Re: Opening and Welcome

Commission Chair Ciriaco Gonzales called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. 

Re: Approval of Minutes

Chair Gonzales asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to May’s minutes.  There being none the minutes were approved as written. 

Chair Gonzales introduced Katherine Foti, the newest Senior Commission Member who was appointed by the Mayor and Council on Monday, June 18 and Nanette Morgenstern, Center member and guest.  

Re: Club Reports  

Kathy Neale, reporting for R.S.I., noted that regular reports were given by the Standing Committees: Budget, Ways and Means, Bingo, Memorial, Gift Shop, Thrift Shop, the  International Clubs and Senior Commission. Currently R.S.I. is working on their budget for the next fiscal year. It was noted that the handicapped parking spaces at the Center have been repainted and new Handicapped Parking signs have been installed. A new television has been purchased and installed in the Fitness Room with large captions running at the bottom of the screen.

The City Clerk and City Manager’s Office have asked R.S.I for their FY ‘07 accomplishments and FY ’08 goals.    

Audrey Beck reported that the Young-In-Heart Club will have no meetings over the summer but she will keep in touch with the officers. She noted that a new president has been elected.

Stu Crump, reporting for the Willing 3 C’s, said their most recent meeting had been held on June 16th with 8 members in attendance. Brief announcements were made and a pot luck luncheon was served.  Karlton Jackson, Saxophonist provided the entertainment and was followed by Officer Installations, which Stuart performed, noting the same officers have remained in office this year as last   In closing Stuart noted there would be no more meetings until September.

Pete Sante, reporting for the Triple F Club, said their last meeting was held June 11th with 20 members in attendance. The Treasurer reported $4095 in the club account.  Pete noted the FFF Club will not have any more meetings until September and this last meeting was themed with a summer picnic. Pete said he talked briefly about the 50th Anniversary celebration for Glenview Mansion and the Home Maintenance Program.   In closing he said Mike Surat provided the entertainment for the members at the June meeting.

Steve Lipson, who did not attend but who submitted a report prior to the meeting, advised that the Senior Associates held their last meeting June 5th with 6 members in attendance.  He noted that the club president Lois Darling has been ill but is slowly improving. He also mentioned that several members have also been ill.  Upcoming meeting dates include July 3 (Birthday celebrations), July 17 (Christmas in July) and July 31 (Pot luck).     

Ciriaco took a few moments to re-introduce Katherine Foti and asked that she give the Commissioners a bit of information about herself. Katherine noted that she was born and raised in West Virginia, her father was a coal miner. She went on to say that she attended Concord College where she received a teaching degree. She said she taught in West Virginia for four or five years before coming to Maryland to teach. She retired in 1992.  She obtained a Masters Degree at George Washington University and did substitute teaching for a few years. She said she worked with the Montgomery County Education Association and became a member of the Senior Center in 2006.

Re: Montgomery County Commission on Aging

Ciriaco said he had attended the Stakeholders Meeting on June 13th where they discussed new plans for hospital discharges of patients, the Montgomery County Senior Programs to include problems at some County Senior Centers such as staffing at the Margaret Schweinhaut Center on Forest Glen Road.  Ciriaco went on to say that they talked about the county’s Senior Information Phone Line and a concern that it wasn’t being used effectively by seniors in the county.  One suggestion was made that the county prepare a flyer to be delivered to pharmacies with a request that one be given to each senior that came to pick up their prescription.  He also mentioned the recent Senior Jobs Fair, noting the good turnout of over 2,000 people. 

During the meeting a representative from Holy Cross spoke about public / private partnerships and the county’s language service was discussed with poor marks being given so far. Others suggested that county information be distributed to area Homeowners’ Associations, all in an effort to get more information out to the people who could benefit most from it.

 Re: U.S.M. Report

Ciriaco said he had sent an e-mail to the Commissioners asking for input and suggestions for items that should be put on U.S.M.’s list of legislative priorities for the upcoming year. 

Some of the suggestions offered were Health Care, Transportation and Housing.  U.S.M.’s final decision on priorities will be made at the August 10th meeting from those suggestions submitted by the 25 to 30 member organizations.

During the discussions, Katherine said she would be glad to do some research on the Montgomery County Volunteer Bureau to see if and how the city could model a program for volunteers to advocate for seniors.

 Re:  Old Business

Ciriaco said Audrey and Pete had attended the recent Health Fair at the Senior Center and asked for a short report. Audrey said she and Pete had manned a table sponsored by the Commission that provided detailed information about Powers of Attorney, Advance Directives and Living Wills. Pete noted that they had the documents in several languages.  Both said they were really pleased with the turnout, Lorraine noting that is was the highest attendance so far. In closing Pete mentioned that approximately half on the people they spoke with during the Fair said they did not have a will.

Lorraine said the recent plant sale yielded between $400 and $500 for the Senior Assistance Fund and that July 17th, 9:00 a.m., would be the official opening of the New Town Center.  She said the July 15th Town Square Live It Up Program will include senior Spanish dancers, a soft aerobic demo by Senior Center Staff and others. In addition, Martha McClelland and Mary Fleisher will have a table offering information and assistance offering free blood pressure screenings.  Water and healthy snacks will be for sale to benefit the Senior Assistance Fund.  The event will take place from 4:00 – 6:00 pm.  Audrey said she would be glad to help.  Lorraine reminded the Commissioners of the upcoming Candidates Forum scheduled for October 25th, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Kathy volunteered to help develop the questions and choose the monitors with Audrey’s help.

  Re: New Business:

Pete asked whether Lorraine was able to obtain copies of the reduced size map that notes the locations of senior residences.  She said she had not gotten the reduced size yet but did have a large one he could have for reference. 

The Commissioners decided they would not have a meeting in July and would schedule their next meeting for August 16th.

 Re: Staff Report

Lorraine said Montgomery County’s budget for FY ’08 has been sent out (copies were given to the Commissioners) with many items affecting seniors allotted an increase.

Lorraine also passed out information on the Legacy Leadership Institute, a 64 hour, 8-week course that aims to enable people to contribute to the political life of the State of Maryland by giving them first-hand lessons on public policy and government operations, helps them develop leadership skills in research, information technology, writing, community relations and office administration and by teaching them how to apply expertise and experience to vital community concerns. The primary goal of the program is to bridge the needs of local communities and government in the State of Maryland with the expertise of Maryland residents age 50+ through leadership and volunteer service. She went on to say that they would like to use Rockville as the first version of the program targeted at municipalities

She also mentioned that she had attended the Vital Living Conference where the Beacon Hill project was widely discussed, noting that she had provided information about the Home Maintenance Program the Commission has been working on. 

Ciriaco asked if one of the Commissioners could volunteer to write the August Newsletter article.  Katherine said she would do her research and write an article on the advocate program with information for potential volunteers. Kathy will write about the Candidates Forum in October.

Lorraine said she would be receiving the preliminary results from the Needs Assessment Survey on June 29th.

With there being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.