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ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS NEEDED
(Scarborough, ME, June 15, 2018) – The Southern Maine Agency on Aging is looking for members of the community interested in joining the Agency’s Advisory Council for one, two or three year terms. Below please find a brief description of the role of the Advisory Council and the “qualifications” of a potential member of the Advisory Council.
The major purpose of the Advisory Council is to be a link between the community and SMAA, offering expertise and insight to SMAA staff and Board of Directors. The Advisory Council reviews SMAA’s plans, activities, and programs in light of community needs.
Since the Advisory Council includes participants in programs and people who have specialized knowledge, its comments and opinions are valuable to the SMAA Board.
Major functions of the Advisory Council members include:
- Review and comment on plans – The Agency’s Area Plan is submitted to the Advisory Council for review and comment. Other program plans are also reviewed periodically.
- Review and comment on program reports - The Advisory Council reviews and comment on program outcome reports. This process keeps the Council informed about the Area plan development and progress in addressing community needs.
- Convey Community needs and problems to the SMAA Board of Directors - The Advisory Council takes on an active advocacy role by identifying community needs and problems and by assessing SMAA programs’ response that are shared with SMAA’s Board of Directors.
- Act as an Agency ambassador in the community - Advisory Council members can do a great deal to educate older adults and caregivers about the programs and services available to them through SMAA. The Advisory Council members often work with legislators and local public officials to help them understand the programs and goals of the Agency. Advisory Council members can be involved in developing needed resources such as fund raising. These activities should be closely coordinated with the Board and senior staff.
A potential member’s qualifications should include:
- A background in private or volunteering sector, leadership and advocacy skills.
- Ability to devote the necessary time to meetings. The Council currently meets six times a year, on the last Thursday of the following months: October (first meeting after being appointed), December, February, April, June and August from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the SMAA Headquarters in Scarborough. Meeting date and location may change periodically.
- Meet guidelines for Advisory Council members outlined in the Older Americans Act and regulations which specify that Advisory Councils include:
- More than 50 percent of Council is older people and includes:
- Older persons with greatest social and economic need
- Older minority individuals
- Participants in Agency on Aging funded services (e.g., SMAA programs)
- Representatives of older persons (e.g., AARP, Senior Groups/Clubs, Retiree Groups, TRIAD, etc.)
- Local elected officials (Town Councils, Legislators, County Commissioners)
- Representatives of health care provider organizations, including providers of veteran health care (if appropriate) (Hospital, Home Health, Nursing Home, Mental Health, etc.)
- Representatives of supportive services provider organizations (Transportation, Vision, Homemaker, Housing, Assisted Living, etc.)
- The general public
- More than 50 percent of Council is older people and includes:
If you are interested in learning more about becoming an SMAA Advisory Council member, please contact Kathy Heggeman at 396-6504 or kheggeman@smaaa.org.
ABOUT SOUTHERN MAINE AGENCY ON AGING (SMAA)
Since 1973, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging has provided residents of York and Cumberland counties with resources and assistance to address the issues and concerns of aging. The Agency serves people ages 60 and older, family caregivers, and people under 60 with a disability. Agency services are devoted to fulfilling its mission to improve the quality of life for older adults, adults with disabilities, and the people who care for them. For more information, visit www.smaaa.org.
