ABOUT PALS

PERIMETER ADULT LEARNING & SERVICES (PALS), INC.
1548 Mount Vernon Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30338
(770) 698-0801


Perimeter Adult Learning and Services, Inc. (PALS), a Georgia corporation, is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), all-volunteer organization led by senior adults for senior adults. PALS offers life enrichment learning and other services in the Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Norcross and surrounding communities to those retirees 50+ years of age. Celebrating over eighteen years of service, PALS has grown from a modest 47 participants in the first year to as many as 1,400 participants in a single year.

Not only does PALS offer stimulating and educational classes, personal services, and socialization amongst peers, but, importantly, PALS also offers retirees an opportunity to “give back to the community’’ by volunteering their talents in the many aspects of providing such an extensive program. For example, the PALS Board is a working, all-volunteer, group of retirees from professional and business careers with extensive experience and a variety of technical skills, who give of their time and talents to PALS.

In 2008 board members alone contributed approximately 1,500 volunteer hours to PALS. Well over 100 other volunteers participate in all aspects of PALS operations from office tasks to teaching classes and performing individual services. The skills available from the PALS volunteers are extensive.

History
Begun in 1991 PALS and local congregations affiliated with PALS provide facilities, in-kind services and financial support as part of their outreach program for older adults.

PALS is an organization with members representing all faiths. Although congregations are PALS affiliates, PALS itself is not a religious organization. Other contributing organizations such as civic groups, corporate sponsors, which give support are also affiliates of PALS. These organizations along with our affiliate congregations are listed on the front of our quarterly brochures.

Life Enrichment Classes
The PALS quarterly life enrichment classes include the all-day Monday Lunch ’N Learn (L’NL) classes. Held in facilities provided by area congregations, PALS low-cost L’NL classes are focused upon the interests of senior adults. Subject topics offered in the lecture classes include finance, estate planning, history, gardening, health, world issues, literature, music, travel, religion, science, architecture, anthropology and the arts.

Instructors for the L’NL classes are all volunteers from Atlanta area businesses, educational and religious organizations, health services providers, other professionals, and retirees from PALS volunteers. The L’NL classes are held one day per week for 8 weeks, fewer in the Summer Session. At these L’NL sessions blood pressure checks, book exchange, and current information from area organizations are made available.

Fees
For the low cost of $40, the student may attend as many as three L’NL classes each Monday. Space permitting, an unregistered person may attend classes for one day for $7. A catered lunch is available. Based on need, partial or full scholarships are available.

Handy PALS Minor Home Repair
In addition to classes, PALS volunteers offer to senior homeowners in PALS service area the Handy PALS service, a minor home repair service encompassing tasks as simple as changing an overhead light bulb to putting up safety rails; often tasks are too small to get a professional to do. For each service call the homeowner pays the PALS volunteer the cost of materials used plus a small fee for gas and use of tools.

Governance
The business and affairs of PALS are managed by a 15-21 member, all volunteer, PALS board which consists of six officers, an Advisory Council Chair, and other at-large members. The board meets monthly, and each board member takes an active role in the committees that operate the entire organization. In addition to the board members, there are numerous volunteers headed by coordinators contributing to the functioning of the organization.

The Advisory Council, made up of the PALS officers, the Advisory Council Chair and two representatives from each of the congregation affiliates, meets quarterly to monitor the educational programs and give direct feedback from the congregations.

PALS officers serve one-year terms. A Nominating Committee proposes a new slate to the current board. The PALS board elects the incoming officers and board members with the approval of the Advisory Council.

Office hours
The PALS office is staffed four days per week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, by one part-time office manager. The office is closed on Thursday.

Operations
In-kind contributions and high utilization of volunteer personnel allow PALS to operate with an extremely low budget. Office space, utilities (except telephone and internet use), and copying service are donated by the Dunwoody United Methodist Church. This congregation and other area congregations furnish space and setup services for quarterly Lunch ‘N Learn classes and space for meetings.

Finances
PALS operating income comes 75% from class registration and 25% from donations. Individuals, congregation affiliates, businesses, civic organizations and foundations are the sources of donations. An annual report for up-to-date financial management is available on request.

Capital needs
To meet the current and future needs of this growing organization PALS is currently seeking funds specifically for capital expenditures to update our audio/visual/tech equipment for the Lunch ‘N Learn program and to update our office equipment.





Return to home page