Role

The Board shall be the governing body responsible for maintaining the constitutional integrity of the Council, for setting policy and for all its operations, officers, staff and committees.

Composition

The Board shall be comprised of 12 members to include: President, Past President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer plus six elected Directors. Two-thirds of the Board must be 55 years of age or over.

Responsibilities

The constitutional responsibilities of a Board Member are:

In addition the role of Board Member is to:

• Work to actively promote the Council in the community.
• Keep abreast of issues affecting seniors;
• Remain aware of developments affecting the policy of the Council;
• Be familiar with the strategic plan, and to contribute towards achieving the goals and objectives therein;
• Participate in the discussion of issues at Board meetings;
• Bring important issues to the attention of the Community Development Committee and the Board, and facilitate action being taken on those issues;
• Participate in the work of at least one committee or task force; and
• Actively encourage community members to participate in the work of the Council.

Community Development Committee

Purpose:

The Community Development Committee shall undertake programs of research, planning, education and advocacy consistent with the Council's Mission and Mandate.

Goals:

• To facilitate dialogue, collaboration and cooperation amongst seniors, caregivers, service providers and community leaders.
• To provide advice and recommendations to local governments.
• To mobilize physical, human and economic resources to meet seniors needs.

Strategies:

• To gather and compile the research of other individuals and organizations to determine the existing services delivery levels.
• To gather and compile the research of other individuals and organizations to determine the needs of seniors in the community.
• To establish health, social service and related service priorities for seniors.
• To liaise with other planning bodies, such as the Social Planning Council and the District Health Council.
• To represent seniors in the planning process.
• To strike sub-committees or task forces to address issues identified.
• To identify appropriate resource people, and recruit these individuals to carry out the tasks identified to achieve the purpose and goals of this committee.

Resource Development Committee

Purpose:

The Resource Development Committee shall be responsible for conducting the fund-raising activities necessary to provide financial support for the achievement of the Council's Mission and Mandate.

Goals:

• To acquire core funding to sustain the Council's administrative and operational costs.
• To acquire funds to support specific projects initiated by or supported by the Council.

Strategies:

• Develop and maintain a funder database (names, addresses, phone numbers, terms and conditions, etc) of all possible funding sources.
• Regularly provide Board and Council members up-to-date information about Council needs and fundraising opportunities.
• Recruit volunteers specifically for clearly identified tasks (i.e., volunteers for bingo).
• Liaise with the Community Development Committee to gather contact information and to collaborate on promotion of fund-raising endeavours.
• Liaise with other committees to develop proposals which address identified concerns and have fund generating possibilities.

Publicity Committee

Purpose:

The Publicity Committee shall be responsible for ensuring effective liaison and communication amongst the various communities.

Goals:

• To promote the Council on Aging.
• To promote communication amongst members and the community at large.
• To promote awareness of seniors issues and concerns.

Strategies:

• Maintain a contact list identifying all media representatives, including contact information (e.g., name, address, telephone number, deadlines..).
• Regularly inform the Council and its committees of emerging situations which require the attention of the Council.
• Receive information from Council committees which needs to be communicated to a broader audience.