Montpelier Senior Activity Center Advisory Council

MSAC Advisory Council Meeting February 18, 2016 1:00 – 2:30PM MSAC Activity Room Approved at 3-17-16 meeting In attendance: Whit Dall, Janna Clar, Bill Doelger, Sue Stukey, Bob Barrett, Ron Merkin, Susan Torchia, Fran Krushenick, Jessica Sanderson Guest: Jaime Bedard 1) Call Meeting to Order Meeting called to order at 1:04pm 2) Approve Agenda There were no changes or additions to the Agenda 3) Rec Dept./ Senior Center Discussion Updates At their last meeting, the Montpelier City Council voted to extend a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the sale of the Rec Building on Barre Street as soon as possible. The first planning steps have been taken to merge the Recreation Department and MSAC into a Community Services Department and the Advisory Council has been asked to choose a representative to advise and serve on the Strategic Planning committee within a week. If the Recreation Building sells, the activities usually held there will hopefully be relocated around the city into other facilities including perhaps municipal ones (schools) and perhaps private sites such as VCFA. Janna is in discussions with Yvonne Byrd, of the Montpelier Community Justice Center, to initiate a free, by appointment, mediation process for community members who need mediation or other assistance with disputes and other difficult situations, through CJC’s existing services. 4) Director Notes Janna Clar handed out comprehensive notes on MSAC, and the Montpelier Community Services Department (MCSD) Transition Plan – Part I which were distributed to the Advisory Council via email as well. The Just Basics, Inc. board has been asked for a written request for MSAC’s budgeted increased contribution toward the FEAST program’s operating expenses in FY17. There was an enthusiastic discussion that reducing the suggested meal donation at FEAST Together, from $7 to $5 for seniors and from $9 to $7 for under 60, might have a positive effect on donations actually increasing.  The MSAC Van pilot project is nearing implementation and new personnel have been recruited to operate it, Maddy Squier-Paine will be the Ride Planner and Kathy Preis will the be the on-board driver and passenger assistant. Drivers will be interviewed next week. Maple Capital Management was the only responder to the Jackman Fund RFP and City Council will vote on accepting their proposal February 24th. Because of the restrictions donors sometimes make on their gifts, Dan Groberg will suggest language for the center’s Estate Planning that will insure the best outcome for MSAC’s use of any donated funds. 5) Advisory Council Recruitment Janna provided a draft of MSAC Advisory Council Expectations and Elections 2016 for recruitment. She requested each council member invite one new member and mentioned the Advisory Council appoints people to vacant seats if not filled by elections, according to Bylaws. 6) New Secretary for Notes Jessica Sanderson will take minutes going forward and will remain a council member who will excuse herself from any JBI FEAST vote. 7) Committee Reports Bob Barrett, Programming Chair, reported there will be new programming this spring and summer that includes a Rock N Roll history class, Yoga for Joint Mobility with a new instructor, Qi Gong, trips to the Red Sox and Chandler Music Hall, and off site classes, including a yoga class in Worcester. Sue Stukey, Fundraising Committee chair, reported the Fund Raising Committee raised $16,500 in the annual appeal ($1,500 more than goal) and is starting to work on May’s Senior Prom. 8) Introducing Jamie Bedard -Executive Director of Just Basics As new ED, Jaime stated her desire for a smooth transition for Just Basics, Inc. and the FEAST program at MSAC. She stated the JBI board intends to expand on its mission for food justice by encouraging more community support for the existing programs and more nutritional education so the quality of the food, not just the quantity, is increased. Whit hoped that it could develop past the ‘finger in the dike’ current approach. JBI is interested in developing an Advisory Council and Whit and Janna explained how the MSAC AC works. Submitted Monday, February 22, 2016 Jessica Sanderson