Friends of the Lynn COA: board plans outreach to rebuild volunteer leadership and pursue fundraising

Board members discussed plans to support the Friends of the Lynn Council on Aging while the organization's president is undergoing medical treatment. Megan and other board members said the friends group currently lacks leadership and fewer than 10 active "friends" are participating.

Megan told the board she has been in contact with Joan, the Friends' current president, who is "more than willing to hand over the reins." Board members proposed a mix of outreach tactics: placing announcements in the senior center monthly newsletter, running a flyer or a multi-month insert, asking local businesses to sponsor classes or underwrite programming, and holding an open house or recruitment event once the renovated space is partially reopened.

The board discussed fundraising rules and roles. A city official cautioned that city employees and the COA board itself may have restrictions on direct fundraising, and Megan said she would seek clarification from the city attorney about permissible steps before asking the public for donations or accepting financial sponsorships. "It really does have to be under the guise of the friends evidently," one board member said, after counsel had been consulted earlier.

Practical ideas mentioned included a silent auction of donated crafts and quilts, recruiting business representatives to manage the friends' business functions, and placing a Friends table at an upcoming open house. Several board members offered to help place notices, connect interested people to friends leadership, and host a future information event. A board member suggested a future acknowledgment for Joan in recognition of her years of service.

The board did not vote on any fundraising commitments during the meeting; staff will prepare draft language for newsletter outreach and ask the city attorney for a rules briefing at a future meeting.