Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. It is coming to that time of year when the harvest is so bountiful, and we have so much to be thankful for, especially this great country that we live in. As seniors we certainly fit into this category, but there is still such a need for improvement in so many areas.

I think after reading and listening to the debate on the resolutions that were received from your clubs, and brought forward at our 53rd Convention, that health care and affordable housing are still a great concern, and an important issue. U.S.C.O. is certainly dedicated and determined to work towards improvement in each of those areas, as well as many others.

There was a meeting of the Ontario Senior Secretariat Liaison Committee scheduled for September as well as a meeting on Long Term Care that 1st Vice President Bernard Jordaan and I planned to attend. Both of these have been cancelled and are being rescheduled for a later date. I promise you that when they are rescheduled a report will be in the Voice.

In September’s Voice I spoke about your new executive. The first meeting of the new Executive will be in Toronto on September 20th. Due to deadline dates for the Voice the results of this meeting will also be in November’s issue. Articles for the Voice must be submitted by the 8th of the previous month. I am requesting that Clubs or Zones who have news items to share, strive to meet this deadline. I personally feel that everyone enjoys reading what other clubs are doing, so keep those articles and pictures coming.

At our convention a meeting was held with the Executive, Field Reps. and Zone Presidents. At that meeting it was determined that a telephone conference call between the Field Reps. would be useful. This will be scheduled for mid October, and Field Reps. will be notified of the date when it is set at our Toronto meeting on Sept. 20th.

To all Field Reps. I am giving you advance notice, so that you can make a list of topics you would like discussed, and added to the agenda. If any club or zone has a concern, talk to your Field Reps. Field Reps. are a very important part of our organization as they are your link to the Executive. If you are unaware of who your Field Rep. is, check the list that will be in this Voice.

If your Zone at this time does not have a designated Field Rep, please talk will your club members and when you find someone willing to take on this position, write a letter to the U.S.C.O. nominating this person. The Executive will follow up on your request promptly. For those of you at the convention you heard Bernard Jordaan speak about the importance of each Zone having a Field Rep.

Again, from all of your U.S.C.O. Executive we wish you and yours Happy Thanksgiving.

YOURS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF SENIORS
Joyce Mitchell, President