Senior Citizens Advisory Board - Regular Meeting

So with the Mahjong, we still have, we saw them grow. We were struggling to get maybe four to one table word per day. Now we're seeing that we have a wait list every month. It's grown a lot. A lot of new people are coming in that want to learn how to play Mahjong, specifically American Mahjong, which is why I'm not putting it in the Chinese Mahjong.

So it's led to

A lot of people coming in, a lot of newer people. We have a lot of volunteers who have been helping that we've now gotten cleared as volunteers and we're setting up a more structured program. We're separating it to the Monday session being Chinese Mahjong, the Thursday being American Mahjong, both open play. So that's for those who don't know how to play, are interested in coming in and playing. they're able to come in and play those. We're not gonna kick people out if they're playing another style, but the idea is if you come in on the Monday, everyone's there to play Chinese. If there's a couple of people who wanna play American, you can play your game there. But for the most part, if you come in and you're looking to play American, you're not going to have to join in on the Chinese Mahjong. Then Wednesdays, we're keeping as beginner, which is what it's labeled right now, but we're making it right now as a mixture, beginner and open play, which is really where the chaos was coming in. We're making it beginner. we'll let other people come into play. But if you come in during that time, they come to the understanding you're there to assist the beginners with practicing with understanding the game more. And we have volunteers that they're putting together a handbook of how to play to help us with distributing it so that they can really help break down the game and really teach it rather than the structure has been right now is you come in, you kind of watch a little bit, you join in and it becomes a lot when half the group is beginning to have never played. Now it's going to be more structured. These are beginners. Your first week, we're going over how it works. The next week we'll start playing a little bit and, That way they can really grasp the game and it can help hopefully alleviate some of the tensions that we've been having. Is there eggs in the room? At times there is because in the Wednesday group with people coming in for open play, some of them kind of get annoyed because I'm here to play, not here to teach somebody. I want to play. Now I'm here with the table. I don't know how to play. I don't want to do this. That's not what I'm here for. So that's why we're doing this separation to try to really help delineate and separate those groups. So if you come in on that Wednesday, you know you're coming to play with BN. She combined that with anger management class. Yeah.

Sounds like the kind of thing we had at Pickleball a couple years ago.

Wait, wait, wait. Well, he's got another thing coming up too. Don't tail him just along that. We love that.

We're going to piggyback off of that in a sec. The next one is pickleball. We are officially changing the 130 time to beginner pickleball. um what we've really seen with pickleball is it became the unofficial time we kind of were hesitant because we didn't want it to be labeled as beginner now nobody comes to it because they don't want to play with beginners we kind of saw that happen but now we have a good group that's coming in who are new and learning and then we've had some of our members right now step up willing to help teach them and stay at that 1 30 time after they play at the 11 30 so we're officially making it our beginner group um they've been coming in they've been staying with them helping them learn they've been really appreciative they seem to be having a really good time they're learning how to play and We're hoping that can help bring more people in to play pickleball here. Because we've kind of seen our numbers go a little bit. Some people have moved. One of our people moved to Spain. Some of them, they're snowbirds, so they're only here about six months. So when they're gone, it leaves openings. And we're hoping that can kind of help grow it a little bit more.

And the open play is built more. So, you know, we've set up where it's 5-7 on Mondays in advance. And 7-9 is the intermediate. Intermediate. And then we rotate the thing on Wednesday. People don't follow that at all. They just show up. So, you know, but it is what it is, you know, because you show up on the court, you know what you're in for. It's all good.

We actually got rid of beginner over there. Okay. Cause we had, when we started, when we first opened and we weren't getting any beginner, um, we get a little bit more beginner than like at the youth center during his day, that kind of stuff. But, um, here that one 30. I mean, I brought my wife, we'd never played before, so it was good. She was a beginner, she got to learn, you know, because when I play, I hit the ball too hard for her, you know, so she was able to play with little people, and it was good. So I think that there's a place for that.

Yeah, because they just get very competitive, and when there's somebody there kind of slowing down the game, they get a little bit, you know, I mean, right now we have a couple people. We're always hoping to have more people. Everyone comes to the 1.30 on Saturday, but we have, I don't know if you know, Ray Waterhouse and Mona Dos Santos. Those have been the big two who have been staying and really taking on that role. And now Carlos Gaviria. I'm not sure what to pronounce his last name, but he's also been saying his wife started coming to the 1.30. So he's staying to help her learn. She's new and They're having a good time with the group there, and they seem to be progressing along. And Tokyo Mono, they actually, when they first came, were part of that 1.30 time. And now they've grown so much. And they told us because they would always be here for the 1.30. Now they're doing the 11.30 because they've gotten better. They want a little bit more of a challenge. They want to keep growing as players. They don't want to keep with the group who is a little bit slower, still learning.

I spoke to Monte. Do you need help? Just reach out. Okay. We'd be glad to help out. Tone it down, just hit, relax, chill.

All right, awesome. Yeah, we'll keep that in mind. All right, next we have our visual storytelling. We have applied for that one. We did one session with that already. Well, technically two. She is a volunteer. She is a volunteer. She specializes in photography. She's doing workshops where she's going over photography, the different artworks. what to look for, the things to see in artwork, what they're trying to capture with the images. It was very heavily attended. People really enjoyed it and they wanted to have it back. And she's willing to come regularly now. So we're doing it twice a month now.

That's great. That's good to know.

So we're excited about that. The next session will be on the 13th. It's going to be on a Thursday, but it's regularly going to be on the second and third Wednesday of each month. This is the only one that's a little bit different because of our schedule. That's all the other ones will follow Wednesdays. Cooking with Norma. We did our first one on July 10. Very popular. People came out and went straight to the office and said that I have Norma back again. As they walked out, they went back and you better have her back for another cooking session. So we're having her back again. We have the next one set during Senior Week on that last day, which is National Senior Citizens Day on August 21st. She's going to be doing a cooking seminar during the Palooza we're calling it. We're going to have a bunch of activities on that side. She's going to be doing a cooking class there. We're still figuring out the details on what she's going to cook. There's been a little bit of back and forth trying to figure out what we think is a good plan. And we're still finalizing some of the other sessions. We have the dates there, October 16th, November 20th, December 18th, but we don't have the menus planned out yet.

So you sign up for those individually?

Yes. The cooking class, right now, that one's going to be more just a drop. We're going to have the Palooza going on, so you'll walk in. She'll be up there at some point doing it, and we'll have some seats so you can sit down, and you can stand to the side, and she'll be going over something a little bit easy to cook, and there'll be a little snack with it. And then these are official flyers for senior week with all of our activities listed on there. So if you want to pass that around.

And that one, you have to sign up for the individual session.

Yes, correct. So each of the lectures you have to sign up for, we have outreach tables listed on there. Those are just going to be tables out and about. You stop in, they'll have information you can stop by. So those, there's no registration, but any of the informational lectures, if you're interested, There is a registration. All the events and programs are free except for Monday afternoon. We're having a bouquet decorating class. They're going to come in. They're going to bring the flowers, the vases, everything. It's $20 per person. And she's going to help you with designing and putting together the bouquet. And you'll get to take it home with you afterwards.

That's it for general buildings.

We spoke to the need to volunteer in our organization. So do you need volunteers for senior week?

We did last couple of years.

Yeah, we're open for volunteers. We also wanted to bring up if the board would like to do an outreach table at any point. That was a regular thing as well the previous years where we'd set a table out. You guys would have a flyer out with some of your information, kind of help let the community know what it is that you do. They can come to you with anything. Points of interest. Points to consider. We'll just call them points to consider. But yes, and we had that outreach table. If you guys are willing to volunteer, anybody who's interested, if you have dates that you're available and you can let us know, we can see where we can work it in. So the classes are going to be canceled that week? So most of the classes on this side will be canceled. Okay. As far as on the great room side, they'll mainly be unaffected. The only day that will be affected is Friday.

Okay.

Because we have the luncheon where they're going to be providing the lunch and then we'll lose afterwards. Everything in the great room on Friday will be canceled. Okay. But everything else throughout the week in the great room, all the fitness classes will be happening like normal this time.

Okay.

We didn't have great contribution when we had our table at the farmer's market. It was inconsistent about showing up. And I'm not criticizing you.

I'm trying to remember.

I'm looking at people over there.

We all had time slots, so we came on our own.

Exactly, exactly. So I'm all in favor of having a table there. Because part of it is just being present.

I would say if there's a day that works better with everybody, Yes, we can do that. We can do multiple days. I mean, it's whatever you guys have available that you would like to do. I think previously you guys would do two days. Usually Friday you guys would do because that was the big one with Ice Cream Social and everything. And then Jim, I mean, he's no longer on the board, but when he was on the board, he always did Thursday because he'd be here for current events already. So he always liked doing the Thursday. Thursday, we also have the CPR and the PET CPR. And then... wednesdays you know thursdays also when we have the the self-defense so we have all that we did with chibri and also big crown so that might be a good day as well thursday and friday are probably the two biggest ground faces what we can't do the 21st okay now that's true i could do the 21st you think the weekend of the 20th

We'll let you know.

And when we say we're going to do it, that's from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.? You guys kind of set your time, so those tables aren't going to be here the whole day per se. Some of them are 10 a.m. to 1, some are coming in in the afternoon. If you guys want to be here the whole day, we're not against it. We'd love to have you, but... If you want to come in, like 10 to 1 or 10 to 12 is probably a good time range because that's when we get a lot of foot traffic in here. 10 to 12.

Yeah. We'll confirm, but we can do it, yes. On Friday?

On Thursday. But you're not going to do it on Friday.

I'll do it on Friday.

We'll do it on Thursday.

We do it on Thursday. Friday, it would have to be from 12 to 3 because that is when the great room, everything is happening. That's going to be the most. That's probably the best one. Okay, let's just, that will be Friday. Yeah.

Are you serving? Yeah. So what's the reason?

Isn't that, I can do the 20th.

Yes, that's the 20th. But the 20th we can do, I can do. Yes, that's fine. I can do the 20th, I can do.

Yeah, 10 to 1 is fine.

Okay, 2 to 3 p.m. on Friday, the 21st of August. And on Thursday, 10 to 1.

We do Tuesday.

We do Thursday 10 to 1. Okay, good.

Perfect. All right, then special events all over some of ours. Today we had the share pages. It was a huge success. Unfortunately, we weren't able to be in here much more, but it was our creative writing group. They were really excited. They had been putting together some pieces over the last year and a half or so that they've been meeting, and they wanted a chance to get to share it, maybe help recruit more people to come into their classes. They had about 10 to 15 people come out. It was a really good showing. We had them set up in here with a podium and a microphone. They did a play. Somebody wrote some short stories, some interactive elements. Jim was actually one of the authors who, I think he did two stories for it, he told me. So that was a big success they had today. It was their first one. Hopefully it'll become more of a regular occurrence. Then we have our quinceanera, which is tomorrow. We still have a couple of tickets that we have earmarked just in case anybody here change their mind. They'd like to go down. We have them. So let us know at the end of the meeting. If not, we're going to keep going down the waitlist and we'll, we'll get those last tickets. To relate to fiscal. Yeah, we have cash. Yes, both of them. They had talked to us at Anna. So we, we had. I, I.

So about that, I'll be glad to show up if you have tickets. Yes, but I'm showing up because I'm a member of the board. But if you don't need me there, I don't need to show up. So I can hold the door if you want.

I'm not talking about it. I'm not talking about it.

Yes, but we had a couple of tickets open up and we saved a couple of them just in case here. If anybody wanted, then we're going to offer the last three or four that we had open up. We had a couple of cancellations and a couple of refunds. We always do. We always get cancellations. But we have enough right now that almost the entire waiting list we're going to get to offer. So we're really happy about that.

I'll take a ticket, but not for anybody on the waiting list.

That will be gotcha.

Okay, so then we'll offer them on the waiting list then. Yeah, that's right. So we have that event and then we have senior week that we talked about. The next one we have coming up is our Western Roundup, which is our line dancing event. It's only been September. We have it on September 18th. Tickets are going to go on sale for residents starting on August 24th. If any of you are interested in attending, please let us know so we can set aside those tickets for you. At Ford Nuggets, you always get the complimentary tickets. Let us know. I know Drew's going to be performing. I am performing. We've got to go. We've got to go, man. We've got a camera with a video. But if anybody else is interested, let us know. And then we have our next cinema showing is going to be on September 5th. It's going to be American in Paris at 11 a.m. like usual. We're keeping a regular schedule that first Saturday of the month.

What's the attendance like that usually? Is it full?

We usually have, I would say, from 20 to 30. Yes, for the cinema.

It depends.

20 to 30 people?

It depends. We've had some like, there's been two or three movies that I've had This last one apparently had like 50 people.

This one had 95 tickets. It's free, so about half show up. But yeah, we had about 50 of them show up. That was a strong showing.

I think they liked the grittier. That was Color of Money, which isn't exactly like a wholesome movie. They liked a little more of the violence, action, and nudity, apparently. I was worried I was going to get complaints. I picked the movie because what I want passed away i wanted to do the hustler hustler they the cinema couldn't get it so i said i'll do the sequel color of money and then i remembered oh i ah all right this will be exciting yeah i'm like this one's a little grittier than the i mean the right from hustlers is but this one you know this one's a little more it's modern it's got tom cruise in it and everything else and um so i was like i wonder how people will react but i guess they liked it yeah we heard good things no complaints had a lot of people yeah rocky was popular i think it's good if nobody walks out you know yeah no you know i will tell you the one that the one that was the most popular that we've ever had was breakfast at tiffany's we're sold out they had me nervous at the end there we had a couple people walking in late and i was opening the door there's only three seats left

and the whole theater. That's great. But it was a really good show. American Appearance has had a lot of people asking about American Appearance.

I think American Appearance has had a lot of people asking about American Appearance.

I remember a lot of the show goes, because they tell us, we've got to keep it under two hours. We've got to keep it under two hours. Because we're in the morning, usually, and then they start their day. But, yeah. So we'll Gareth J. But anyone ever has suggestions when I gotta go pick next year's you know I just look at this year we did a lot of Paul Newman, I did Steve mcqueen all of them meet the big people that passed away, I tried to do something. Gareth J.

But a lot of the movies, they told us that. Gareth J. Yes, all the rockies know that Steve mcqueen movies couldn't couldn't get fully committed. But yes, that's it for us with special. Does anyone have any questions about anything that I talked about there and any events, any of the updates that we had with the programs. Any other questions. Right. So I'll pass it off. Yeah.

I mean, for anyone. the day so we're looking at like september 18th it'll be holding cook you know um where is that that's the one that's on menorah's right near core gables elementary it's on um yeah yeah it's where the old coliseum used to be back in the day yeah um so it you know it was a partial it's a phase. There's a couple of areas that we haven't been able to complete that will have to be another financial phase. There are some things that we didn't anticipate having to do, but we had to because, and the one thing that, even though the park will be open, that that might not be completed will be the pavilion. We saw in the pavilion some building codes have changed, and since we have to change a substantial part of the roof, now we have to look at the foundations. So we'll have to, we might have to redo that one. So that area might be closed while everything else is open, but... pickleball the new pickleball courts be ready it looks like a new fitness gym outdoor fitness gym will be there the artificial turf field is set and the playground is pretty spectacular it's a nice I mean especially across I know other big cities and counties that have a lot of space or you're going to have big playgrounds we're never allowed that because we have tiny little parks Phyllis Park is our biggest park that one in Kurdike and they're both three acres which in the world of many uh areas that's considered a pocket park for us it's considered a majestic park um so um we're excited about the park so it'll be open we'll have some announcements about openings and stuff coming up now that we got a date and we'll that'll be coming forward soon um you center we had it's closed right now we're doing um We're doing maintenance. We got unlucky that with the recent rainstorms on the weekend, one of the gigantic ponds next to the outdoor courts fell and it fell right on the court. So luckily we just fixed the fence. That was something we weren't anticipating cost-wise, but we had to do that. And then we have a bunch of parks that are in the process, different projects that are in the process. Coug Park and Rotary Park are in the middle of procurement and selecting a contractor. The Granada Golf Course shelters are in the process of finalizing the contracts and we should be getting, I have been told that we will be breaking ground at some point within the next month, maybe at the beginning of September. So there's sign and we were looking at that and we also will begin our big pool deck project at the country club which is going to be a very large project um fixing that pool deck um so and that'll be probably six eight months without a pool there so um we'll have to work on that and see what we do there um I think of any other projects that we have. We're still working on some things at Venetian Pool. We still have some pumps that we're trying to figure out. We're looking at wells and things. But it seems to be moving its way along. So from a capital perspective, that's where we are. We're finishing up summer camp. Tomorrow's the last day. You know, knock on wood. So far, so good. Just a little minor incidents, but nothing big. Our youth center camp, which is our biggest one, which had hundreds and hundreds of kids, ended last week. We did really well. People were very happy. We've got nothing but positive remarks so far from parents. Very little complaints, which is great. So the staff did well there. We're moving into fall programming. Everything starts opening up. We have our new soccer program. Our new soccer contractor that we brought in, they did soccer summer camp and they went, they did really well. They started with like eight or nine the first week. By the last week, they were like 40, 45. So work got around. So they seem to be a good provider and we'll continue to work with that contract. Other than that, administratively, there'll be some things that we're working on. That'll be coming out to city commission, some contracts, our tennis contractor, Country Club, will be bringing to the commission to continue with them for another year or two until we decide what we're doing with that whole facility. They're pretty nice. Yeah, they are. We eventually, we're working on right now the groundwork to put together a master plan for that whole campus, which will include the tennis center, the Country Club, the Granada Golf Course, and specifically what we do with the pedestrian patterns and the street pattern. So it's a complete, and there's also a Boy Scout house we got to attend to. So when we started- And the rain shelters. Well, yeah. Well, the rain shelters, hopefully those will get done. So when we were looking at individual, and we also have to redo the entire maintenance area because that area is old and is in need. When we started looking at these individual- So we had all these individual projects. It was determined we need to do a whole master plan to get it all, find out what the budget is, and then phase it. So once we do that and we know what the plans are for the tennis building, because the tennis building, you might need to knock it down and build a new one because there's no ADA, you know. Right now, we're going to make some improvements on it, so we keep it standing. So we want to stay with the same contract right now. We don't want to go to it because we don't know what a contract will look like in the future with a new facility. It could be a contractor that brings and contributes to the capital. But for right now, we're happy with what they provide. It's a rental. They lease the courts for us, and they provide two courts to our members. This is post-frayed. Oh, yeah. The master plan will get started on post-practice. I'll be here for the plan, but I won't be here for the implementation. Right. Well played. Unless there's a... There's always, you know, there's always ways to go around. You know, they can ask me to stack. They can pull me back in. They can make an exception and vote. They can keep me in. But right now, my clock, as of July 26th, it clicked on three years. And that's only because of, so you know, there was a collective bargaining agreement that changed last year. The drop plan, which I'm in, retirement, used to only be five years. Then they extended it to eight. So I really, my last day working for the city would have been July 26th this past year. So I get another three more years, which is great. I don't think my staff want me to leave yet.

You need to have another one of those?

Yeah, they were all telling me, they go, please don't leave, please don't leave.

So then I can retire and he can stay.

So, but yeah, so we're going to do that whole plan. And the only other thing that will be coming up on that, which is a big item, I, right now we're slated to present the community input All the emails, petitions, and public input that we got for that. And we'll just lay it on the tape. And then the commission will decide what to do next on that project. So that's all we have administratively.

Great. New business.

There is one thing. Sorry, I forgot. We wanted to talk to you guys about our holiday closures coming up. um in this season right now we are set to be closed our normal closure to thanksgiving we close that weekend thursday through the saturday um this year's a little bit different because the holidays fall on a friday so For example, Christmas Day falls on a Friday, and then Christmas Day falls on a Friday. So we are closed usually on, we're always closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and then we're usually closed New Year's Day. Last year we were closed on New Year's Eve, and then we were talking about what our holiday closures should look like, and we wanted to come to the board to see if you guys had any input, but you guys thought might be a good idea for this population if you thought they may want us to be open and may want to use services when it comes to Saturday, December 26th, Saturday, January 2nd. And also on New Year's Day. Take it off.

Take it off. Take the week off.

Take the week off.

We'll do that. You see how he asked, you guys didn't ask me if we can't close on Saturday.

He's going to come now.

Well, that's the only reason why, because in all my other facilities, they're the entity of everybody else because my other facilities are all open because a lot of people. Yeah. Yeah.

So it was easy.

But we are an advisory board. So wherever you decide. No, I don't. I don't.

But yeah, we want to come to see what your guys' opinion was and to share with you. Yeah.

We'll talk now.

Okay.

Okay. So it's me. And so, so the,

Do we do old business first? No.

New business first, then old business.

Got it. Thank you.

And so the Florida Bar business section has prepared this long pack of print. And they originally proposed it. It's been out there for 10 years. They originally proposed it for the VA. Judge Isikoff's project, she's a judge who lives in Coral Gables, actually. And now they're focusing on senior citizen. It goes in depth. However, it's just a good thing to think about. So these are the handouts. And so the best part of this whole program is on page 39 is what happens when you lose your credit card expansion. And so it's what to do. Because I failed with the women who, senior citizens who had FPL easement come to the Moz group, came to their house, and they got these women to sign easements. So one of the things they say is never sign anything on your front door. That's what they did. And so when stuff happens, these people, these scamsters, the Moz tech with FPL, they really want senior citizens to live in a vacuum. and not talk to anybody. I think our job is to make sure they talk to someone. Otherwise, it's easy to be an older person one at a time. But if they come together, oh, you've got to help pay. This really encourages some common sense things to do. The reason why I'm here is do you want to put this on or not? In addition, has this been already provided to the senior citizens and did it not

have any traction i don't think it has been um we were talking about it because when we were and just pitched a meeting we were talking about it we thought this would this would be good i mean it actually would have been really good for senior week yes um but yeah but yeah i think this is something that i think or i mean i i went through it and some of that stuff is great like that you know at the door. I was like, yeah, this is all very important stuff because... How do you distribute?

We have this in PDF, so we can email it out. Probably what I suggested is we have a program, either here or the library or both. If there's traction, we could have it once every two months. I don't want to capitalize this program because there's some We could do that. I could speak at it. I'd get anybody else to speak at it because I don't really care about myself. I don't care about that at all. That's not it. And so we could do that and just give it out and ask people. And also, what happens at the end? We give them our phone number. If stuff happens, reach out. And it could be y'all's phone numbers as well. If stuff happens, reach out. We might not know the answer. We can help you get to somebody who might know the answer. That's all.

But also important is... The tips, for example, I mean, like I particularly, if somebody called, it's a bank or whatever, I said, fine, thank you very much. And I go to the back of my credit card or the back of, you know, I go, I don't, I do answer the phone. But I have the phone and I say, fantastic, thank you. And then I call Citibank or whoever, say, okay, Citibank, how are you, whatever. Somebody call me, is this right or not, whatever. So, I think... That's one suggestion.

And I'm not sure people do that.

That's one great suggestion. So, what I am thinking is, if you had, you know, like, senior week would have been good. But something that, and not, I would say not the 30 pages, because that's kind of overwhelming for people my age. Nobody's going to read it. Or some people would read it. But somehow, to say... kind of something that says, Hey, this is, we are living in a moment that is horrible. I mean, I, we received a lot of phone calls that way and get three or four, like the most important thing that you really need, the most important tips that you should know and concentrate on those. Exactly. Something like, something like that. And then, and then that almost digest. So then you come back and you say, Oh, let me tell my friend that I really should do it this way or whatever.

Yeah. I was talking to somebody else today about the dual factor, you know, and then, you know, with healthcare records, because you can't get a, they'll text you an email and then they'll text you a phone number. Well, that's generally where all the citizens stop the process because they don't want to text and put it back in the website, you know, so that whole process of helping, here's what you do, it's all good, that's what we want to do.

Why don't you do it at Senior Week, though? I think Senior Week would be fantastic. You could do it all week.

What senior week?

Oh, the whole week.

No, I know.

It's going to be the 17th to the 21st. And that Friday, since you'll be here anyway for the board meeting, we could offer 1230. So if you need two hours, it can go up to...

I think... Oh, I want me and Gene. Me and Gene have a table.

Yeah, the table will be from one to three. So if you want, you could do a presentation and then have this table over on that side and the senior... How much do you think the presentation would...

State just out of curiosity. This presentation? An hour. An hour? Okay.

The five-page presentation?

Ten minutes.

And truly, truly, truly, you tell me how long people don't listen.

how many 30 seconds no no but i think in half an hour people would listen for half an hour okay i think a half an hour would do okay and since you're with yeah for senior week okay but on that topic i just had this month my cousin's husband died whatever it doesn't matter the reason i'm saying all of that is that there was that She particularly didn't have any particular, she didn't know anything about all the credit cards, the passwords, whatever. I hacked into the phone by pure luck. I'm hacked into everything else by me. But somehow, and I haven't seen here, is that somehow it's a hard topic. But somehow you, again, like the five, ten minutes or half an hour, guys, at least you should talk to your cousin, your daughter, do whatever, the password for your phone.

Yes.

You can figure out how do you keep your passwords.

Yes.

And at least that, because if you have that, You can probably figure it out. And then, yes, if you want to go a little bit more further, there's like, you know, this is all the things I, you know, like a little booklet, but small steps. Right. Because I think people need that. And I thought everybody would have that, but apparently that's, you know, that's not the case. Okay. And it's heartbreaking.

And we can always do what we do appropriately. My class one.

Say, if you offer it like once every two months and and present. This is the topic, and this is the, this is the banner that it's under senior smarts. senior smarts this month. Yeah, yeah. We'll be really hosting a talk on to, you know, whatever it is.

Yeah, exactly.

And I think, you know, people could then pick and choose which one they think would be, but maybe once a month, once every two months, that's right. To And I think once you have one and you get some feedback.

Anything that has to do with fraud and scam and awareness is always very popular. It's a subject that a lot of them are very aware of and want to learn more about.

But I also like what you said about this, that being prepared.

Being prepared because it's between husband or wife or you're alone. What do you do? You have to give it to somebody.

Yeah. And it comes under the topic of things, where do you keep the key to the bank box and just get yourself organized. It's a hard topic for people.

Or even, you know... And I think here, the population, a lot of people here are alone.

I think...

Well, because of statistics or whatever. But a lot of people that are here are by themselves.

Yeah.

Right. But it's even worse. Yeah.

Yeah. So would you want to, you or somebody on the team, give a presentation for Scene Break on Friday?

Yeah.

Since she knows more than I do.

Well, I am an actor, not an official actor.

What do you do when I break into your email?

Preventing from doing this to you. I hate that.

So when do you want to do it?

We do it Friday the 21st, 1230 to 1. If you want, and then you can always have a table on the other side. I can handle the table by myself.

This will be prior to the table, or maybe the first 30 minutes. It could be 30 minutes during the table.

So we could keep each other company. So this is smart senior. But it's more than a table.

I don't know.

And then the table after. This at the table. And if we establish a regular schedule for it, then we can also make a flyer for that that we'll have there as well. So people can have these contacts along with that information. And you can ask a question.

Do you want to hear different topics? Yes. Right.

Give us the topics at the table and see which ones are most popular.

Some of them we did at the foreign department. They did so horribly.

I do think that for sure, for the holidays, I think a lot of broad scams can't fall apart in that time. So if you want to check your calendar and talk with your team and see what date you want to walk in, we can definitely work something out.

Let me know if my brand is on cash. I would just look for it. Maybe not. My mom got

Yeah, we're from Cash Apps. Zelle, Venmo, and Cash Apps.

There was an FPL thing. They called her phone, and she panicked and didn't call me first. And she sent someone money through Zelle and couldn't retrieve it back. You can never retrieve it. No, you can never retrieve it. That's why I called Cash Apps. Yeah.

It's horrible. I don't have Cash Apps. Where do you put your Zelle?

People should go to Cash Apps.

They do?

And then as soon as you try to call them back, you can call the phone number if you have it there. It's gone. Open instant.

Open instant. Find out which one you want me to say on August 21st.

Yes, you can. And then you can send us. Old business. Me. Do you have the flyers on the app?

Yeah.

So we have gotten so literally Friday. And what we're doing is I wanted to, I missed. Yeah, that's great. I just have the what's firmed up is the guidelines. It's submitting entries to the art show and how it's to be done. So I think this is pretty well firmed up.

Oh, Yeah, so on the entries, we looked at it. We love everything. We appreciate everything. The only thing that we thought in terms of the entries is that there's a limit. There's a limit of three pieces that an artist can do. One in a category. Yeah, so what we thought was that we should allow them to have three in total, regardless of what categories they put them in. That way, everyone can get three, no more than three, but if they're a painter and do wood, you can't put them in.

The only thing that was a problem was that is that sometimes what happens when it comes back to the judges is you have the same person anonymously have nominated for the award. Can you nominate?

What do you mean a nominee? Well, this time, too, you guys said you want to get rid of the anonymous. You want them to say their names.

That's not going to happen. That's not going to happen anymore. Okay. So we'll change that one up there. Okay, so the artist may submit a total of three categories.

No, no, three pieces regardless of categories. Three pieces regardless of categories. And the only other thing that we saw, because Right? So what we thought is we should require a minimum of five entries in a category for it to be judged. Okay. As an individual category.

Oh, that's a good point.

And if there's like three or four categories that only have one or two items, we group them all together and we call it special category or miscellaneous. Special, special. And then we judge them all together.

Okay. I'm going to have to word that. That's a minimum. It's a special category.

Better than other.

Yeah, because, you know, sometimes when you get like the textiles, like the quilts, it's like, There's like three quilts and it's, you know, two people, three quilts.

Yeah, or just one person.

I agree.

Specifically the woodwork and the glass for me. Yes. So then I can say categories. Yeah.

Categories receiving fewer than five entries. will be combined. Yes, into one miscellaneous category. Into, okay, yeah. Okay, I think I can remember. I might have to call you. Okay. So what's happening now is that this is pretty well finalized and Cookie is working on the call for artists, which should be released very soon. Danny, she's supposed to be working with you on that one?

She was working with Amy.

Oh, with Amy. Okay, great. June has recruited a very notable judge I have recruited several. So we all are off the hook for judging. Yeah, that was solid. Oh, that was solid. Let's see. Mano is working on a flow chart. okay nine hours full and then uh the guidelines is me and then once this all gets set up i'll go we'll set up a spreadsheet no no they they'll don't be no we we they're they're not they have a spreadsheet and i will i will we will share plus she's trying to fix it so that it's it's good for our needs okay okay no problem so i think we're making good progress we should be meeting all of our um established deadlines and I propose that after the show is over, one of the things that we discussed is what worked and what needs to be fixed. Okay? Awesome.

Yeah, we always try to do that after the event. It's like, where do we improve? What did it?

So that's it.

So, so chair. Um, so, you know, y'all were supposed to provide advice to us because I was worried about us delegating to you our role. All good. So I'd like to make a motion to accept this as our recommendation for the art show.

Wait for the revisions. Let me do a final revision.

Before the art show.

Yeah, we'll have an absolute.

Finally.

No motion. Thank you. Yeah, I'll fix this and do a final version and I'll send it to all of you. That'll be good. And then in September, we can make it. Okay, that's great. Before the show.

Okay. Discussion. That's me. The volunteer luncheon was really beautifully, I think you all did a great job, but several gals at the event who were very confused and hurt because there was pictures of all the volunteers covering each picture and who they were and what they did. No mention of the gals as if they didn't exist. So they said to me, what are we if we're not volunteers? We work, we practice two, three hours every week and more for the shows. What are we if we're not a volunteer? Why aren't we recognized as a volunteer? The volunteers, they didn't have variety. The gals didn't.

No, I gave a complimentary ticket to all the girls. Most of them did not attend, but they, we can check to see, but I gave, I don't remember having a conversation with some of them today. Who was?

Maria Alvarez. For the volunteer appreciation? Yeah.

No, we gave them all free drinks. And let's say they were missed out, but I went through and I gave refunds even because some of them had bought it and we gave a refund for it.

So, Anyway, they volunteer their time there to entertain, and they would gladly be fingerprinted and have a security check. So I request that the gals be recognized as volunteers and receive the same benefits as other volunteers.

Okay, so here's the problem. And as an advisory board, that's great that you have the request, but I do want to point a couple of things out. So we have to make a determination here. So, yes, I think the gals should be recognized at the volunteer appreciation luncheon, and we won't make that mistake in the past. But Greg has a sheet that will outline what the benefits that the gals get versus the benefits that volunteers get. Now, if the gals want to be in the volunteer category instead, okay, I would – get a better deal and some of the stuff that they get. So, um, you know, you can go through it. Yeah.

Um, so I mean, we're performing, I was at the complimentary. an admission. Performers don't have tickets to go perform.

But you don't only perform and go home. You sit, you enjoy the day, you sit at the table, you eat the meal. You don't get compensated. Right. You don't.

Exactly. That was something that was originally it wasn't that way and then we had a discussion on the board where Celia really pushed for that.

We've actually had this discussion before as

what was that we worked out um for the gals so they do receive the complimentary admission to all events that they perform at as well as the volunteer luncheon even though you guys didn't perform this year you did it the year prior as well um along with two complimentary guest admission tickets um Everybody else, they get two tickets maximum. So one for themselves and one guest. You guys get three tickets along with one that's complimentary. We also reserve the tickets for you guys in advance for all the events to make sure that everybody receives those tickets and doesn't miss out despite the events reaching capacity and selling out. There's a budget for the gals of $1,000 for purchasing costumes, outfits, accessories, other props that you guys request. then we also have the dedicated rehearsal space so we give the rehearsal space monday afternoons is the one that we have set on the calendar but anytime that we have an opening you guys are always welcome to it and always do when you can um take advantage of those openings and rehearse and use that time but isn't that the same as you know a volunteer in a classroom you reserve the classroom because they won't be in the class no most of them they reserve the classroom they're set on the calendar and Either they're leading a program where there's students attending their program or there's even students and the great room all those besides the gals schedule time and pickleball are a program where people are paying in order to use that classroom. Under a volunteer or employee or contracted employee that's leading the program. Then as far as volunteer benefits, what volunteers receive is a 50% discounted class registrations. They receive one complimentary admission ticket to only the volunteer luncheon each year. And then non-residents who are volunteers, they receive priority registration when it comes to special events. So they can purchase tickets the same day as residents. Since they are volunteers, we saw that they weren't even able to purchase tickets for the events unless we did that change. And then they also get a... sort of um priority registration when it comes to the different programs so they can register ahead of time on the first week of the month rather than the third as non-residents for any programs that classes but it's for the number of programs that they themselves lead so for example angel our art teacher he's here he teaches four and a half art classes he can register for four classes as a non-resident of coral gables on the first monday of the month rather than going to the third

Okay, can I clarify though, because I'd like to ask the other gals what they think. Are you saying we have to pick this or this? Does that mean if we pick quality benefits, we lose? Well, that's the discussion.

So I can't, what I'm trying to convey is I can't cherry pick because I'm not giving the volunteers $1,000 budget on their programs. I can't, I'm not giving them the two extra. So it can't be, hey, I love everything we're getting and also give me this, this, and this that's on this. You know what I mean? Because then I have to give it, I have to give the entire list to everybody and we can't do that.

So what you're saying is we stay with what we... Oh, we lose...

I would rather you stay with what you have. I would rather you stay with what you have because that's what we put together. That's what we negotiated. This is what we discussed and we went through advisory with the board when Celia was on it because she was the one that brought it up and this is what we came up with. I think, you know, I think it's perfectly understandable that you would want to be recognized at the volunteer luncheon, and we can't. That's not necessarily an issue. But for us, it's, I don't even know how many gals you have now. Is it seven? Ten? And do ten perform at all the dances? Because they don't. No. No. Okay. Yeah, I was about to say, it's about six or seven that you have, depending on the dance.

The Jew would you really want to be sent this car.

Actually, not for me, because I volunteer somewhere else. She gets it already. There's two or three that would benefit for it.

So let me ask you. So let me answer those two single women. Would would they be interested in volunteering like you do? And then they get both, because they're doing both.

No, no, you think about that for a moment.

Free, and we ought to negotiate. Free.

Well, one of the great artists, but she worked all the time, they're both single moms. They've got kids.

They have young kids.

Well, one has a teenager, and one has an older one.

Okay.

So I don't, she could, I don't know what she could volunteer.

She could volunteer on Fort Art. Listen, why don't we table it and... Why don't we... Because... Have them come talk to us and maybe we can come up with an opportunity for them.

Maybe something on a Saturday.

This is not all of it. I mean, I am part of it. I know, but I also get the benefits.

Yeah, that, I really am. That's what I was after, so these two.

Okay, well, let's... Let's see if we can work around it. Come talk to us.

It's not a 10% problem.

It's not a 10% problem. It's not a 10% problem.

It wasn't a plan. I'm happy that came up with that idea when we were talking. It was great.

Good. Okay. All right.

So we'll table that for now and we'll revisit it after we talk to them.

So items from the second term. Our next meeting is Thursday, September 3rd at 12 p.m. September 3rd. Yes. Anything you want to let me know, when you can.

It is a week of labor.

You won't be here, right?

I won't be here.

You'll be here and we'll have a sitting conference.

Okay.

We have a conference. We'll be here. Yeah, you guys will be here. They don't have a conference.

I'll move to adjourn. You second. All in favor, say aye. Aye.

Exactly five o'clock.

Five o'clock.