Report to Community
Our first year as an official Not for Profit has been a tremendous success and a year of learning. Our first strike out as an organization focused on clearly on our vision and mission statement:
Vision Statement:
Our vision is a community where seniors are fully engaged as active Elders in the continued development of our community in order to create cultural assets for future generations to build upon.
Mission statement:
To bring that vision into reality, we will develop educational arts based events to address issues that impact seniors and ultimately, the community at large in Calgary.
I would like to formally acknowledge our board who have committed for 2 year terms:
George Hopkins, Gloria Zerr, Rhonda Richards, Amalia Tauber & Vidya Richardson.
I would also like to thank Grant Jones for his work as an Advisor and supporter. I would like to thank the rest of our advisory committee - Ken Low, Donald McKay, Trina Metz, Roman Katznelson, Blythe Butler & Jamie Niesson. Finally I would like to thank a very dedicated SAG member Del Rath who volunteered her time.
Partnerships are a vital way of growing our organization. Person power and funds are often strapped but by working with people in other organizations we can maximize our capacities.
This year saw our partnerships grow, we maintained a very healthy relationship with the Glendale Meadows Community Association, nurtured new and important partnerships with the City of Calgary, The Kerby Centre, CPL, Volunteer Calgary and the Universities. We are growing new potential partnerships too with CALL, Calgary Learns, The Raging Grannys and Aspen Family and Community Services.
It is important to also acknowledge our financial partners, The City of Calgary & New Horizons for Seniors.
We engaged with over 454 people on our Wise Journey Project this year. This included 6 core team members, 23 Seniors volunteered on the project, 40 non seniors volunteered or were engaged on the project and 272 seniors attended our performances. With requests for more.
We engaged people on the internet through our lipdub and digital stories and are establishing an online community as well.
We are also facing very important questions. We need to consider how to use the resources we have before us. We need to find ongoing funding for a part time employee as we are relying on donated administration at the moment and that can be unreliable in busy times for the organization. We have some choices to make about charitable status.
We also need to consider what capacities we need to grow as a board, and we are well positioned to ask for help from various organizations.
We are also at a place where we need to consider how best to maintain the group of elders who want to come along with us on the journey.
We need to consider a rigor for deciding what shows to do and why.
It is good to be in this reflective space, it shows much growth. I am proud to have spent the year growing and learning with The Seniors Action Group.
Sincerely,
Mariette Sluyter
Executive Director
If you are interested in connecting with SAG by being on our mailing list, becoming a member, an active member on committees or funding our activities please contact Mariette Sluyter or George Hopkins: seniorsactiongroup@gmail.com |
