Empty Nesters/Seniors Listening Session Minutes

Strategic Planning Committee

Saint Michael and All Angels

Monday, June 13, 2005 ~ 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Since The Rev. Don Spafford has been responsible for many of the seniors programs, the subcommittee wanted to interview Father Spafford. The general topics discussed were:

1.       What are the three best things about SMAA’s Senior Programs?

A.VIP’s - Don explained that this group who are typically 65 - 85 meet during the period of September through May by having monthly luncheons as well as monthly away trips. The “away trips” involve trips to places such as Fort Worth museums, horse races and other interesting places. In addition, there are special events such as the current AARP driver’s education course. They also provide volunteer opportunities. Don explained that this is a very active group, has good leadership, and are self starters.

                     Don did mention that some eligible participants view VIP’s to be for “old people.”

B. Sunday Van Service - Saint Michael provides van service for parishioners living in residential complexes designed for seniors.

          C.       Prayer Ministry - This group, which is comprised of 20 people, mainly seniors, spend an                    hour saying prayers for specific people which have been requested by parishioners. Requests                   are made by parishioners, which are then put into a notebook which is used by the person                      saying prayers.

2.       What are the three worst things about SMAA’s Senior Programs?

A.       Reduced Van Schedule - The van service has been dropped back to two Sundays a month. This has caused a lot of confusion with the seniors using this service. The weekly service should be re-established. Don did agree that having parishioners use their own car to transport seniors is a better idea. Don explained that Jack Williams did a cost benefit ration study a few years ago. They confirmed it was better to rent a van versus buying one. Some places such as the Forum, Three Fountains and Edgemere have vans, but they make stops at all the churches and have a rather inflexible schedule.

B.       Quality of VIP Luncheons - The monthly VIP luncheons are catered and there has been a substantial effort to make these economical since some of the members are on limited budgets. The targeted cost is $6. Don made the suggestion that perhaps the program be subsidized by $2 which would substantially increase the quality of food. The average attendance is 40 people, so that based on this number, a $2 subsidy would be $80 per month and multiplied by 9 would equal $720.

C.       Understaffed - Don commented that SMAA has a high ratio of parishioners to each clergy person. When asked what is the optimum ratio of clergy to parishioners, he mentioned one clergy for each 200 parishioners. He also pointed out that at SMAA, our senior staff members do a lot of work that are done by clergy at other churches.

3.       On a scale from 1 to 10, evaluate the various Senior Programs.

          A.      VIP - 9+

          B.       Empty Nesters - Don has not been involved in this program.

          C.       Good Shepard program - 8.5

          D.       Extended Care Cooks - 9

          E.       Pastoral Friends - 8

          F.       Lay Chaplains - Christie Olsen has been responsible for this program.

          G.       Parish Nurse Program - Don has not been involved in this program.

          H.      Lay Eucharistic Ministries (LEM) - 10

          I.        Newcomers Committee - 10

4.       Any Suggestions for Improvements, New Programs or Program Cuts/Reductions?

Don explained that consideration had been given in the past for a SMAA Healthcare Clinic, which would be located away from the church. This would be a facility open three days a week and manned by volunteer doctors and nurses. However, this idea died of lack of support. Key issues were cost of the facility and malpractice insurance.

Overall, Don feels that SMAA has a balanced approached and works well when programs are run efficiently and properly funded.

          5.       Are We Trying to Do Too Much?

Don felt there was a valid reason for each program. He observed that it was important that volunteers take the responsibility of running many of these programs assisted, where necessary, by good staff.

Don did have some concerns about hospital visits. These have been well received by parishioners, but when done properly, the level of expectations goes up. It is really important for SMAA to deliver what they promise in this area. Because of the size of SMAA, and the fluctuation of the number of people in hospitals, there are some challenges in dealing with the ups and downs of the volume of required visits. Also in the summer time, when clergy are taking vacations, it is difficult to make all the hospital visits on a timely basis. In any event, everyone in this process needs to meet their commitments and to carefully plan the visitation schedule.

Bill McIntyre expressed the deep appreciation of SMAA and the Strategic Planning Committee to Don for taking time on his first day of retirement to be interviewed.