CARP launches Kelowna chapter
by Elisha Dacey
Jan 24, 2010
An organization that is more than 340,000 members strong has re-launched an Okanagan chapter.
The Okanagan Chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) held their first AGM Wednesday night to elect their first board of directors and begin operations.
"I know there was a chapter here some years ago," says spokesperson Nigel Brown, "but they folded."
Brown says CARP, a national organization that advocates on behalf of older Canadians and the various issues they face, currently has 2,500 members in the Okanagan and they'd like to double that while encouraging people to join the local chapter.
The local chapter will pursue local advocacy efforts on behalf of seniors, while supporting provincial and national efforts to get government action on issues like health care, pensions, elder abuse and ageism, says Brown.
But while the group does have a strong advocacy side, Brown says the Okanagan Chapter of CARP will also provide a sense of community.
"The Okanagan has twice the national average of seniors, and so they need twice the advocacy," says Brown. They plan to offer information sessions and educational opportunities to members who are interested.
Brown is quick to add CARP isn't just for seniors, it's for anyone 45-plus.
"There are a lot of younger people taking care of their elderly parents," says Brown. "And those people will eventually be elders themselves."
Brown says the steering committee for the chapter includes people from all walks of life, including non-profit groups, a retired diplomat and sales managers.
Brown says the Okanagan chapter's website will be up shortly. In the meantime, people wishing to join the local chapter can do so through the CARP national site and add chapter No. 30 when prompted to do so on the site.
Membership is $35 a year.
The Okanagan Chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) held their first AGM Wednesday night to elect their first board of directors and begin operations.
"I know there was a chapter here some years ago," says spokesperson Nigel Brown, "but they folded."
Brown says CARP, a national organization that advocates on behalf of older Canadians and the various issues they face, currently has 2,500 members in the Okanagan and they'd like to double that while encouraging people to join the local chapter.
The local chapter will pursue local advocacy efforts on behalf of seniors, while supporting provincial and national efforts to get government action on issues like health care, pensions, elder abuse and ageism, says Brown.
But while the group does have a strong advocacy side, Brown says the Okanagan Chapter of CARP will also provide a sense of community.
"The Okanagan has twice the national average of seniors, and so they need twice the advocacy," says Brown. They plan to offer information sessions and educational opportunities to members who are interested.
Brown is quick to add CARP isn't just for seniors, it's for anyone 45-plus.
"There are a lot of younger people taking care of their elderly parents," says Brown. "And those people will eventually be elders themselves."
Brown says the steering committee for the chapter includes people from all walks of life, including non-profit groups, a retired diplomat and sales managers.
Brown says the Okanagan chapter's website will be up shortly. In the meantime, people wishing to join the local chapter can do so through the CARP national site and add chapter No. 30 when prompted to do so on the site.
Membership is $35 a year.
SOURCE: CastaNet
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