BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: KATHY OSBUN, ARLENE IRIZARY, SANDY GRANT, GEORGE IRIZARY, DAVIS BROWN, SUZANNE deKOZAN, KAREN LOVVORN, PHYLLIS SANDS, and BARBARA STILING. ABSENT WERE: ART ROSENBLUM, DANA MAY CASPERSON, JIM FRANCE, DAVID GETZOFF, GLORIA STUBBS AND ANN WALKER.
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 September 19, 2012, were approved, by consensus, as read.
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 September 19, 2012, were approved, by consensus, as read.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Sandy Grant reported little activity for September 2012 financials. Since there was no general meeting of members in September, there was no “donation jar” income. Interest earned in September was $1.42. Expenses were $200 in rent for October and November 2012, and $80 for repair and return shipping of the PSGSC backup sound system.
In answer to a question raised at the last board meeting, Sandy confirmed that the PSGSC money market savings account is FDIC-insured for up to $250,000.
When financials for the current month, October, are reported, income will include $157 from the donation jar and $25 from Kathy Osbun for tulip pin sales. Expenses will include $25 for packaging the sound system for shipping to the repair facility, and $37.39 for copies of the Mary’s Pizza fundraiser flyer/discount coupon and the needs assessment survey.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The board tabled a decision regarding a donation to the Parkinson’s Association of Northern California (PANC), which has provided liability insurance coverage for PSGSC meetings at the Yulupa Avenue meeting site. PANC became a volunteer-operated non-profit when it was forced to release paid staff during the economic downturn. Barbara Stiling suggested that if a donation is made it should specify use of the funds for such things as conferences or education.
FUND RAISING: Kathy Osbun said she has not yet received a report on how much PSGSC earned at the October 10 Mary’s Pizza fundraiser. It was estimated that 20 people ordered lunch meals and at least 10-15 attended for dinners. Kathy also said Mary’s has approved another fundraiser for April, 2013.
An ongoing fundraiser, the sale of signature tulip pins to promote awareness of Parkinson’s Disease, is within 25 pins of reaching the break-even point, after which the remaining $5.00 pins will be sold at 100 per cent profit.
BROCHURE REVISION: The board tabled a decision on what to include in a second printing of the PSGSC tri-color brochure, pending confirmation of small group contact persons and whether the smaller satellite groups operate independently or under PSGSC auspices.
AWARE IN CARE OUTREACH: Suzanne deKozan and Davis Brown reported that they are going to hospitals with Aware in Care kits to make contact with chief executive officers, pharmacy managers, nursing and emergency personnel. The goal is to promote awareness of the special needs of Parkinson’s patients, especially the necessity of continuing Parkinson’s medications and administering them at specific hours of the day. Another major concern is avoiding food for certain periods of time before and after taking the medications, something often ignored in hospital and nursing home facilities. The outreach is intended to dovetail with a master’s degree thesis being written by a Sonoma State University nursing student.
SOUND SYSTEM: On a motion by Sandy Grant, seconded by Barbara Stiling, the board voted unanimously to not put more money into the group’s backup sound system and instead explore adding wireless capability to an existing amplifier component already owned by PSGSC.
DATA BASE: Barbara Stiling, who may be resigning from the board in December, discussed turning over to another board member the data base of member names and phone numbers. The discussion focused on how much information to include in the data base (Names, phone numbers, address, etc.) and what format to use (excel, for e.g.).
PROGRAMS: Program Coordinator Arlene Irizary reported that the following programs are scheduled for the remainder of this year:
Saturday, Nov. 3: Dr. Graham (Alec) Glass, Parkinson’s specialist at UCSF and the Veterans Hospital in San Francisco.
Saturday, Dec. 8 (Note: second Saturday in December): Holiday Party with the River Choir. Please bring finger foods to share.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY: Kathy Osbun reported the results of a needs assessment survey distributed at the October 6, 2012, general meeting. Thirty six members responded to the survey.
Asked about “Having a PD/Movement Disorders specialist in Sonoma County,” 33 of the 36 respondents said that was “very important,” and only three said it was somewhat important.
On developing a plan for ongoing training of hospital staff regarding PD patients and special medication issues, 25 respondents said that was “very important,” three said it was somewhat important, and one person said it was “not a priority.”
Asked about developing a plan to stay in touch through phone calls/visits with PSGSC members who feel alone and perhaps unable to attend meetings, 20 people said it was “very important,” 11 said it was somewhat important, and three said it was not a priority.
Seventeen respondents said it was “very important” to provide financial help with transportation vouchers for taxi or para-transit to come to PSGSC meetings, medical appointments, etc., 15 said it was somewhat important, and four said it was not a priority.
Another question that drew attention was “Provide financial help with one-time emergency needs (food/medication/other emergency) where a designated amount of our funds could be used to help the most vulnerable members in our group. 21 persons opined that that was very important, compared to 13 who said it was somewhat important, and three who said it was not a priority.
In two other questions, the majority of respondents checked “somewhat important.” One of those questions was whether we should establish an office for people to come for PD information, referrals, store PSGSC library materials, meet with resource people (social worker, lawyer, etc.). Seven said it was very important, nine said it was not a priority and 20 said it was somewhat important.
The other question was “Expand PSGSC library/resource materials.” Eight said it was very important, eight said it was not a priority, and 17 said it was somewhat important.
Under “Other Suggestions,” and open-ended query, the following responses were given: Cards for members who have passed away; call back/follow up to first time caregivers; any information related to PSP; speaker on nutrition issues with actual plans/pointers; report on people recovering to “keep us filled in;” Use radio/T.V./other media opportunities for free public information outreach; fund PAN seminars to D.C.; rent a van to drive to S.F., Sacto., etc; and fund “End of Summer” BBQ.
Board members have various reactions to the survey, which Sandy Grant summed up as “a work in progress.” On outreach, Sandy noted that her mother, who has Parkinson’s, made a friend through the Council on Aging Friendly Visitors Program. “It stuck—and she’s become one of her best friends.”
Currently, the board of PSGSC is working on some of the issues in the assessment, including efforts to attract a movement disorders specialist to Sonoma County; perhaps at Sutter Hospital.
BOARD MEETING DATES: The board regularly meets on the third Wednesday of the month, but to avoid a meeting too close to the Thanksgiving holiday, the November meeting is rescheduled to Nov. 14 instead of Nov. 21.
NEW “TOY:” Board member Karen Lovvorn displayed what she described as her “new toy,” a medic alert device that works even away from the home, as long as she keeps with her an eyeglass-sized case that fits on her belt.
MEETING ADJOURNED: The meeting was adjourned at 12:08 p.m. by Kathy Osbun. The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 14, 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.
In answer to a question raised at the last board meeting, Sandy confirmed that the PSGSC money market savings account is FDIC-insured for up to $250,000.
When financials for the current month, October, are reported, income will include $157 from the donation jar and $25 from Kathy Osbun for tulip pin sales. Expenses will include $25 for packaging the sound system for shipping to the repair facility, and $37.39 for copies of the Mary’s Pizza fundraiser flyer/discount coupon and the needs assessment survey.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The board tabled a decision regarding a donation to the Parkinson’s Association of Northern California (PANC), which has provided liability insurance coverage for PSGSC meetings at the Yulupa Avenue meeting site. PANC became a volunteer-operated non-profit when it was forced to release paid staff during the economic downturn. Barbara Stiling suggested that if a donation is made it should specify use of the funds for such things as conferences or education.
FUND RAISING: Kathy Osbun said she has not yet received a report on how much PSGSC earned at the October 10 Mary’s Pizza fundraiser. It was estimated that 20 people ordered lunch meals and at least 10-15 attended for dinners. Kathy also said Mary’s has approved another fundraiser for April, 2013.
An ongoing fundraiser, the sale of signature tulip pins to promote awareness of Parkinson’s Disease, is within 25 pins of reaching the break-even point, after which the remaining $5.00 pins will be sold at 100 per cent profit.
BROCHURE REVISION: The board tabled a decision on what to include in a second printing of the PSGSC tri-color brochure, pending confirmation of small group contact persons and whether the smaller satellite groups operate independently or under PSGSC auspices.
AWARE IN CARE OUTREACH: Suzanne deKozan and Davis Brown reported that they are going to hospitals with Aware in Care kits to make contact with chief executive officers, pharmacy managers, nursing and emergency personnel. The goal is to promote awareness of the special needs of Parkinson’s patients, especially the necessity of continuing Parkinson’s medications and administering them at specific hours of the day. Another major concern is avoiding food for certain periods of time before and after taking the medications, something often ignored in hospital and nursing home facilities. The outreach is intended to dovetail with a master’s degree thesis being written by a Sonoma State University nursing student.
SOUND SYSTEM: On a motion by Sandy Grant, seconded by Barbara Stiling, the board voted unanimously to not put more money into the group’s backup sound system and instead explore adding wireless capability to an existing amplifier component already owned by PSGSC.
DATA BASE: Barbara Stiling, who may be resigning from the board in December, discussed turning over to another board member the data base of member names and phone numbers. The discussion focused on how much information to include in the data base (Names, phone numbers, address, etc.) and what format to use (excel, for e.g.).
PROGRAMS: Program Coordinator Arlene Irizary reported that the following programs are scheduled for the remainder of this year:
Saturday, Nov. 3: Dr. Graham (Alec) Glass, Parkinson’s specialist at UCSF and the Veterans Hospital in San Francisco.
Saturday, Dec. 8 (Note: second Saturday in December): Holiday Party with the River Choir. Please bring finger foods to share.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY: Kathy Osbun reported the results of a needs assessment survey distributed at the October 6, 2012, general meeting. Thirty six members responded to the survey.
Asked about “Having a PD/Movement Disorders specialist in Sonoma County,” 33 of the 36 respondents said that was “very important,” and only three said it was somewhat important.
On developing a plan for ongoing training of hospital staff regarding PD patients and special medication issues, 25 respondents said that was “very important,” three said it was somewhat important, and one person said it was “not a priority.”
Asked about developing a plan to stay in touch through phone calls/visits with PSGSC members who feel alone and perhaps unable to attend meetings, 20 people said it was “very important,” 11 said it was somewhat important, and three said it was not a priority.
Seventeen respondents said it was “very important” to provide financial help with transportation vouchers for taxi or para-transit to come to PSGSC meetings, medical appointments, etc., 15 said it was somewhat important, and four said it was not a priority.
Another question that drew attention was “Provide financial help with one-time emergency needs (food/medication/other emergency) where a designated amount of our funds could be used to help the most vulnerable members in our group. 21 persons opined that that was very important, compared to 13 who said it was somewhat important, and three who said it was not a priority.
In two other questions, the majority of respondents checked “somewhat important.” One of those questions was whether we should establish an office for people to come for PD information, referrals, store PSGSC library materials, meet with resource people (social worker, lawyer, etc.). Seven said it was very important, nine said it was not a priority and 20 said it was somewhat important.
The other question was “Expand PSGSC library/resource materials.” Eight said it was very important, eight said it was not a priority, and 17 said it was somewhat important.
Under “Other Suggestions,” and open-ended query, the following responses were given: Cards for members who have passed away; call back/follow up to first time caregivers; any information related to PSP; speaker on nutrition issues with actual plans/pointers; report on people recovering to “keep us filled in;” Use radio/T.V./other media opportunities for free public information outreach; fund PAN seminars to D.C.; rent a van to drive to S.F., Sacto., etc; and fund “End of Summer” BBQ.
Board members have various reactions to the survey, which Sandy Grant summed up as “a work in progress.” On outreach, Sandy noted that her mother, who has Parkinson’s, made a friend through the Council on Aging Friendly Visitors Program. “It stuck—and she’s become one of her best friends.”
Currently, the board of PSGSC is working on some of the issues in the assessment, including efforts to attract a movement disorders specialist to Sonoma County; perhaps at Sutter Hospital.
BOARD MEETING DATES: The board regularly meets on the third Wednesday of the month, but to avoid a meeting too close to the Thanksgiving holiday, the November meeting is rescheduled to Nov. 14 instead of Nov. 21.
NEW “TOY:” Board member Karen Lovvorn displayed what she described as her “new toy,” a medic alert device that works even away from the home, as long as she keeps with her an eyeglass-sized case that fits on her belt.
MEETING ADJOURNED: The meeting was adjourned at 12:08 p.m. by Kathy Osbun. The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 14, 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.
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