STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Lorraine Schack A motion to approve the June minutes with revisions was made by Mary Barber and seconded by Lois Brown and the Board voted unanimously to approve the corrected minutes. STANDING COMMITTEES: Chairman Galasso noted that several committees would need new Chairs.A. Ways & Means: Chairman Galasso suggested that Betty Ball take over as the Chair of this committee. It was noted that she would need to resign from her current position as Chair of the Memorial Fund. Betty Briscoe volunteered to chair the Memorial Fund committee. B. Hispanic / Asian Services Report: Chairman Galasso noted that the Board no longer had a liaison to the International Clubs and he asked Rinn if he would take the position to be the contact to these two groups. Rinn said he would. C. Thrift Shop: Mary Barber volunteered to take this position. D. Bingo: It was noted that $20,177.76 has been made this year, after expenses. Ron Barber said he was planning to post a sign that advised the Bingo patrons that they would no longer be taking / making change for bills larger than $50 on Wednesday nights. E. Corresponding Secretary – Memorial Fund: Betty Ball said donations had been made in memory of Tina Natali by Katherine Foti and in memory of Doug King by Alverta Dronenburg. Thank you letters had been sent to both members. She also mentioned that Carol Orwant had passed away. F. Gift Shop: Mary Barber said $932.05 had been made in May with $346.12 of the monies given to consigners. It was noted that $805.39 had been made in June. G. Thrift Shop: no report. H. Publicity: no report. I. Senior Commission: Kathy Neale said the last meeting had been held June 21st with six members, one staff and one guest in attendance. She went on to say that Katherine Foti, the newest Commission member had been reintroduced and welcomed followed by the regular reports. Kathy said the Candidate’s Forum has been scheduled for October 25, 2007 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and that Lorraine had indicated she would be receiving the preliminary results from the Needs Assessment Survey by the end of June. J. International Services Report: none.
OLD BUSINESS: Chairman Galasso said he had been to the new Town Center Dedication earlier in the day. He noted that several dignitaries, including Martin O’Malley, Chris Van Hollen, Ben Cardin and Isaiah Leggett were in attendance. Rusty Embrey passed out copies of the annual Financial Statement. She noted that the Bridge players have returned to the Senior Center, two days and one evening per week. She indicated 47% of the monies collected from the players would come to R.S.I. with 53% going to the manager, Mark. This would bring approximately $1,500 a month to R.S.I. Rusty said Mark had asked if he would be allowed to take the card tables home after each session, then bring them back the next game day and allow him to unload them at the entrance nearest the room in which they would be playing. R.S.I. discussed the issue and voted to deny the request. There was additional discussion on the proceeds, the number of tables and players and the percentages the Center and the manager would realize. Mary Barber expressed her concerns about the potential growth of the group, a problem the Center experienced the last time they were here. The Board decided to allow the players and their manager to proceed for a period of six months, with the understanding that a specific number of rooms have been set aside for their use, and the situation would be reassessed at the end of that time. If the R.S.I. Board and the Bridge players were content with the arrangements, an agreement would be drawn up and signed by both parties. Kathy Neale asked that the issue of parking be addressed as soon as possible, that the players be asked to park in the rear lot. Rusty spoke briefly about a recent meeting of the Investment Committee. She said there was some dissatisfaction among the members concerning the fee R.S.I. has been charged by their investment councilor. Betty Briscoe made a motion to discontinue the use of the stockbroker and eliminate his annual fee (approximately $1,500). Betty Hughes seconded the motion. Discussions will continue by the committee and a more detailed proposal on possible reinvestments would be forthcoming soon. In going over the proposed budget for FY ’08, R.S.I. discussed and voted to increase the monies allotted for promotions to $2,500. Betty Briscoe requested the Board consider a proposal to clarify the name of the Yard Sale / Spring Bazaar. She said some were confused whether the spring event was a bazaar or a yard sale while the December event had always been called the Holiday Bazaar. The Board decided to table the discussion until the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS: Chairman Galasso asked the Board members to think about and be ready to discuss their FY ’08 goals at the next meeting. He also said he was concerned that none of the publications on the Senior Center provided a map with it’s location. The Board had a brief discussion on the Senior Center Brochure as well as other items published by or on behalf of the Center, noting that none of the information provided a map. It was noted that Board members often hear from Rockville residents that they never knew there was a Rockville Senior Center and had no idea of its location. The Board decided to check with Jill on the possibility of having that information added to the Center brochure and about the locations the brochures could be found within the city such as libraries, City Hall, etc. Chairman Galasso also asked if there were any records being kept on the cookbooks: the number of copies sold, how many were sold for $10, how many were sold for $8 or $9. Rusty indicated she had not been given the number of books sold when she was given monies to deposit from their sale. The Board decided there may also be problems with the accounting from raffle ticket sales etc. and decided to try to come up with some sort of bookkeeping records for the different fundraising activities.
STAFF REPORT: Lorraine Schack, Senior Center Staff Member stepping in for Jill Hall presented several items to the Board on Jill’s behalf. Lorraine said the new parking lot plan would be going to the Development Review Committee in July and the Planning Commission in September in the hopes that construction will begin in the fall. Lorraine said Jill had submitted a grant application to the state of Maryland asking for $700,325 (the maximum we would be eligible for) for expansion of the exercise and fitness rooms. She noted that Phil Bryan, the City’s Superintendent of Recreation, will be leaving the City and Chuck Miller (son of Mary Miller) is the Acting Superintendent. In closing, Lorraine mentioned Covad and discussions Andre Hickman, Computer Lab Manager, has had with them regarding the Center’s DSL lines. Andre came in to the meeting briefly to explain the information he had received from Covad’s representative, indicating that an additional $10.95 per month payment would increase the speed experienced by those using the computers in the Center by four. Following a discussion Rusty moved to pay the additional fee each month. Betty Hughes seconded the motion and the Board unanimously voted to give Jill the go ahead. Chairman Galasso said Jill was to check with Burt Hall regarding the room naming rights. This matter would be tabled until the August meeting. Chairman Galasso also mentioned the issue of publicity and the matter of all the information that is produced by and on behalf of the Senior Center using the title ‘Rockville Senior Services’ as opposed to ‘Rockville Senior Center’ as is done with the monthly newsletter. This matter was also tabled until the next meeting. Chairman Galasso said Jill Hall had asked for a list of R.S.I. accomplishments for the FY ’07 report. Chair Galasso asked Rusty to provide a list of items acquired in FY ’07 with monies from R.S.I. and he asked all the Board members to be working on ideas for the FY ’08 goals for the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. with a note that the next meeting would be held August 21st.
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