COA Reorganization Makes Great Strides

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COA Reorganization Makes Great Strides

COA Reorganization Makes Great Strides

By B. J. Conley

Photo by B. J. Conley Interim director and consultant for the Charlevoix County Commission on Aging David Emmel headed the reorganization of the COA. He is from the firm of Abbott & Emmel Consulting, based in Midland.

CHARLEVOIX — The Charlevoix County Commission on Aging is undergoing a major reorganization that includes a revision of its Bylaws and possibly a plan for the more than $2 million surplus the COA holds.

The County Board of Commissioners at a Dec. 23, 2009 meeting adopted the revised Bylaws. The county board oversees the Commission on Aging.

The COA continues to have a surplus that is now up to $2,405,000, known as the “Fund Balance.” The more than $2 million has been set aside from taxpayer’s money for several years. COA Interim Director and consultant, David Emmel, said he did not know the plan for the surplus, nor did the county clerk’s office have any knowledge of its future use.

Joan Blanchard, who just retired from the COA board after about nine years, said she did not know the plans for the Fund Balance, however she said some of the funds will be used for proposed programs and services. Blanchard said it is the county board of commissioners that ultimately decides where the money goes, although the COA board may make recommendations.

County board chairman, Chris Christensen, said that some of the funds are already being used for new programs and services and he expects that the COA will serve a wider county senior population after the reorganization.

The Bylaws revision called for the COA board to scale back to a maximum of seven members, down from 11 members. Of the seven members, two will be from the Boyne City area, two from the Charlevoix area, two from the East Jordan area, and one from Beaver Island. A liaison for the county commission and the COA will remain as before, but the new Bylaws prohibit the liaison from voting.

The current COA board members are: Margo Johnson, Sally Gilmore, Janet Froats-Shepherd, Ward Cook, Lynda Christensen and Nancy Tritsch. One seat remains open, but it is expected to be filled soon.

Emmel suggested a diverse board with various career backgrounds and life experiences.

“I’d like to see a good diversity of members,” he said. “People with different backgrounds are able to bring their experiences to assist the seniors.”

The new Bylaws set out terms for COA board members. The county board of commissioners appoints all members. Newly appointed members may serve for three years and may apply for another appointment for three years. But if a member wants to continue on the COA board following the second term, a year-long hiatus must come first.

The changes occurring at the COA are not only procedural changes. The COA is refocusing on the mission it espoused when the COA was formed. Chairman Christensen advocates for a return to the initial mission of the COA.

“Over time, the focus of the Commission on Aging board has switched from assisting homebound seniors to the actual day-to-day operation of the COA,” Christensen said. “They need to get back to policy and leave the daily operations to the (COA) director."

Interim director Emmel of Abbott & Emmel Consulting, based in Midland, began working with the staff and others involved in the COA, approximately one year ago. The COA will actively seek a permanent director soon.

As part of its evolution, the COA will take a more “hands-off” approach to the county’s four senior centers, Christensen said. Those centers are located in Boyne City, Charlevoix, East Jordan and on Beaver Island. The COA will then have more time to focus on policy matters and assistance for home-bound seniors. Christensen said a committee could be formed with the responsibility of communicating with the senior center population and periodically report the status of each senior center to the county board of commissioners.

The county board of commissioners will hold an organizational meeting beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, in the Pine Lake Room in the lower level of the County Building. The COA will be part of the meeting.