2019-02-28 NSRAP Meeting

NSRAP Elderberries Report - February 2019

By Norval Collins

I attended the NSRAP Board Meeting representing the Elderberries by phone on February 28. I presented the report that follows and some discussion ensued. Some members of NSRAP will attempt to attend the April 14th Second Sunday Salon with Pride Health. Some members may also attend the AGM because it was discussed that the agm starts at 1 followed by the Pride Health discussion at 2. Any specific allocation of funds will await the results of the Pride Health discussions because NSRAP has funding targeted to senior's health.

NSRAP does, however, have about $20,000, which I believe includes possible health funding for an Elderberries project. NSAP is planning to move ahead with hiring a part-time executive director, which will use up some of their existing financial resources.

Thanks to Dan for providing background on what has been happening with the Elderberries. At the meeting receiving a copy of the Elderberries monthly newsletter was discussed and interest expressed. The suggestion was that the general NSRAP email address be added to the newsletter distribution list and Dan followed through almost immediately.

I was surprised to hear about Allison Brewer being at an exciting meeting in Ottawa where millions of dollars of funding for a gay (inclusive) history project was discussed, including a new facility. Dan didn't appear to be aware of this and it seems that better communication would be beneficial. At the same time, I understand Allison has been very busy. I'm sure Allison will update everyone when she has time.

Yours respectfully Norval Collins

Recent Elderberries Events and Requests Report From Elderberries to NSRAP

  1. Pride and the Elderberries re hosting an Afternoon Tea, an opportunity for Elders to share ideas and feedback with Pride, March 10. There is a Facebook event for it too. Please share as widely as possible.
  2. This Pride/Elderberries event will be preceded by our Annual General Meeting. We have notified the membership well in advance, and have a slate of eager, competent board members ready to go. We expect the AGM to be perfunctory.
  3. The hugely successful Pride Week Salon will be done again this year, on the afternoon of Monday, July 22nd at the Unitarian Universalist Church We would like to expand our budget this year with some funds from NSRAP – between $500 and $1000. Please let us know how formal a proposal you need from this.
  4. Pride and the Elderberries conducted a survey of Elders needs re: Pride Week with some interesting results. We can share them with NSRAP if requested.
  5. Elderberries had a speaking engagement at a Dartmouth school a couple weeks ago that went very well.
  6. Our regular monthly events have a new name: the “Second Sunday Salon.” We are de-emphasizing the pot luck part of the event as it was an impediment for some people. We still will be doing a pot luck, but will also provide a few refreshments out of our operating budget. As usual, each month we have a discussion topic or a presenter.
  7. In February our presenter was the President of the Northwood Broadcasting Club, Northwood's Senior Radio Station. The show airs live 365 days a year from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Eastlink Television Channel 10 – 610 HD, and reaches over 30,000 homes throughout Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and parts of New Brunswick. About 17, mostly new people and a high proportion of women, attended.
  8. We want to re-start the GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) Speaking Series, that is, presenting to high schools. If anyone at NSRAP knows anything about that, or knows anyone who does, please get in touch with Dan so we start the process of restarting it.
  9. On April 14th (our regular SSS day) the Elderberries and Pride Health will be hosting a Mini Health Conference While the format isn't exactly nailed down yet, we'll be starting a dialog about LGBT Elders healthcare needs – including transportation, economic issues, mental health, living arrangements. We'll be looking at what's available, what's available via Pride Health, and the gaps. We will probably use part of the time to scope out a more in-depth examination. The most important item is the April 14th Pride Health event. It is requested that as many NSRAP members attend as possible to take part in discussion and help form the plans for the Mini Health Conference. I assume that there is a potential for some contribution of funding as well as contributing ideas and support.

Respectfully Submitted, Norval Collins