Help at H.O.M.E., September 13, 2016

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, September 13, 2016

HELP at H.O.M.E.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016, 4:00 p.m.

Location: Senior Center, Arts & Crafts Room

Meeting Minutes

 

Present: Brian Bullock, Faye Ellis, Karen Halley, Susie Marsh, and Jim Robinson

Absent: Marty Holman and Joe Sullivan

 

  1. The March 8, 2015 Minutes were unanimously passed.

 

   2. Welcome Aldrich Relief Fund/CoA update - Faye Ellis. See attached report. Possible explanations for the reduction in disbursements were cheaper oil and a milder winter. It was suggested that we keep trying to get the message to Holden residents that the Welcome Aldrich Relief Fund exists.

       

   3. Treasurer’s Report – Jim Robinson. The November fundraising event with the HMLD bills will be taking place again this year. HMLD will pay for the envelopes and flyer to be printed. JR will update the envelope to reflect any new information.  For details regarding last year’s financial report, please see attached document. The processes of writing of donation receipt letters and postage reimbursement will remain the same as last year.

 

It was suggested that there be a notice on the Town electronic sign for November and December reminding residents to donate and for January and February to apply for assistance. This will be pursued with the Town Manager’s office.

 

   4. Facts (reference manual) –Susie Marsh. There is a new edition (3rd) edition underway. The current booklet has been checked for correct/complete information and the MTA organization, The Massachusetts , will be added to the booklet. Karen Halley sent the current edition, as a .pdf, to our Rep. Jim McGovern’s office, as well as to Rep. Kim Ferguson’s office.

 

There was discussion about the 3rd edition, particularly the number of booklets to be printed (1000) and printing options. Format changes were also discussed. SM will pursue all this. It was proposed that because KH checked the facts, she should be the person to proofread the rough draft of the 3rd edition. This was accepted by all present. The printing date is tbd but will likely be in the next few months.

    5. Clergy Outreach – Marty Holman. There is no information at this time.

    6. Food/WFP Update – Karen Halley. KH is stepping down as President of the WFP after almost 12 years in that role and Kim McCarthy is the President-elect. Transfer of responsibilities is taking place over the next month or so. There are about 120 families every month and a lot of community support, including the Grange supper on Saturday, October 1st at the Holden CoA, as well as the Wachusett Area Rotary Club and its efforts throughout the year, particularly in October.

    7. Thoughts for Future – where do we go from here? KH will stay on this Committee. Options for other kinds of help were discussed, including alternative processes for receiving assistance rather than the application method. These will be discussed at the next meeting after more information has been gathered.  Also discussed was the need to continue to encourage residents to seek and provide assistance.

    8. The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 7th at 4 pm at the Holden Senior Center.

    9. Adjournment occurred at 4:55 pm.