Coventry opportunity

Thank you for those of you who applied to be Conventry providers for MOWAG.  Look for more information in the next few weeks!

Sponsors needed!

Do you work with a great vendor/supplier that you think other MOWAG members could use?  Consider asking them to be a sponsor at our annual conference this year.  For only $1,000, they can present their products/services to other providers in the state AND help us meet our mission.  Sponsorship information is attached.  To make sure that they aren’t already a sponsor, just drop Patti a quick email (plyons@seniorcitizens-inc.org)

2nd Annual MOWAG Conference

October 24-25 will be the 2^nd Annual MOWAG Conference!  $75/per MOWAG Member; $100/per Non-MOWAG Member

Hotel Accommodations:

Crowne Plaza Ravinia Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia

4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA  30346

Ph: 770.551.3888 | Fax: 770.522.9257

Mention “Meals on Wheels Association of Georgia” for the discounted room rate of $111/night

Advocacy Corner

What should be MOWAG’s priorities advocating with state-level elected officials in the next year?

• Streamlining/Easing SNAP guidelines for seniors to allow better utilization
• Allowing meals on wheels providers gas or food tax exemptions
• Fighting the 3% across-the-board state cuts proposed for next year

·         

We will be discussing our Advocacy issues at the MOWAG Meeting in Washington, DC on August 21^st. Please provide input to Patti Lyons plyons@seniorcitizens-inc.org or Sarah McKinney smckinney@accaging.org today or tomorrow!

See you in DC!

Are you attending the MOWAA Conference?  If you are interested in making calls to your U.S. Senators or Representatives, please contact Patti Lyons at plyons@seniorcitizens-inc.org for more information. On Tuesday evening (6pm) we will have a brief meeting in room Chesapeake D followed by our Georgia-only dinner!

Online Chat: What keeps you up at night?

To post your topic, type in the blank space below, under "Post a comment."

To offer a response to someone else's topic, click "Reply" directly under the comment you want to reply to.

One of the most valued aspects of MOWAG is the opportunity to share problems and solutions related to meals on wheels. Take a moment May 21-24 to participate in an online conversation: “What keeps you up at night?”  Comment below anytime May 21-24 to share a problem or weigh in on a solution – this will be an ongoing conversation all four days.

March for Meals Round-Up

Clayton County 

County Commissioners and public safety employees served meals to its on homebound clients. Clayton County clients got a big kick out of seeing the Fire trucks pulling up to deliver their meals.

Meals on Wheels Gainesville-Hall County

Georgia’s First Lady went on the ‘March for Meals,' delivering meals to senior residents of Gainesville. Mrs. Sandra Deal brought meals and visited with the residents, saying it was a valuable nutrition program for seniors and a comfort to their relatives.

In addition, Meals On Wheels Gainesville-Hall County had Mayor Danny Dunagan to deliver meals, sent out 48,000 water bill inserts (donation and volunteer cards), did collaboration with Chick-fil-A and Gainesville First United Methodist Church, and were beneficiaries of Milton Martin Honda Classic Pro-Am event (NGA golf tournament).

Athens Community Council on Aging

ACCA spent the month of March spreading awareness of food insecurity and senior hunger while encouraging people to show their support by “Taking the Pledge” to end senior hunger by 2020 and hosting percentage nights at local restaurants.  We also hosted our 2^nd Annual March for Meals 5k Run/Walk on Saturday, March 10^th.  Each runner represented food for an entire week!  Athens Mayor Nancy Denson and Winder Mayor David Maynard delivered meals along with other elected officials.  

Senior Connections

For the second year in a row, Senior Connections participated in the Meals On Wheels of America’s Mayor’s March. March For Meals is a national campaign during the month of March, initiated by the Meals On Wheels Association of America, which seeks to raise awareness of senior hunger and to encourage action on the part of the local community.  In 2011, six of the nine DeKalb County Mayors delivered meals to homebound seniors on behalf of Senior Connections.  In 2012, other elected officials joined us, including DeKalb County Commissioners.   Twelve routes were covered, from Chamblee, Decatur and Lithonia meal sites.

Senior Services North Fulton

SSNF had most of the mayors of all six North Fulton cities participate in Mayors for Meal.  

Fayette Senior Services

FSS also had several mayors participate in Mayors For Meals—it was a great day to bring recognition to the cause.

Meals On Wheels Atlanta (Senior Citizen Services)

Meals On Wheels Atlanta was proud to host Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed who delivered meals during the month.  This was the first Mayor visit in more than a decade.

Older Americans Month: Never too old to play!

Older American's Month: MOWAG chapters will be celebrating our Older Americans throughout the month May to honor and recognize older Americans for the contributions they make to our families, communities and society.

This year's theme is Never Too Old To Play! Send your Older Americans Month photos and stories to jsmythe@scsatl.org by June 11 to be included in the next newsletter.

Congratulations to Senior Connections

March was a great month for Senior Connections in metro Atlanta.  Out of 350 applications, they were one of 15 organizations to compete for Southwest Airlines LUV grants through an online voting process. Divided by size of nonprofits, Senior Connections was up against four other large organizations and through the commitment of family, friends, staff and volunteers, was awarded a $25,000 LUV grant. They will use it to build five wheelchair ramps in metro Atlanta in the coming months. A special THANKS goes out to everyone who supported them with their votes!

Upcoming Events

May 21-24: Online Chat - What keeps you up at night?
June 6 @ 9:30 a.m.: Surviving the Silver Tsunami
August 21-24: MOWAA National Conference

Details on all events can be found below.

The 2012 Meals on Wheels Association of America Annual Conference

Early bird registration for the next MOWAA conference is open now until July 1. The event will be held in Washington D.C. and provides opportunities to learn, network, and have fun. You must register through the MOWAA website using your MyMOWAA username and password to receive the discount. Contact MOWAA's membership Team at: membership@mowaa.org for additional information.

MOWAA National Conference

August 22-24

Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center

Washington, D.C.

Education Event: Surviving the Silver Tsunami

Nationally renowned nonprofit strategist Kevin Monroe has agreed to donate an education session exclusively for MOWAG members at the upcoming Healthy Community/Aging Summit in Athens. Join MOWAG in person (or by phone) on June 6 at 9:30am for his session Surviving the Silver Tsunami: Gamechangers - The End of Business as Usual.

Surviving the Silver Tsunami
June 6
9:30 a.m.
Athens Community Council on Aging
(or via phone)

What keeps you up at night?

MOWAG wants to know what worries you about the present and future of senior hunger and senior services. Even better, we want to know what you've done or plan to do to keep seniors safe and to get yourself a good night's rest.

Comment below to share your problems and solutions.

Conference Call March 29

Full Association Conference Call

March 29

1pm

(866) 410-2477

CODE: 2590416434

Georgia programs celebrate March for Meals!

Fayette County Meals on Wheels
The Fayette Charity Classic is a 10k/5k/2k held on March 17 to support Fayette community services. Newly renamed, the race has been a part of Fayette's March for Meals celebration for four years. Go to fayettecharityclassic.org to sign up!

Gainesville-Hall Meals on Wheels

The Milton Martin Honda Classic, held at the Chattahoochee Golf Club March 12-18, will benefit the Gainesville Meals on Wheels program!

"The generosity of Butch Miller and Jim Foote of Milton Martin Honda means more people will receive help from Meals on Wheels," Mayor Danny Dunagan said. "Everyone deserves a hot meal. This is a hole in one for Meals on Wheels."

North Fulton Meals on Wheels On March 23 a "FUNraiser" will be held at Sweet Tomatoes restaurant in Alpharetta to help raise awareness of senior hunger and the North Fulton Meals on Wheels program.
Athens Community Council on Aging
ACCA is celebrating its third year of March for Meals events. Programs will focus on spreading awareness of food insecurity and senior hunger, while encouraging people to "Take the Pledge" to end senior hunger by 2020. Local restaurants will hold events throughout the month when diners can have a portion of their check donated to Meals on Wheels.
On March 10, ACCA will hold its 2^nd Annual March for Meals 5k Run/Walk, where each runner represents meals for an entire week! All proceeds will provide food to the meals waiting list, which currently has 85 people on it.
Clayton County Meals on Wheels The Clayton County Board of Commissioners will proclaim March as Meals On Wheels Month in the county. The Board will present the proclamation to Meals on Wheels staff, volunteers, at its March 6 meeting. Later in the month, County Commissioners and public safety officials will deliver meals, provide safety tips, and give electric heaters to homebound.

Meals On Wheels Atlanta

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed will deliver meals with Meals On Wheels Atlanta on Mayors For Meals Day.  The month will end with an Open House at Meals On Wheels Atlanta's Adult Day Health Center.

Meals On Wheels of Coweta County

Mayors and public officials from across the County will celebrate March for Meals by delivering to their homebound senior neighbors. We are excited to welcome:

• Newnan Mayor Keith Brady
• Senoia Mayor Robert Belisle
• Senoia Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Owens, who is already a MOWOC volunteer
• Grantville Mayor Jim Sells
• Sharpsburg Mayor Wendell Staley
• Turin Mayor Alan Starr
• Moreland Mayor Josh Evans
• Haralson Mayor Ted Bateman

Public Awareness Incentive Grant

MOWAA Members have an opportunity to apply for a Public Awareness Incentive Grant of up to $5,000 by utilizing the resources in the MOWAA We Are Meals On Wheels Toolkit.

Hurry! The deadline for this application is January 30, 2012.

The Toolkit is a comprehensive awareness-building resource, which includes press releases, video, print and radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs) and tips on how you can use this extensive resource to raise additional support in your community. Please contact MOWAA's Marketing Coordinator, Logan Goulett, at logan@mowaa.org or 703-548-5558 with questions.

"Different is the New Normal" Workshop

Different is the New Normal – February 23, 2012.

A Workshop Intensive for Transformational Aging Service Providers presented by Fayette Senior Services is nearly sold out!

The $99 early bird special price is gone but there are still a few remaining slots available at regular rate of $125.00 per person. Exciting guest speakers include:

·         Peggy Ingraham, Senior Vice President for Public Policy, Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA)

·         Jennie Deese, CEO, Athens Community Council on Aging

·         Jack Krakeel, County Administrator, Fayette County Government

For more information contact Debbie Britt, Fayette Senior Services 770-461-0813 or dbritt@fayss.org.

MOWAG Advocacy Corner

A large part of effective service delivery within our Meals on Wheels programs is advocacy. As we enter the 2012 legislative session, your voice and the voice of seniors in your community is more important than ever.

Mark your calendars.

Upcoming are two big ways to take your advocacy efforts to a higher level.

Be There 4 Seniors Rally at the Capitol:

January 26, 2012

Join us on the steps of the Capitol as we rally to “Be There 4 Seniors!”

2012 Senior Week at the Capitol:

February 21, 22 & 23

Volunteer to staff the MOWAG booth at the Capitol. While you are there, go door to door at the Capitol advocating for the necessary services to allow our seniors to age in place!

For more information or to volunteer your time, please contact Sarah McKinney today @ smckinney@accaging.org

Be There 4 Seniors Campaign

Advocacy materials are available through the Georgia Council on Aging by contacting Kathryn Fowler at kdfowler@dhr.state.ga.us or Abby Cox at agcox@dhr.state.ga.us . The materials enable each person to understand the issues and to talk with or write their legislators. Constituents are the ones they want to hear from.

• Send e-mails and letters
• Schedule visits where you live in their home district
• Call them; and
• Talk to others and get them engaged in doing the same

A major message which Be There 4 Seniors wants to communicate is “No More Cuts!” and for powerful reasons. With the additional 2% cut in state funds requested by Governor Deal in August, 2011, Georgia Aging Services State Funding is now at Maintenance of Effort for Older Americans Act programs. These cuts jeopardize vital federal funding for core aging programs.

New and Improved MOWAG Member Conference Call-in!

We’ve improved the dial-in capacity and look forward to connecting with you on the next Conference Call on January 25, 2012 at 1 p.m.

Call Number: 866-410-2477     CODE: 2590416434

We’re going to be discussing hot topics, the latest news, and important information! We look forward to connecting with you!