Sally Angelle

sally.angelle@techetoday.com

Breaux Bridge – At the Council on Aging regular board of directors meeting held Thursday, Aug. 16, Gwen Robertson, executive director asked the board to consider changing the office hours to 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. beginning Monday, Aug. 20.

Robertson cited the reduction in staff as a reason for the change. Currently the Council on Aging has 14 part-time employees – two case managers, four C II drivers, two van drivers, one bingo manager, one nutrition coordinator, one transit coordinator, one sitter, one III E respite and one bookkeeper. Robertson is the only full-time employee.

Sandy LeBlanc, who served as board president since January 2012, announced her resignation at the June 21 meeting. A replacement to serve LeBlanc’s unexpired term was supposed to be announced at the August meeting. But because members of the nomination committee – Rita Lewis, Melba Malveaux and Terri Erwin – were unable to meet, Tina Begnaud, president asked a couple of the board members to stay after the meeting to review six applicants who had submitted their names to serve on the board.

Erwin suggested that they offer the seniors one different activity a week during the month of September. She also suggested asking volunteers to help activities such as forming an exercise club, game day and movie day. Ginny Higgins, board member, said her office would provide popcorn and volunteers for the movie day event.

In other business:

•Bonnie Hardy, a COA client, offered to help put together a benefit to raise money for the seniors. Jill Hebert, board member, and fundrasier chairman told Hardy that it was a great idea and that they could meet and discuss when and where a benefit can take place.

•Hebert discussed different fundrasing ideas. She is asking the public for donated items to use as raffle prizes. Hebert is also looking into having a Womanless Pageant fundrasier with the help of the St. Martin Parish volunteer fire departments.

•Robertson announced new rules and regulations for the daily bingo games held at the COA.

•Monica Dugas was introduced as the new bookkeeper, replacing Leona Barras who resigned July 31 after 32 years with the COA.