Hopatcong Seniors Inc Accounting Books & Library Friends

Hopatcong Seniors Inc is still strong. Despite periods of separation, its board officers have met organization deadlines and they are also reaching out to its members to coalition together in supporting The Friends of E Louis Childs Library. This non virtual meeting still adheres to being safe and healthy to its members.

The strength of Hopatcong Seniors Inc during this pandemic is - recognized retiree knowledge, love of hometown history and years of community volunteer outreach from its members. It is a formula that still pulls this 60+ plus team together to be their best even during times of separation.

Despite COVID-19 limitations the Hopatcong Seniors Inc remained determined to follow through with their required board functions. Observance to good fiscal practices were instilled seven years ago under the expert leadership from its own members. In 2013 their former president and treasurer John Maine got Hopatcong Seniors Inc back into good standing with the IRS as a 501 c3 nonprofit. His accounting actions earned him the selection of the 2013 Hopatcong Senior of the Year award. Tapinto.net Jane Primerano reported the following that year:

Maine also set up an internship program at Hopatcong High School. “It’s on hiatus now,” he said, “because I can’t get kids interested in going into accounting.” Though retired, he maintains his accounting firm, JHM. Like many non-profits, the group (Hopatcong Seniors Inc) neglected to file an in-lieu of tax form. “For a couple of years, we had to file a corporate tax return,” he said, but “we got a pass from New Jersey,” and have their tax-exempt status back. “It took a little time to get back in the good graces of the IRS,” he noted.

This year presented many challenges in keeping Hopatcong Seniors Inc in order with so many board and general meeting face to face dates that could not take place because of COVID-19. Through all this, they were still able to get membership renewal notices out and even managed to have the 2020 recognition for Hopatcong Seniors of the Year Awards in June in a COVID-19 safe way.

Seeing an opportunity for an outdoor masks-on meeting, the executive committee voted to have a regularly scheduled general membership meeting for THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1st at 9:00 AM. The Borough helpfully accommodated them with use of the Senior Pavilion area behind the Hopatcong Senior Center. It is an hour earlier from their traditional time. The new outdoor drive to “Grab and Go” county senior nutritional program also uses this pavilion as a designated site for lunch distributions.

The Oct 1st meeting will not have a scheduled guest speaker. However, Mona Phillips and Beverly Dandurand will be there representing “The Friends of the E Louise Childs Library”. Several members of Hopatcong Seniors Inc have been devoted founding members of this library affiliated nonprofit organization. This worthy volunteer group raises funds to support additional programs and services for children and adults at the ELC branch Library. The organization was established to gain public support of the Library’s program, to aid in the purchase of items and equipment outside of local and state funding budgets, and to encourage private gifts, endowments, and memorials. Unfortunately, like so many nonprofits, the pandemic has hindered fundraising drives. Still unstoppable in their mission to raise money for this library, Beverly has handmade fashionable tote bags that will be displayed and on sale at this meeting. Attendees who find appreciation in their local library can purchase a tote bag to help the Friends of the Library. – The library is most grateful of this since they are slowly phasing in new ideas that are safe and welcoming for every age category. Each bag is $15.00 and it is a tax deductible donation! Checks are made to Friends of the ELC Library and cash is accepted too. Those that cannot make the Hopatcong Seniors Oct 1st meeting can still purchase the totes directly from the E Louis Childs Library. Contact them in advance before your visit at 973 770-1000

Interested in becoming a Friends of E Louise Childs Library member? Visit their website at https://friendsoflclibrary.org/become-a-friends-volunteer/join-the-friends/ and download their application form. Their email address is FriendsELouiseChildsLib@gmail.com

Although the local branch libraries appeared to be dormant when their doors were closed to the public, they really were quite busy. All the branches were networked together as part of the Sussex County Library System. Having a Sussex County Library System card has opened Sussex County residents to the e-learning world of free foreign language courses, e-magazines and e-books but most appreciated was the interactive Zoom meet ups on interesting local topics. During periods of isolation, many Senior Adults were able to see familiar community friends during these library sponsored Zoom events. The County library system was also one of the earliest contacts for technical guidance videos in setting up zoom on one’s own devices.

There is still uncertainty on when and where the Hopatcong Seniors Inc will have their indoor meetings. However, their local library can give them technical advice on how to host zoom meetings. The new technology we have learned during this pandemic has brought new ideas on how to explore interesting places.