Notes
Outline
Stanislaus County
Area Agency on Aging
Advisory Council
 “COMMISSION ON AGING”
AN ADVISORY COUNCIL
A voluntary group of citizens who provide information, guidance, and support to the Area Agency to develop, coordinate, and administer services to older persons.
A  BOARD
A Board of Directors can be defined as a governing body whose purpose is to establish goals and policies for the Area Agency and to develop procedures for carrying out these responsibilities.
BOARDS vs. COUNCILS
BOARDS:
Set policies & procedures
Hire Executive Director
Supervise Executive Director
Authorize fiscal expenditures
BOARDS vs. COUNCILS
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Advises on policy & procedures
Reviews resumes and makes recommendations
Makes fiscal expenditure recommendations
Advises and assist Area Agency Executive
AAA REALTIONSHIP TO
  ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Advisory councils depend largely on support from the Area Agency staff to carry out their responsibilities and functions.
 AAA STAFF ASSISTANCE
Orient & train Advisory Council members;
Share Agency information with Council members;
Brief members about program issues;
Legislative updates, reviewing & drafting recommendations;
Develop meeting agendas; contact absent members.
ADVISORY COUNCIL COMPOSITION
At least half (50%) of membership must be older persons and include older persons with greatest economic or social need and consumers of services funded by the Older Americans Act.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
MEMBERS ARE:
Representatives of older persons;
Local elected officials; and the
General Public
MEMBERSHIP SELECTION
MEMBERS ARE:
Appointed or elected to Advisory Council;
Appointment by a local unit of government, the AAA Director or staff; and
Elected by older persons including consumers of services.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Ability to function as a group member;
Ability to think objectively;
Demonstrated leadership qualities;
Commitment to representing the interest of older persons;
Willingness to devote time to council activities; and
Commitment to the purpose of the Area Agency.
BY-LAWS
   Describe the structure and organization of the Council by specifying:
Roles and functions of the council;
Procedures for selecting members;
Membership Terms; and
Frequency of meetings.
SIZE OF LOCAL COUNCIL
21 Members
Membership representation:
Geographic (districts, others)
Low income, minority
Service Provider (CSE,BHRS- Senior Access Team)
Local Elected Officials
LENGTH OF TERM
General
Stanislaus County
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
Full Committee
Executive Committee
Standing Committee
Ad Hoc Committee or Task Force
COUNCIL ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Council must advise the Area Agency on:
Developing and administering the Area Plan;
Conducting public hearings;
Representing the interest of older persons (advocacy); and
Reviewing and commenting on all community policies, programs and actions which affect older persons.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Assisting with performing needs assessments;
Reviewing and commenting on proposals submitted for funding;
Assisting in developing strategies to reach the isolated elderly;
Assisting in monitoring and evaluating service providers and service delivery;
Fostering communication among State Unit, AAA and the community.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES CON’T
Testifying or making presentations at local and state legislative hearings or meetings;
Putting older persons directly in touch with services available in the community;
Assisting in recruiting and training of volunteers;
Serving as a political force meeting with elected officials to acquaint them with the needs of the elderly;
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES CON’T
Working with older persons through coalitions, community forums, club meetings, church groups etc…
Encouraging local community groups and local government to provide financial support to local service providers.
Helping to recruit advisory Council Members to ensure the highest possible representation from the various segments of the older population.
FINAL THOUGHTS
“ A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depends on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the measure as I have received and am still receiving.”
-Albert Einstein