HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-23
Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission
July 23, 2014
Members Present: Stephanie Mulinos, Chair, Tom Fuchs, Steve Meyer, and Rick Ryan
Town Hall Representative: Jennifer Jones, Recreation Director
Youth Services Coordinator: Kris Bennett
Guests: David Bravo-Cullen
1. Review and approve Minutes from May and June: No quorum
2. Old Business:
Community stake holders’ invitation letters have gone out. Shelly Lester and Andrew Pierce
have already committed to attend that meeting.
Youth Needs Assessment:
K. Bennett has revised the Youth questions and the group reviewed them. They are trying
to narrow the questions to ensure they get answers that are relevant.
S. Mulinos suggested that the group decide what they want to get out of the survey. That
will help determine the questions to ask.
J. Jones asked what are the goals of the funding. What are they expecting the group to
fund.
K. Bennett replied that the money goes to programs that help to develop life skills, for kids
that have been referred as “in need”, and self selected kids (students that sign up for
programs because they are interested). It might provide a sense of belonging, and teach
cooperation. Often the kids need an adult that is a positive role model.
S. Mulinos suggested asking the kids what challenges they face and how well equipped are
they to deal with those challenges. For example: drugs and drug use
The Commission continued to discuss the questionnaire for the youth aspect of the
assessment. See attached for the current questionnaire.
J. Jones asked that in the Grant Program, something has to be added or changed to
indicate that only organizations are allowed to apply. The applicants need to either supply
a W-9 form or demonstrate that an approved organization is sponsoring them.
S. Mulinos said that is one of the agenda items, setting up a guideline and some definitions
to help with the community grant applications. It should help applicants that either are
approved or not approved understand why or why not.
One of the options was to add that if the organization doesn’t complete the report at the
end of the year, they will not get money the next year. Specific guidelines detailing what the
money can be used for should be added – for example, the money is intended to directly
fund youth activities.
Open Space Plan: S. Mulinos said this is going to be an on-going agenda item. She has
asked the DRYC members to read page 15 of the Glenville Plan, one of the objectives will be
useful for a discussion later in the year.
Budget preparation:
The County budget is just getting started but K. Bennett said it was a 1% cut again this
year.
J. Jones has not started on the budget and has been told by Supervisor Sumner that they
will meet in September.
Program reports:
Farmers Market is going great. R. Ryan has had produce but tends to sell out quickly. S.
Mulinos said the Dryden Community Café has increased business on Saturday mornings
as a direct result of the Market.
Report from Recreation Director: J. Jones
She is still missing two grant contracts. It was suggested that they be notified that if they
don’t return the contacts, they won’t get the money.
In this year’s contract, J. Jones has added the information that failure to turn in a report
at the end of the program, they will not be considered for a grant the next year.
She has put the 2015 funding on the Common Grant website. The Recreation assistant
position has been advertised but she has only had 5 applicants that are not very strong,
she is hoping to get more applicants.
Summer field trips – Yankee ball game trips have been full. They have gone twice already
with 12 people and have another trip scheduled. The other field trips have no participants.
Sertoma soccer is now under the umbrella of the Recreation Department. It is a big
undertaking and will have to acquire a trailer to handle the amount of equipment
necessary for soccer. S. Meyer asked if the Recreation Department is willing to accept/
interested in donated equipment. The group felt that balls and Frisbees and other
equipment that would not create a liability issue, will make a great addition to the mobile
rec unit.
Concert series is going well. They have been well attended.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin A. Bieber
Deputy Town Clerk