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SUNBURST 9
March 1, 2007
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the annual general meeting of the
Alberta Seniors United Now Society will be held as follows:
Tuesday April 17, 2007
10:00 AM
St. Andrew’s Centre
12720 – 111th Ave
Edmonton, AB
Opening remarks from the (to be announced)
Silent Auction 8:45AM to 9:45AM and 12:00PM to 1:00PM
Members of the public welcome
For the purpose of:
1. President’s report
2. Receiving and considering financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the report of the auditors thereon
3. Electing directors; and
4. Transacting such further and other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof
Dated the 12th day of March, 2007
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
As a registered society SUN must complete specified business items at their annual general meeting. However, it has been and shall continue to be our intention to promote the meeting as a social and informational gathering focused on seniors. Specifically we hope to accomplish two things with this approach.
- Create an opportunity for all concerned individuals to meet, exchange ideals and become informed on seniors issues.
- Visually demonstrate our solidarity to elected officials and the media by gathering as large a group of concerned individuals as possible.
The reality is that assisting the elderly and seniors issues are not considered sufficiently glamorous or high profile. It is up to us to ensure that our elected officials pay attention. This will only be accomplished through a united effort and voice.
WE ARE ONLY ALONE IF WE CHOOSE TO BE
AGM information:
Voting at AGM – you must be a member of SUN and your membership must be current to vote on any motions at the AGM.
If your membership is due for renewal, a coloured renewal notice will be included with this newsletter. Please submit your renewal as soon as possible.
AGM Materials – SUN members shall receive a meeting information package at the registration desk. The package will contain the meeting agenda and related materials.
Registration - To avoid undue stress and confusion at the registration desk or during the meeting we would draw your attention to the following:
- The registration desk shall be open from 8:45 to 9:45AM. We would encourage members to arrive and register early. This will also provide you with the opportunity to view the silent auction table.
- Members shall be able to register at any of the designated registration desks.
- Though memberships may be renewed at the registration desks, we strongly encourage that this be done before hand.
- We encourage members to submit questions (in writing) prior to the actual meeting. Questions may be forwarded to the SUN office or hand delivered to any of the volunteers at the AGM.
- The board of directors shall not allow the meeting to be used as a forum for personal agendas or to express personal animosities.
Mr. Ron Ellis – Executive Director shall be chairing the AGM Committee and is looking for assistance in the following areas:
Volunteers – voting scrutinizers, greeters, register members, process renewals and new memberships, etc. It is expected that a volunteers meeting will be held the 1st week of April. Please contact the office to assist in any way you can.
Silent Auction/Donations – a silent auction will be held prior to and following the meeting. Anyone in attendance may participate. We are looking for donations of suitable items. Examples would include new items, antiques, collectibles, artwork, handcrafted items, etc. Pick-up can be arranged. Last year we had a terrific selection of items. The silent auction presents a wonderful opportunity to purchase items for a special occasion (birthday, Christmas, etc.) and to support a special cause.
Election of Directors and Officers – the Nominating Committee
Ron Ellis has been designated by the board of directors to act as chairman of the Nominating Committee and has been directed to prepare a slate of nominees. Member input is encouraged. Please contact Ron at the SUN office with any suggestions or recommendations. In addition, nominations will be called for from the floor. Nominators and nominees must be current members of SUN.
Parking
There is a reasonably sized free parking lot at the centre/parish and street parking available throughout the local area.
Communicating with Seniors
SUN is continuously looking for ways to effectively and economically communicate with the more than 330,000 seniors in Alberta. We want seniors and indeed their families, to know that they are not alone in their struggle to have a stability and sustainability of wellness within their home and community. We know that there are hundreds of senior social and recreational groups/organizations throughout the province and indeed that many members of SUN are also members of such groups/organizations. SUN is looking for a member of any and all such groups/organizations to communicate SUN news. Our office will provide a monthly report and would simply ask that its content be communicated to your group /organization. Based on numerous presentations SUN has made, most seniors are extremely interested in and supportive of SUN’s efforts. If you are a member of any senior group/organization that would be interested in a monthly update on seniors’ issues please contact our office.
HEALTH Committee
Chairperson - Ireen Slater
Our Health Committee is continuously reviewing articles, reports, data etc. and is working on a SUN position paper. This is an extremely time consuming issue and Ireen Slater deserves a special thank-you for her efforts.
MEMBERSHIP Committee
Chairperson - Harvey Voogd
We are pleased to announce that a SUN awards program was approved at the February, 2007 board meeting. Members will be receiving more information in the near future. In addition the board approved a SUN membership growth plan for 2007-2009. This includes plans for regular presentations in various venues and increased communication with other seniors’ groups and organizations.
Office of the independent Seniors
Advocate (OISA)
Ron Ellis acts as a SUN representative to “A Circle of Alberta Seniors Advocacy Group Chairpersons” Operating under the SALT banner ” The Circle of Chairs” continues to advocate for the establishment of an independent Seniors Advocate
ADVOCACY Committee
Chairperson - Liz Allchin
In its advocacy activity, SUN undertakes to work cooperatively with all who are interested in assisting the elderly and seniors issues. SUN has forwarded letters of congratulations to Premier Ed Stelmach, Seniors Minister – Greg Melchin and Minister of Health – Dave Hancock. The letters also requested the opportunity to meet and discuss a number of SUN recommendations regarding seniors’ issues. The recommendations that SUN intends to make are drawn from the SUN Questionnaire previously forwarded to all PC leadership candidates. (see Sunburst #8 for details) Though all candidates did not respond those that did indicated that the ideals presented had merit and in several instances were fully supportive.
Sun is aware that seniors have numerous issues that must be addressed. However, it has become increasingly evident that the rapidly increasing financial stress of living on a fixed income must be considered a priority. Interestingly, there seems to be as many seniors who do not want to talk about their financial difficulties, as there are seniors who will speak out.
In addition, we are well aware that the provincial government believes that “seniors have been paid back in spades”. Yet, perhaps there is hope. In a recent press release Premiere Stelmach committed to “create more affordable housing and options for seniors on fixed incomes that are faced with increasing housing costs”.
Our message to the provincial government is that seniors are not looking to be enriched. Rather, they are struggling to find a stability and sustainability of wellness within their home and community. We believe that SUN can provide rational, honest and compassionate input to aid the provincial government in meeting its commitment.
SUN shall make the following recommendations on behalf of seniors:
1. That income thresholds for all senior benefit programs be increased by a minimum of 50% over the next five years and the subsequent indexing of these thresholds.
2. That specific qualifying expenses be deductible in determining:
-The total annual income of seniors to which the Alberta personal income tax rate applies.
-The total annual income of seniors that measures their eligibility for all senior benefit programs.
Qualifying expenses would as an example include:
-Additional expenses incurred as a result of spouses having to live separately due to care requirements.
-Additional expenses incurred when a senior(s) can no longer perform required household duties.
3. That a loan program be developed that allows seniors to complete necessary repairs, modifications and replacements to their principal residence.
-Loan would be fully repayable when borrower(s) move out of residence.
-Loan would be interest free.
4. An increase in seniors housing units that cap rents at 30% of annual income.
5. An increase in senior health/home care benefits and the indexing of these benefits.
6. An increased focus on addressing transportation issues such as:
-aging driver support
-affordable alternative community transportation
7. The establishment of an Independent Seniors Advocate.
It is generally if not universally agreed that there is a considerable benefit (including financial) to society/taxpayers to have seniors remain in their own home and community as long as is safely possible.
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