by Lisa Boron | Jan 27, 2021 | President's Message
Happy New Year!
Vivian Greene once said “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”
It’s hard to believe that we are starting a new year, and saying good-bye to a year that has seen so much sickness, loss of life and changes that have affected us all. As we turn the corner to a new year we reflect all that has happened and count our blessings.
For the first time the Network held a virtual annual meeting and basket raffle this past November kicking off our 40th anniversary. This was efficacious and at the same time very exciting. This is the sign of the times and kudos to the committees that worked to make this event a success.
As the quote above states, we need to look past the storm and move on with life and events that move and inspire us all. Looking at 2021 as a new and brighter year is the motivation we all need to get through tough times.
The Network in Aging is doing just that and motivating our members to continue to support the elders we serve by providing the highest quality of programs and services we can and to continue to live by our mission statement to collaborate with our members. A big thank-you goes out to our members that have been facing COVID-19 these past 10 months and continue to do so today.
We are all missing the all-important in person networking with NIA member agencies and that is why a special group of members are working to get back to the core of our mission statement that makes this organization so amazing.
On Tuesday, January 26th we will offer a free networking event, ‘Mix and Mingle’ a form of a virtual speed networking with break-out rooms to get connected again with other members of the Network. Registration is required and information can be found on our website.
Mark your calendars for a second virtual networking event on Thursday, February 25th called ‘Sampling the City’. Thank-you to sponsors Harris Beach PLLC. Details to be announced.
The Communications Committee has launched a monthly marketing program called Life Lessons. They are asking members to participate in this by submitting a few words stating-‘What do you wish for in 2021’. Take a photo and email to us. Watch for submissions on our web site.
Membership 2021 renewals are due and I encourage you to help keep our organization strong by renewing and encouraging new members to join. We need the strength of your support.
It is a pleasure to serve this organization for another 2-year term as your President and I look forward to and accept all the challenges that will come my way.
Angie Crawshaw- President
by Lisa Boron | Aug 17, 2020 | President's Message
President’s Message – July-Sept 2020
Angie Crawshaw
It seems like forever since I wrote a President’s message. We all have been through some traumatic events and changes in our lives. I thought it would be appropriate to high-light some of the feedback I have received on how our members have adapted to Covid-19 in our workplaces, at home and in our daily lives.
The Network in Aging itself has truly changed with all meetings and events taking place on Zoom allowing us to safely social distance ourselves while keeping in contact.
The Networking Committee recently hosted a virtual Bingo event that was a huge success. Members were able to win prizes and enjoy each other company while safely participating from the comfort of their own home with a beverage of choice.
Membership Committee surpassed their goal of membership’s renewal as well as obtaining several new members. Kudos!!
Nominating Committee acquired several new members to serve on the board of directors. Welcome Matt Gardiner- OASIS Senior Advisors, Jenna Bichler- Presbyterian Senior Care of WNY and Audrey Fitch- iCircle Services. Welcome. Please reach out to congratulate them.
Education and Special Events Committee members are busy planning a virtual educational Annual Meeting while celebrating our 40th anniversary. Stay tuned for more details.
Communication Committee has implemented the new membership directory, Unsung Hero’s spotlight on Facebook and Membership Forum that will be accessible to our entire membership soon.
Thank-you to all our committees for the diligent work you do during the ‘pause’ we are all facing.
The Network in Aging was recently featured on WECK radio. I had the pleasure of being the guest speaker to highlight our organization and talk about the wonderful things we do to benefit our senior population as well as how we are coping with COVID in our daily work environments. You can catch the interview on our website as soon as it is available.
I thought I would talk a bit about what some of the membership agencies are doing to cope during this period of uncertainty.
–Independent Living Facilities: Implemented essential visiting policies, social distancing, and face coverings in the common areas.
-Senor Living/Assisted Living: Not allowing visitors at this time. Residents have been doing video chats or window visits with loved ones. New admissions need to quarantine for 2 weeks in a room before they can join the general population. Temperatures are taken of all the staff prior to entering the building. No communal meals or activities. Disinfecting is constant.
-Non-Profit Organizations: have adapted by offering virtual programs while maintain access to vital services, while many are working from home.
-Insurance Carriers: Most insurance carriers are waiving copays for PCP visits, behavioral health visits, and telemedicine. Other services that have changed include waiving cost-sharing for Covid-19 tests, treatments in doctor’s offices or emergency rooms and services delivered via telehealth as well as removing prescription refills limits, and prior authorization requirements. Benefits may vary by insurance company. Check with your carrier for details.
I hope that this gives you a sense of just some of things that our members are doing to cope and can only hope that this event will soon relax to a point that we can all see each other soon, in person and enjoy once again the networking socialization we once had and enjoy about the Network in Aging.
Remember: Don’t lose Hope. When the Sun goes down, the Stars come out.
by Lisa Boron | Apr 11, 2019 | President's Message
President’s Message – April-June 2019
Angie Blackley
President
Well, 2019 is underway and the Network in Aging is no exception to the excitement the New Year has brought. Beginning with the January Social held at the Pierce Arrow Museum, we had nearly 130 in attendance that included both members and their guests. This event was wonderful and the exhibits, food and networking were top notch. Kudos to the Special Events committee.
Not to be out done is the Network with the Network committee and the Education Committee as they are busy planning the next several events to come.
One such event was held on April 10th.. The Education committee planned a well-received FREE open forum entitled – ‘Health Across All Policies and Healthy Aging in NYS’. This well attended event highlighted Governor Cuomo’s 2017 State of the State address. In this address he directed state agencies to employ a more proactive and interactive approach to improving New York’s overall population health to become the healthiest state in the country. With this $15 million incentive the Governor is looking to how all of the policies, programs, and initiatives support New York State’s aging population developing a blueprint to reduce health disparities and improve the health of all New Yorker’s. Guest speakers Greg Oslen-Acting director for NYS Office for Aging and Randall Hoak-Associate State Director Community Outreach at AARP address how this would be implemented benefiting seniors in NYS.
The Networking committee has planned an event that will be held at The Lockport Presbyterian Home on April 17th from 4:30-6:30pm with a “Sweet Spring” theme. It will be sponsored by Presbyterian Senior Care, Oasis Senior Advisors and Sheridan Benefits.
Following close behind on May 9th, the Networking committee has planned a fun filled evening called “Learn About You”, a progressive dinner event held at The Barrel Factory in Buffalo from 4:30pm to 8:00pm for members only. It promises to be a wonderful networking event where you can highlight yourself and your agency or business to other members in attendance. The format is based on the premise of speed dating but is networking instead. Registration is underway and 40 spots are still available. It’s sponsored by Allegra Cheektowaga, The Olear team/MJ Peterson, Elderwood and Mount Calvary Cemetery. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards.
On May 14th from 12:00pm-4:30pm, the Education committee will present a workshop –‘Anxiety and Depression in Older Adults’ – What we know & Available Mental Health Resources. Cost is $25 that will include lunch and will be held at Meals on Wheels a program FeedMore of WNY. Keynote speaker is Dr. Mark Gunther, PhD, Psychologist at ECMC along with a panel of 9 local service providers. Don’t miss this informative event!
Save the date for June 5th for a fun Network event at the Historic Riviera Theater in North Tonawanda from 4:30pm-6:30pm. There will be food, drink, music and backstage tours of this beautiful building as well as a free concert by the ‘Mighty Wurlitzer’. This will be sponsored by M&T Bank – Reverse Mortgage, MJ Peterson/The Olear team, Amazing Home Care, Magavern Magavern Grimm LLP & ACSIA Partners – Dana Dee.
Coming in early July on Tuesday the 2nd from 4:30-6:30pm BlueCross and BlueShield of WNY will sponsor a summer Network with the Network event held at their beautiful bamboo atrium downtown on Genesee St., Buffalo. Celebrate Independence Day with a ‘Cornhole’ Tournament and other fun events. Visit the Network in Aging web site for additional details.
And don’t forget the much anticipated Taste of the Network on Tuesday, July 23rd from 12pm-2pm. This is our annual culinary cook off where chefs/cooks from our member agencies compete in winning awards in different food categories. It also gives you the chance to taste all of their tidbits for just $15.00!
Visit the Network website to obtain additional information on any of these events and remember to “Like Us” on Facebook and visit us on “LinkedIn”. All the Network in Aging committees are working hard to develop exciting enhancements that will benefit our members.
The Network Board of Directors are dedicated in keeping the recently restructured Strategic Plan working for members by providing these events and future events to come. Come Join Us.
Remember-“A Comfort Zone is a Beautiful Place but Nothing ever Grows There”-unknown author.
by Lisa Boron | Dec 27, 2018 | President's Message
President’s Message – Jan-Mar 2019
Angie Blackley
President
A DREAM written down with a date becomes a GOAL A goal broken down into steps becomes a PLAN. A plan backed by ACTION becomes REALITY. This is what I see when I think of the Network in Aging.
For the members who don’t quite know who I am I would like to introduce myself as the new President of the Network in Aging.
For the past 30 years I have worked in the field of aging in some capacity or another making this my field of expertise. Advocating for nearly seventeen years on both a state and national level I worked alongside many organizations dedicated to the goal of improving and keeping services in place for our elderly. I served as a delegate on the 2005 White House Conference on Aging representing Congressman Thomas Reynolds Western New York district. As delegates we were influential in developing new changes that would impact our nation’s elderly. This was my most moving experience.
Joining the Network in Aging and serving on the Board of Directors back in 2011 gave me a whole new perspective to what this organization is all about. I got my feet wet by joining the Education Committee, soon after I was asked to co-chair. When asked to serve as Secretary of the Network I jumped in whole hardly and was up for the task. I served on the Strategic Planning Committee this past year and really got a feel for the expansive history this organization has and why we do what we do. I encourage any member to get involved with the Network and reap the benefits of friendship, networking and education.
This organization thrives with the leadership of our hard working Board of Directors and Committee members solely dedicated our mission. We recently launched a new Facebook page, be sure to ‘Like Us’. Coming soon is ‘LinkedIn’ and the social media exposure is growing. Welcome to our new members.
Membership has grown a current 385 members, 114 member agencies and 43 individual, student and retirees. The Network with the Network events have become a wonderful way to meet your peers by drawing in members for a fun and educational event. Please join the Network in Aging on January 22nd for ‘Cruise in for a Classic Time’ at the Pierce Arrow Museum. The event includes a guided tour, hors d’oeuvres and open bar. The event is open to guests 21 or older. See our website for additional information and registration. Thank-you to our sponsors: Harris Beach PLLC Attorneys at Law and Laping, Surdej Associates, LLC, and thanks to our dessert table courtesy of People Inc., Univera Healthcare, and Touching Hearts at home. This year our honorary charity will be: Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight.
I am proud to serve as the new President and thank the Network in Aging board of directors for their vote of confidence electing me to this position.
Let our New Year’s resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word. Happy New Year!!
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