Membership Benefits
- A vast network of staff and volunteers is available to help with your questions. You can keep better informed about older adults’ issues and interests at regional and provincial levels.
- Seasonal newsletters bring you up-to-date on member news and matters of interest. You can highlight your Centre’s activities and achievements.
- Our website provides you with access to information and useful contacts. It offers links to other organizations, our business partners, strategic alliances, and free postings on our Job and Volunteer Board.
- OACAO follows and engages with member accounts on social media platforms (e.g., X/Twitter, Facebook, etc.) to like, comment on, and share member activities, news, and upcoming events.
- A members-only List Serve that gives you instant access to more than 750 individuals who work in the field of older adults. You can share issues and concerns, send out questions, and receive up-to-the-minute responses and information. New OACAO members will be introduced to membership via List Serve.
- Skill-building and knowledge-generation opportunities for staff and volunteers. Our annual conference workshops offer cutting edge ideas, and are excellent venues for dialogue and learning.
- Capacity Building Webinars, Regional Training and Networking opportunities that are focused on timely topics of interest to the sector.
- A 10% discount off our annual Aging Well Conference fee, exclusive access to OASSIS Not-for-Profit Employee Benefit Plan and access to special corporate deals from our Business Partners.
The list serve is an extremely useful tool! My colleagues are generous with their knowledge and experience; it is invaluable.
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Development Support & Resources
- For over 50 years, the OACAO has encouraged the development of new older adult centres in Ontario by providing advice, information and resources.
- Networking through regional development, Member Forums and access to a “members only” section on our website for up-to-date information.
- Resource materials and publications such as OACAO Member Profile Surveys, Volunteer Engagement Surveys, Toolkits, EPC Outcomes Survey reports, and more
“The OACAO has always been a great support and resource to the Whitby Seniors’ Activity Centre and centres throughout Durham Region. The organization works hard to represent seniors’ centres and their needs in the province.
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Strategic Liaisons
Business Partners who provide valuable services and products for seniors/older adults. Webinars and resources will be developed to highlight our Business Partners.
The OACAO is the voice of older adult centres as liaison and advocate with:
- Ontario Minister for Seniors and Accessibility
- Ontario Ministry of Health
We also maintain effective strategic alliances with other important provincial and national organizations:
- Ontario Community Support Association
- The Alliance for Healthier Communities
- HelpAge Canada
- Active Aging Canada
For member centres, we provide recognition and certificates for special occasions and milestones. Please contact OACAO office to request certificates.
Networking
By becoming an OACAO member, you can:
- Get promoted in the OACAO Membership Directory and interactive “Find an Older Adult Centre” map on our website.
- Get access to OACAO’s Awards Program, which recognizes outstanding contributions in the field of older adult centres by fellow practitioners, volunteers and students.
- Get access to a very affordable Group Benefit Program called OASSIS – a Not-for-Profit Employee Benefit Plan for Community-Based Organizations. Agencies with as few as 1 employee can access the program. OACAO is one of the original Core Sponsoring Associations of OASSIS and continues to have representation on their Board of Trustees. www.oassisplan.com
Funding Support & Other Benefits
On your behalf, we:
- Apply for funding and grants to develop new programs and initiatives that can be delivered through centres. We are proud to have obtained the financial support of the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to fund Seniors Active Living Fairs for several years.
- Worked closely with the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility (MSAA) as the EPC transitioned from MOHLTC to OSS.
- Worked hard to have changes made to the Elderly Persons Centres Grant, resulting in substantial increases and expansion to the program in 1988, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010. The 2017 Ontario Budget announced another $8 million over the next 3 years for 40 new EPCs by 2018-2019.
- Worked with MSAA to modernize the EPC legislation which was proclaimed on October 1, 2017 and is now called Seniors Active Living Centres (SALC).
The OACAO is an active, vital organization working to help you provide the best experience for the members of your centre or organization.
If you are still undecided about becoming a member, give us a call at 905-584-8125 or 1-866-835-7693 to discuss it further.
“The OACAO champions the work of Older Adult Centres in Ontario. We are grateful for their advocacy at the provincial level.
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Membership Categories
Introductory Rate
First time members joining OACAO or membership has lapsed 5+ years.
Full Member Centre
A non-profit/charity or municipally run older adult centre or seniors active living centre (SALC) in Ontario that acts as a community facility providing a diversity of activities and services to the local older adult population. Fees are determined by annual gross operating expenditures. (5 levels based on yearly expenditures)
Full Member – Multiple Centres Older adult centres or seniors active living centres that acts as community facilities providing a diversity of activities and services to the local older adult population. Max of 3 centres under the same administration included.
Associate Agency/Service Provider Agency
A non-profit/charity, including service providers, other than older adult centres/SALCs, involved in work with older adults OR a municipal recreation department that does not have a dedicated older adult centre, or Ministry funded SALC program, and provides recreation programs to older adults.
Seniors Club/Seniors Council
A senior citizens club or any seniors’ council operated by volunteers with no full-time staff support.
Individual Supporter
Any student, volunteer, senior or friend interested in the work of the OACAO. *Non-voting status.
“The OACAO is an organization that I am proud to be part of for the various accomplishments and milestones they have achieved. It has more than proven its worth via information sharing, funding opportunities and advocating for older adults and centres throughout Ontario, at various levels of Government.
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