Committees: A - F

Art Studio to index

The purpose of the Art Studio Committee is to make the studio a welcoming and available space for residents who want to do work in fine arts or crafts.

From the 2006-7 Annual Report

The Studio is always open and gets some use every day. On Mondays and Tuesdays there are group sessions, with about a dozen people participating fairly regularly one or both days. Others prefer to come when they can work by themselves. Residents supply their own materials, but enjoy the space and availability of tools, paper cutter, etc. as well as mutual support.

Our regular major events are the Fall and Spring Exhibits. The Fall Show in 2006 included work by 22 painters, a quilter, and seven photographers. 109 people came to the Opening on October 16. Our Spring Show, with work by 28 painters, a quilter, and 7 photographers, opened on April 16 and drew 112 attenders. Each show stays on the walls and continues to be enjoyed until the next show is hung.

Last summer on August 15, the Studio hosted a water color demonstration by a professional artist. More than a dozen Medford Leas painters were able to take advantage of this opportunity.

In October this year the Studio had an off-campus show for the first time. Work by 15 Medford Leas painters was on display at the Friends Center in Philadelphia for almost a month.

Auditing to index

The Auditing Committee is described in section 6.03 of the 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.

Bird Club of the MLRA to index

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 three 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 and the purple martin houses near the Community Gardens at Medford Leas.
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 three budgets to the MLRA Council and MLRA membership: The Activities Fund Budget, the Appreciation Fund Budget and the Community Services Fund Budget.

In June, 2006 the Activities Fund Budget for the MLRA residents of all campuses was $33,495 with a goal of $21,600 for residents. This goal was achieved with a resident participation of 73.9%.

In October, 2006 the Appreciation Fund Budget was $149,800 with a goal for residents of $134,500. This goal was achieved after substantial additional contributions from several residents. The resident participation was 86.3% and checks were distributed to 352 staff members.

In February, 2007 the Community Services Fund Budget for the Merdford campus was $15,100 for the eight Medford Township service organizations that MLRA supports. By April, 2007 $14,277 had been received from Medford Campus residents with a balance due of $823. Resident participation was 62.2% The Lumberton Campus has a separate Community Service Fund for service organizations in the Lumberton Township.

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

Busy Hands to index

The "Busy Hands" Room, is used by the following groups: Sewing, Knitting, Needlework, Quilting, Weaving.

Quilters meet on Monday afternoons, with about five people usually in attendance.

The Knitting and Sewing groups meet on Wednesday mornings. Six or eight regulars come to knit hats, scarves, sweaters, and afghans for charity, while there are many others who knit at these items at home. Two or three people come into do sewing for residents who cannot sew and more are always needed since there were about 300 garments repaired or altered during the past year.

Five or six people attend the Needlework Social, held on Thursday mornings. This event provides a setting in which to do their own needlework such as embroidery, cross-stitch, needlepoint, knitting, and crocheting.

The South Jersey Weavers, a group of 10-15 meet regularly in the Busy Hands Room. The looms in the room belong to the residents who use them, other weavers have looms that they use at home.

Each year these groups combined forces to show and sell their products in the Atrium raising money for the Medford Methodist Church women for local chairty and $720 for the Amercian Friends Service Committee for emergency relief. During the Appreciation Fund Drive, the Knitting and Sewing Group and the Quilters donated to it. Afghans which were not needed for Haddon and Estaugh and garments not sold at the sale are given to the Medthodist Church women for distribution to local charities. Knitted caps are sent to Indian Reservations during the past year and 80 rompers for teddy bears are knitted for the Salvation Army to give to children at Christmas. Knitters also make many caps for newborns at local hospitals.

Citizens to index
from the 2006-7 Annual Report:

High point for the year was the series of Candidates Nights prior to the 2006 General Election. Three events were designed to offer residents exposure to the candidates seeking their votes. That objective was realized. Comments from many residents showed their appreciation for the Committee's work.

Monday, September 29, three of the four candidates standing for the office of Freeholder in Burlington County gave their positions on current issues facing the county and answered questions asked by the audience.

Commitments were secured from the two major party candidates running for U.S. Senator for two separate dates. Two weeks prior to his date the Republican candidate, State Senator Thomas Kean, Jr. withdrew citing another campaign opportunity as his reason. With the arrangements for Friday, October 6 already secured, the Citizens Committee moved quickly and skillfully to secure agreements with U.S. Representative James Saxton, Republican incumbent, and Deocratic candidate Reichard Sexton. They came to address Medford Leas residents and all other citizens through media and party contacts. For a similar event in the future every effort should be made to have newspaper and other media persons present. Candidate Nights like this are rare in the District.

Monday, October 9, incumbent Senator Robert Menendez, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, spoke to a very engaged audience and fielded questions asked of him.

In April when area citizens were invited to a Community Dialogue with Governor Jon Corzine at a nearby location, the Citizens Committee organized registration and carpooling for ten Medford Leas residents.

Communications to index

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

Bulletin Boards to index

In the Community Center, four bulletin boards display information for residents and are supervised by the MLRA Bulletin Board committee.

Atrium Bulletin Board
Left Section Obituaries, notices of memorial services, vespers and other religious meetings and activities.
Main Section Notices of events sponsored by the MLRA and the Administration. Includes roster of MLRA Board and Committee Chairs; monthly calendar; daily menus; MLRA committee and activities information. Material is posted and removed by the Bulletin Board Committee.

Bulletin Board between Gift and Coffee Shop
Left Section Arboretum Committee displays. All material is posted and removed by the Arboretum Committee.
Central Section Notices of external events and opportunites such as concerts, festivals and trips. All material is posted and removed by the Bulletin Board Committee.
Right Section Personal resident-to-resident messages, e.g. lost and found, items for sale. Material may be posted by residents; it should be dated and removed generally after two weeks.

Bulletin Board on Bank Wall
Left section is reserved for the Health Cares Issues Committee.
Center section: Transportation.
Right section: Citizens Committee.

Bulletin Board on Haddon Ground Floor opposite elevators
Business cards, services notices, items for sale.
Duplicate copies of menus, calendar, vespers & visitors material may be posted by residents.

Except where indicated otherwise above,, all material is submitted to the Bulletin Board Committee for posting by placing it on the Bulletin Board shelf of the horizontal mail boxes next to the Receptionist. MLRA Board policy prohibits the posting of political and activist material. to index

The five committees dealing with communications are: BulletinBoards (described above) and Copier, MailboxDistribtion, MonthlyCalendar, Voice (described below).

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 left of the mailboxes in the Atrium.

Computer 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.

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 e-mail, 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.

In September 2007 the facility will be moved to a ground floor room near the Information Technology Deaparetment as the Haddon 3rd floor converts to assisted living.

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

Mission Statement

To combat bigotry and prejudice through the promotion of mutual awareness and understanding. To appreciate the differences among people and value their contribution the constantly evolving American culture; to promote (or seek) in our resident population and staff diversity of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation and economic status.

2006-2007 Annual Report

The committee's primary objective this past year has been to bring to our residents several opportunities to experience the accomplishments of minority persons in our society.

In doing this we have frequently had cooperation from other MLRA committees.

October 28 -- The Forum Committee present Joseph Qutub, and Arab-American from Palestine who founded Arab Students International. This organization has provided scholarship aid to more than 17,000 Arab students to obtain bachelors and graduate degrees from colleges and universities around the world.

November 10 -- The Diversity Committee promoted and organized attendance at a concert by the Morgan State University Choir, held at Moorestown High School. This was attended by forty-four residents.

January 15 -- On Dr. King's official holiday, twenty-two residents participated in the Mount Holly program sponsored by the Continue the Dream Committee. Medford Leas residents Toby Riley and Suzanne Thorp provided leadership to parts of the workshops following the breakfast.

Meanwhile, committee member Joanne Cardona spent the King holiday at Moorestown Friends School to discover ways that interested residents might participate with the students in service activities in future years on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. She came back with many good ideas.

March 17 -- The Music Committee brought concert pianist Maxwell Brown to Medford Leas. The auditorium temperature was chilly, but the concert was enthusiastically received.

March 24 -- The Forum Committee presented a program, "How to Make Kids Count in New Jersey" by Mary Coogan, Assistant Director of the Association for Children of New Jersey.

April 28 -- The Forum Committee will bring Zia Rahman, the Director of the Muslim-American Association of Voorhees, New Jersey. His talke will be entitled, "Understanding Islam."

July 28, 2007 -- The Forum Committee will present a talk about Buddhism by Abbot Seijaku Stephen Roshi, of the Pine Wind Zen Center.

Employee Scholarship to index

Financial assistance for educational pursuits is available to qualified Medford Leas employees through three programs: Nursing Scholarships, General Education Advancement Scholarships, and the Lois Forrest Scholarship. Each program is administered in collaboration with the Human Resources Director.

The Nursing Scholarship Committee is a committee of the Estabugh Board. The General Education Advancement Scholarship Committee is a committee of the Estaugh Board. The Lois Forrest Scholarship Committee is a subcommittee of the MLRA, its coordinator is appointed by the MLRA President. The award is $2500 to a qualified employee based on merit irrespective of other Medford Leas education financial assistance.

2006-2007 Activity
The total of all scholarship awards this year was $65,424.

• The Nurses' Scholarship Committee awarded $33,259 to 14 employees for contined study in nursing and healthcare-related programs. Of this amount, seven grants were expected to be used in the RN program at Burlington County College, while two were to fund LPN studies at the Burlington Institutde of Technology
• The General Education Scholarship Committee awarded 24 scholarships totalling $29,665. One emplyee planned to use her scholarship at the Masters of Health Administration program at the University of St. Francis. (The Nursing Scholarship fund, which can only use the interest of the fund for grants, hadn't the funds to cover this program.) Another will use the funds to transfer to a four-year college from Burlington County College.
• The Lois Forrest Scholarship of $2500 was awarded to Katie Denauris from Dining Services. She has completed two years at the University of South Carolina and will use her scholarship to begin the competitive pharmacy program, which will earn her a doctorate in four years.

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 quartely with the Financial officer of Medford Leas, and at least once each year with the Estaugh Finance Committee. Dennis 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.

Exerpts from the 2006-7 Annual Report:

On a monthly basis the committee continues to receive and review the same financial data as the Estaugh Board. But more imortant, during the latter portion of 2006, FRC experienced an increased availability and involvement associated with information relative to finances and budgeting matters at ML.

For Example:

1. The FRC met with the Chair of the Estaugh Financial Committee on the inverstment policies, procedures, and some recent adjustments associated with investments.
2. While still in the development stages of the '07-08 budget we were invited to meet with Dennis, Heather, and the Management Team. We had the opportunity to listen and enter an in-depth discussion as Department Heads presented their section of the proposed budget. The emphasis was therefore program behind the budget. The FRC asked numerous probing questions. The subsequent dialogue led us to be satisfied that all sides of the issues had been thoughtfully considered and the resulting budget was both conservative and challenging, with a sound balance of both long and short term goals.
3. The FRC met met with the Estaugh Board and the Administration for a session with a representative of the A.V.Powell actuary group. This was a thorough review of the actuarial process that provides years of statistical data to the specific population of ML. This helps to predict future needs of our current population and therefore aids in the development of a sound budget not just for next year but also into the future

Today our probing questions to administration are met with an attitude of acceptance and entitlement so long as a rational reason is behind the question.

All of us at ML have witnessed a transition from a time when deficit budgets were presented, then missed, with considerable amounts of funds being taken from reserves. We have just had two consecutive years where a surplus resulted. The '07-'08 budget is tight and may be a challenge but it is also predicated on a surplus.

The occupancy rate is the most challenging. More emphasis is being placed on marketing of both existing units and Rushmore Crossing. We anticipate the completion of the addition to the main building during the winter. Longer term will be the planning for the renovations, etc. of the health care ares.

These are challenging times for all CCRCs with all of the options being offered to seniors; however, the FRC sees a management team up to the task of sustaining Medford Leas as a premier choice going forward.

Grace Blackburn, 2007
Financial Review Chair

Fitness & Recreation to index

The Fitness Committee, consisting of nineteen residents and the staff Director of Fitness and Aquatics, meets at 4:00 PM on the first Monday of the month (except July and August) usually in Room 7.

The purpose of this committee is to promote good health through fitness programs and physical activity for the residents. A Fitness Brochure that is available to all residents at the receptionist desk is kept current and lists the various physical activities and exercise programs available.

Each January the committee sponsors Fitness Day that may include demonstrations of fitness equipment, lectures, water ballet, fitness demonstrations, water volleyball, distribution of fitness literature and a luncheon with an appropriate program.Each May the committee sponsors the Medford Leas month long Olympics with many categories of competition, including walking, bicycle riding, putting, tennis, shuffleboard, croquet, ping pong, etc.

Committee members with a knowledge of a particular activity usually assume responsibility for that activity. There is a separate committee for Sports Days that are held in the mornings of Memorial Day, July Fourth and Labor Day.

Flowers & Plants: to index

Four separate committees work with flowers and/or plants: Atrium Flower Arrangement, Flower Show, Memorials, Plant Sale.

Atrium Flower Arrangement The committee seeks to make the atrium a place of beauty by having 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 an 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.

Flower Show to index

The 2006 Flower Show, "Call it Country, held on September 12 and 13, 2006. An in-bud, ready-to bloom night blooming cereus which is well over 100 years old was entered by Peg Burgess and won the Best of Horticulture Ribbon. There were 73 entries in the Horticulture division this year and fewer in the new Vegetable division. The weather played havoc in farm gardens this season, but a "Sugar Baby" watermelon managed to survive the summer in Jack and Joan McKeon's plot and won the "Cream of the Crop" award.

The farm gardens were photographed at their best and shown in the Landscaping "Green Acres" exhibit." Nex to that was "Quilting Bee," a wonderful display of the use of lowers in quilting design, presented by the Quilt Interst Group. A third very interesting exhibit was on coal and its formation from living plants, presented by Ann Hibshman.

Forty-eight design entries were shown and the Medford Leas campus and meadow provided an abundance of berries and grasses for some of the classes. A minitature arrangement with ornamental peppers, entered by Joan McKeon, won the Best of Design Award.

Memorial Flowers The committee prepares three sets of announcements for the deaths of residents. A vase of red silk roses accompanies each framed announcements and together they are placed at 1) the table outside of the library in the Atrium, 2) on a table at the entrance to the Gallery, and 3) on a table near the entrance to the Large Print Library.

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 Dining Rooms to index

The dining experience is an integral part of life for the entire Medford Leas community. The purpose of the Food and Dining Rooms committee is to make that experience as enjoyable, healthful and convivial as possible by fostering meals that are nutritious, varied, well-prepared, attractively presented and served at convenient hours in comfortable surroundings that encourage sociability. It serves as an important liaison between the residents and the Food Service staff by conveying the needs of older people to the staff while representing the Food Service to the residents.

The committee meets on the second Tuesday of every month. The agenda always includes a discussion of the "Put it in Writing" (PIW) forms that residents submit in the dining rooms. These forms include concerns, suggestions, & compliments regarding any aspect of the dining experience. Dining Services receives the PIWs and a supervisor gets in touch with the resident who filled it out to discuss the form. At the end of the month Dining Services prepares a report with all the PIWs and distributes it to the Food Committee members for review at the monthly meeting. A Dining Services supervisor is present to answer committee members' questions and to relay pertinent information to other supervisors.

Forum to index

The Forum Committee generally offers two programs a month throughout the year. Due to occasional conflicts with holidays or other resident activities the annual total reaches about 22 or 23. Lectures are usually held on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. in the Auditorium. The average attendance is about 80.

The success of this program is totally dependent on the efforts of individual committee members. One committee member assumes responsibility for each speaker. Although most speakers result from a personal relationship with individual committee members, other residents also contribute by recommending speakers or volunteering to share from their own experience.

Each year an attempt is made to provide a b alanced offering for the residents. This is sometimes difficult as funds are limited. Each outside speaker receives a $100 honorarium to cover expenses. This committee represents another effort by Medford Leas residents to improve 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.