteered to go before the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and the Santa Rosa City Council to have a resolution declaring April
Parkinson’s Awareness Month. This action should result in coverage in the Press Democrat.
Data Base:
Gloria Stubbs reported that many members have not filled out the new data base forms. Reminders will be included in the upcoming email PSGSC Meeting notices.
Health Care Provider Concerns:
Attorney Don Winkle, who is experienced in Non-Profit Group issues, addressed the Board about the liability of the Board and individual Board members should it decide to act out of concern over the treatment of some PSGSC members by a Health Care Provider. Mr Winkle advised that if the Board decides to take any action, the first action should be directed at the Health Care Provider through the same channels a consumer would use to make a complaint. Mr Winkle said that if the Board chooses to write a letter, the Board or its members are not liable if the letter is an expression of concern over treatment of PSGSC members and that letter is not published. He stated that the letter should be positive in nature, include concerns, state specifics and finally, what actions or changes we would like to see. These might include an investigation of the concerns, or the addition of a Movement Disorders specialist to the staff.
After consultation with Mr Winkle, the Board reviewed continuing concerns which included repercussions to members of the Health Care Provider, the advocacy role of PSGSC and personal liability, however unlikely, to Board members.
Kathy proposed that the next step should include the following options: taking no action, a letter from the Board to the Health Care Provider, a letter from the Board as a cover letter accompanying letters from patients stating their own specifics. Kathy asked that Board members who so choose write a letter that they personally would like to have submitted and the Board would consider them at the April Board Meeting.
Programs:
Arlene announced Dr. Bernstein as the April General Meeting Speaker.
Unity Walk:
Sue Lifschiz, a PSGSC member, sent Sandy Grant notice of the upcoming Unity Walk in New York City to be held on April 27, 2013. The Unity Walk raises funds for Parkinson’s Research and is a highly regarded event. Sandy and Kathy suggested that the Board consider making a donation on behalf of PSGSC. Suzanne deKozan moved and Gloria Stubbs seconded the motion that PSGSC donate $100 to the Unity Walk. Kathy asked George Irizary, Corresponding Secretary, to write to Sue Lifschiz informing her of the donation.
Other:
Bud Suiter, the person who had previously agreed to take the old sound system, no longer wanted it. George suggested that it be given to Goodwill as a donation. Sandy moved and Suzanne seconded the motion that the old sound system should be donated.
Kathy announced that Jack Wright, who is developing Trembler’s Trays, has a prototype of the product and will bring it to the April 17, Board Meeting at 11:45, for a short presentation. He has already made a presentation at UCSF. The proposed cost of the tray is $169.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 by Kathy Osbun. The next Board meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at Brush Creek Senior Living off Hwy12, east of Brush Creek Road.
Respectfully submitted by Barbara France, Recording Secretary.
Kathy Osbun, Arlene Irizary, Sandy Grant, George Irizary, Jim France, Gloria Stubbs, Ann Walker, Suzanne deKozan, Art Rosenblum, Davis Brown, Marc Alexander and Barbara France.
Board Members Absent:
Phyllis Sands and Dana May Casperson.
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.
Approval of Minutes:
The February 20, 2013, Board Meeting Minutes were approved as read. Future Minutes will be signed, “Respectfully submitted by Barbara France, Recording Secretary.”
Treasure’s Report:
Treasurer Sandy Grant reported that in addition to the income and expenses cited in the Treasurer’s Report, additional income and expenses for February include: income of $163.00, from the General Meeting Donation Jar and expenses of $24.97, for Financial Committee and $41.53, Library expenses. The sales tax on the sale of Tulip Pins will be paid in April rather than March as stated last month. Sales taxes are paid on a quarterly basis.
Finance:
The Budget Committee (Sandy Grant, Art Rosenblum and David Getzoff) will meet on March 26, to develop a proposed budget which will then be sent to Board Members for consideration at the April 17, Board Meeting. An audit will be set up at this meeting.
Arlene Irizary questioned the status of the contract with the Church where General Meetings are held. Kathy asked Sandy to check on the matter. Sandy noted that Tulip Pin sales were at break even point, all future sales are profit.
Sandy stated that Attorney, Don Winkle would charge $375 per hour to advise the Board.
Publicity and Library:
Ann Walker said brochures were available for anyone who needed them.
Ann and Arlene are reorganizing the Library so that it functions as a more effective resource for PSGSC. Previously, people have taken books and no record has been kept and the books are not returned in a timely manner, if at all. An announcement will be made at the General Meeting asking people to return books and as this project goes along Ann will catalogue the materials and have a check out system so that materials can have as wide a circulation as possible. Ann will also attempt to gather the videos of Meeting Speakers so they can be checked out as an additional resource. These videos were recorded by Mike LeMole.
Arlene noted that set up and take down at General Meetings is a big job and more volunteers are needed.
Aware In Care:
Davis Brown reported that Ryan Roberts has accomplished his degree with the completion of the Parkinson’s Video he presented at the February Board Meeting. He will work further with Dana May Casperson on the presentation aspects. Davis and Suzanne deKozan will work on having it reviewed by Movement Disorder Specialists.
April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month:
April 10th there will be a PSGSC Fundraiser at Mary’s Pizza on Summerfield Drive. Coupons will be coming to membership through emails and copies at our April 6, meeting. Kathy announced that Dana May is hosting a table themed Parkinson’s Disease Awareness at the Historical Society Luncheon to be held in April. Davis and Suzanne volunteered to go before the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and the Santa Rosa City Council to have a resolution declaring April
Parkinson’s Awareness Month. This action should result in coverage in the Press Democrat.
Data Base:
Gloria Stubbs reported that many members have not filled out the new data base forms. Reminders will be included in the upcoming email PSGSC Meeting notices.
Health Care Provider Concerns:
Attorney Don Winkle, who is experienced in Non-Profit Group issues, addressed the Board about the liability of the Board and individual Board members should it decide to act out of concern over the treatment of some PSGSC members by a Health Care Provider. Mr Winkle advised that if the Board decides to take any action, the first action should be directed at the Health Care Provider through the same channels a consumer would use to make a complaint. Mr Winkle said that if the Board chooses to write a letter, the Board or its members are not liable if the letter is an expression of concern over treatment of PSGSC members and that letter is not published. He stated that the letter should be positive in nature, include concerns, state specifics and finally, what actions or changes we would like to see. These might include an investigation of the concerns, or the addition of a Movement Disorders specialist to the staff.
After consultation with Mr Winkle, the Board reviewed continuing concerns which included repercussions to members of the Health Care Provider, the advocacy role of PSGSC and personal liability, however unlikely, to Board members.
Kathy proposed that the next step should include the following options: taking no action, a letter from the Board to the Health Care Provider, a letter from the Board as a cover letter accompanying letters from patients stating their own specifics. Kathy asked that Board members who so choose write a letter that they personally would like to have submitted and the Board would consider them at the April Board Meeting.
Programs:
Arlene announced Dr. Bernstein as the April General Meeting Speaker.
Unity Walk:
Sue Lifschiz, a PSGSC member, sent Sandy Grant notice of the upcoming Unity Walk in New York City to be held on April 27, 2013. The Unity Walk raises funds for Parkinson’s Research and is a highly regarded event. Sandy and Kathy suggested that the Board consider making a donation on behalf of PSGSC. Suzanne deKozan moved and Gloria Stubbs seconded the motion that PSGSC donate $100 to the Unity Walk. Kathy asked George Irizary, Corresponding Secretary, to write to Sue Lifschiz informing her of the donation.
Other:
Bud Suiter, the person who had previously agreed to take the old sound system, no longer wanted it. George suggested that it be given to Goodwill as a donation. Sandy moved and Suzanne seconded the motion that the old sound system should be donated.
Kathy announced that Jack Wright, who is developing Trembler’s Trays, has a prototype of the product and will bring it to the April 17, Board Meeting at 11:45, for a short presentation. He has already made a presentation at UCSF. The proposed cost of the tray is $169.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 by Kathy Osbun. The next Board meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at Brush Creek Senior Living off Hwy12, east of Brush Creek Road.
Respectfully submitted by Barbara France, Recording Secretary.
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