HomeMy Public PortalAbout20110314 - Youth Commission - Meeting MinutesYouth Commission Meeting 03‐14‐2011
Meeting called to order at 7:00PM
Attending Meeting: Linda Katz, Phil Powers, Jean Vazza, Kim Harvey, Kim Hesse, Cheryl
Perreault,Taru Kinnunen, Ken Johnson, Margie Wiggins, Dorothy Maruska
1. Motion to approve February minutes.
Motion to approve February minutes, approved unanimously.
2. It was noted that the board will require a consistent secretary and a new treasurer in
addition to the need for a new Chairperson and Vice Chair.
3. MLK DAY: Linda Katz noted that the MLK event was briefly addressed at last month's
meeting. A follow‐up meeting was conducted by Linda and the team who assisted her this
year to discuss the future of MLK Day. It was suggested that more responsibility be given to
participating organizations in the future to minimize the amount of work for the next
chairperson and future committee. Dorothy Maruska was singled out and thanked by Linda
for all of her time and assistance as a committee member to help with the organization.
Dorothy and Linda agreed to hand over any documents (flash drive of records and a notebook)
pertaining to the organization of this event. It was also recommended that more volunteers be
recruited for next year's event. Margie Wiggin, Chair for next year, will hold an organizational
meeting in April.
4. YOUTH SERVICES: Jean Vazza noted that she has been exceptionally busy in preparing the
application for an upcoming grant. In addition, she has collaborated with a number of Youth
Commission and beFree board members to help organize some upcoming services and
programs for the town's youth, parents and community. Jean noted that she has been working
with Cheryl Perreault in the planning of an upcoming presentation with Judy Giovongelo titled
"Be the Change. " She also shared an invitation with the board to join the Hopkinton Green
Expo on the Town Common April 30th where there will be a number of exhibits and educational
presentations as well as artists and entertainers to raise awareness of environmental concerns
and eco‐ friendly ways of living in Hopkinton, Ken Johnson agreed to check into this. Jean also
informed the board that the Holliston Girl Scouts have invited Hopkinton Girl Scout Troops to
join with an upcoming Literacy Enrichment Project. Dorothy gave her the email of Sue Pearson.
Jean will also be attending a Principal's Coffee at the high school and middle school in April to
talk with parents about what she has learned from her meetings with students at both schools:
their stressors, interests, what they care about, etc. Jean has been working with Phil Powers on
the tobacco bylaw for youth in Hopkinton. Additionally Jean has been attending town meetings
to discuss the next year's budget. She asked for a 100% increase for next year's expenses for
Hopkinton Youth Services $3000 has been approved.
5. Dorothy Maruska: Informed the board if there are any bills for expenses, board
members need to file them by June. It was recommended that expenses for the next year 's
Youth Commission budget and needs be identified at the April board meeting.
6. Phil Powers: Phil reported that he had attended the town meeting on February 24th to
address the proposed bylaw to prohibit underage public smoking. The Board of Health agreed
to support the proposal but noted there needs to be a separate bylaw at the town meeting as
they do not want this issue to be included with Board of Health regulations. Phil was thanked
by the board for his hard work on this matter. Taru Kinnunen asked if the youth from beFree
who presented at Harvard could be publically recognized for their work and advocacy on this
issue . It was suggested perhaps they can be acknowledged at the beginning of a beFree
meeting.
7. Kim Hesse: The March Early Release program went well although there were some tense
moments before the event took place, in wondering if there would be enough students
participating and enough adults to supervise. All worked out and there was a full bus that went
to Pinz and a full bus to the Congregational Church for the after‐ school activities. The
Congregational Church youth staff and the Parks and Rec. staff collaborated well on this event
and the PINS staff were very flexible. Feedback from the youth indicated they had a fun
afternoon and they are looking forward to the next event. Volunteers were thanked and Kim
asked if there are any suggestions for getting more volunteers for this event in the future. The
board was questioned if the next event be held on the early release day before Memorial Day
weekend. Pros and cons were noted. Decision on this matter be discussed at the next board
meeting.
8. SKATE PARK: Ken Johnson noted that he has difficulty sometimes attending the 2:00
Skateboard meetings. Also an unfortunate mishap occurred with some of the skate park
equipment which was stored in a shed used by the ESL organization. Some of the park
materials were used as material for theater props. Ken is speaking with the company where
these materials were purchased to explore possible reimbursement and replacement of some
of the materials used. Discussion also addressed getting more middle school students involved
with the skate park. Additionally, Ken mentioned that Mr. DiMasio should be publicly thanked
for his involvement in constructing the skate park. It was concluded that he should receive a
plaque and thank you note from skate park students and mention of thanks with photo in the
Hopkinton Independent.
9. IT TAKES A VILLAGE: Cheryl Perreault reported that there will be a presentation offered on
April 12th at the Hopkinton Library hosted by the HYC, Youth Services and the Library for the
Hopkinton community. This program is titled "Be the Change" and will be presented by Judith
Giovongelo, mother of a 17 year old Medway student who dealt with bullying and committed
suicide three years ago. Judith's focus in this presentation is to encourage and empower teens
to express themselves in creative and positive (versus risky ) ways to avoid risky alternatives
and to instead be the change in their world and in the future generation. The talk lasts 45
minutes and will be followed by Q & A . Discussion addressed getting people of all roles and
generations informed and interested in attending this program to facilitate a community sense
of working together to support our town's youth.
Executive Session:
The HYC voted on new board positions.
It was announced that Ron Foisy resigned from his position and hence as Chair of the HYC.
Dorothy Maruska was elected as new Chairperson of the HYC, Kim Harvey as Vice Chair, Cheryl
Perreault as Secretary and Taru Kinnunen as Treasurer. Each of these positions will stay until
June 2012. There are presently 2 vacancies on the board.
Recommendations for change with the new board include only using email communication for
board meeting announcements and related events. Additionally, there should be 12 people at
each board meeting. It was suggested that there be a roster for the Secretary to take
attendance and finally that minutes of the previous month's meeting and agenda items be sent
out to board members a few days before the meeting. It was also noted that the HYC website
needs updating. It was noted that Jean Vazza has been consulting with Jim Cozens on the
updates. Also the board will require next year's meetings to be scheduled and a room reserved.
Board members were advised to bring three ideas of ways to transition and rejuvenate the
board at our next April meeting.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:45
Submitted by Cheryl Perreault