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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 - Senior Advisory Board - Annual Report1 CITY OF FORT COLLINS SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD Annual Report 2009 Mission Statement: As determined by the Fort Collins City Council, The Senior Advisory Board shall serve as a supporting agency for all services, activities, and issues that affect seniors in Fort Collins. Outreach • A pilot PowerPoint presentation was used at the November outreach meeting to introduce the purpose and work of the SAB and to facilitate discussion. The SAB plans to perfect the presentation and use it in various senior citizen venues: i.e. organizations, churches, to better network with the senior population in Fort Collins. • Two outreach meetings were held in 2009 in an effort to increase the Board’s accessibility to seniors within the community. o The Senior Center Council joined the SAB at the Sept. outreach meeting at the Senior Center, highlighted by opening remarks by the Mayor. o The November outreach meeting was held at the Woodbridge Senior Apts. Issues raised by community members in attendance included: 1) lack of traffic control signals on West Elizabeth St. 2) excessive speed on the street 3) cyclists on the sidewalks 4) lack of co-ordination in Dial-A-Ride trip scheduling • The Board has secured business cards and printed informative fliers highlighting the function of the SAB and provides a contact number to reach the Board. The cards are to be distributed at outreach meetings and senior gatherings. • In cooperation with the Larimer County Office on Aging and the Loveland Senior Advisory Board, the Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board hosted the 2009 Bridging the Gap event. There was a record attendance at this networking opportunity for senior service providers in the area. • Senior Advisory Board members participated in a host of area events for seniors: Aspen Club Medicare Program Budget Workshop sponsored by the city Cemetery Stroll Community Chat on Elder Abuse Holiday Market at the Senior Center Human Relations Breakfast Rocky Mountain Senior Games Senior Art Show Senior Center Accreditation Celebration 2 Senior Center Expansion Launch Senior Law Day Sundance Musical Festival and Chili Cook-Off Transportation Forum United Way “State of the Community” Luncheon • Members of the Senior Advisory Board participated individually in a variety of ongoing activities in the community including: AARP Alzheimer’s Association Aspen Club/ PVHS Colorado School & Public Employees Retirement Association Colorado Activities Professionals Association Eldercare Network First United Methodist Church: Senior Adult Council Fort Collins Senior Center Expansion Committee Homeless Prevention Initiative Instructor: “Strong Women Strong Bones”- Aspen Club exercise class Instructor for art classes at Senior Center and Rigden Farm Office on Aging Advisory Council Public Employee Retirement Association Poudre Retired School Employees Association RSVP grocery delivery program Senior Center volunteers for numerous events/activities Senior Center volunteer driver Senior Sports Club UniverCity Connections Transit Task Force Advocacy • Members of the Senior Advisory Board were encouraged to attend at least one City Council meeting during the year in order to familiarize themselves with the procedures should they need to appear before the City Council. • The Mayor, who is the Liaison from City Council to the SAB attended an outreach meeting and provided an update on the “Budgeting for Outcomes” process and a progress report on the Mason Street Corridor. • In co-operation with the Human Relations Commission, the Senior Advisory Board sponsored a “Community Chat” on Elder Abuse. • A SAB member serves on the Senior Center Expansion Committee and has kept the Board abreast of ongoing progress on the Expansion Project. • Members of the SAB participated in the Senior Center re-accreditation process and attended the Senior Center Accreditation Celebration. 3 • The Senior Advisory Board submitted a letter to the City Council in support of the Strategic Transit Plan and highlighting the need for transportation alternatives to MCR. • Board members completed a self-assessment questionnaire and the Chair and Vice-Chair appeared before City Council for the periodic review of the SAB. • Board members attended a “Budget Workshop” conducted by city officials, as well as a meeting for a “review of the proposed budget.” • The SAB wrote a letter to the City Council in support of the proposed city budget with a request to maintain the current level of senior services should additional reductions be necessary. • The Senior Advisory Board continues to highlight transportation issues relevant to seniors by working with the Transportation Board and transportation advocacy groups and providing input to transit officials. Communication • Articles have been submitted and printed in “50+ Marketplace” about the work of the SAB and the Senior Center Expansion. • The SAB Communications Committee has developed a Power Point presentation and plans to initiate a “Speakers Bureau” (comprised of SAB members) to visit various senior groups in order to provide information about the SAB and the resources available to seniors in our community. • The Board invited the Mayor and City Council members to attend the Art Show at the Senior Center to encourage interaction between elected officials and seniors in the community. • The officers of the SAB met with the Mayor two times during the year to review the Board’s Work Plan and highlight senior issues. • Senior Advisory Board members have served as liaisons to these boards, commissions, and groups: AARP, Alzheimer’s Association, Aspen Club, Bicycle Board, Columbine Health Systems Elder Care Network, Fort Collins Senior Center, Human Relations Commission, Larimer Co. Office on Aging, Poudre Retired School Employees, RSVP/VOA, Transportation Board, and UniverCity Connections. • Representatives of Transfort, Kurt Ravenschlag and Nicole Hahn, attended SAB meetings to present the Strategic Transit Plan, review the updated Plan, and solicit input from Board members. 4 • The Senior Advisory Board recognized two outstanding seniors in the community by nominating Bud Herin for the United Way- Senior Volunteer, and the HRC-Senior Award and Yvonne Myers for the BTG –Senior Service Award.