Manchester Council on Aging (COA)
Executive Board Meeting
November 14, 2007
Members Present: Denise Samolchuck, Steve Gillespie, Janet Groth, Bob Howard and Joslyn Becker
Staff Present: Nancy Hammond and Leslie Davidson
Friends of the COA Present: Martha Elder
Chair's Report: Chair Denise Samolchuck called the COA Board Meeting to order at 5:35 PM. A motion to accept minutes from the September 12, 2007 meeting was made by Steve Gillespie and seconded by Bob Howard.
Director's Report: Nancy Hammond reviewed COA expenditures from July to October 2007. Each line item has a balance sufficient to complete its financial obligation for the fiscal year. Nancy discussed upcoming trips and events, reporting great interest in the COA social activities. The October COA report was sent to the Board of Selectmen and copies were distributed to the COA Board members.
New Business: Several Board members want to develop methods that will educate Manchester residents about the services offered by the COA Office. Nancy is preparing a survey to help people learn about the role of the COA in our Town. It was suggested that a COA newsletter article describing Nancy's typical day in the office might be useful. Issues of confidentiality must be addressed before any action can be taken.
Steve Gillespie said the Manchester Cub Scouts are interested in intergenerational activities. The COA has always supported these activities and when the idea of a game night was proposed, the Board enthusiastically endorsed it. It was suggested that students working on community service projects could be involved.
Old Business: Regina Villa presented a report on the Volunteer Advocacy Program, funded by the Ann Wood Kelly Memorial Fund. Ten people registered for a health advocacy-training program that began October 10th and ends November 29th. The advocacy program will help Manchester citizens who need to make educated choices about the many medical and social services available in Massachusetts. Income or existing insurance coverage will not prohibit a person from participating in the program. Nancy will match the volunteers with their clients when the Volunteer Advocacy Program starts in January. There is enough money for a spring training program if the demand for an advocacy service continues. Publicity will appear in the Beacon and the Manchester Cricket in December and in the January COA
newsletter.
A motion to adjourn at 6:15 was made by Steve Gillespie and seconded by Bob Howard.
Respectfully submitted,
Joslyn Becker
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