Medicine Hat Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Foundation proud of its work since becoming independent organization

By KENDALL KING on March 8, 2023.

The Medicine Hat Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Foundation is continuing to support local seniors’ endeavours more than a year after becoming an independent non-profit organization.

An offshoot of the now defunct Medicine Hat Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, the non-profit foundation was established in 2002 to provide financial backing for projects which enhance the lives of community members aged 50-plus.

“We are keen to support all seniors’ activities in the community,” foundation board chair Gord Nott told the News. “In the past, funding has been provided to several organizations, including the senior men’s slow pitch, seniors pickleball club and activity clubs within the Veiner and Strathcona Centres to name a few. And most recent funding was to support a (digital) membership scanning system at the Veiner Center.”

Nott says he and other foundation members are proud of all they have accomplished since becoming an independent organization, however they are still looking to expand the foundation’s impact moving forward. But, he believes the first part in doing so has to be spreading awareness of the foundation.

“Our exposure in the community has improved somewhat in the past year and we are working hard to increase our visibility,” said Nott. “Because there’s obviously opportunities out there for us to help support and fund.”

Along with spreading awareness, Nott and other foundation members hope to grow and diversify membership. Nott is particularly interested in welcoming individuals who have just recently entered their senior years into the foundation as new members, with the hopes they can bring new ideas regarding potential future funding ventures.

“The demographics of our seniors are changing,” said Nott. “We are hearing of lots of 50-plus (seniors) enjoying a very busy and active lifestyle. I call this the ‘junior-seniors era.’ And in line with that, our funding needs to take on a new perspective.

“Our current seven-member board has been managing the foundation for a number of years, (so) we welcome and encourage anyone interested in sharing their expertise and fresh ideas to join us.”

Nott encourages community members 50-plus interested in sharing new ideas or becoming a member to attend the foundation’s upcoming annual general meeting, taking place at 2 p.m. Mar. 28 in the Veiner Centre craft room.

Additionally, Nott invites local seniors who wish to have a direct role in guiding the foundation, to apply for one of three board member positions currently available. Anyone interested in a board position is asked to contact Nott at 403-504-8533 prior to Mar. 22, as the positions will be voted on at the Mar. 28 AGM.

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