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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-01-2006 SCAC Approved Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF JUNE 1, 2006 Call to Order Vice Chairperson Al Edge called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Roll Call: Committee Members (CM)Present: Al Edge, Barbara Gifford, Beth Wood. Absent: Jim McCuen, Greer Payton, and Parks and Community Services Commission Liaison,Burr Cain Staff Present: Anna Hudson, Recreation Coordinator Oral Communications-None Approval of the Minutes THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 4, 2006 MEETING AS CORRECTED. MOTION BY CM BARBARA GIFFORD, SECONDED BY CM BETH WOOD. Written Communication-None Unfinished Business STEP OUT FOR SENIOR CENTERS EVENT Staff thanked the Advisory Committee Members for helping at the Step Out event on Saturday, May 20. CM Al Edge helped set up the registration table and registered participants for the walk. CM Barbara Gifford helped with the art exhibit and CM Jim McCuen assisted with the pancake breakfast event. CM Beth Wood set up the vendor area on Friday and worked with vendors on the day of the event to provide a well-organized and successful Information and Resources Fair. Overall, the Advisory Committee felt the event was great. During the meeting each Committee Member gave their feedback on the various activities offered. CM Beth Wood commented that our challenge for next year is to determine who we are trying to draw to the event, and to schedule additional staff or volunteers to help with the event. a) Walk Registration: CM Al Edge suggested that the registration table be placed in a different location to avoid the sidewalk. Tables should be set up in the shape of a square to block access to the t-shirts. Theresa Edge helped distribute t-shirts to the walkers. When Staff suggested that registration be held in the building, the Committee Members felt outdoor registration was a better choice. b) T-shirts: Approximately 75 registered walkers who participated in the walk received t-shirts. The Committee Members commented that they were nice and colorful. They have since seen many people wear the shirts to the Center after the event. c) The Walk: Approximately 75 walkers participated in the 1.5 mile walk led by the Mayor. A motorcycle police officer provided an escort for the walkers and assisted seniors as needed. A handful of seniors participated in the mini-walk which circled around the Senior Center building. Some felt the short walk was too short and suggested that a longer walk option be available. The Dublin High School 15-piece Percussion Band provided a great opening and helped energize the walkers. Deborah Richmond, Jazzercise Instructor, warmed up the walkers. It was commented that the band played too long and the drums were so loud that the vendors had difficulty talking to seniors inside the building. d) The Breakfast: About 100 patrons attended the breakfast including the vendors and the Dublin High Band members. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF JUNE 1,2006 PAGE 2 OF 4 e) Opening Ceremony: Mayor Lockhart welcomed the walkers. Representatives from the vendor's fair were introduced and provided information about their services. f) Two-Hour Workshop with Marita Gruzden: CM Barbara Gifford expressed that the keynote speaker, Marita Gruzden, and the "Connecting with your Inner Spirit" workshop was great. Some felt that a two-hour workshop may have been too long. The audience responded to her positively and she handled herself diplomatically. During the break, some participants did not return for the second half of the workshop. g) Mini-workshops: The mini-workshops were very successful and well-attended. Each workshop drew approximately 20 to 30 patrons: h) Pilates: Approximately 25 seniors attended this workshop. The Pilates instructor was well- received and has a no nonsense attitude, yet she was fun and effective. i) Laughter: This workshop attracted about 30 seniors. The Committee Members felt the instructor had a bubbly personality and worked hard to involve everyone in the room. Staff announced that the instructor will offer a free evening workshop at the Senior Center on Monday, June 5. Staff indicated that four people are signed up to attend. j) Qi gong: About 20 seniors attended this workshop. The Qi gong instructor was knowledgeable, agile and shared information about this movement style that is similar to Tai Chi. The activity was sponsored by the Be Well Institute in Dublin. k) Yoga and Meditation: Although this was last workshop of the day, the Yoga instructor attracted about 20 seniors. 1) The Art Show: The Committee liked the art work displayed throughout the building. However, the Committee felt that more displays should have been accepted to fill the room. m) The Information and Resources Fair: Overall, CM Beth Wood felt the Fair was excellent and the vendors did a great job with their displays. There was also a variety of vendors who offered senior services. CM Wood reminded Staff to send an evaluation form to the participating vendors. She suggested the Fair be limited to a two-hour period. Because the vendors were asked to set up at 8:30 a.m. they ended up waiting for one and a half hours while the seniors completed the walk and ate breakfast before they stopped by the booths. 2) Overall, this year the event goals did potentially accomplish the following; however, the Committee Members agreed that a more effective means be used to better measure the results. a) Promote health and wellness: The workshops and walk definitely provided some form of health and wellness to seniors. b) Incorporate an outreach component by conducting a service outside the Center to attract new seniors to the Senior Center. CM Gifford felt that she saw many new faces at this event. c) Promote the "Connecting with Your Inner Spirit" theme. The workshops helped to promote the theme the most. d) Educate the public and potential new Senior Center supporters about the services available to seniors and their families: The Information and Resources Fair attempted to provide information about a variety of senior services to seniors and their families. 3) Do you feel our goals were accomplished? a) The Senior Center should plan out its marketing strategy now and be ongoing. (1) For example, Staff suggested that vendor information be placed in the next newsletter for the supporters to refer to for future reference. (2) The Committee Members agreed that information and referral should be an ongoing process. • CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF JUNE 1,2006 PAGE 3 OF 4 (3) The evaluation form should include the following three questions: (a) Did you learn any new information about the Senior Center? (b) Do you have any recommendations for improvement? (c) Do you have any compliments or positive remarks to share? 4) Was there enough time allowed for set up? Staff and volunteers set up the Senior Center the night before. Committee Members helped Staff set up the various events. 5) Additional comments on: a) Publicity: CM Edge suggested that the Foundation be approached about purchasing an outdoor sign board for the Senior Center. This type of sign board could possibly draw new people to the Center. b) 'Clean Up: It took approximately 1 %2 hours to return all the furniture to its original location. c) Promote health and wellness: CM Edge suggested that a healthier food choice be offered at breakfast and as refreshments. Staff stated they were originally going to offer fruit but the cost was prohibitive. The Committee felt that having the popcorn was a great idea. d) Other Comments: 1) CM Gifford observed the event attracted a lot of new faces and a diverse crowd. 2) CM Gifford felt the Library presence was good. 3) CM Gifford suggested using door prizes as an incentive for participants to participate in the evaluation. Information could be obtained from the participants that would inquire about: a. How they learned about the event? b. If they enjoyed the day's event? c. If it was their first time visiting the Senior Center? 4) CM Beth Wood suggested that the Senior Center consider providing a wider variety of activities and programs to meet the differing needs of the senior community. a) How do we attract those seniors to participate in a given event? b) How do we know if we accomplished our goals that we set out to do? 5) CM Edge stated that trends have shown that seniors are now working longer and no longer retiring at an early age. Staff agreed that the trend for the Senior Center is to offer activities in the evening to reach working seniors. 6) It was suggested that lunch could be made available for purchase during the Step Out event. 7) Staff suggested that lunch tickets be given to each vendor and that lunch be monitored by a volunteer. 8) CM Wood suggested that the Senior Center develop a marketing plan to draw new patrons to these types of events. For example, caregivers (adult children who are taking care of their parents) may be able to obtain information about senior services. There may be another market segment that we can try to draw to the Center. Staff suggested making three or four appearances on Cable TV Channel 30 to promote senior services as an ongoing goal from this point forward. Other Business CM Edge asked if the City plans to have an Annual Open House. Staff shared a dance event may be offered after 7:30 p.m. with a live band to attract working seniors. CM Wood suggested planning a special event annually that seniors can look forward to each year. The Committee Members stated that a special event could be simply or elaborately planned such as the Gala offered during the Grand Opening. CM Gifford suggested that a family event or a fundraiser, similar to a crab feed or spaghetti dinner. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF JUNE 1,2006 PAGE 4 OF 4 CM Edge suggested that the event could be a self-sustaining program to be established as an annual tradition. CM Edge asked if the Committee was interested in visiting another Senior Center's Lunch program. Staff was asked to plan a trip to the Fremont Senior Center following the July Advisory Committee meeting. Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Anna Hudson Recreation Coordinator APPROVED: Al Edge Vice Chairperson