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


	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 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:
	Set policies & procedures
	Hire Executive Director
	Supervise Executive Director
	Authorize fiscal expenditures


	ADVISORY COUNCIL
	Advises on policy & procedures
	Reviews resumes and makes recommendations
	Makes fiscal expenditure recommendations
	Advises and assist Area Agency Executive


	Advisory councils depend largely on support from the Area Agency staff to carry out their responsibilities and functions.


	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.


	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.


	Representatives of older persons;
	Local elected officials; and the
	General Public


	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.


	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.


	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.


	21 Members
	Membership representation:
	Geographic (districts, others)
	Low income, minority
	Service Provider (CSE,BHRS- Senior Access Team)
	Local Elected Officials


	Full Committee
	Executive Committee
	Standing Committee
	Ad Hoc Committee or Task Force


	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.


	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.


	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;


	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.


	“ 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