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Governing & Advisory Boards

A variety of local and state agencies, commissions and boards work with senior centers. Among them are the following:

Area Agency on Aging

As required by Federal law, the state designates Area Agencies on Aging to administer and coordinate aging services in each part of the state. The agency may be a unit of local government or it may be a private, nonprofit organization. The Area Agency on Aging may be called the “Department of Aging,” “Office of Aging” or it may be named differently.

Commissions on Aging

Commissions on Aging are boards that oversee the provision of services to seniors living in a geographic region. They generally are created through a governmental authority such as a county commission. There are state and local Commissions on Aging.

Commissions on Aging were established to act as advisory bodies; however, some commissions also make policy. Commissions make recommendations regarding plans and programs in areas that benefit the health, safety and welfare of seniors.

The Maryland Commission on Aging advises the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Aging about the needs of seniors in Maryland and the work of the Maryland Department of Aging. The Commission's thirteen members are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor.

Senior Center Advisory Boards or Councils

Many senior centers have advisory boards or councils. These boards work closely with center staff to identify the needs of seniors, and to assist with program planning. Many of these groups also raise funds for center activities.

  • Bylaws
    Many centers have a constitution and bylaws that provide a structure for the advisory board's or council's operations. The center councils are usually established as nonprofit organizations. Center staff is responsible for working with the councils to ensure that the bylaws are followed
  • Officers
    Most center councils or advisory boards have elected officers. Center volunteers usually hold these elected positions for a designated term of office.
  • Open Meeting Law
    Advisory boards and councils usually hold regular meetings to keep center members informed of center business. Under Maryland's Open Meetings Act, the meetings must be open to the public. However, a board or council may close a meeting under certain circumstances, such as when discussing personnel matters or possible litigation.

National Institute of Senior Centers Accreditation (NISC)

National accreditation is based on compliance with standards of senior center operations developed by the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC), a unit of the National Council on the Aging (NCOA). To learn more about the standards and the accreditation process visit NCOA's web site. NISC has awarded national accreditation to 150 senior centers. Many more centers are in the process of becoming accredited. National accreditation status must be renewed after five years.

Accredited senior centers are in 21 states across the country – quite an achievement for an accreditation program that was launched in 1998. NISC's National Accreditation Program provides official recognition that a senior center is meeting its mission according to professionally established standards of quality.

Mark of Excellence
Dr. A. Eugene Smiley, NISC past-chair, describes accreditation as the official mark of excellence. "It portrays the senior center in a positive light in terms of being a viable, fundable, and qualified provider of services within the community. It says we do everything we can to go the extra mile for our clients."