Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-02-2006 SCAC Approved Minutes CITY OFDUBLIN 1SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE , MINUTES OF APRIL 6,2006' ` Call to Order Chairperson Greer Payton called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. Roll Call: Committee Members (CM)Present: Al Edge, Barbara Gifford, Jim McCuen, Greer Payton, Beth Wood. Parks and Community Services Commission Liaison: Burr Cain Staff: Anna Hudson, Recreation Coordinator, and Paul McCreary, Parks and Community Services Manager Oral Communications — The Committee welcomed Jim McCuen as the newest Dublin Senior Center Advisory Committee Member. Jim shared that he and his wife have lived in Dublin since 1967 and they are originally from South Carolina. Jim shared more about his background with the Committee. Approval of the Minutes THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 2, 2006 MEETING. MOTION BY CM BARBARA GIFFORD, SECONDED BY CM AL EDGE. CM JIM MCCUEN ABSTAINED. Written Communication-None Unfinished Business STEP OUT FOR SENIOR CENTERS EVENT Staff gave a brief overview of the Annual Step Out for Senior Centers event scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2006 at the Dublin Senior Center. The theme "Connecting with Your Inner Spirit"was selected as this year's theme. In the past four years, the event consisted of a walk, a breakfast, an art exhibit and display of services and resources available to local seniors. This year the event will include an educational workshop related to the theme. Staff introduced the two guests, Lee Jouthas, Library Manager of the Dublin Library, and Richard Bray from the Alameda County Library Senior Services. Anna Hudson shared that she had met with the Step Out for Seniors Event Sub-Committee Members CM Edge and CM Wood on Friday, February 24 to discuss the format and activities for the event to be held on Saturday, May 20. CM Wood announced that she had attended the "Aging and Spirituality, My Neighbor's Faith" Program held at the Fremont Library on February 28, 2006 sponsored by the Alameda County Library, the Stanford Geriatric Education Center and the Tri-City Elder Coalition. CM Wood reported that she had attended this workshop to review the workshop as the theme for the "Step Out" Event, and observe Marita Grudzen as a keynote speaker. CM Wood reported that the speakers from Buddhist, Hindu and Islam faiths were remarkable and qualified speakers who created a safe and respectful environment to share differing views on culture, faith and aging. The speakers captured the audience's attention and provided much food for thought. They presented a broader philosophy, a deeper understanding of how culture and faith affects aging issues and a realization that most of us are immigrants from a foreign country, struggling with similar aging issues. CM Wood recommended that Marita Grudzen, who had facilitated the workshop,be the keynote speaker. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MARCH 2,2006 PAGE 2 OF 3 Lee Jouthas, Library Manager of the Dublin Library shared how she became involved with the Senior Center Staff and looked forward to working together to coordinate the educational workshop for the event. She stated that the Library will be able to share many resources on the subject of"Connecting with Your Inner Spirit". Richard Bray from the Alameda County Library Senior Services gave an informative history of the "The Aging and Spirituality" themed workshops that have been presented in Fremont for the past four years in collaboration with the Tri-City Elder Coalition, the Alameda County Library's Senior Services, and the Stanford Geriatric Education Center. From the community input derived from evaluations, the topics presented in Fremont have included creativity, spirituality in everyday activities, and understanding one's neighbor's faith. These workshops have attracted 150 to 200 seniors, caregivers and professionals who gather to explore different topics based on this ever popular and broad theme of aging and spirituality. Speakers to date have been Marita Grudzen, Associate Director of the Stanford Geriatric Education Center and Advisory Board Member of the Center for Gerontology, Spirituality and Faith; Sadhna Diwan, PhD, Professor of Social Work at SJSU and researcher in aging issues; Ron Nakasone, Professor of Buddhist Studies at the Center for Art, Religion and Education and the Graduate Theological Union; Mohamad Rajabally, President of the Islamic Society of the East Bay and Commissioner of the Fremont Human Relations Commission; and, Charlotte Jacobs, artist. Richard Bray expressed much enthusiasm and looked forward to the opportunity to bring a similar themed workshop to the community of Dublin and the Tri Valley area, and highly recommended Marita Gruzden to facilitate the first workshop in Dublin. ANNUAL VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION EVENT Staff presented a few preliminary event concepts that were different from how volunteers have been recognized in the past. The Dublin Senior Center Volunteer Banquet recognizes all volunteers who have served at the Dublin Senior Center during the 2005 calendar year to March 2006. Staff is planning to hold this year's event during April in conjunction with National Volunteer Week from April 23-29. Staff recommended that the banquet be scheduled on Thursday, April 27. It is estimated that over 150 volunteers will be invited. The City-wide Volunteer Banquet held in February invites Dublin Senior Center volunteers who have volunteered over 100-hours. Since the City's Volunteer Banquet and the Dublin Senior Center Volunteer Banquet event both feature a dinner, a video awards presentation and entertainment, Staff suggested that the Committee give their input to explore possible alternative events or methods to recognize Senior Center volunteers in a different way. One of the alternatives that Staff suggested was to host a special visit to the Blackhawk Museum in San Ramon and provide a catered event at this off-site facility. Another suggestion was to host a program utilizing a keynote speaker who could provide a motivational forum to inspire the volunteers. After discussing some of the alternatives, the Committee suggested that Staff plan a Western theme luncheon and provide a barbeque meal. The Committee felt strongly that the Volunteer Banquet should be held at the Dublin Senior Center during the lunch hour, or perhaps mid-afternoon to maximize attendance. In the past the banquet has always been a dinner format which prevented some seniors from attending because it was held after-dark. Therefore, it was suggested to hold this event during lunch. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MARCH 2,2006 PAGE 3 OF 3 Since this event would be held during the normal hours of operation, Staff would arrange for City Staff to serve the volunteer guests, answer the telephones at the reception desk, and assist the chef in the kitchen. Staff will also make arrangements to reserve Crown Chevrolet's BBQ grill on the day of the event. It was suggested that the BBQ meal be kept simple. Some of the Committee Members expressed that it was not necessary to have any special gifts for the volunteers. Parks and Community Services Commissioner Rich Guarienti commented that he felt that volunteers like to be recognized with a special certificate. He commented that it is particularly impressive when mid- managers and dignitaries are available to serve the volunteers, and to personally thank them for their contributions. Rich felt that a special gift, such as a pin, adds a nice touch to show your appreciation. Staff will consider the suggestions made by the Committee and begin planning for the event. Other Business Paul McCreary announced that the Staff will be attending the annual California Park and Recreation Society Conference to be held in Ontario on March 18 to receive an Award of Excellence for the Facility Design for the Dublin Senior Center. Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted, a/itee_ Anna Hudson Recreation Coordinator APPROVED: Greer Payton Chairperson