PSSN MINUTES
January 28, 2010

ATTENDEES: Jen Allen (One on One), Charles Armstrong (Marlene’s Low Vision), Marlene Armstrong (Marlene’s Low Vision), Annette Balis (Home Instead Senior Care), Eric Bloniarz (Medical Service Company), Denise Czech-Dydo (Crossroads Hospice), Mandy Glace (Area Agency on Aging), Kathi Guckelberger (APS-DJFS), Jane Gwinn (FCS/Senior Track), Carol Haas (Area Agency o Aging), Cynthia Harrington (Visiting Nurses Association), Dorothy Jones (Po Co Society of the Blind), Laurel Kane (Portage Home Health), Jessica Koller (Anna Maria at Home), Sandi Mendes (Portage Home Care), Genel Nichols (Kent Ridge at Golden Pond), Pam Oslin (Caring Home Help), Evelyn Peck (Reed Memorial Library), Janet Phelps (Coleman Adult Day Services), Barb Pochedly (Po. Co. District Library), Jennifer Reynolds (Harbor Light Hospice), Crystal Shanley (FCS/Senior Track), Nicole Zager (Prospect House

President Genel Nichols called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and called for introductions and announcements.
Denise Czech-Dydo announced that Crossroads Hospice will be moving to a new location and operations at the new location will begin February 1st. New address is: 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr Suite E, Uniontown (Green)
Laurel Kane announced that Portage Home Care will offer new STNA classes starting soon. Laurel also introduced Sandi Mendes, an MSW that will now be working with Portage Home Care and attending PSSN
Jen Allen was welcomed as a new member and announced that One on One outreach is a program that helps seniors access services such as medication assistance, home delivered meals, and more. See information table for flyers and business cards
Jessica Koller announced that Anna Maria at Home moved locations. New location is at: 363610 Solon Rd Suite 3, Solon (the Liberty Building)
Marlene Armstrong announced that they have a renewed grant through DJFS/APS to offer low vision machines to seniors in need. Contact Marlene for more information
Dorothy Jones announced that the Society of the Blind will not meet for two months and the next scheduled meeting is on March 22nd – see Dorothy for more information
Janet Phelps announced that the new Coleman Adult Day program is up and running at Anna Maria in Aurora
Annette Balis announced a “thank you” to PSSN for all the help and donations for the Be a Santa for a Senior program. (Annette also mailed a letter as a thank you) Annette shared that 240 names were turned in for the program and all were served
Mandy Glace was welcomed as a new member from Area Agency on Aging and will be attending in place of Allison Machel
Kathi Guckelberger announced that the Children Services Levee is coming up and wanted to inform our members about the issues on the ballot as they will directly affect APS and the funding for other senior programs: like Senior Track, Low Vision, and other DJFS funded services. More information to follow at next meeting
Genel Nichols announced that Kent Ridge Golden Pond will be hosting a Chili Cook Off on February 19th, see Genel for more information

PROGRAM: Speaker John Gwinn, served on local, state, and nation board of healths and taught as a Profession at Akron University and is currently working with Kent Board of Health, presented on “Healthy Tips for Health Care”. John reviewed with the members how to keep ourselves as healthy as possible while working in fields with direct service. John reviewed since last time this topic was presented and discussed symptoms of both Bird Flu and Swine Flu and the differences between the two. John spoke about pandemic flus verses seasonal flus. John spoke about precautions to take when dealing in close proximity of those that may be infected. Suggestion was made for all to get vaccinated and suggests that those with questions contact the local board of health office in your community.

Secretary’s report:
Pam Oslin made a motion to pass last month’s meeting minutes with no corrections, Jane Gwinn second the motion, and the motion passed.

Treasurer’s report:
Eric Bloniarz passed around the budget and indicated that $310 was deposited since last meeting with 2 membership dues.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Relations: Jane Gwinn reports that committee met last on January 20th with the Education Committee and discussed the upcoming 10 year Celebration of PSSN. Jane reports that the committee is still uncertain about their involvement with the Senior Celebration verse having a Senior Ball. Discussion came up at the PSSN meeting about possibly having PSSN donate money to help fund the Senior Celebration in place of PSSN sponsoring a separate event. Community relations will follow up with PSSN members about decision next month.

Education Committee: Crystal Shanley reports that the Education Committee and the Communications Committee met together on January 20th at Loyalton to discuss the upcoming 10 year Celebration of PSSN. The committees will continue to work hand in hand in hand with the officers while planning and organizing the celebration. (See Old Business for more information) Crystal also announced that next month Jim Lenahan is scheduled to speak about Low Vision funding.

Client Services: Genel Nichols reports some possible changes, see New Business.

Membership: Eric Bloniarz reported no new information and committee still needs new members.

Old Business: Genel Nichols announced that May 12, 2011 is tentatively scheduled at the PSSN 10 year celebration and will include honoring the founding members of PSSN and inviting those in our community that have successfully influenced PSSN’s current standing. PSSN officers will meet and present more information to come.

New Business: Genel Nichols presented the members in attendance with a handout explaining PSSN’s by-laws and how to make amendments to those by-laws. Genel reports that some discussion has come up between the officers about the need for Client Services as a stand alone committee. Genel pointed out that most of the responsibilities and goals that Client Services notes are ones that other committee already provide to the organization as a whole. Genel shared that Crystal Shanley and Eric Bloniarz will get together next week and make sure all active members of PSSN have received a copy to the handout so that PSSN can vote on this issue at the February meeting.

Discussion about ceasing Client Services: Kathi Guckelberger reports that the only active item that Client Services currently works on is the senior survey that is still in the process of being completed. Jane Gwinn pointed out that some of the goals within Client Services are to serve as a direct advocate between PSSN and the state level with regards to senior services. Denise Czech-Dydo shared that regarding advocacy, our organization as a whole handles that in house with announcements as we hear them in our field and finding speakers to report on any questions we may have within PSSN when it comes to senior legal needs. Genel Nichols shared that more discussion will follow at next meeting when all current members have reviewed that handout on PSSN by-laws.

Annette Balis made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Marlene Armstrong second the motion and the motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25am.

The next meeting will be held February 25th at the
Community Room at ROC @ 8:30 a.m.
Kent Ridge Golden Pond will provide refreshments

Respectively submitted by,
Crystal Shanley
Secretary