Montpelier Senior Activity Center Advisory Council

Montpelier Senior Activity Center Advisory Board Meeting November 13, 2013 1:30 PM in City Council Chambers Present: MSAC Director, Janna Clar; Board Chair: Tina Muncy; Members: Jane Osgatharp, Sylvia Kingsbury, Fran Krushenick, Peter Harris, Janet Ressler, Sue Stukey, and Liz Dodge. Not present: Frank Wood, recovering from surgery. 1. Meeting called to order at 1:32 pm. 2. Minutes of meeting on October 30, 2013 were read, amended, and accepted as amended. 3. Old Business: a. Member Comments: 1. “Mix-it-Up day at lunch received mixed reviews, some folks feeling it was distracting to have “organized mingling”; it is an interesting idea, might be better after lunch rather than during the meal; it is set up to promote a different pattern of conversation, so that participants get to know different people. 2. Meals: Members have heard requests for more “comfort food”; having to make a reservation is annoying, perhaps have people sign up for one month at a time, calling if they can’t make it; Calling consistency has improved as the program settles in; Perhaps will have the “touch screen” set up for reservations soon; Some folks find standing in line difficult, perhaps a “number system” can be set up. b. Thanksgiving Lunch: Lunch and Volunteer Recognition will be Thursday, Nov 20, at noon. Helpers are needed to get paper goods, decorate and help clean-up. Peter Harris and others agreed to help. We have received some donations from our vendors. c. Feedback and Comments requested re: increased fund raising, fee increases, capital projects: A Draft Budget was presented. This has not gone to the city as yet. Comments: 1) Concern: re increasing fees for supporting town participants. Those from supporting towns pay less for annual dues but class fees are the same as “other” towns. 2) Will need to increase dues, class fees, and other revenues to keep up with increased expenditures budget. Staff is thinking about where else we might hold classes off site. Maximum number of members center can accomidate is still an unknown. Membership increased by 100 last year; We project increasing by at least 50 for the next two years. Need increased outreach to our seniors. Perhaps offer shorter or longer courses with different fees. Need feedback re: increased fees. p.2 11/13/13 Minutes, cont. d. Discussion of classes: 1) Strong Living: The “Singing” group doesn’t need an instructor so now is considered a “group” not a “class” so has no fee. New members are welcome in other classes. 2) New Movement Class with Lisa Newfield….Wednesday at lunchtime. 3) Rug Hooking: always marginal numbers and highly subsidized. Some are perhaps not able to pay an increase. Instructor is willing to do fundraising to help support the class, such as another raffle. 4) Swimming: Question as to why aerobics is less costly than lap swimming…(MSAC is charged by the hour). Monday lap time may change to Sunday evening as it is preferred by most respondents to a poll taken by staff. e. Capital Improvements will be discussed at our next meeting. 4. New Business a. Supporting Town Funding: 1) East Montpelier: already on the ballot (for $5800) Reminder: FY14 supporting town revenue for all five towns will be $7800, much higher than what we had budgeted! Looking for $18,000 in FY15… 2) Plainfield has shown increased membership this year. Requests are based on $100/member. 3) If towns decide not to support MSAC adequately we may increase fees. 4) Petitions are ready and we all need to help get signatures to get them on the town ballots. Need to be completed by January 23, 2014. b. Holiday Bazaar, etc: December 14 from 9 am – 4 pm. 1. Needs an over-all coordinator 2. Need help sorting through donations (giftables) on Friday morning (Sue Stukey) 3. Need someone to solicit donations from vendors at Thanksgiving Farmer’s Market, Fair in Barre after Thanksgiving, Other Fairs? 4. Need coordinator for Raffle…(Jane) 5. Possible raffle on Ebay of two antique Fireboxes donated by the city? 6. Offer of rug hooking kit and lessons…welcomed! 7. 40 Gift Bags from the Co-op: for Seniors at the Holiday. Sign up at MSAC. Sylvia K and her husband will pick them up Janna let us know that Just Basic Kimberly Lashua, will be leaving Nov 22. A new person is being hired. 5. Next Advisory Board Meeting: Wednesday, December 11 at 1:30 PM at City Hall. (Advisory Board Goal/Mission Setting, December 18 from 1 -4 pm at home of Tina Muncy. Meeting adjourned at: 3:30PM (?) Respectfully submitted, Sue Stukey, Secretary