Newsletter
January 2021
Welcome to 2021. It has been a few years since we have sent out our One Minute Update to our Active Aging Canada members (specifically, November 2018 – where does the time go?) Over the past few years, as funding was diminishing along with staff time, our member’s newsletter got lost. It was my goal (in the fall of 2020) to reconnect with you. I am a little late, but better later than never!
I hope to send you a monthly (one-minute read) e-newsletter to update you on the activities of Active Aging Canada, in addition to spotlighting members and their programs. Just a quick way to keep you connected with our projects and with the great work being done by all the members of the organization.
As I have said many times in the past, we are only as strong as our members support. You are the ones who allow us to reach the millions of older adults in Canada. And we are all here to support each other to keep older adults active, healthy, informed and inspired!
To start off the first issue of our One Minute Update for 2021, I thought I would tell you about our newest project and introduce you to our Board of Directors that was voted in at the Annual General Meeting in September 2020.
Be Wise: Cannabis and Older Adults
Coming soon, an evidence based information booklet about cannabis to inform and educate older Canadians to help them understand the cannabis products and its effects on older adults. The 64-page booklet contains the most current research available on the topic. We have conducted several (virtual) focus groups across Canada and three online surveys, totally close to 1000 responses from older adults, to find out what they wanted to know about cannabis and how best to present the information to them. Our Be Wise cannabis booklet is the first of several products that will be made available for distribution, both in hard copy and in a digital version. All members will receive a copy in April and may order free copies for their members/clients/ friends. Stay tuned for more information on how to order your copies.
2020-2021 Board of Directors
I am pleased to present to you the current Board of Directors and staff. We have a strong board with diverse backgrounds and representation from across many provinces and even the territories.
Ron Ferguson, PhD - Montreal, QC
Concordia University, Past Chairman
Debbie Brown - Regina, SK
Chairperson
Michelle Porter, PhD - Winnipeg, MB
University of Manitoba, Centre on Aging, Vice Chair
Doug Nutting - Sidney, BC
Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability - Treasurer
Jim Evanchuk - Winnipeg, MB
Older adult rep.
Suzette Montreuil - Yellowknife, NT
NWT Seniors’ Society
Bradley Young, PhD - Ottawa, ON
U. of Ottawa, Faculty of Health Sciences
Jane Schneiderman, PhD - Toronto, ON
Representing/ Affiliation: Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology rep.
Patricia Clark - Mulmur, ON
Active Aging Canada, National Executive Director
Liza Stathokostas, PhD - London, ON
Research Director Active Aging Canada
Tonia Hearst
Administrative Assistant
Take Advantage of Your Membership
We can't emphasize enough how much we value and need your membership to keep Active Aging Canada strong and viable. Our significant reach out to practitioners and the public is only because of your membership and your commitment to sharing resources with your members and clients.
As we note in your membership renewal, your membership is critical in achieving collective impact for healthy active aging across Canada. But we are also here to help you. With your membership comes a variety of opportunities for your organization to promote your own resources, programs, services etc. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to take advantage of any of the following membership privileges:
- free skyscraper rotational ad on the Silver Times web site
- free ads posted on Active Aging Canada web site for your products / programs/ services
- free postings on Active Aging Canada Face Book
- free email blasts to Active Aging Canada members
- free e-blast to data base to promote your product/program/ services
- free postings on Active Aging Canada web site for calls for research subjects potential
- partnerships in Active Aging Canada projects, when appropriate
Our e-blasts reach over 1300+ EN (& FR) individuals who have signed up to receive our information. We have just launched a new SEO campaign for our website to increase hits and views. More on that in another newsletter.
Just as you can help spread our message, we can do the same for you. The membership is here to support each other so let's work together to promote and advance active healthy aging for Canadians.
Patricia Clark
National Executive Director
exdir@activeagingcanada.ca
