Minutes of the October 13, 2009 Staying Put Board Meeting
A meeting of the Staying Put Board took place on Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009 at 4:30PM at the New Canaan Library.
The Annual Appeal, which runs from October 1 to September 30, 2010, is in progress with many thanks to the huge efforts by Annie Cohen and Pat Stoddard as well as the entire Board and several volunteers who tirelessly wrote personal notes and helped sort the three different letters (one to non-donors, one to new prospective donors, and one to donors) and stuff the envelopes with the correct letter, the Newsletter, the return envelope, and the personal note. Jeannie Hart won the DPCW, Dubious Prize of Centennial Writer - she wrote over 100 personal notes and was pleased to receive in thanks a box of her own stationery. Board members will receive notice of those people to whom we have written who make a donation in order that we may thank them in any way we choose. To keep our database up-to-date Board members will be asked to help update the list yearly. Kit Devereaux has volunteered to be our e-Tapis program wizkid and will relieve Annie of her duties with e-Tapis. The 2009-2010 Annual Appeal goal is optimistically set at $250,000, of which $110,000 will be used to cover operating costs.
Please refer to the Financial Report sent to all Board members by Dan Ward for specific numbers. Dan reported that SP is ahead in September 2009 compared to September 2008. Next year the audit will take less time because SP has learned from this year's experience. When asked how much money goes towards "scholarship" members, the answer is about $6,000 to $7,000. It is important to remember that all members are subsidized to some extent because the dues do not cover the entire cost of membership.
Ellie O'Neill reported that the Snowbird party at the Erdmanns was postponed as too many Snowbirds had already gone south. We will try to increase this group's membership by inviting them to the Annual meeting and party in May. SP has a table at the Farmer's Market on Saturday October 24 and November 7. Ellie encouraged all Board members to stop by on those mornings from 10 am to noon. The Membership Committee will have a sign-up sheet for those who would like to be included in the SP mailings. The brochures should be replenished around town in churches, medical offices, realtors, the YMCA and any other appropriate places. The Membership Committee will check the sales of condos and send brochures to new owners. The Senior Men's Club also receives the brochures, thanks to Bob Witt. The Membership Committee will hold more condo events this winter at Orchard Hills, Cobbler's Green, Park Mead and the Village at New Canaan to increase awareness and also membership. In March, the New Canaan Historical Society and SP will co-host a seminar on New Canaan during the Revolutionary War. It is time to speak at the Senior Men's Club again because the club has new members. All service clubs should be given a chance to hear the SP story.
SP has postponed the Steve Monroe event because he had shoulder surgery and not enough people signed up to make it worth his effort under the circumstances. (NB: There is a difficulty knowing how many people actually intend to come to an event if they do not specifically have to sign up and pay up in advance.) Steve will be rescheduled for the spring, hopefully at the New Canaan Historical Society where it can be open to the public.
Upcoming events are listed on the website. A Christmas carol party was put on hold in favor of more activity in January when things are slower. The Annual January Birthday Party will be scheduled at St Mark's.
The Volunteer Committee continues to be driven by Jim Hollyday as Chieftain of the volunteer drivers and by Molly DePatie as the Administrative Point Person. She has managed to keep the office manned almost every morning and afternoon by volunteers, and Jim is waiting in hopes of having a driver "on call" for each morning and each afternoon of the week. Alice Liu has agreed to be Chieftain of the Buddy Calls program, and Louise Goodridge continues to call everyone who signs up for an event. The newest committee is the Mailing Committee and is headed up by Katch Cerow. Please be sure to call Katch for any and all of your various mailing needs.
Tanis Erdmann reported that the Publicity Committee is happy to welcome Lois Sandberg aboard the Committee. This week the New Canaan News Review printed our fundraising article in full, giving us good publicity. The New Canaan Advertiser printed a shorter version the previous week. Pat Brooks will write an article for us on "One Thousand Requests" which we hope will be published in both papers the end of October or beginning of November. Nancy Helle will write a short article about SP's upcoming third year for the January edition of the New Canaan Darien Magazine. The Publicity Committee needs photos for newspaper stories. Perhaps someone could take some at the drivers training classes next week. Please ask everyone who signs up for an event to bring a camera as well as a friend. The Newsletter will go out again at the end of December with thanks to Gloria Major-Brown and Lois Sandberg. Contributions made to SP "in kind" will be listed. The Young Women's League is considering helping with the financing of the Newsletter.
The Board has one open position and Nominating is working on the list of potential Board members. Each Board member serves on at least one committee and frequently chairs a committee. Tom Ferguson has emailed every Board member to see where they would like to stay, if they would like to have a co-chair, and what they would like to change. NB: A co-chair does not have to be a Board member.
The Executive Director's report was emailed to each Board member. SP has three new members since the September Board meeting. SP now has 259 members, representing 191 households, 19 of which are special memberships. Since the September Board meeting there have been 60 requests, almost half of which were for rides.
Jane Nyce emphasized the friendly support of the Young Women's League; these women delivered - in person, with youngsters - 48 pumpkins to SP members who do not get out and about.
SP is planning a Board retreat with a facilitator in January 2010. Since the Birthday Party will probably be on Sunday January 10, Saturday, January 23 is a strong possibility for a retreat day.
The Executive Committee decided that it is necessary to clarify SP's position as to a CCRC somewhere in New Canaan. (Recently, a webpage erroneously implied Staying Put's endorsement of a specific proposal.) With that in mind, the Board approved the following statement:
What is Staying Put's position with regard to a proposal to establish a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) in New Canaan?
A CCRC proposal now is under development to address an important and long-standing community need. The 2006 Town Needs Assessment surveying more than 400 seniors showed a 94% positive response to the concept of "an expanded local assisted living and continuing care facility right here in New Canaan, which people can move into after they no longer choose to live in their home; and, can live in for the rest of their lives, including when medical care is required."
The board of Staying Put supports the concept of a CCRC somewhere in New Canaan and believes that many of our members would welcome a CCRC in town. We look forward to seeing specific proposals.
Respectfully submitted
Lyn Chivvis, Secretary to the Board
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