I hope you have all enjoyed another full month of food and activities at the SSAC. I make a point in each of the monthly President’s reports to acknowledge the contribution of our tremendous volunteers, without whom we would not be able to operate. However, this month I want to focus on our paid staff.
It is a breath of fresh air to have staff that without question will go the extra mile to provide the service and create the atmosphere that makes us so welcoming. I have seen so many examples of how our paid staff exceed expectations to best serve our members and am so grateful for the quality of people that we have.
In the spirit of being grateful Emily came to me and asked that I give heartfelt thanks from her to those who have donated fruits and vegetables from their gardens to the kitchen. Not only is it wonderful to receive this fresh produce but it is also as good as a cash donation to the Affordable Lunch Program.
For those who have been in the Craft and Farish rooms for activities or meetings you will be aware that those rooms are particularly in need of a breath of fresh air, which is particularly evident when the activity requires exercise. These rooms have forced air heating but are the only activity spaces that do not have air-conditioning. We are currently waiting on a quote to put air-conditioning units in both rooms. Hopefully the expense will be covered by the unused portion of the funds put aside for the reception area renovation.
We are also looking to remove a lot of the extra chairs out of those rooms which are unnecessarily crowding the area.
It is an unfortunate situation, but the board has felt compelled to try to sell the bus. A combination of ferry costs and waits and sporadic attendance, along with an inability to get volunteer drivers at specific times, has led to an inability to mount consistent appealing, viable trips. In addition, we have considerable yearly expenses in insurance and maintenance costs. Hopefully, any proceeds from a potential sale can be used to fund other building renovations that are needed.
It really is an exciting time at the SSAC as we move onwards through the summer. We are here to serve your needs, so do not be afraid to let us know how we are doing by way of the suggestion box in the corridor. All the best for an enjoyable fun and safe summer. .
