Mission Statement of DeLand Senior Council

eraserhead — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 01:32:30 +0000

The Senior Resource Guide is a compilation of information seniors and retirees may need in the course of their daily lives. We cover all activities of our senior community including, entertainment, health care, safety, communities, assisted living, education, travel, real estate, relocating, and finance.

Of special interest is an explanation of the Senior Volunteer Program, which is open to all ages who qualify for the different tasks at hand. Originated and maintained by the Senior Council our goal is to fill urgent needs in the administration of government in DeLand and offer the volunteer experience to all who are willing to donate time and talents. Volunteer positions may appear in parks and recreation, museums, government offices, city administration and other locations. Many various skills are needed. Sign up now and be ready to be fulfilled by civic pride.

The DeLand Community is about 49% senior residents. This is a percentage above the national average, but our population and that of the rest of the US is growing older and soon most communities will fit this mix. We are facing finding solutions to the unique problems of the 49% in our area who are retired or fit the senior citizen definition, including the Baby Boomers. When the rest of the US reaches this blend of seniors in the population we will be a leader in our programs and our communication with senior residents. We are solving future problems now with our efforts.

Part of this effort is the printing of the Resource Guide. Useful for everyone, this guide is geared to the special needs of seniors. Its purpose is to provide a concise and readily available guide to all the services offered in the area. This year we have added new information including email, blog and web addresses. If you don’t want to carry the guide around in your purse or pocket we are placing the entire volume in this blog for your instant reference. All links in the Guide will be hot and you will find it easier than ever to get in touch with the service or product you need.

Thank you for choosing the DeLand community for your retirement. Have a great time!

The DeLand Senior Council is a board of elders who have a mission to inform and provide knowledge to area seniors concerning local issues and: communications, announcements, safety, help sources, transportation, education, inspiration and news … with the intention of making life fuller, richer, safer and healthier for all seniors.

The original idea for this council was a request from then governor of the State of Florida, Jeb Bush, to identify and solve problems of seniors in the community and state. The Council was formed in 2001. Our first efforts were spent in cooperation with Stetson University to create and distribute a survey of about 500 seniors to identify their concerns and ideals.

As a result the Senior Resource Guide was published with information gathered to answer all the needs of area seniors. (If you want a place in the directory you may call the office of City of DeLand City Manager and ask for Robin Carter to apply.) Ad listings are free, but we ask if you want to donate. Donations are used for council expenses, especially the publication of the Guide. This year we plan to place the entire Resource Guide on the web at this address. This includes advertisements for those who make donations. By the way, all the preparation and distribution for the SRG is volunteered by the council. Except for the publishing of the SRG by Express Printing. Express Printing gave us a very low quote for the work and assigned Robbie Selby as our representative. It is a pleasure to work with them. The placement of the Guide on the web is donated by Eraserhead Graphic Design Studio, owner Nan Sherrill Smith. Nan is a member of the Council who is leaving office April 2011, but will continue to volunteer for our projects.
The CARFIT safety project became an annual event held this year on April 22. During CarFit everybody, but especially senior drivers, who drives a car in invited to have all the safety features on your car evaluated and adjusted for maximum driving safety. CarFit takes about 15 minutes per driver at no cost. We have a special therapist available to disabled drivers with special needs, handouts, goodie bags, bottled water and a CarFit certification. CarFit was developed by professionals who do all the training locally. Your CarFit evaluator will be someone either on the Senior Council or a local volunteer.
The Senior Council is working on the enormous problem of providing safe and affordable Transportation (private) for seniors. We are working with several forms of transportation providers that have proven success in other areas of the US in an effort to find the one that is perfect for DeLand. If you have a connection with one or any ideas please call or email us
Senior Stuff is our monthly newsletter published and edited by member Ron Burgher. He has a background in marketing and management and is also a good writer with a superior sense of humor. Ron has prepared a speech for public presentation and is available to speak to your group or organization. His speech is both funny and serious and he clearly explains the scope of the Senior Council. Ron volunteers all his services and never complains.
Finally … in the wake of the current economic downturn the City of DeLand finds that it needs help in some areas. Volunteers are needed for several jobs and assistance in the daily workings of government. As the Senior Council we have organized a volunteer program and with the help of the city we have a person who keeps it all together. When you volunteer, you speak to a real person who takes an interest in you and you are required to complete a form outlining your special talents to make sure you are happy where we place you. Call Pat Cacavale for more information at (386) 736-5016

The People Responsible for Putting This Booklet Together

The DeLand Senior Council

Deborah Tolan, Chair
Virginia Comella
Vivienne Powis, Co-Chair
Bob Goodwill
Ron Burgher
George Sherman
Jack Allen

ex officio members:
Robin Carter • Michael Pleus • Jennifer Wilder
Nan Smith — online publication of Senior Resource Guide

The DeLand Senior Council, first created by the DeLand City Commission in 2001, functions to make our community a better place for senior citizens to live. Council members are all volunteers.

DeLand Senior Resource Guide

Sponsors

Mission Statement of DeLand Senior Council

The People Responsible for Putting This Booklet Together

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents Page