Senior Corps e-News & e-Alert
March 30, 2013 |
|
SENIOR CORPS FUNDING NOW!
SENIOR CORPS FUNDING TOMORROW? Legislative Update
Two different issues are affecting Senior Corps funding in FY 2013: 1) sequestration and 2) the Continuing Resolution. Sequestration came about because parties could not find common ground on where to make specific cuts. Sequestration imposes across-the-board cuts for defense and non-defense, discretionary programs (programs funded annually through the appropriations process). The Continuing Resolution funds the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year. This legislation provides funding for essential federal programs and services and takes a potential government shutdown off the table.
Sequestration and the Continuing Resolution are done deals.
While the Continuing Resolution will continue funding of most programs at FY12 levels, the sequester resulted in a reduction of 5.1% in most domestic discretionary accounts for the remainder of FY13, including Senior Corps. Even so, CNCS anticipates reducing FGP and SCP funding by 4%, and not 5.1%. Additionally, CNCS does not anticipate having to reduce funding for RSVP, because relinquishment funds that were not recompeted will be used to maintain current grant funding. CNCS is still awaiting instructions from the Office of Management and Budget before making a public statement.
As the House and Senate begin focusing on the 2014 budget, Senior Corps programs need to build relationships with members of Congress and build the case that we are an important part of creating better communities. The Ryan budget in the House came out not long ago and once again it calls for the elimination of CNCS and national service programs. This includes Senior Corps. All should work diligently to show our members of Congress that we are a good value and create significant impact from the funds we receive.
A significant piece of our campaign needs to be directed at the majority members of the Labor, Health and Human Services; a sub-committee in the House of Representatives. This sub-committee has authority over funding for CNCS and all our programs. Those members include:
Republicans
Jack Kingston, Georgia, Chairman
Rodney Alexander, Louisiana
Mike Simpson, Idaho
Steve Womack, Arkansas
Chuck Fleischmann, Tennessee
David Joyce, Ohio
Andy Harris, MD, Maryland
Democrats
Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut, Ranking Member
Lucille Roybal-Allard, California
Barbara Lee, California
Mike Honda, California
This doesn't mean that we ignore other Representatives or Senators, but they do have more influence over CNCS funding. We can find a Senior Corps champion anywhere. Take time to read the resources on the NSCA website about working with elected officials and then get in touch with your own legislators. Take time to tell them about Senior Corps (mention each program by name: Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions and RSVP) and the benefit to communities and volunteers. Let them know what impact further cuts would have on the services delivered in your region. Make yourself available for questions that might arise, send them copies of your newsletters or other publications, offer to be a resources for issues about seniors. Also, please remember that projects directors, program staff and stipended volunteers can only engage in activities that may be perceived as lobbying on their own time and not while charging time to their Corporation-supported program.
NSCA will keep you up to date on budget discussions in Congress and provide you with any information that will help you make a case for the continuation of Senior Corps programs. |
|
Results of NSCA Board Elections
In December 2012, NSCA members received notice of nomination and election for the offices of President and Secretary and the Program representatives in the Atlantic, North Central and Pacific Clusters. In accordance with the NSCA by-laws, a proposed slate of officers and program cluster representatives coincided with a 30-day open nominations period from the NSCA membership. We are pleased to welcome the following individuals to the NSCA Board. Their two-year term begins July 1, 2013 and ends on June 30, 2015.
President: Gary Goosman, Athens, Ohio
Secretary: Nancy Hess, Denville, New Jersey
Pacific Cluster Program Representatives
Foster Grandparent Program: Charity Moon, Ogden, Utah
RSVP: Becky Snyder, Medford, Oregon
Senior Companion Program: Eileen Collins, Portland, Oregon
Atlantic Cluster Program Representatives
Foster Grandparent Program: Alane Hill, Concord, New Hampshire
RSVP: Nan Hart, Rutland, Vermont
Senior Companion Program: Susan Lavigne, Portland, Maine
North Central Cluster Program Representatives
Foster Grandparent Program: John Bringewatt, Minneapolis, Minnesota
RSVP: Kelly O'Brien, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Senior Companion Program: Karen Betley, Kalamazoo, Michigan
|
An Invitation to Join NSCA
July 1 marks the beginning of the 2013-2014 membership year for NSCA. Please help us celebrate our 5th Anniversary by joining us in representing the interests and concerns of all Senior Corps programs to Congress, CNCS and many other public and non-profit entities in the field of aging and community service.
NSCA has developed a very comprehensive communication strategy to keep all Senior Corps programs throughout the nation informed. Visit our newly enhanced website at http://www.nscatogether.org. The website is regularly updated with important information and learning opportunities about and for our programs. As a member of NSCA you will have access to the members' only section that provides considerably more information and detail about our program issues and about NSCA.
We want to personally invite you to become a member of NSCA and be part of a Senior Corps network that is Stronger Together. In addition to access to the members' only section of our website, your membership in the National Senior Corps Association will provide you with:
- A national organization that promotes the combined interests of Foster Grandparent, RSVP and Senior Companion programs nationwide
- A Washington representative that presents a UNIFIED voice to Members of Congress on Senior Corps issues
- Collaboration with other organizations in the field of aging and community service
- Opportunities to share your concerns through yearly surveys and regular communication
- Action alerts and other timely updates on Congressional legislation and important issues affecting your program(s)
In Addition:One $100 membership covers all Senior Corps programs within the same sponsoring organization
Need more reasons to join? Visit www.nscatogether.org today!
|
|
Important Reminder
We advise Senior Corps project directors that program staff and stipended volunteers can only engage in lobbying activities on their own time and not "while charging time to a Corporation-supported program." |
|
|
Lmportant Reminder |
This NSCA e-Newsletter is brought to you by the
NSCA Board of Directors
FRED LUGO, President, Texas (RSVP)
LYNNETTA KOPP, Vice-President, Wisconsin (FGP/RSVP)
KATY ALLEN, Secretary, New York (FGP/SCP)
DIANA CORONA, Treasurer, Texas (RSVP)
DWIGHT RASMUSSEN, Immediate Past-President, Utah (FGP/SCP)
RONNIE AULT, Texas (RSVP)
JOHN BRINGEWATT, Minnesota (FGP/SCP)
SUZETTE BOYDSTON, Oregon (SCP)
PAMELA CARRE, Florida (SCP)
LYNDON DREW, Kansas (FGP)
DIANA GLOVER, Mississippi (RSVP)
GARY GOOSMAN, Ohio (SCP/FGP/RSVP) NAN HART, Vermont (FGP/RSVP)
NANCY HESS, New Jersey (RSVP)
JOLENE NIERNBERGER, Kansas (FGP/SCP) LINDA NOLAN, Montana (FGP)
KELLY O'BRIEN, Minnesota (RSVP)
MARY LYNN SMITH, Mississippi (FGP)
BECKY SNYDER, Oregon (RSVP/FGP
NSCA National Advisory Council
DAN ADCOCK, National Committee to Preserve Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security
DONNA BUTTS, Generations United
TOM ENDRES, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
CHRISTINE FEESER, Department of Veterans Affairs
MARIA EUGENIA HERNANDEZ LANE, National Hispanic Council on Aging
JULIE TAGEN, National Association of Retired and Active Federal Employees
LISA WINSTEL, National Family Caregiver Association
NSCA Auxilliary Board Members
HELEN ANTONUCCI, New Jersey (RSVP)
KARYL CHASE, Utah (SCP)
BILL DOTSON, Virginia (FGP)
ALANE HILL, New Hampshire (FGP)
LISA JENKINS, Maryland (FGP)
DEBBY KELLY, Ohio (FGP)
BARBARA MELNIK, Texas (FGP)
EMILY OILER, Utah (RSVP)
SHRYIELL OWENS, Ohio (FGP)
LUANN PAEPKE, Wisconsin (FGP)
DOLORES SCHWERTNER, Texas (RSVP)
RICH ZECK, Michigan (SCP) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
