OACAO - The Voice of Older Adult Centres

The Older Adult Centres' Association of Ontario, which was founded in 1973, is an incorporated non-profit provincial organization and a registered charity. The OACAO is funded entirely through membership fees, business partnerships, educational training ventures, management of special projects and various revenue generation initiatives.

Mission Statement

OACAO provides resources, expertise and leadership for older adult centres and seniors groups through advocacy, education, networking and innovative direction.

Membership

The OACAO has a membership of 121 - centres, organizations and individuals involved in working with older adults representing over 300 staff and 150,000 older adults across Ontario.

Goals

To promote the development of skills and knowledge among volunteers and staff
To undertake and participate in action and deliberations related to improving the quality of life of older adults in Ontario
To encourage the development and establishment of new Older Adult Multi-Service Centre by interaction with the community, governments and peer organizations
To unify the efforts towards the development of comprehensive programs and services for older adults
To ensure that older adults in Ontario have opportunities and choices that lead to healthy and acitve lifestyles.

We Provide

Ongoing liaison and advocacy with government and other provincial associations in matters which affect older adult centres and older adults
Education programs for members through workshops
A Newsletter which promotes the exchange of information and ideas among the members
An Annual Provincial Conference with speakers, workshops and resources
Facilitation of inter - Centre visits
Valuable networking with others who work in older adult centres
Older Adult Centre Standards
Resource material and a resource library
Email List Serve program that provides up to the minute information

On Going Projects

Research "Building Bridges to Tomorrow" project (Trillium grant)
Advocacy
Professional Development
Publications in the field of aging
Educational programs
Membership Profile
Information and Active Living Fairs

A Centre is . . .

A community facility that provides a diversity of activities and services in response to the needs of local older adult population

History

The Association was first organized in 1973 as the Senior Citizens Centres' Association of Ontario (SCCAO) based on the common concerns of those working in Seniors' Centres. In 1982, the Association was incorporated under the name of the Older Adult Centres' Association of Ontario as a not for profit corporation with Charitable Status.

The OACAO is extremely proud to have started the Ontario Senior Games program in Ontario in 1983 and to have been directly affiliated with the OSGA until 1995 when the OSGA established their own office. Older Adult Centres in Ontario are actively in the senior games program through the promotion, development and operation of senior games events.

Board Information

The OACAO Board of Directors provides direction and support to staff and volunteers who are responsible for the day to day operation of the organization and the development and implementation of a variety of initiatives and projects that reflect the mission, goals and objectives of the association. The Board of Directors meets 3 times per year.

The Board is composed of an Executive of 7 members, elected at the Annual Meeting of the Association, 16 Regional Representatives, elected at the Annual Meeting of each Region and the Chairpersons of the Standing Committees.

The Association divides the province into 8 regions, with 2 representatives from each region, a staff member and a senior, being elected from the region to sit on the Board of Directors. The role of the Regional Representative is to be a liaison between the Board and the region, to develop training and education programs in the region and to play an active role in maintaining existing members and soliciting new members.

Board Members