Steering Committee Minutes
STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES for NOVEMBER 18, 2009
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP OF SONOMA COUNTY (PSGSC)
PRESENT: Facilitator Pat Staudacher, Kathy Osbun, Aletha Christianson, Mike LeMole, Davis Brown, George Irizary, Bud Suiter, Doug Schwartz, Beverly Singer, Ron Trouse and Arlene Irizary
The meeting was called to order by Patricia Staudacher. The minutes of the October 21, 2009 meeting were read by Kathy Osbun and approved following a motion by Kathy Osbun and seconded by Beverly Singer.
TREASURER’S REPORT: The first order of business was the monthly report by Treasurer Mike LeMole. Mike reported Expenses of $121.00 for three months worth of items for mid-meeting refreshments. Income was $95.00 from donations at meetings, sale of left-over refreshments, and proceeds from the sale of member Gary Carter’s collection of short stories. Mike said Wells Fargo also reimbursed $20.00 in bank fees that he contested.
The current treasury balance is $24,386.52. This is comprised of $4,386.52 in checking, $10,000 plus nominal interest in a Money Market account and $10,000 plus nominal interest in a Certificate of Deposit.
Mike also outlined a list of account categories, including rent, refreshments, office supplies, speaker honorariums, PAN delegate expenses, occasional janitor fees, clerical help for creation of a movement disorders foundation, human race expenses and the $100.00 cost of two people to attend a fundraiser that may result in a sizeable donation to the PSGSC.
FINANCES, MOVEMENT DISORDER FOUNDATION AND PATIENT CARE CENTER: A lengthy and detailed discussion was held regarding preparation for an audit and proposals to create a foundation and/or patient care center. George Irizary reported that he attended a Volunteer Center Audit Readiness Workshop. In preparation for an audit, the PSGSC will need to provide backup paperwork to document fiscal transparency, checks and balances, a budget and board oversight.
In an effort to ready ourselves for an audit, a motion was made by Davis Brown, seconded by Doug Schwartz and approved unanimously to have Pat Staudacher, Mike LeMole and Bud Suiter attend a Volunteer Center workshop entitled “Reporting Requirements for Nonprofits”. The cost is $45.00 for each of the three attending. According to the workshop flyer, “Your board is now required to create policies and procedures ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and creating best business practices.” Also unanimous, following a motion by Davis Brown and a second by Bev Singer, was a vote to renew Volunteer Center dues at a cost of $125.00. Volunteer Center membership provides discounted workshop fees and other resource services. In a related matter, Bud Suiter and Arlene Irizary were added to a recently appointed Finance Committee. Other Finance Committee members are Pat Staudacher, Mike LeMole, Davis Brown, Bud Suiter and Kathy Osbun.
A letter from Steering Committee member Dana May Casperson was read regarding procedures for creating a “Fund” at the Community Foundation of Sonoma County for the purpose of establishing a Parkinson’s patient care center. Also read was an excerpt from an Email from Dana May to the effect that she has a meeting scheduledDec. 18, 2009, for her to meet with the Chief Administrative Officer of Sutter Hospital . She said her goal is to have a doctor in agreement to come to Santa Rosa , a place to see patients and a regular weekly patient visit day by June 2010, eventually to include a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist and dietician.
In connection with that proposal, concern was expressed about the need for a business and financial plan to create a care center, a question as to whether the center would serve veterans and Kaiser patients, and the possibility that two years down the road currently low medicare reimbursement levels—a big roadblock to attracting a movement disorders specialist—may change.
The consensus was that the PSGSC should hold off making any commitments with Sutter Hospital, at least until “we get our financial ducks in order.”
Subsequently, a motion was made by Bud Suiter and seconded by Bev Singer to the effect that because of our need to make sure our financial records meet current non-profit compliance requirements, no commitments are to be made to the Community Foundation, Sutter Hospital or any other entity regarding any foundation, fund or care center until 1) Our financial record compliance is in place, 2) the PSGSC has a budget and business plan in place, and 3) that any proposal for a foundation or care center have a statement of plans and a business plan. The motion was unanimously approved.
HOLIDAY PARTY: The annual Holiday Party will be Dec. 12, 2009. Members are asked to bring a pot-luck finger food to share. Entertainment will be the Trad Jass Jammers. The band will be paid $200. The band donates its profits to a music camp for high schoolers. Also approved was $50.00 for post-holiday party janitorial services provided by the church meeting place.
FEBRUARY MEETING: George Irizary is to work with Pat Staudacher in the selection of a speaker or speakers to address end of life issues as the topic for the February 6, 2010 meeting.
LIBRARIAN NEEDED: The next meeting announcement is to include a request for a volunteer to manage our growing library. A Steering Committee secretary also is needed.
BY-LAWS: A committee to consider revisions to the PSGSC By-Laws will be comprised of Beverly Singer, Ron Trouse, Colleen Trouse (To be confirmed) and Davis Brown.
PHONE TREE: Beverly Singer will check in with phone tree manager Delia Nistler, who has been hospitalized, about phone tree coordination. Bev volunteered to make the necessary calls if Delia is unable to.
WEB SITE: It was suggested that books and other resource material in the support group library be added to the group’s new web site. Pat Staudacher offered to relay to Jeri Wylie any additions or needs for the site. Jeri Wylie’s grandson, Austin, created the web site. It was noted that the web site could also be used to post financial statements and meeting minutes, as both are considered public records.
PANC NEWSLETTER ARTICLE: An article about the PSGSC is under way. Steering Committee members offered a variety of notable events to include in the article.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:23 p.m. The next Steering Committee meeting will be Wednesday, January 20, 2009, at Brighton Gardens.
Respectfully submitted,
George Irizary
Acting Secretary
Nov. 18, 2009
(Minutes subject to approval at next meeting, 1/20/10)
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP OF SONOMA COUNTY (PSGSC)
PRESENT: Facilitator Pat Staudacher, Kathy Osbun, Aletha Christianson, Mike LeMole, Davis Brown, George Irizary, Bud Suiter, Doug Schwartz, Beverly Singer, Ron Trouse and Arlene Irizary
The meeting was called to order by Patricia Staudacher. The minutes of the October 21, 2009 meeting were read by Kathy Osbun and approved following a motion by Kathy Osbun and seconded by Beverly Singer.
TREASURER’S REPORT: The first order of business was the monthly report by Treasurer Mike LeMole. Mike reported Expenses of $121.00 for three months worth of items for mid-meeting refreshments. Income was $95.00 from donations at meetings, sale of left-over refreshments, and proceeds from the sale of member Gary Carter’s collection of short stories. Mike said Wells Fargo also reimbursed $20.00 in bank fees that he contested.
The current treasury balance is $24,386.52. This is comprised of $4,386.52 in checking, $10,000 plus nominal interest in a Money Market account and $10,000 plus nominal interest in a Certificate of Deposit.
Mike also outlined a list of account categories, including rent, refreshments, office supplies, speaker honorariums, PAN delegate expenses, occasional janitor fees, clerical help for creation of a movement disorders foundation, human race expenses and the $100.00 cost of two people to attend a fundraiser that may result in a sizeable donation to the PSGSC.
FINANCES, MOVEMENT DISORDER FOUNDATION AND PATIENT CARE CENTER: A lengthy and detailed discussion was held regarding preparation for an audit and proposals to create a foundation and/or patient care center. George Irizary reported that he attended a Volunteer Center Audit Readiness Workshop. In preparation for an audit, the PSGSC will need to provide backup paperwork to document fiscal transparency, checks and balances, a budget and board oversight.
In an effort to ready ourselves for an audit, a motion was made by Davis Brown, seconded by Doug Schwartz and approved unanimously to have Pat Staudacher, Mike LeMole and Bud Suiter attend a Volunteer Center workshop entitled “Reporting Requirements for Nonprofits”. The cost is $45.00 for each of the three attending. According to the workshop flyer, “Your board is now required to create policies and procedures ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and creating best business practices.” Also unanimous, following a motion by Davis Brown and a second by Bev Singer, was a vote to renew Volunteer Center dues at a cost of $125.00. Volunteer Center membership provides discounted workshop fees and other resource services. In a related matter, Bud Suiter and Arlene Irizary were added to a recently appointed Finance Committee. Other Finance Committee members are Pat Staudacher, Mike LeMole, Davis Brown, Bud Suiter and Kathy Osbun.
A letter from Steering Committee member Dana May Casperson was read regarding procedures for creating a “Fund” at the Community Foundation of Sonoma County for the purpose of establishing a Parkinson’s patient care center. Also read was an excerpt from an Email from Dana May to the effect that she has a meeting scheduledDec. 18, 2009, for her to meet with the Chief Administrative Officer of Sutter Hospital . She said her goal is to have a doctor in agreement to come to Santa Rosa , a place to see patients and a regular weekly patient visit day by June 2010, eventually to include a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist and dietician.
In connection with that proposal, concern was expressed about the need for a business and financial plan to create a care center, a question as to whether the center would serve veterans and Kaiser patients, and the possibility that two years down the road currently low medicare reimbursement levels—a big roadblock to attracting a movement disorders specialist—may change.
The consensus was that the PSGSC should hold off making any commitments with Sutter Hospital, at least until “we get our financial ducks in order.”
Subsequently, a motion was made by Bud Suiter and seconded by Bev Singer to the effect that because of our need to make sure our financial records meet current non-profit compliance requirements, no commitments are to be made to the Community Foundation, Sutter Hospital or any other entity regarding any foundation, fund or care center until 1) Our financial record compliance is in place, 2) the PSGSC has a budget and business plan in place, and 3) that any proposal for a foundation or care center have a statement of plans and a business plan. The motion was unanimously approved.
HOLIDAY PARTY: The annual Holiday Party will be Dec. 12, 2009. Members are asked to bring a pot-luck finger food to share. Entertainment will be the Trad Jass Jammers. The band will be paid $200. The band donates its profits to a music camp for high schoolers. Also approved was $50.00 for post-holiday party janitorial services provided by the church meeting place.
FEBRUARY MEETING: George Irizary is to work with Pat Staudacher in the selection of a speaker or speakers to address end of life issues as the topic for the February 6, 2010 meeting.
LIBRARIAN NEEDED: The next meeting announcement is to include a request for a volunteer to manage our growing library. A Steering Committee secretary also is needed.
BY-LAWS: A committee to consider revisions to the PSGSC By-Laws will be comprised of Beverly Singer, Ron Trouse, Colleen Trouse (To be confirmed) and Davis Brown.
PHONE TREE: Beverly Singer will check in with phone tree manager Delia Nistler, who has been hospitalized, about phone tree coordination. Bev volunteered to make the necessary calls if Delia is unable to.
WEB SITE: It was suggested that books and other resource material in the support group library be added to the group’s new web site. Pat Staudacher offered to relay to Jeri Wylie any additions or needs for the site. Jeri Wylie’s grandson, Austin, created the web site. It was noted that the web site could also be used to post financial statements and meeting minutes, as both are considered public records.
PANC NEWSLETTER ARTICLE: An article about the PSGSC is under way. Steering Committee members offered a variety of notable events to include in the article.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:23 p.m. The next Steering Committee meeting will be Wednesday, January 20, 2009, at Brighton Gardens.
Respectfully submitted,
George Irizary
Acting Secretary
Nov. 18, 2009
(Minutes subject to approval at next meeting, 1/20/10)
