The Snohomish County Council on Aging is recruiting new members now for terms beginning in January of next year.
Snohomish County residents who are interested in the needs and issues facing older persons, and younger persons with disabilities, should consider applying for membership on the Council.
The Council is a 30-member citizen’s advisory board that advises the Long Term Care and Aging Office of the county’s Human Services Department on issues facing older persons, and younger persons with disabilities, in Snohomish County.
The Long Term Care and Aging Office manages federal, state and local funds targeted toward elderly citizens, and the office relies heavily on its advisory board.
Council members serve as representatives to the community, planners for funding and program issues, activists around legislative matters, and monitors of the quality of programs and services.
New members will begin their three-year terms on Jan. 1, 2013. The Council on Aging meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month, except for December, from 10 a.m. to noon. Smaller committee groups meet according to need. It is expected that Council members regularly attend and participate in the monthly Council meetings, and commit to serving on at least one sub-committee of interest. All meetings occur during work hours.
Sub-committees of the Council include the Legislative, Finance, Allocations and Evaluations, Mental Wellness and Senior Centers committees, as well as the Ad Hoc Disabilities committee.
The Council on Aging strives for a membership that represents the county’s growing diversity. County residents who represent the needs of ethnic and racial minority communities, older persons wishing to improve the quality of life for senior citizens, persons who represent organizations that serve older and younger disabled persons, locally elected officials and members of the general public are encouraged to apply. A majority of the members of the Council on Aging are 60 years or older.
The only exceptions to membership are employees and board members of agencies contracting with the Aging and Disabilities Services Division.
Interested persons must complete and file an application form by Friday, Sept. 14. To receive an application, contact Joyce Frasu at j.frasu@snoco.org or 425-388-7377.
Applications may also be printed directly from the Snohomish County Council on Aging website at http://bit.ly/r0he0q.
