College Park Seniors Committee

Approved: 022118 College Park Senior Committee City Hall – Lower Level Conference Room February 7, 2018 7:00 PM APPROVED MINUTES Senior Committee Members: PRESENT ABSENT Carolyn Bernache X P.J. Brennan X Pedro Manuel Guevara-Cordova X Mary Anne Hakes X Jackie Kelly X Bonnie McClellan X Darlene Nowlin X Bonnie Beck O’Brien X Arelis Perez X Rosemary Perticari X Also present: Peggy Higgins, Youth, Family and Senior Services; Thelma Martin, Neighbors Helping Neighbors; John Payne, Neighbors Helping Neighbors; Joi Woods, Contract Secretary I. Call to Order Mr. Brennan called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Mr. Brennan amended the agenda to postpone the approval of the January 3, 2018 Minutes until after the presentation by Neighbors Helping Neighbors. II. New Business A. Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) presentation and discussion 1. Mr. Brennan provided an overview of the Senior Committee and its current focus to establish a Cooperative to fill gaps between city and community services for senior residents. The committee’s overarching focus is to create awareness, support the sustainability of service organizations and build community. Mr. Brennan highlighted a potential opportunity for the Senior Committee to offer support to Neighbors Helping Neighbors in creating a sustainable structure through a continued funding stream and in-kind services. 1 2. Mr. Payne, newly established NHN President, provided an overview about Neighbors Helping Neighbors and the organization’s accomplishments. NHN’s immediate Past President Thelma Martin also contributed to the presentation. Mr. Payne shared the organization’s current goals and offered additional discussion points. Establishing a operational structure for NHN to provide services and service matching within city limits. 3. The organization began in 2016, became incorporated, received nonprofit status and began creating an infrastructure in 2017, including: • Receiving startup funding through grants from the College Park Community Foundation and other community organizations. • Establishing an MOU with Village Rides who provides volunteer training, software and networking support for other villages in Maryland. Village Rides also provides reimbursement for required background checks processes for program drivers. • NHN is ready to launch. The remaining tasks and next steps to become operational include securing a contract for background checks, organizing volunteer recruitment efforts, and completing training. Approximately 200 perspective volunteers expressed interest through outreach events. 4. Mrs. Martin and Mr. Payne provided details about the software program offered by Village Rides through a 2-3 year grant. The software consists of a database that allows for self-matching among volunteers and community members in need for a variety of services and not just transportation. The software also has the capability to track metrics. 5. Other efforts discussed to create NHN’s sustainability include recruiting additional board members, establishing an address, phone number, and creating a beneficial relationship with the city. NHN is currently networking with other neighboring villages in the county to gain insight around best practices. 6. The group engaged in discussion about the need for a volunteer coordinator, the scope of the position, potential duties and responsibilities: • Respond to phone calls and enter service needs into the database • Monitor day-to-day volunteer needs and interactions • Volunteer recruitment • Oversee the operations and support growth of the organization • Monitor shift hours 2  The group discussed leveraging existing city resources to support marketing & promotion efforts and financial support for a volunteer coordinator while community building and fundraising would be a focus of the NHN Board. B. Following the discussion, John Payne and Thelma Martin excused themselves and the Committee discussion continued. In particular, the Committee discussed possible opportunities to: 1. Develop a collaborative relationship with NHN. Create an intentional structure to help them in addressing the needs for services to seniors. 2. Support NHN’s functioning as a 5013(c)(3) with an established board preparing to provide service delivery. This support would allow for the opportunity of direct support from the city and secure grant funding. 3. Committee Members to participate in the Village Ride training and become volunteers for NHN. C. The Committee then discussed additional possible issues for Committee focus and action. They included increasing the availability of senior housing. The development of group housing options, home repair services and home conversion. Bonnie McClellan motioned to contact Neighbors Helping Neighbors to move forward in the training process. Mr. Brennan seconded the motion. All were in favor; none opposed. The motion passed. Mrs. Hakes will contact to Mr. Payne to apprise him of the Committee’s discussion. III. Old Business A. Approval of the January 3, 2018 Minutes Mrs. Hakes motioned to approve the minutes. Mrs. Beck- O'Brien seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. B. Upcoming Presentation to City Council – scheduled for March 6 1. Individual Committee members were encouraged to contact their City Council members and provide them with information about the recommendations before the March 6 meeting. 2. The Committee discussed updating the committee’s presentation to reflect its’ support of NHN’s establishment of a volunteer service network and City support to include both financial and in-kind support. In order to be prepared for the March 6 presentation, the Committee will hold an additional meeting to revise the presentation, date and time TBA. 3 III. Adjournment Mrs. Hakes motioned to adjourn the meeting, Mrs. Perez seconded the motion. All were in favor; none opposed. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 p.m. 4