It is very appropriate that October 1st is International Seniors Day, as this report has a heavy focus on how we can support seniors. Since I have been President, we have focussed upon making the Centre financially secure, whilst offering activities that are good for Seniors and of course the affordable meals, all in a welcoming joyous environment. I believe we have achieved that but it has only be achieved by a lot of hard work by too many volunteers to count accurately. The organisation achieved by installing the MySeniorCenter (MSC) membership and kiosk entry system has been invaluable in efficiently providing service to our members. Installation and implementation of MSC only happened with a tremendous amount of work from a core of volunteers that we have previously acknowledged. However, at this time we need to identify one in particular Chris Twait.
Chris was a key member of the team that initially implemented the MSC system, she help trained volunteers to use the system, and worked at the front desk servicing members. She went on to join the Board of Directors of the Centre and became responsible for revamping our human resources is section. She also runs the cash desk at the bingo (not as easy a task as it sounds).
Not many have worked harder on our behalf in the last 12 months than Chris. At this time though she has stepped down from the Board of Directors to take a well-deserved break in which to recharge her batteries. However, you will still see her filling in shifts at the front desk and keeping us on track at BINGO. I would like to thank Chris for her incredible service to us and congratulate her on making the decision to look after herself more.
To measure how important our affordable meals are, the income for sales of the frozen entrees was greater than that for in-house meals in the last two months. This level of production however is putting a tremendous strain on Emily and her assistant Liz. We are formulating a plan that will hopefully reduce their stress yet maintain or even increase production of frozen entrees. Food insecurity is such a large issue for Seniors, it is our duty to reach out to as many of them as we can with affordable nutritious meals.
Another huge issue with Seniors as mentioned last month, is getting Seniors out of their homes with accessible transportation. At the Fall General Membership meeting 1pm October 23rd, we will be making a motion to purchase a wheelchair accessible van to service our members and the broader community. At that time, we will outline how this will be an affordable and beneficial proposition. So please make sure you attend this very important meeting to vote on this and other important motions.
All of the following need membership approval:
- Changes in language in the bylaws to reflect changes in our governance.
- Motion to remove the position of Past-President as a required non-voting member of the SSAC Board of Directors.
- Motion to remove the position of Maintenance Director as a member of the Executive of the SSAC Board of Directors and to replace it with a seventh Director at Large.
- Motion to purchase a wheelchair-accessible van.
This is a very exciting and positive time at the SSAC, so please come to the Fall General Membership meeting 1 pm October 23rd and make your opinions known. This is your Centre. Help us make the right decisions, to make this a prosperous and joyful place.
