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ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes December 11, 2012 PRESENT: Leo Allison, Heather Altman, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Ed Flowers, Dan Hatley, Thelma Perkins, Donna Prather, Jeanne Suddarth, Richard White EXCUSED: Virginia Brown, Keith Cook STAFF: Melissa Black, Jennifer Frank, Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Chelsea Kolander, Janice Tyler, Andrew Weinhold The meeting was called to order by Chair Heather Altman at the Seymour Center. Following introductions Ms. Altman stated that the new Advisory Board members had attended an orientation session conducted by Department Director Janice Tyler with the assistance of the program division supervisors. During the review of the November 13 meeting minutes Alex Castro asked for a correction of the Meals-On-Wheels information to read that all volunteers were given a resource listing summarized for the Community Resource Guide. The minutes of the December 11 Advisory Board meeting were approved as corrected upon the motion made by Ed Flowers and the second by Donna Prather. The meeting agenda was modified to move the Election Survey Results presentation by the UNC Capstone Team to the next order of business. The students began by summarizing the work that had been done during this semester: literature review, survey development, implementation and result analysis. A total of 869 surveys were completed at four early voting locations and 10 polling places. The Team also recruited individuals who may serve on focus groups convened in early 2013 to further discuss the survey results. Interviews are also being done with designated key informants. The presentation highlighted some of the initial findings of the survey data regarding how older adults get their information and their exercise patterns. During the discussion of these findings staff mentioned the opportunity for more formal senior leadership training developed by the Haywood County Council on Aging. The Capstone Team outlined its work plan for the Spring 2013 semester, consisting of convening focus groups in January, following up on issues raised in the survey results, suggesting improvements in communications with Orange County’s older adults, and developing strategies to overcome barriers to exercise. Board members suggested reviewing the Master Aging Plan’s forums and subcommittees when determining the schedule of the focus groups. Richard White offered to make arrangements for the use of the Schley Grange Hall. Leo Allison offered to be liaison for McCoys Temple or Lee’s Chapel in Efland. Other suggestions included having a Saturday morning breakfast or light dinner. Mr. White asked if the survey results could be analyzed based upon urban or rural respondents. The Capstone Team noted that there was little survey response from Latino or Asian-Pacific population members. In summary, the data will be used to develop a communication plan for the Department on Aging and an exercise promotion strategy. Discussion followed on the possibility of using a public television channel to broadcast exercise classes. Committee Progress Reports were deferred until the January 2013 meeting. In her Director’s Report Janice Tyler announced that the Aging Resource and Benefits Specialist position vacancy should be posted before the end of the month and applications accepted through mid-January. This position will