College Park Seniors Committee

Approved: 020619 College Park Seniors Committee Minutes City Hall – Lower Level Conference Room November 7, 2018 7:00 PM Seniors Committee Members: PRESENT ABSENT P.J. Brennan X Pedro Manuel Guevara-Cordova X Mary Anne Hakes X Jackie Kelly X Bonnie McClellan X Darlene Nowlin X 7:40 p.m. Arelis Perez X Rosemary Perticari X Also present: Gloria Aparicio Blackwell, UMD Office of Community Engagement, Peggy Higgins, Youth and Family Services; John Payne, Neighbors Helping Neighbors; Joi Woods, Contract Secretary, UMD, Student Residents I. Call to Order Mr. Brennan called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. A. Agenda The agenda was amended to include distribution of Neighbor Helping Neighbors College Park (NHN-CP). Leadership, and an update from Mrs. Higgins about the College Park Seniors Program. II. Old Business A. Old Business • Approval of the October 3, 2018 Mrs. McClellan motioned to approve the October 3, 2018 minutes as written. Mrs. Hakes seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. B. Neighbors Helping Neighbors – College Park (NHN-CP) Mr. Payne distributed brochure drafts for review. Village Rides will provide professionally printed brochures once finalized.  C. Senior Prom The committee participated in a phone conference with Richard Livingstone, previously of George Washington University’s Senior Prom project. Mr. Livingstone provided background about the history of the project. • 250-175 Seniors participated, with a 2:1 ratio of seniors and students • Senior and youth interaction, annual event themes with an activity component, A casino theme was previously hosted • Noted logistical details and considerations: o Space-Tent top tables, dance floor, & food o Food –Buffet style food; students brought plates to the seniors ▪ Opportunities for donation (when hosted offsite) o Internal university food services fees (when hosted on-campus o Committee members and Mr. Livingstone engaged in Q&A o Transportation o Music was provided via playlist, Mr. Livingstone offered to share the playlist • Coordinating communication and planning logistics-RSVP tracking options o Tasks & labor--80 hours/week for one person; a team of 8 to assist with facilitating the event before and after o Planning 3 weeks in advanced o Student recruitment ▪ University Volunteer Office assisted with recruitment efforts ▪ 75 student volunteers ▪ Repeat volunteer trends, word of mouth generated additional student volunteers o Non-alcoholic event o General budget costs Mr. Livingstone will follow up to provide information about a general budget. The committee and Mrs. Aparicio-Blackwell debriefed and decided to hold an Ad-Hoc meeting in January to determine which factors could be implemented by the city and which by the University. III. New Business A. Mrs. McClellan provided information about upcoming Explorations on Aging events: Senior information series, Losses: A Part of Aging and the 4th Annual Art Show and Reception. B. CPCF Gala January 26, 2019, a member of the committee has access to a complimentary ticket to attend. All members are encouraged to attend.  C. Promoting personal interaction through technology: Echo Show devices The College Park Community Foundation (CPCF) awarded $600.00 towards the purchase of Alexa Show devices for seniors. The committee discussed: • Partnering with UMD Faculty in Social Research Studies to provide technical support for seniors to learn to use the devices to increase social interaction and reduce social isolation by using technology. • Feasibility and potential challenges placement and technical assistance provisions. Highlighted points of discussion included: o Housing devices at Attick Towers, Spellman House, and Youth, Family, and Senior Services office. o A committee member initiating the use of the device with seniors during social events o Explorations on Aging identifying training opportunities on how to use the devices o NHN-CP to initiating training opportunities to use the device D. Seniors Program Update Ms. Higgins provided a brief update, noted points included: o Pickups for the Senior Social Center for College Park residents o Recently hosted International Day o Recruiting new Senior Committee members E. Committee Membership and Leadership The committee discussed membership recruitment and leadership needs. Mr. Brenan will transition out his current leadership role. F. Committee’s brainstorming session- (August 2018 minutes-see E2. p 3 and 4) Discussion postponed until the January meeting IV. Adjournment Mrs. Hakes motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mrs. Kelly seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.