April
10th is fast approaching. This is the deadline for
resolutions for the conference in August. Please forward
your resolutions now for inclusion on this year's
agenda. The 48th Annual Conference will take place
at the Delta Hotel in Kitchener on August 28 - 30,
2006.
Please
note that the date has been moved forward from previous
years. It is now at the end of the month rather that
at the beginning. The change was voted on and passed
by the membership at the 2005 conference. We are busy
lining up speakers and workshops. Please mark August
28, 29 and 30 on your calendar and join fellow members
for this informative two and a half days - we look
forward to seeing you.
Your
club will shortly be receiving materials for Seniors'
Month. This year's theme is Active Living/Healthy
Living. If you have special events planned, please
share them with The Voice and the Ontario Senior Secretariat.
The OSS will be listing senior items of interest on
their website as will the USCO. Our website is www.uscont.ca
and the website for the OSS is http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/seniors/english/seniorsmonth-06.htm
June
15th is World Elder Abuse Day. As the senior population
increases, so does elder abuse of all kinds - financial,
physical and mental. Do your best to keep your community
aware of the 4 - 10% of seniors who experience some
form of elder abuse. Literature and information can
be obtained through calling 1.888.910.1999.
In
this edition of The Voice, you will note the response
from the Ministry of Health regarding macular degeneration.
A very active group from Midland Seniors Council has
been communicating with the Ministry of Health and
the USCO. It would be helpful if all of us supported
this group and worked toward improved current treatment
of AMD that is fully funded by public health care
dollars.
The
next call for New Horizon grants will be in early
April and will close by the end of June. If you require
information regarding this grant, please contact Social
Development Canada at 1.800.277.9914. When dates are
confirmed, the email address will be published in
The Voice.
The New Horizons grant is a great opportunity for
your club to create new programs. Be sure to investigate
it.
As
we are all well aware, Ontario's senior population
is growing. Seniors (65+) are very active community
members, both economically and socially. Senior volunteers
put in more hours than ever and there are more of
us than in any other age group. We are involved, not
only in our own communities, but also through federal
and provincial government programs. Never underestimate
the value of seniors to the community.
The
perception that seniors draw heavily from social programs
and the frequent portrayal in the media that all seniors
are frail and need care is very inaccurate. The vast
majority of seniors are contributors - remind your
local media and politicians of that frequently.
Resolutions
by April 10
Conference - August 28, 29, 30
If
you want change, be a part of it. Bring in new members
and keep your interest and awareness level high.
P.S.
I'd like to share this old verse my father taught
us - if you know the second verse, please send it
in - I can't remember it.
Spring
has sprung
The grass is riz
I wonder where the boidies is?
(Need
I translate?)
Happy
Easter to All and Take care of one another!
Best
Regards,
Judith
A. Muzzi
