Members Present:
Kathy Osbun, Sandy Grant, Art Rosenblum, David Getzoff, Davis Brown, Marc Alexander George Irizary, Arlene Irizary, Gloria Stubbs
Members absent:
Dana May Casperson, Suzanne deKozan, Ann Walker, Barbara France
Call to Order:
The regular meeting of th Board of Diretors of the Parkinson’s Support Group (PSGSC) was called to order by Chair, Kathy Osbun at 10:07 a.m.
Approval of Minutes:
The minutes of the Sept. 17, 2014 Board were approved with the following correction. Sonoma Transportation Access is a County Wide Group instead of a Non-profit.
Treasurer’s Report:
Sandy reviewed the balance sheet and profit and loss statement. Since there
was no meeting in September the interest amount was .80. The expenses were $26.00. Meeting supplies, $33.98. Total expenses -59.98. Net income from January 2014 to September 1,782.09.
We received a $1,000 check from Kathy’s mother, Mrs. Greenway, which will appear in November’s account. There were no changes in the budget for September.
Programs:
At our last Parkinson Meeting Dr. Zhang’s projector did not function correctly. Since John Hamilton had purchased one for our PSGSC group we were able to continue with his presentation. Kathy will include in the announcements in November that this purchase was possible because of our fund raisers, private donations and the donation jar. Kathy said she will begin the meeting and announcements as close to 1:00 as possible and continue to keep announcements to a minimum.
Singing Group:
The singing group continues to receive positive reviews from people attending. Cheryl has implemented many of the group’s suggestions.
She’s including a break in between exercises and larger fonts on song sheets. We will continue to fund the group through December. Cheryl plans to have the Singing Group do some singing and a sing-a-long at our Holiday Party on the second Saturday in December 13, 2014.
Publicity:
Some PSGSC brochures were taken by members to distribute and replenish places that have had them in the past. Many patients and caregivers have become aware of the support group by finding the brochures in Medical offices and caregiving facilities. Arlene brought in an article from the Press Democrat about breast cancer awareness. She suggested that PSGSC do some reaching out to writers who filed the article and talk to them about doing an article on our organization. Marc said he would be interested in being interviewed about DBS. Davis mentioned contacting Mrs. Schultz (Charles Schultz’ wife) and writing a letter to the City Council about Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Kathy talked about a conversation she had with journalist Susan Schwartz at the Press Democrat that sounded promising. Unfortunately, her particular reporting job had been changed. Ms. Schwartz said she would pass on our information to other reporters who do the human interest articles in the Press Democrat.
The Speakers:
Our November meeting will be a Transportation Panel with four speakers. They are all members of the Transportation and Mobility Committee for the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council.
They will include information on the possibility of free fare for Veterans and College Students. Members hope to get some information on Paratransit. We will not plan to have a breakout session in anticipation of having a longer question and answer exchange. Kathy received an email from Sue Lipschiz with a proposal to bring and sell some children’s clothing at the November meeting. She will donate ALL monies to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Sandy made the motion that Sue Lipschiz may sell clothes at the November meeting. Marc seconded the motion. The motion passed. The clothes will be on racks that can be rolled into the room adjoining the auditorium and the door can be closed.
Speakers:
Art is keeping in touch with Dr. Khandhar in Sacramento who works for Kaiser. Dr. Khandhar is gathering data to show support for the need of a Movement Disorder Specialist in Santa Rosa. He has, also, agreed to be a speaker in 2015.
Marc is contacting Summerfield Theater with the prospect of showing the film “Riding With Larry” as a fund raiser in April for Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
Marc met, at his home, with two ladies from the Michael J. Fox foundation. Suzanne and Davis also attended. Marc reported that much of the monies are going to research. They are in the 2nd phase of working on a vaccine for reducing anti-bodies. NPF (National Parkinson Foundation) devotes ½ of their money to disease modifying treatments and finding bio-markers for the disease. There is a Clinical Trial working on Steady PD3. The trial has been approved now by the FDA. It is only for newly diagnosed patients who haven’t begun Levadopa. It is a disease modifier.
One of our members, Nancy Wilson, attended the Mark Morris Dance Project in San Rafael. She felt it would be a beneficial program for our Parkinson Patients and she hoped something could be done in our area. She said that Stanford is building a space for the dance project. Marc spoke to Dave Iverson about the movie “Capturing Grace”. The movie was made by Dave Iverson who has Parkinson’s. He participated in the Mark Morris Dance Program and was very impressed with the movement patients were able to execute and the bonding that went on in the classes.. “Capturing Grace” will be shown on PBS. Marc will pursue finding the time it will be shown and inform our members.
Board Intentions:
Kathy went around the room asking current Board members their intention to remain on the Board in 2015. The majority of the members said yes. The members who said yes were Kathy Osbun, Art Rosenblum, David Getzoff, Ann Walker, Gloria Stubbs, Marc Alexander and Barbara France. George Iriziary said no. Sandy Grant and Arlene Irizary haven’t made a decision as yet. Absent from the vote were Dana May Casperson and Suzanne deKozan.
A long discussion followed on what we thought the future of the board should include. Kathy expressed her feelings about how much we have achieved and asked if there was a different direction members want to go. The concensus was that everyone is very pleased with our ongoing achievements citing our speakers, fundraising, singing, library, membership packets and breakout sessions, to name a few. Arlene and Davis felt it’s important to take on a larger roll including reaching out to bigger contributors and setting some longer range goals. Arlene mentioned that the Woman’s Group had some ideas for projects the Board could pursue. Sandy expressed the feeling we are doing a lot considering we are a volunteer group and have a lack of man-power. David feels that the members attend our regular meetings for the speakers and the information they receive and are happy with what we are providing. Gloria said that new members express gratitude for the New Member packets and Aware and Care Kits, often surprised it’s free. She receives expressions of gratitude as members enter and leave the meetings. Art brought up the idea of having an outside retreat with a facilitator. Arlene suggested that we contact The Non-Profit Assistance Group who would provide a facilitator. Davis made a motion to have an outside retreat with the new Board in 2015 with a facilitator. Arlene seconded. Discussion followed with suggestions that instead of an outside retreat that we bring the facilitator to a regular board meeting in 2015. Motion failed with six against, two for and one abstention.
Kathy said she will pursue having a facilitator attend our regular Board Meeting with the new Board in 2015 and have an open discussion on…Where we are?…and where are we going in the future?
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 by Chair, Kathy Osbun. The next meeting will be Wednesday, November 1, 2014 at Brush Creek Senior Living.
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Stubbs,
Substitute Secretary
Kathy Osbun, Sandy Grant, Art Rosenblum, David Getzoff, Davis Brown, Marc Alexander George Irizary, Arlene Irizary, Gloria Stubbs
Members absent:
Dana May Casperson, Suzanne deKozan, Ann Walker, Barbara France
Call to Order:
The regular meeting of th Board of Diretors of the Parkinson’s Support Group (PSGSC) was called to order by Chair, Kathy Osbun at 10:07 a.m.
Approval of Minutes:
The minutes of the Sept. 17, 2014 Board were approved with the following correction. Sonoma Transportation Access is a County Wide Group instead of a Non-profit.
Treasurer’s Report:
Sandy reviewed the balance sheet and profit and loss statement. Since there
was no meeting in September the interest amount was .80. The expenses were $26.00. Meeting supplies, $33.98. Total expenses -59.98. Net income from January 2014 to September 1,782.09.
We received a $1,000 check from Kathy’s mother, Mrs. Greenway, which will appear in November’s account. There were no changes in the budget for September.
Programs:
At our last Parkinson Meeting Dr. Zhang’s projector did not function correctly. Since John Hamilton had purchased one for our PSGSC group we were able to continue with his presentation. Kathy will include in the announcements in November that this purchase was possible because of our fund raisers, private donations and the donation jar. Kathy said she will begin the meeting and announcements as close to 1:00 as possible and continue to keep announcements to a minimum.
Singing Group:
The singing group continues to receive positive reviews from people attending. Cheryl has implemented many of the group’s suggestions.
She’s including a break in between exercises and larger fonts on song sheets. We will continue to fund the group through December. Cheryl plans to have the Singing Group do some singing and a sing-a-long at our Holiday Party on the second Saturday in December 13, 2014.
Publicity:
Some PSGSC brochures were taken by members to distribute and replenish places that have had them in the past. Many patients and caregivers have become aware of the support group by finding the brochures in Medical offices and caregiving facilities. Arlene brought in an article from the Press Democrat about breast cancer awareness. She suggested that PSGSC do some reaching out to writers who filed the article and talk to them about doing an article on our organization. Marc said he would be interested in being interviewed about DBS. Davis mentioned contacting Mrs. Schultz (Charles Schultz’ wife) and writing a letter to the City Council about Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Kathy talked about a conversation she had with journalist Susan Schwartz at the Press Democrat that sounded promising. Unfortunately, her particular reporting job had been changed. Ms. Schwartz said she would pass on our information to other reporters who do the human interest articles in the Press Democrat.
The Speakers:
Our November meeting will be a Transportation Panel with four speakers. They are all members of the Transportation and Mobility Committee for the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council.
They will include information on the possibility of free fare for Veterans and College Students. Members hope to get some information on Paratransit. We will not plan to have a breakout session in anticipation of having a longer question and answer exchange. Kathy received an email from Sue Lipschiz with a proposal to bring and sell some children’s clothing at the November meeting. She will donate ALL monies to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Sandy made the motion that Sue Lipschiz may sell clothes at the November meeting. Marc seconded the motion. The motion passed. The clothes will be on racks that can be rolled into the room adjoining the auditorium and the door can be closed.
Speakers:
Art is keeping in touch with Dr. Khandhar in Sacramento who works for Kaiser. Dr. Khandhar is gathering data to show support for the need of a Movement Disorder Specialist in Santa Rosa. He has, also, agreed to be a speaker in 2015.
Marc is contacting Summerfield Theater with the prospect of showing the film “Riding With Larry” as a fund raiser in April for Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
Marc met, at his home, with two ladies from the Michael J. Fox foundation. Suzanne and Davis also attended. Marc reported that much of the monies are going to research. They are in the 2nd phase of working on a vaccine for reducing anti-bodies. NPF (National Parkinson Foundation) devotes ½ of their money to disease modifying treatments and finding bio-markers for the disease. There is a Clinical Trial working on Steady PD3. The trial has been approved now by the FDA. It is only for newly diagnosed patients who haven’t begun Levadopa. It is a disease modifier.
One of our members, Nancy Wilson, attended the Mark Morris Dance Project in San Rafael. She felt it would be a beneficial program for our Parkinson Patients and she hoped something could be done in our area. She said that Stanford is building a space for the dance project. Marc spoke to Dave Iverson about the movie “Capturing Grace”. The movie was made by Dave Iverson who has Parkinson’s. He participated in the Mark Morris Dance Program and was very impressed with the movement patients were able to execute and the bonding that went on in the classes.. “Capturing Grace” will be shown on PBS. Marc will pursue finding the time it will be shown and inform our members.
Board Intentions:
Kathy went around the room asking current Board members their intention to remain on the Board in 2015. The majority of the members said yes. The members who said yes were Kathy Osbun, Art Rosenblum, David Getzoff, Ann Walker, Gloria Stubbs, Marc Alexander and Barbara France. George Iriziary said no. Sandy Grant and Arlene Irizary haven’t made a decision as yet. Absent from the vote were Dana May Casperson and Suzanne deKozan.
A long discussion followed on what we thought the future of the board should include. Kathy expressed her feelings about how much we have achieved and asked if there was a different direction members want to go. The concensus was that everyone is very pleased with our ongoing achievements citing our speakers, fundraising, singing, library, membership packets and breakout sessions, to name a few. Arlene and Davis felt it’s important to take on a larger roll including reaching out to bigger contributors and setting some longer range goals. Arlene mentioned that the Woman’s Group had some ideas for projects the Board could pursue. Sandy expressed the feeling we are doing a lot considering we are a volunteer group and have a lack of man-power. David feels that the members attend our regular meetings for the speakers and the information they receive and are happy with what we are providing. Gloria said that new members express gratitude for the New Member packets and Aware and Care Kits, often surprised it’s free. She receives expressions of gratitude as members enter and leave the meetings. Art brought up the idea of having an outside retreat with a facilitator. Arlene suggested that we contact The Non-Profit Assistance Group who would provide a facilitator. Davis made a motion to have an outside retreat with the new Board in 2015 with a facilitator. Arlene seconded. Discussion followed with suggestions that instead of an outside retreat that we bring the facilitator to a regular board meeting in 2015. Motion failed with six against, two for and one abstention.
Kathy said she will pursue having a facilitator attend our regular Board Meeting with the new Board in 2015 and have an open discussion on…Where we are?…and where are we going in the future?
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 by Chair, Kathy Osbun. The next meeting will be Wednesday, November 1, 2014 at Brush Creek Senior Living.
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Stubbs,
Substitute Secretary
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