|
|
|
PAST Newsletters>
SUNBURST 13
July 3, 2008
Presidents 2008 AGM Remarks:
I am pleased to report that your Board of Directors has concluded a successful year in which the Goals and Objectives of Alberta Seniors United Now have been furthered.
I will commence my address by giving a brief overview of the changes and successes your Board achieved during 2007.
• As there was no quorum at the 2007 AGM, All board members, except Harvey Voogd, agreed to continue to serve another year. We then accepted John Shaw’s offer to serve as our Secretary and Frances Badrock, Chair of the St Albert Chapter, to serve as a member at large. This gave us a slate of Eight Directors.
• Following the 2007 AGM we accepted the resignation of our Executive Director, Mr Ron Ellis. Due to our membership remaining at approximately 2000 paid members, the Board decided not to replace Ron as our revenue was inadequate.
• Your board members stepped forward and picked up the duties that were required.
We did have some notable Successes;
The board started the year with a stated objective of being more proactive in regards to advocating for senior issues and senior rights within this wealthy province. Previously we were more reactive.
To that end, we established seven priorities that were current and needed. Briefly they are;
1. Increase income thresholds by 50% over the next 5 years.
2. Specific qualifying expenses be deductible in arriving at net income for thresholds.
3. Promote an Alberta Seniors Principal Residence Program to assist seniors to maintain their homes.
4. Increase in senior housing units that caps rents at 30% of annual income.
5. Increase in senior Health/home care benefits.
6. Focus on senior transportation issues.
7. Establish an Independent Seniors Advocate
Our action in these areas was as follows;
-The principal residence program was finalized and forwarded to all 83 MLAs. It received considerable feedback including a letter from Greg Melchen, then minister of seniors and community services.
-News releases were issued regarding: Current Thresholds inadequate, Need for Rent controls, Need for enhanced medical coverage, Need for an independent Senior advocate
-A member of the board sits on the Edmonton senior transportation task force.
Your board has been actively advocating on your behalf, to keep our issues before the politicians and the press. Another of our stated objectives is to encourage all senior organizations to act co-operatively. “ the larger the voice, the more we will be heard “ To this end, we continue to be an active member of the Circle of chairs/Seniors Task force and to encourage all members on this committee to concentrate on the same issues for wider impact.
Other activities include our being invited to meet with the Liberal party of Alberta to critique their senior policies, Introduction of the NDP senior policies at our St Albert Chapter
We met with the Senior Advisory council of Alberta to stress the need for an independent Seniors Advocate and today we have the new Minister addressing our AGM.
WE ARE NOW A KNOWN AND RESPECTED ORGANIZATION.
As I referred earlier to our paid membership of 2000 members, we are not growing. Membership growth is a major challenge for 2008. It is imperative that we revitalize and grow in numbers. The larger our numbers the louder our voice
The Board has developed the following steps to encourage growth.
-Have Educational seminars on current senior issues. Attract new members through education.
-Address current senior issues by communicating regularly with the Hon. Mary Anne Jablonski
-Communicate regularly with all MLAs.
-Continue to facilitate co-operation between all senior Organizations
We have now achieved financial stability and are in a better position to pursue the above objectives.
To conclude, I believe SUN is poised to move forward as an effective voice for seniors. We are making a difference. Our public image has increased and we are well known in Alberta. We are a serious advocate for seniors’ issues. We are working hard to ensure that seniors are treated equally and fairly within the prosperity of Alberta.
I believe that the need for SUN has never been more acute than now, as we venture forth to advocate to a government with such a large majority. I see Alberta Seniors United Now Society as being there to keep this Government honest regarding senior issues.
Together we must grow and strive to keep our issues in the political debate.
Gordon Voth,
President
Alberta Seniors United Now
YOUR CONCERNS….
The SUN office frequently receives calls, faxes & emails from concerned seniors, members and non-members. For your information we are highlighting some of the issues brought to our attention over the past several months.
Rental Increases …
The annual increases being faced by seniors on a fixed income are becoming if not already at the unmanageable rate. The options for seniors are limited. The common responses from landlords being if you don’t like it move.
Education Portion of Property Taxes…
This continues to be an issue that affects senior homeowners. As the market value of homes has increased property taxes have escalated. While seniors understand the fact the value of their homes have appreciated, the fact is unless you are selling, it doesn’t help you today. Most seniors have paid education taxes for many years. When does it stop? When you sell your home & are then at the mercy of the rental market.
Home Maintenance/Renovations…
Many senior homeowners wanting to remain in their homes and communities are having difficulty maintaining their home. Unfortunately some seniors need to hire individuals or companies to do maintenance such as…Snow removal, lawn care, trimming trees, cleaning gutters & windows. Maintenance that seniors have managed for years on their own is now an additional financial expense.
Income Thresholds…
Qualification of many seniors benefits are based upon income Thresholds. Many seniors do not qualify as they are slightly above the threshold. The question has also been raised as to why this is based on total Income rather than Taxable income.
Financial Exploitation of Seniors
What is senior financial abuse?
The improper use of an elder’s funds, property or assets constitutes financial exploitation or abuse. An exploiter can be an individual, an institution, or even someone who has power of attorney for the elder.
Obvious examples of financial exploitation include cashing an elderly person’s checks without authorization; forging an older person’s signature; or misusing or stealing an older person’s money or possessions. Another example is deceiving an older person into signing any contract, will, or other document.
Stealing the senior’s Pride
Financial abuse can rob a senior of self–esteem and trust, as well as their means of subsistence. Although financial exploitation does not leave physical scars, it is a serious and shameful crime. Every day con artists and scammers talk senior citizens out of their hard-earned money. They do it on the phone, through the mail, on television, on the internet and at the door. Sadly, sometimes these thieves are friends and family members.
Why would family & so called friends defraud a senior?
-Family members dealing with personal issues such as: substance abuse, gambling or financial problems, often they are looking for a “quick fix” and feel the senior is obligated to help them.
-They stand to inherit and feel justified in taking what they believe is “almost” or “rightfully” theirs.
-Fear that their older family member will get sick and use up their savings, depriving the abuser of an inheritance.
Who is at risk?
The following conditions or factors increase an older person's risk of being victimized:
Isolation, Loneliness, Recent losses, Physical or mental disabilities, Lack of familiarity with financial matters, Have family members who are unemployed and/or have substance abuse problems.
Why are the elderly attractive targets?
Many seniors do not realize the value of their assets (particularly homes that have appreciated markedly). The elderly are likely to have disabilities that make them dependent on others for help. These "helpers" may have access to homes and assets, and may exercise significant influence over the older person. They may have predictable patterns (e.g. because older people are likely to receive monthly checks, abusers can predict when an older people will have money on hand or need to go to the bank). Abusers may assume that frail victims will not survive long enough to follow through on legal interventions, or that they will not make convincing witnesses. Some older people are unsophisticated about financial matters. Advances in technology have made managing finances more complicated.
What are the indicators?
Indicators are signs or clues that abuse has occurred. Some of the indicators listed below can be explained by other causes or factors and no single indicator can be taken as conclusive proof. Rather, one should look for patterns or clusters of indicators that suggest a problem.
Unpaid bills, eviction notices, or notices to discontinue utilities, Withdrawals from bank accounts or transfers between accounts that the older person cannot explain. Bank statements and canceled checks no longer come to the elder's home. New "best friends", Legal documents, such as powers of attorney, which the older person didn't understand at the time he or she signed them. Unusual activity in the older person's bank accounts including large, unexplained withdrawals, frequent transfers between accounts, or ATM withdrawals. The care of the elder is not commensurate with the size of his/her estate. A caregiver expresses excessive interest in the amount of money being spent on the older person. Belongings or property are missing. Suspicious signatures on checks or other documents. Absence of documentation about financial arrangements. Implausible explanations given about the elderly person's finances by the elder or the caregiver. The elder is unaware of or does not understand financial arrangements that have been made for him or her.
Preventing financial Exploitation
Maintain your network of friends & acquaintances; learn to recognize the indicators of financial abuse. Become informed of your financial position; keep your cash in a financial institution rather than your home to avoid risk of theft. Arrange to have cheques deposited directly to your bank account. Agree upon a schedule of repayment before loaning any money to friends or relatives, write it down & have both parties sign. Review your will occasionally and make revisions only after serious consideration. Have a person you trust review documents that you are uncertain about before you sign them.
If you are being financially abused, talk to someone you trust. Help is available
SUN BYLAWS – Quorum
Dear Members
The 2008 Annual general meeting once again did not attract a quorum of members. As a result we were not able to conduct the business of our society. We did present reports and the annual financial statements for information. At this time the financial statements for year end Dec 31, 2007 are audited and approved.
As per our bylaws we require a quorum of 200 members to conduct the societies business and to elect board members. In the event no quorum is achieved, our bylaws stipulate that the current board members will continue to serve until a quorum is achieved and elections can be held. All board members have agreed to continue to serve and the board has appointed Mr. Ray Martin, as a member at large. We have a full board in place and they are proceeding to conduct the affairs of Alberta Seniors United Now Society.
At the April 17th AGM a straw vote was taken as to whether we should reduce our quorum number and what would be an acceptable quorum to conduct an Annual general Meeting. The overwhelming result of the straw vote was to lower the quorum requirements to 100 members.
The board then reviewed options to achieve a Bylaw change to lower the quorum requirements to 100 members. We accepted three options:
1) To conduct a mail in ballot and if 75% of respondents agreed, then we would apply to have the quorum requirements changed.
2) To hold a special meeting, as soon as possible, and hope a quorum is achieved.
3) To hold an Information event in the fall, with an interesting speaker, followed by a special meeting.
We then proceeded to contact the Registrar of Societies to confirm what options were available.
We also consulted with legal advice. The result of our enquiries was that we only had two options:
1) To hold another meeting to change the bylaws.
2) Apply to the courts for a bylaw change.
The board opted to hold a special meeting in the fall, in conjunction with an information event. This special meeting will be held in Late September or early October 2008. It will feature a guest speaker, followed by a brief meeting on the issue of quorum change. No other item will be on the agenda, so it will be a short meeting. In conjunction with this event we plan to conduct a 50-50 draw, a prize raffle, door prizes & a silent auction followed by a light lunch.
I would urge you to mark this event on your calendar and plan on attending.
It will be an informative and enjoyable time for all.
In the event we are not successful in achieving a quorum we will have no alternative but to apply to the courts. This could be a lengthy and costly process. Alberta Seniors United Now is your organization and voice on seniors’ issues. Please plan on attending and help your organization achieve a quorum, allowing us to focus on the vital issues that seniors need and want to be addressed.
Gordon Voth
President-Alberta Seniors United Now
Strategic Planning – Our road to the future
The Board of Directors met on June 6th to discuss what role SUN
could play in advocating to such a large majority in government.
It was soon evident from our discussions that for SUN to be successful we need to:
? continue to grow into a province wide organization
? Be more politically active
? Increase our Provincial profile
Our mission is:
To represent every individual senior in Alberta so that the seniors of Alberta, may speak with one voice on the issues that matter to us.
In reviewing this mission statement we identified that we would have to look to the needs of our current members and also to attract future members. Our program therefore should reach out to:
? Middle income seniors who are feeling the pinch of inflation and rising utility costs.
? Albertans who are 55+ and still working…”Boomers”
? Advocate on issues that pertain to all Albertans
? Create a seniors umbrella organization so seniors may collectively speak with one voice
We then looked at current issues that are placing hardships on seniors. We identified the following as the most pressing.
? Threshold limits are too low
? Expansion of Home Care Services – assist seniors to remain in their own homes as long as safely possible
? Increased low income housing – affordable housing
? Implementation of home assistance program – to assist seniors in the maintenance of their home
The board of directors plans to communicate these issues to all provincial politicians and advocate for their inclusion in the provincial budget process.
We welcome any feedback our members would like to share with us. Please let us know by Email, Mail or fax what issues you feel are urgent and should be addressed by SUN.
Gordon Voth
President
Advocacy….
Excerpt from July08 letter sent to:
Alberta Utilities Commission, Utilities Consumer Advocate, Honourable Mel Knight - Minister – Energy & Honourable Mary Anne Jablonski – Minister – Seniors and Community Supports
The Board of Directors and the members of Alberta Seniors United Now are alarmed at the significant increase in Natural Gas rates that have recently been approved. This exorbitant rate increase does not seem to be a logical or fair increase for seniors or others struggling on a fixed income. Such increases only reduce the financial resources seniors need for basic expenses such as food, medications & lodging. This is unfair and is forcing many seniors into a desperate situation.
It is the recommendation of Alberta Seniors United Now that utility increase for seniors be linked to the pension increases received from CPP. This would be a structure that would match the increased expenses with increased revenue. It is time that the Alberta Utilities Commission consider the growing number of Alberta Seniors and their financial restraints when it makes utility increase decisions. A two rate system would be more reasonable and would recognize the dilemma Alberta Seniors are facing.
Please do not continue to deplete seniors’ finite resources. It is imperative that you implement a system of rate setting that recognizes the needs of seniors.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News Release: July 04, 2008
Inadequate increase in Alberta Seniors Benefit threshold
Edmonton…The Alberta government’s June 24th announcement of increases to the Alberta Seniors Benefit falls severely short of the mark. Annual income thresholds were increased by $500 for singles and by $1000 for couples. Gordon Voth, President of Seniors United Now (SUN) said, “These values are ridiculously low. Single seniors earning more than $22,700 per year are ineligible for the Alberta Seniors Benefit, as are senior couples earning more than $36,900. We expected a lot more from our government than this!”
SUN has advocated for increases to thresholds and is extremely disappointed in the June 24th announcement. “We asked the government for a minimum increase of 50% over the next five years. Clearly, the announced increases are nowhere near the required levels. The government response is inadequate at best,” said Voth.
These extremely low threshold levels, coupled with the inflationary cost of living, make independent living very difficult, if not impossible, for many seniors. “In a province with a surplus the size of Alberta’s, it is difficult to understand why the government will not provide the necessary provisions for seniors to remain independent, a way of life for seniors which has social and economic benefits for all of Alberta,” said Voth. “We are mystified.”
|
|
