Better Living For Seniors
Advisory Board Meeting
March 10, 2010

In Attendance:
David Dumont, President; Stefanie Thompson, Vice Chair; Randy Brock, Treasurer; Lou Jorden, Secretary; Russell Betz, Website Development; Chris Bruser, Committee Liaison; Gay Finkleman, Speaker & Location Committee; Cindy Clouse, Education Committee

Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 9:04 am

Discussed BLFS monthly meeting sites:
• The board prefers to meet in Lakeland every other month
• Gay presented a tentative schedule, which will be adjusted to accommodate

   alternate meetings in Lakeland
• Board is looking at postponing meeting at Arbor Oaks until the fall
• Randy proposed the possibility of meeting at the Freedom Center in May or July
• The board discussed the potential for a July social at a restaurant w/ all paying for

   themselves
• Stefanie & Gay will work on  a location for the summer social event

Treasurer’s Report:
• Randy Brock gave an update with $7,852.48 current balance and 52 paid members
• He also gave a report on the new speaker system with a wireless mike
• Randy will be the keeper of the sound system and transport to meetings
• He suggested we send out e-mails to remind everyone about their membership fees

Discussed Agenda:
• Larry Powell will present on the Highland Grove Elem. Sch. Project, where BLFS

   donated $500 for students presenting blankets to six nursing homes
• Ben Darby did not get the necessary #’s for approval of Bylaws
• David had a mtg. w/Ben to discuss Bylaws

~~~Motion Prevailed
Following the March 31st membership deadline, the board will contact all paid members and encourage them to personally sign the Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation and return to David Dumont by FAX (863 853-8015) or --- Sign; scan;  and e-mail form to David Dumont

• Member benefits brochure
   o Stefanie will develop the membership benefits brochure
   o She will also contact Crown Printing for a price quote

• Goals:
   o Working on the Website
       Eventually individual members will be able to update their own info
       Edit ability will only be for their company
   o Board suggested including pictures from events & pictures of board members on

     web site
   o Chris volunteered to be in charge of pictures for the website
      • Chris will contact individual committee heads for job descriptions
      • Chris will also be responsible for the membership committee description
      • All board position job descriptions should be submitted to Stefanie for

        compilation
      • The board is looking for current contact info on 55+ communities
   o George Butler, Lkd. Police Dept. provided info on mobile home parks
   o Stefanie will send a broader (but older) list for contacts

• Code of Ethics: 
   o The goal is to have a code of ethics created by the end of March
   o It will be reviewed by Ben Darby

• Polk Vision:
   o Discussed the history
   o Discussed potential partnership
   o Gay will ask Nat West to come to the  April Board meeting to discuss potential

     partnership

• Outreach for Community
   o Chris reported that 338 letters to churches will be at the post office today
   o The letters were individualized and personally signed
   o The letter was read to the group

• Randy will report on the End of Life Seminars with LRMC & BLFS

• Committee Reports
   o Discussed development of committees
   o No reports should be given, unless there is significant updated information

• Discussed open board meetings
   o Options:
       Board could meet first to establish the agenda
       Other matters could follow main meeting
       Committee members should report to Chris on upcoming matters
   o A max of 2 hrs. was proposed per meeting
~~~Motion Prevailed
Board meetings will be held in public, but not a public meeting.  All will be welcome, but anything to be discussed must be previously put on the agenda through David Dumont, President.  All committee heads report to Chris Bruser for items.

• Cindy Clouse, Education Committee Head reported:
   o Senior Sensitivity mtgs. will be held after regular meetings
   o They are in the process of revamping the seminar & flyers
   o Will be expanding to include Alzheimer’s
   o The flyer will be sent on-line for board’s approval
   o They are putting together presentation kits and requesting a small amount to

     fund
   o Also requesting BLFS name tags to be worn at presentations/health & safety fairs
   o A suggestion was also made for name tags for board members
~~~Motion Prevailed
Cindy Clouse will investigate BLFS name tags for Board & Committee members

~~~Motion Prevailed
Chris Bruser will get price quotes for BLFS member logo business certificates from Crown and Press Express for consideration

• Survey
   o Discussed outcomes from electronic survey
   o Lou will contact Tamara to get hand written surveys
   o Lou will give a summary  report at the next board planning meeting

• Updating member list
   o David has new people for the membership list
   o Randy has a new list from membership forms
   o Constant Contact will only handle 2000 emails
   o Randy will send updated list to Stefanie
   o A report shows all bounced emails
   o Lou requested a copy of the report, as she will be taking that over for Stefanie

• Meeting adjourned at 11:08 am

Minutes respectfully submitted by
Lou Jorden

November 18, 2009 - BLFS Meeting Agenda
 
When:   Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 9:00 a.m.
Where: George C. Forsythe Hospice House
105 Annison Ave in Auburndale  for directions, please call (863) 297-1880
Breakfast refreshments will be served
 
 
the meeting will start promptly at 9:00 am.
 
A.9:00 a.m. - Call Meeting To Order
B.Approval of June BLFS Meeting Minutes (now being posted on our website    www.BLFSPolk.com)
C."Introduction" of members and guests in attendance (In The Interest of Keeping on Track with the Agenda - Please make your announcements brief. If you wish to highlight an event, please bring handouts to distribute to the membership
D.Treasurer's Report - Pastor Randy Brock, BLFS Treasurer
E.Current Business:
 1.3 long-term 3 short-term Goals for 2009
 2.Co-sponsorship with LRMC on Senior Educational Seminar: - Randy Brock
G.Committee Reports:
 1.Publications - Stefanie Thompson
 2.Web-site Committee  - Russell Betz
 3.Santa for Seniors program - Tamara Rowland
 4.Education & location Committee - Gay Finkelman
 5.Community Outreach;   Chris Bruser
 6.Hospitality Committee:  Lou Jorden
 
   Guest Speaker: Chris Bredbenner,Executive Director of George C. Forsythe Hospice House:, who will bring us up to date on the care available in a Hospice House.
 
I.Adjourn Meeting
 
  Call BLFS hotline (863) 248-1475 for more information
 
 reminder that all Banner Ad Sponsors will have to renew their sponsorship.  Please contact Russell Betz if you have any questions. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 
Better Living for Seniors Coalition
P.O. Box 91884
Lakeland, FL 33803-1884
(863) 248-1475
 
 
 
3 Short Term Goals
 "Ask the Expert" program up and running
 Get the amended By-Laws approved
 Santa for Seniors Program
 
1 Long Term Goal
ING FOR SENIORS Encourage Churches and Senior Communities to send representatives to our meetings

A. 9:00 a.m. - Call Meeting To Order
 
B. Approval of August BLFS Meeting Minutes (now being posted on our website    www.BLFSPolk.com)
 
C. Introduction of Becky Bywater, President of Lakeland Chapter of Habitat for Humanity
 
D. "Introduction" of members and guests in attendance (In The Interest of Keeping on Track with the Agenda - Please make your announcements brief. If you wish to highlight an event, please bring handouts to distribute to the membership
 
E. Treasurer's Report - Pastor Randy Brock, BLFS Treasurer
 
F. Current Business:
   1. "Ask the Expert Q&A"  Tamara Rowland
   2. 3 long-term 3 short-term Goals for 2009
 
G. Committee Reports:
   1.Publications - Stefanie Thompson
   2.Web-site Committee  - Russell Betz
   3.Santa for Seniors program - Tamara Rowland
   4.Education & location Committee - Gay Finkelman
   5.Community Outreach;   Chris Bruser
   6.Hospitality Committee:  Lou Jorden
 
H. Guest Speaker:  Penne Williams, M.S.W.  Penne will bring us up to date on how a social worker can help Polk County Seniors.
 
I. Adjourn Meeting
 
 
Future BLFS Meeting Locations:  Call BLFS hotline (863) 248-1475 for more information.
 

August 19, 2009 - BLFS Meeting Agenda

When:   Wednesday, August 19, 2009 @ 9:00 a.m.
Where: Mulberry Pharmacy
1011 Church St Mulberry, FL
(call 863.425-2805 for directions)
Breakfast refreshments will be served

Come early and network!! 8:45 to 9:00 is an excellent opportunity to arrive early and network with your colleagues and get your refreshments – the meeting will start promptly at 9:00 am.

A.9:00 a.m. - Call Meeting To Order

B.Approval of June BLFS Meeting Minutes (now being posted on our website    www.BLFSPolk.com)

C.“Introduction” of members and guests in attendance (In The Interest of Keeping on Track with the Agenda - Please make your announcements brief. If you wish to highlight an event, please bring handouts to distribute to the membership

D.Treasurer’s Report – Pastor Randy Brock, BLFS Treasurer

E.Current Business:
 1.BLFS Bi-Laws  -  Atty. Ben Darby
 2.“2009” BLFS dues now due)
 3.“Ask the Expert Q&A”  Tamara Rowland
 4.3 long-term 3 short-term Goals for 2009

G.Committee Reports:
 1.Publications – Stefanie Thompson
 2.Web-site Committee  - Russell Betz
 3.Santa for Seniors program – Tamara Rowland
 4.Education & location Committee – Gay Finkelman
 5.Community Outreach;   Chris Bruser
 6.Hospitality Committee:  Lou Jorden

H.Guest Speaker: 
Speaker is Sherry Anderson, Program Manager, Florida Dept. Children and Families, Central Florida Region Adult Protective Services:
Adult abuse, neglect and exploitation is a complex and often hidden problem. Many of our elder population are faced with this everyday but do not seek help due to the fear of losing their independence. Elder abuse hurts us all and the power to prevent elder abuse is in your hands. Take this opportunity to learn more about elder abuse and how to help.

I.Adjourn Meeting

Future BLFS Meeting Locations:  Call BLFS hotline (863) 248-1475 for more information

 reminder that all Banner Ad Sponsors will have to renew their sponsorship.  Please contact Russell Betz if you have any questions. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Also, BLFS is in the process of their 3rd edition of the BLFS Member Directory. If you want to be included in this 2010 edition, please attend an upcoming meeting.  If you would like to be a sponsor of this new directory, please contact Stefanie Thompson .

                        Better Living for Seniors Coalition
                                        P.O. Box 91884
                                Lakeland, FL 33803-1884
                                        (863) 248-1475

3 Short Term Goals

 1.“Ask the Expert” program up and running
 2.Get the amended By-Laws approved
 3.Santa for Seniors Program

3 Long Term Goals

 1.Publication of 2010 BLFS Directory
 2.Create Partnership with Polk County Alzheimer Association and Polk County Family Caregivers Association
 3.Get Churches and Senior Communities to send representatives to our meetings