Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan

JOINT BOA/BOD MEETING MINUTES

AAANM Board of Directors

Thursday, October 1, 2015
Members Present (BOD) / Members Present (BOA) / AAANM Staff Present
Don Schuiteman / Pam Niebrzydowski / Bob Schlueter
Karen Bargy / Robert Daniels / Denise Plakmeyer
Roger Griner / Ray Mills / Joshua Olson
George Lasater / Doug Durand / Darcia Brewer
Victor Patrick / Shirlene Tripp / Sharon O’Brien
Bert Notestine / Louis Fantini / Ronda Cram
Kory Hansen / Carrol Cort / Deb Quinn
Patty Cox / Barbara Carson / Doris Ellery
Rebecca Barr / Rick Marion / Beth Eisch
Eric Lind / Nancy Shoop / Cindy Raymond
Lester Barnes / Eleanor Sosenko / Barb Robbins
Gary Taylor / Sharon Flewelling
Guests
Absent / Absent / Jo Murphy, MMAP
Mark Bergstrom / Sue Fanitini / Scott Wamsley, AASA
Jack Cairy / Mary Tonneberger
  1. CALL TO ORDER

Don Schuiteman called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

II.INTRODUCTIONS / ANNOUNCEMENTS

Don Schuiteman greeted the group and thanked AAANM for their hard work and for the conference accommodations. Joshua Olson was introduced as AAANM’s new Operations Coordinator. Don Schuiteman motioned that Joshua become the BOA and BOD’s Recording Secretary for future meetings. Lester Barnes seconded and the motion was passed unanimously.

III.APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Pam Niebrzydowski motioned that the Agenda be approved as written, with the addition of an agenda item to approve the previous BOA meeting minutes and the change from 2015 to 2016 for FY Budget under Reports. Rick Marion seconded this motion, which passed unanimously.

IV.REPORTS

The items on the Consent Calendar were discussed. These included the Services and Operational Financials, Endowment Report, Fiscal Year 2016 Budget and the minutes for the previous BOA and BOD meetings. Bob Schlueter discussed the annual budget process with the group. He had discussed the timing of this process with AAANM staff and members of the board previously and felt it made more sense to have the budget approval process start earlier in the year and be resolved before the annual Joint Meeting, which will be the intent moving forward. The budget was reviewed, with Michelle Cronin providing clarification as needed. Once approved, the budget will go the next full BOD meeting in December for formal approval. Eric Lind made a motion to approve the items on the Consent Calendar, with Lester Barnes seconding. The motion passed unanimously.

Pam Niebrzydowski reported on her participation in the Michigan Senior Advocates Council (MSAC). She provided the group with a handout from that group and explained that MSAC is a non-partisan senior advocacy group that meets monthly. She will continue to share any information that she receives as part of this council with both boards in the future. Pam also reported on the BOA’s recent activities. She discussed their efforts recently have been focused on Legislative Advocacy and the upcoming Senior Empower Day.

Darcia Brewer and Denise Plakmeyer discussed AAANM’s ongoing Provider Assessment efforts. They have been making good progress, but still have several facilities to assess before completion.

  1. FY 2016 CONTRACT AWARDS

Darcia Brewer discussed 2016 Contract Awards and reviewed the financial handouts with the group. Don Schuiteman asked about funds for Congregate Meals and Home Delivered Meals and whether they could be moved from one to the other as needed. Darcia confirmed that this was acceptable. Eric Lind motioned to approve the FY 2016 Contract Award renewals, with Victor Patrick seconding. The board voted unanimously to approve with Kory Hansen abstaining due to a possible perceived conflict of interest.

VI.GUESTS

Jo Murphy, Executive Director of MMAP presented to the group. She discussed difficulties the organization is experiencing, including possible funding cuts of up to 40%, increased demand and difficulty finding and training enough volunteers. She will continue to update the group as she has more specifics on funding and how this will affect MMAP efforts moving forward.

Scott Wamsley of AASA presented to the group. He discussed possible funding cuts for Senior Services in MI. As of the time he spoke, the Federal Budget had only been approved through 12/11. He spoke to the difficulties of budgeting moving forward in the light of this uncertainty. He addressed the recent concern that the roads bill in MI would take from the state’s general fund, which is where Aging Services get the majority of funding. He didn’t have additional information and is also concerned that this might happen. Overall, he feels there will be some funding reduction, but hopes it will be manageable and they are doing what they can to plan ahead. He thanked the board and AAANM for all of their local efforts.

Darcia Brewer and Sharon O’Brien of AAANM presented an example of their “Matter of Balance” class. They led the group through various exercises and offered to send detailed examples to anyone interested in referring to them.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

Don Schuiteman motioned to adjourn the meeting, with Eric Lind seconding. The board unanimously approved and the meeting was adjourned at 2pm.