HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-11-CCAC-min
Minutes of Meeting of September 11, 2014
A meeting of the Ad hoc Community Center Advisory Committee Programs Group was held on
Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 1:00 PM in the Parker Room (G-15) at the Town Office Building,
1625 Massachusetts Avenue.
Members Present: Laura Hussong, Chair, Karen Simmons (Director, Recreation Department), Sheila
Butts (Assistant Director, Recreation Department), Charlotte Rodgers (Director, Human Services
Department), Florence Koplow, Leslie Zales
Members Absent: Jon Himmel
Also present: Nancy Adler, COA Chair
Meeting called to order at 1:05 PM with a quorum of four.
Minutes:
The minutes of August 14, 2014 were approved. Motion/Second Karen/Sheila. 4 Yes, 2 Abstain.
The minutes of August 21, 2014 were approved. Motion/Second Sheila/Laura. 3 Yes, 3 Abstain.
September 4 joint meeting
At that meeting Jon suggested that Governance present 2 governance models for comparison, perhaps
based on 2 of 3 preferred communities they studied.
Programs, Phased Opening
Unstructured and drop-in space will be what gives us the WOW factor we want. Programs are more
well-determined.
From the first opening, Staff will focus new programming efforts on 'gap programs' such as drop-ins,
family nights, Friday night socials, and movie nights. Additional formal programming and additional
citizen programs will increase during the soft opening phase as staff acclimates to the building and
public demand.
Even the best programs can fail if there isn't a welcoming environment.
We must be sure to keep the good things about the Senior Center, keep its sense of community even
within the larger Community Center.
The coffee area should look gorgeous and inviting...that is a WOW that will communicate the sense
of community we are trying to achieve.
Signage is critical. Need signs that indicate where to go for quiet, where to go for games, etc.
Function of rooms should be clear, and the common practices made clear. Such as: Can I go in if
someone is inside? How do I know I am welcome in a room with a certain age group in it? TVs
with schedules are planned.
Staff have created a list of equipment that will be needed to provide the programming we have
designed into the building, and to make the rooms appropriate for the varied needs of the public.
Important issues brought up during the meeting:
We feel that a huge part of the WOW factor will be the look and feel of the building when
people walk in.
There should be a substantial investment in furniture that creates a
This must be
welcoming environment and conversational areas throughout the building.
in place from the first day the building is open to the public.
Critical functions that must be provided by professional staff
A warm, welcoming, consistent, and reliable presence at the front desk to be the face
of the Community Center to the public. Volunteers can serve in various capacities
such as by giving tours.
Provide for safety and protection of building and visitors during all hours the building
is open (in addition to custodial staff)
Provide active program development and community outreach: for new participants,
for new programs, and for new partnerships
Ensure the diversity of programming, and fair access for all
Next Steps
Laura and Jon will send around for committee comments the draft report and presentation
based on report outline, current Powerpoint presentation, and input received today.
Meeting adjourned at 3:00 PM.
Materials distributed/used at the meeting are attached:
9/11/14 agenda
8/14/14 and 8/21/14 minutes
Lexington Community Center Program Ideas Worksheet.docx
Thinking about the Lexington Community Center.docx
FinalReportOutline.docx
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Hussong, Scribe
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