Committees: A - F

Art Gallery to index

The committee provides for varied art shows in the gallery, with receptions to honor the artists as they discuss their work. Publicity is provided through the residents' network, local newspapers, and the Medford Cultural Arts Commission.

The subcommittees are:

Selection -- reviews and selects artists for future exhibitions.
Reception -- arranges for refreshments, assisted by Medford Leas Dining Services, and for several people to serve.
Installation -- assists artists in installing the gallery exhibitions.
Events -- arranges art related bus trips for the community.
Archives -- Photographs each exhibit and reception, adding to the albums kept in the gallery, both for insurance purposes and for the browsing enjoyment of residents.

Art Studio to index

On the Weekly Calendar the Art Studio’s scheduled time is Monday mornings, when at least one of the artists expects to be available to talk to newcomers, but the Studio is open seven days a week, day and night, and is used daily. Mondays and Tuesdays are the busiest days, with as many as ten or twelve people participating fairly regularly. Others prefer to come when they can work by themselves. We do not offer formal classes but benefit from each other’s experience and a sizable library. We supply our own materials and enjoy the space and the availability of tools, paper cutter, etc. as well as the mutual support.

The Studio has an ample supply of donated materials that we can share with guests and beginners. We are also glad to help residents with small jobs that call for studio skills and equipment. You don’t need to be an experienced artist to enjoy the Studio.

Thanks to Mary Lou Morrow, an art history video is shown in the Linden Room at noon on first and third Tuesdays, September to June.
All are welcome. If you want to bring your lunch, that’s fine.

The major events of our year are the Openings of the Spring and Fall Shows of work by artists and photographers from our own community. These shows provide year long decoration for the halls from Studio to Fitness Center and give us the opportunity to enjoy the work of residents who are no longer painting as well as of current artists. The Openings are festive occasions and usually draw about a hundred guests. 114 people attended the Opening of our current Fall Show, which exhibits the work of thirty artists and photographers.

Auditing to index

The Auditing Committee is described in section 6.03 of the MLRA bylaws

Auditorium to index

Purpose: The purpose of the Auditorium Committee is to provide for the convenience, comfort, and safety of residents at all events in the Auditorium sponsored by the MLRA and other events when called on for assistance by Management. Members of the Committee are volunteers with sufficient interest, training, experience, and some technical knowledge to use the equipment and facilities in a wide range of programs.

The committee is divided into two groups: Ushers and Technicians.

Ushers are responsible for distribution of hearing aid devices and programs. They assist with seating and location of wheelchairs and walkers. They also handle the portable microphones used by audience members for questions.

Technicians set up the audio-visual equipment specified by the program originator which can include podium, stage, and portable microphones, a VCR/DVD projector, slide projector and/or computer projector. TV progams can also be projected. The technician is then responsible for operating the selected equipment, adjusting sound, picture, and lighting as required.

The technician and head usher consult with and assist the speakers, instructing them on proper use of the equipment and determining lighting levels and cues to be used for the program.

Atrium Flowers

The committee seeks to make the atrium a place of beauty by having a constant supply of fresh flowers or plants on the reception desk and placed on the various tables in the atrium. In addition to the arrangements supplied by residents, sometimes funeral arrangements are broken into smaller bouquets and displayed in areas where they will be most appreciated. During 2006-2007 we have had more flower displays in the atrium than last and the committee is thrilled that 30 different residents have contributed plants or flower arrangements for the atrium. -updated 12/08-

Bird Club of the MLRA to index

Link to the Bird Club Page

The Bird Club is among the groups that meet to form the Nature Coordinating Committee

1. The Bird Club is organized for those residents interested in Ornithology, and to stimulate and educate those other residents who show an interest in identifying and feeding birds in and around the Medford Leas Communities.
2. Hold meetings once a month which are open to all residents from September to the following June.
3. Keep a Monthly record of birds found on the three Medford Leas Campuses.
4. Compile and keep an up to date pamphlet or bird list of birds found in this area.
5. Hold frequent bird walks and a yearly census in January of birds found on the two campuses.
6. Have bird trips to good birding areas during the different seasons of the year.
7. Cooperate with the Cornell University's Department of Ornithology in their Feeder Watch and the Great Backyard Bird Count programs, and to also participate in their house finch disease survey and other programs, if there is an interest
8. Erect and maintain bird boxes in the meadow.
9. Encourage the Horticulture Department at Medford Leas
   1. To plant native shrubs and trees which provide fruit and habitats for birds of this area.
   2. To not remove dead trees as they provide food and nesting areas for birds,
   3. To continue to mow the meadows which encourage the bluebird populations.

Budget and Finance to index

The Budget and Finance Committee prepares and submits to the MLRA Council and MLRA membership a budget covering all MLRA activities at the beginning of the fiscal year. It is also responsible for raising three funds to support its work: the Activities Fund which provides for the expenses of the MLRA, the Employee Appreciation Fund, and the Community Services Fund for the Medford Campus (The Lumberton Campus has its separate Community Services Fund). The Budget and Finance Committee also advises the MLRA Council and MLRA membership on the disposition of Legacies left to the MLRA

Building to index

The purpose of the Building Committee is two-fold:

1. To ensure that all residents in the vicinity of a scheduled expansion of an apartment fully understand the impact the expansion will have on the area.
2. To advise the residents of any possible modification of the plans that might reduce or eliminate any undesirable aspect of the plan.

Citizens to index
This committee, under their current chair, Ellen Stimler, and with ten members, aims to keep residents informed of their elected representatives at the local, county, state, and federal levels.In 2011 it held two Candidates Nights, one for County Surrogates and Freeholders, and one for the New Jersey Assembly and Senate. The meetings, open to the public, were well attended, and residents were given time to ask questions of the candidates.

Communications to index

The five committees dealing with communications are: BulletinBoards, Copier, MailboxDistribution, MonthlyCalendar, Voice.

Bulletin Boards to index

There are five resident-maintained Bulletin Boards in the Community center of Medford Campus and four in the Community Center of the Lumberton Campus. The Resident Handbook explains in some detail what types of notices are displayed on each of the bulletin boards. Material for Medford Campus is submitted to the Bulletin Board Committee for posting by placing it on the Bulletin Board shelf near the mailboxes.

Copier The committee keeps the residents' copier in condition for use at all times and is available to answer calls for help from those using the copier. to index

Mail Box Distribution The committee places notices and advisories fromstaff and administration, as well as notices from the MLRA Board, into residents' inhouse mailboxes. There is a resident volunteer for each day of the week who distributes notices for that day. to index

Monthly Calendar A resident is responsible for coordinating the calendar of events which is produced by the Administration. A form to request than an event be listed on the calendar must be submitted by the 20th of the preceding month. Copies of the calendar are distributed to all residents, and enlarged versions are placed on several bulletin boards.to index

The Voice There are two recorded message tapes that are available to residents 24 hours a day. Residents can listen to the tapes by dialing 2 (for activities) and 7 (for menus) on their resident phones.

A Chair and committee of nine volunteers record these messages every day. The activity messages includes items from the monthly and weekly calendars with any changes that have occurred, special events not on the calendar, alerts for special events, and other items of interest to the community for that day.

Residents can leave messages for the VOICE in a box at the right of the mailboxes in the Atrium.

Computer Room to index

The Chairman of this committee works with an informal group of computer literate residents, and with Don Bernard, our valued volunteer, to ensure that the equipment is in good working order, that supplies are adequate, and that the user group provides enough funds, from voluntary "dues" and charges for instructional courses, to keep the operation self financing. The computer room receives no funding from the MLRA Activities Fund.

By being available to cope with problems, the chairman finds answers from expert residents, or Don Bernard, or Russell Pepe (Medford Leas telecommunications manager). Also the chairman finds economical sources for supplies or replacement equipment.

Finding mentors from among knowledgeable residents to assist residents in sending email, work on the Internet, or accomplish tasks such as word processing, spread sheets, etc. is an important function.

There is little formality of committee operations, and it has been practical to run the computer room on an ad hoc basis, solving problems as they come up.

the Computer Room is located on the ground floor room of the community building across the hall from the fitness Center.

Creative Writing to index

The Creative Writers are a group of individuals who enjoy writing. They meet on the third Friday of every month, at 10:00 AM, in the Poplar Room. They share their work and critique each others writing in a helpful and gentle way. Many genres are represented. Some are writing their memoirs, others are writing poetry or short stories. From time to time, an assignment is given in order to stimulate the thinking process. Do pick up your pen and join us!

Display Case in the Atrium to index

Inspired by the committee chair, Todd Butler, all five Display Case committee members work in close contact with one another and all assist with ideas. The co-chair works on future plans and writing requests for material. Two help collect and return materials, the others plan, assemble materials, and arrange and install the displays.

In a room in the basement there is a mock display case, of the same dimensions as the three-shelf display case in the atrium. Todd Butler prepares his arrangement there and when it is ready each piece is again wrapped to transport to the display case upstairs. Then there is a "Street Circus" moment as items for the new display are unwrapped and arranged and items from former display are carefully wrapped to be taken to the work room and then returned to the lenders.

Some of the followers of the display case arrive in wheel chairs and spend a long time viewing each and every detail, and return often.

The most favored displays have been those of sheet music of Old Broadway Show Tunes. Whole groups would gather before, and then again after, dinner to join in singing those long-remembered tunes. A few boasted of remembering the words to every song in the display

Diversity Committee to index

The Diversity Committee sponsors programs that have to do with diversity of Race, Religion and country of origin.

In the past two years (2009 – 2011) we have sponsored a Martin Luther King speaker in January. We had The Rev. Ward Ewing, president of the Episcopal Seminary of New York City, the Rev.Manish Mishra, minister of the Cherry Hill Unitarian Church, and the Rev. Terrell Person , minister of the Jacobs Chapel A.M.E. Church of Mt. Laurel.

We have shown movies , “The Black Doctor of the Pines” (about James Still); A Place Out of Time (about the last Black school north of the Mason-Dixon Line), Traces of the Trade (about slave traders in Rhode Island), a movie on Global Oneness, and a film on the life of Bayard Rustin. We showed the movie about Muslims, “Talking Through Walls” and combined it with a discussion and a light supper with local Muslims.

We have sponsored Leas Reads, a discussion of a controversial book. Two of the books were “The Soloist” and “Persepolis”

Vanessa July, the co-author of “Fit For Freedom But Not For Friendship”, spoke about the writing of the book.

A woman of Afghanistan spoke about the “Voices of Women of Afghanistan”
Emiko Guthe spoke about her years with the Peace Corps” in Kazachstan.

We had a pro-Israel speaker one week and a pro-Palestine speaker the next week.

Beginning with the school year 2011-2012 we have nine residents who have volunteered to be mentors one day a week to a student in the Mt. Laurel public school system in a program run by the Rev. Terrell Person and his wife called T.I.M.E. (Teach/ Inform/ Mentor/ Empower/).

Fiber Arts Studioto index

The Fiber Arts Studio, is used by the following groups: Sewing, Knitting, Needlework & Crafts, Quilting, Weaving.

The Quilt Interest Group meets in the Fiber Arts Sudio to provide services for the residents by repairig, renovating quilts, and providing conservation information.  Quilted items, such as lap quilts, tble runners and pillows, and other boutique items, are made for sale to benefit the Medford Leas Appreciation Fund and the Medford Leas Residents Assistance Fund.

The majority of our work is accomplished in our individual apartments, but on the fourt Monday of each month (September through May), at 12:30 until 2:00 pm, we gather to baste, tie, plan, share projects, learn new techniques, and provide adevice to residents and to each other.  Visitors are welcomed.

The group has its own web page with announcements of events and photos of some of the quilted items that are for sale year.

Knitting and Sewing is a congenial group of residents who meet every Wednesday morning from 10 to 11:30 to knit hats, scarves, sweaters, afghans, and other items, mostly for charity. Many residents also knit at home. Three people do sewing for residents who cannot sew. More helpers are always needed since some 300 garments are repaired or altered during the year.

Each year the Knitting and Sewing group holds a Show and Sell at which they sell their products to raise money for the MLRA Appreciation Fund. They also distribute knitted items to local charities and send knitted caps to Indian Reservations for their children. Knitted caps are also made for newborns at local hospitals

All interested persons are welcome to participate in Needlework & Crafts on Thursday mornings in the Fiber Arts Studio. New residents and those on the waiting list have found the group an excellent way to become acquainted. Participants work on projects for personal use and/or those to be donated for fund-raising or to charity. Participants can also learn new needlework and craft skills from other participants and from the resources in the Fiber Arts Studio’s library.

The Weaving Guild, meets monthly at Medford Lea. on the Third Wednesday from 7-9PM. Any resident interested in spinning or weaving is welcome to come and observe

Financial Review to index

Link to the Financial Review "Committee Room"

The purpose of the MLRA Financial Review Committee (FRC) is to know and understand the finances and financial and operating decisions of the Estaugh Board which affect residents, and to respond from the perspective of the residents of Medford Leas.

The Committee of nine residents meets at least quarterly with the Financial officer of Medford Leas, and at least once each year with the Estaugh Finance Committee. The CEO has made himself available to discuss issues as needed.

The Committee holds information meetings at open sessions of the MLRA, when deemed necessary, and reports on financial matters of concern to residents.

Fitness - go to Recreation and Fitness

Flower Show: to index

The Flower Show has been an annual event on Tuesday, the week after Labor Day, with wide participation by both residents and staff. Lois Rickett, the longtime organizer of the show, now has cochairs to assist. Volunteers are recruited to help with registration, placement, and classification. It is exhibited on Tuesday PM and Wednesday AM in the Activities Room, the most central and convenient location for viewing.

Four judges, certified by the Garden Club of New Jersey, evaluate and comment on all entries and give Best of Show awards to entries in three categories -- Horticulture, Vegetables, and Design.

A workshop, held by the Therapeutic Recreation Department, provides opportunity, plant materials, and assistance to interested Assisted Living and Long Term Care residents to create and enter their own designs.

The shows are themed and include invitational, special, and educational exhibits. Past titles include, "Call it Country," Carnival," and "Showtime." All have been well-attended and are appreciated by residents, staff, and visitors.

Plant Sale The sale was held on May 9 and 10th. The committee was pleased with the quality of the plants from its new supplier, Russo's Fruit and Vegetable Farm in Tabernacle. Forty volunteers gave generously of time and energy. Gross receipts: $2681, Cost of flowers: $1781.50, Miscellaneous expense: $00.00, Net income $899.50. Proceeds from the plant sale are used to puchase flowers for the Atrium during the winter months.

Food and Diningto index

The Food & Dining Committee serves as a liaison between residents and Dining Services staff. Dining is an integral part of life for the Medford Leas community and, for some residents, the highlight of their day. The committee provides monthly communication between its members and the Dining Services Staff except for one month in the summer. The MLRA Committee Sponsor selects the Food & Dining Committee Chairman who, in turn invites one or more residents who eat regularly in each of the Community Center’s dining areas to be on the committee. Committee meetings consist of a review of comments, suggestions and concerns, positive and negative, on the Put-It-In Writing (PIW) forms submitted to the Staff. Informal dialogue usually follows. The committee reviews and endorses, as appropriate, Staff proposals regarding changes in the dining areas and in the Coffee Shop. The menus, the operating practices in the kitchen, the efficiency of the servers, and the menus themselves all come up for discussion. The menus and food service for special events such as holiday meals, Sports Day, the New Year’s Eve Party, receptions, etc. are also discussed with the committee.

Forum to index

The Leas Forum Committee generally offers two programs a month throughout the year. Occasionally conflicts with holidays or other resident activities affect the schedule. Lectures/presentations are usually held on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. in the Theater. Average attendance is about 80.

The success of this program is totally dependent on the efforts of individual committee members. While many speakers are identified through a personal relationship with individual committee members, other residents also contribute by recommending speakers or volunteering to share from their own experience. The Committee evaluates ideas and plans a schedule. A committee member then assumes responsibility for a particular program.

Each year an attempt is made to provide a balanced offering for the residents. This is sometimes difficult as funds are limited. Each outside speaker receives a $150 honorarium to cover expenses. This Committee represents another effort by Medford Leas residents to enhance the quality of life for their neighbors.

Friendly Visitors Program to index

When a new resident moves into the main campus, he/she is welcomed, oriented, and assisted by representatives of the administration and of the Medford Leas Resident Association (MLRA). These two welcomes are separate and different. The main purpose of the administration's efforts is to distribute the "red book" containing all policies, rules, and regulations of the various operating departments, a directory of all residents, maps, and much other basic information.

The MLRA set up the Friendly Visitor (FV) system to make certain that each new resident is promptly, warmly, and effectively welcomed as a new member of MLRA and receives complete and accurate information about the operation and benefits of social and communal life at ML. Through a personal visit from the FV as soon as this can be mutually arranged after the move-in, the new resident gets to find out about his immediate neighbors and has a chance to get his most urgent questions answered without having to hunt for the information in the "red book." The main purpose of the FV system is to make the new resident feel welcome in his/her new home and to let him/her know that there is a special person nearby who stands ready to answer his/her questions about day-to-day routines and procedures as they come up.

There are currently 86 members of the committee who during 2006-7, welcomed 36 new residents and 16 transfers within the community.