MINUTES OF THE 2011 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SENIOR LINK INDEPENDENT LIVING SOCIETY
MINUTES OF THE 2011 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SENIOR LINK INDEPENDENT LIVING SOCIETY
Rudy Carlson called the meeting to order at 1:05 P.M. and asked everyone to introduce himself/herself.
Present:
Gloria Christian
Carol Thompson
Mavis Fujii
Ruth Larrigan
Velma Tutte
Erika Aporta
Gianni Scaramella
Patricia Cruz
Christy Wayne
Lucylle Maxwell
Mary Trimble
Cory Bretz
Brenda Brunwell
Dr. Wong
Brenda Herrmann
Jacquelyn Johnston
David Eaton
Joan Hawes
Cynthia Chen
Patricia McKenzie
Joyce Barker
Rudy Carlson welcomed everyone to the meeting.
The minutes of the last AGM were circulated and accepted.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Gloria Christian gave the President's Report, as follows:
In 2010 - 2011 Senior Link Independent Living Society membership has been 280 to 300 during the year.
Some Senior Link achievements are:
We were able to offer transportation services to isolated seniors to churches, temples and synagogues as well as to Senior Link events.
In December 2010, we had over 120 seniors at the annual Christmas potluck. The Art Connection put on a spectacular show and entertained us during the potluck.
In May 2011 over 150 seniors came to celebrate spring at our annual Pink Tulip Tea with a fashion show put on by Jet Lag Travel. Many businesses in the community displayed their services and products as part of the celebration.
In July 2011, fifty (50) seniors enjoyed a trip to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary. They enjoyed a picnic lunch there, visited a winery and had ice cream cones on the way back to Richmond. Walkers, canes and wheelchairs were packed under the bus along with all the goodies enjoyed by the happy bunch of seniors who were visiting the Bird Sanctuary for the first time.
Our next event is our Hawaiian BBQ on September 14, 2011. You are all invited to participate and contribute to the seniors' community.
We are also pleased to inform you that Senior Link medical equipment was used by 23 members.
I would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the donors: Pat McKenzie, Cory Bretz of Heirloom Films, The Arts Connection, Jet Lag Travel, Safeway, Shoppers Drug Mart, Save-on-Foods, Buns Master, Erika Aporta and Always There For You Home and Health Care Services.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Mavis Fujii gave the Treasurer's Report, as follows:
Balance Sheet and Income Statement for the year ended June 30, 2011 (unaudited) as attached. Please read the notes attached on page 3.
Mavis also thanked Lyn Dunn, Ruth Larrigan, Ike Oyama, Gloria Christian, Patricia Cruz and Carol Thompson for assistance and a fine job in keeping up the records.
Pat McKenzie asked Mavis if we could provide cost accounting of each event. Mavis replied that yes, but we have a general idea of how each event nets. Patricia Cruz suggested that next year we will cost out each event.
NEWSLETTER REPORT
Velma Tutte gave the newsletter report, as follows:
In 2010/11, we distributed The Independent Senior News to seniors' facilities, doctors' offices and clinics, and hospitals.
We publish four times per year. We promote events and thank Marilyn Smyth who contributes a Wellness column and Gloria Christian who writes a Health Corner column. We also thank Gianni Scaramella who has set up and maintains our website.
We also thank our advertisers for their support in our events and in the Newsletter.
Patricia Cruz, the Volunteer Coordinator, told the meeting that Senior Link has been operating for 11 years without any government funding. All revenue is from membership fees and donations. She thanked Cory Bretz of Heirloom Films for his donation of gifts and prizes to some of our events. In the future, our MP, Alice Wong, as Minister of State for Seniors, is sympathetic to seniors' needs, and we are looking forward to more assistance from her.
The BBQ on September 14th will be Hawaiian theme and we expect about 150 people to attend. Friends and family are welcome. It will be at the Richmond Alliance Church patio at the back of the church at 3 P.M. Tickets are $10 each.
We seem to break even on all of our events - amazing!
Jacquelyn Johnston, M.Ed of Lifestyle for Longevity, was our Guest Speaker. She spoke about Cancer and PAW PAW as part of the Solution and Support for Optimal Health. She took away our questions and will respond to people personally.
Election of the Board and declared elected as follows:
Gloria Christian - President
Carol Thompson - Vice-President
Mavis Fujii - Treasurer
Ruth Larrigan - Secretary
Velma Tutte - Director of the Newsletter
Erika Aporta - Director of the Bus Trip
Madhu Kanwar - Director of new Projects
Lyn Dunn- Director of the Pink Tulip Tea
Gianni Scaramella presented a summary of 2011:
He quoted the Senior Link Vision Statement.
We put on four annual events and he briefly talked about each one - the Christmas Potluck, the Pink Tulip Tea, the Mystery Bus Trip (this year), the Hawaiian BBQ will be held in September this year.
The website is www.seniorlink.info and it provides pictures, history, forms, brochures and the "coffee shop" - informal meeting place.
Patricia Cruz advised the meeting that we are taking applications for the Board of Senior Link.
Mary Trimble is a new member of Senior Link.
Patricia asked for contributions to the Newsletter. The next publishing date is September 15th. She recounted an incident in 2002 that demonstrated how important this publication is to seniors.
She thanked Rudy Carlson who formed Senior Link and registered it as a society. She also thanked Velma Tutte for her artistic ideas for various events. Also thanked Erika Aporta for her contributions of food and beautiful meals and always there to help.
OTHER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
Cynthia Chen asked how we find isolated seniors to invite to our activities. Members can bring friends and we deal with a lot of people who need home care. Also through the Newsletter which is distributed to all the doctors' offices, medical clinics and hospitals in the area we reach seniors in Richmond, Ladner and Tsawwassen.
Announcement by Becky Herrmann of North American Natural Medicine Centre that they are offering 33% discount to seniors till November 14th.
Velma Tutte spoke about the Memorial of her late husband made with the capable guidance of Cory Bretz of Heirloom Films who produced a tremendous book which gives her much pleasure.
Cory Bretz of Heirloom Films spoke to say thanks for giving him the opportunity to donate the prizes previously mentioned.
Brenda Brunwell of Expert Hearing Solutions spoke to offer complimentary hearing test. Erika Aporta is a patient and spoke of the importance and benefit of working with Brenda and Expert Hearing Solutions.
The meeting adjourned at 2:20 P.M. and coffee and snacks were provided.