HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-28 Youth and Recreation Council Minutes North Andover Youth and Recreational Services
Board of Directors
September 28, 2016
Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Terry Holland, Kevin Driscoll,Andrew Fermin, Peter Breen, Hollie
Williams, Maureen Ferris, Rick Gorman
1) Election of New Chair: A motion was made by Andrew Fermin to officially elect
Kevin Driscoll as Chair of the Board. The motion was seconded by Hollie Williams.
All were in favor.
2) Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the June meeting were approved.
3) Director's Report: Director Gorman shared examples of the NAYRS social media
presence and the Youth Center Fall Programming pamphlet. He also shared
highlights from the Director's Report(attached) and explained the new staffing
pattern. (Congratulations to Demi on her promotion to Assistant Director/Program
Coordinator!) Summer programming was extremely successful despite the extreme
heat. Fall programs are also off to a solid start, with more 8th grade members than
in past years. The Youth Center is also collaborating more frequently with the
school department on programming such as paddling and the Outdoor Classroom.
After 16 years of operation,the Youth Center building is experiencing more general
maintenance issues, particularly plumbing and electrical. There is also a concern
about uneven pavement on the sidewalk. Discussion ensued around funding of
maintenance through a revolving account and development of a regular
maintenance plan.
4) Review of Gym Rentals: The Board reviewed the gym rental schedule. Rick
Gorman shared that the rentals serve as a strong source of revenue,bringing in
approximately$10,000 in the last fiscal year.
5) Summer Programming Discussion: The Board engaged in discussion around
the positive impact of summer programs, not only on the community kids served,
but also on the counselors themselves. Director Gorman shared examples of the
profound development that he observed among counselors, some of whom started
the year off very reserved and lacking confidence, and ending the summer with a
stronger sense of self and purpose. Board members discussed strategies to
publicize the impact of the program on youth development, including an OpEd or
letters to editor, publishing of parent letters and notes, and highlighting the Youth
Center's value to the community in marketing.
6) Needs Assessment Update: The Community Needs Assessment process will be
getting underway soon and is expected to take a year to complete. The school
department will handle analytics and focus groups will be held throughout the town
to ask what we need to be doing for kids. Board members Kevin Driscoll, Maureen
Ferris and Sandy Savoie will serve with Director Gorman on the subcommittee for
this project. They will be meeting with representatives from Merrimack College on
October 27th to finalize the contract, which will then be presented to the Board at
the November meeting.
7) Andover/North Andover Parent to Parent Program - Publicity will soon be
out for speaker John O'Sullivan who will be presenting the "Changing the Game
Project"at the Collins Center in Andover as part of the Parent-to-Parent Program.
Maureen Ferris and Hollie Williams offered to share publicity through Facebook
groups.
8) Meeting Schedule: Board meetings will be held on Thursday mornings at 8 a.m.
in the months of October, November,January, February, March,April, May and June.
(Note: Due to the timing on the Needs Assessment meeting,the October and
November meetings will be combined and held in November.)