KSC searching for board representation

WEST CARLETON – The Kanata Seniors Council (KSC) is looking for volunteers to join the leadership group.

The KSC, which provides service and advocacy for seniors in west Ottawa including West Carleton, is gearing up for their September Annual General Meeting and is currently seeking nominations for their board.

West Carleton Online spoke with KSC President Kay Dubie Saturday (Aug. 4) morning.

“As with all volunteer board groups we are having trouble getting volunteers out,” she said. “Seniors are busy people. They travel, they have a lot of regular activities, it’s hard to get dedicated members.”

The KSC has an office in the Kanata Seniors Centre and runs a few of their program out of there.

The KSC runs a computer lab and offers computer lessons; runs the Council Café which provides inexpensive, nutritious meals and a chance to socialize: has a travel team that organizes day trips; and hosts several special events.

The KSC café manager is the only paid employee in the organization.

Their biggest annual event is the two-week Far West Fun Fest and an annual Retirement Village Fair. For a complete list of all the KSC’s activities, programs and functions, visit their website, here.

“Our programs are very busy and very popular,” Dubie said. “That’s why we need a good board of directors.”

The 21-year-old KSC is well used by the West Carleton community, Dubie says.

“The come in to participate in our major events,” Dubie said. “They might not come every week for cards, but they support our signature events.”

And sometimes the KSC heads out to West Carleton.

“We hosted an all candidates meeting in Carp three or four years ago,” Dubie said.

The KSC advocates for all west Ottawa seniors. A few years ago, the KSC participated in the mayor’s Older Adult Forum. It was an opportunity to provide input when Mayor Jim Watson was seeking a United Nations designation for Ottawa as a senior friendly city.

Last June, the KSC participated in the second meeting with city officials regarding the designation.

They advocate with respect to roads, sidewalks and other senior issues.

“We do a little bit of this, that and the other thing,” Dubie said.

Dubie says the KSC sits at about 1,100 members “but not all are active.”

Membership is free to join, and you have to be a member in order to participate in any of the KSC’s events and functions.

“We’re a very open organization,” Dubie said.

Dubie says she has enjoyed her time on the board, and if no one decides to run for president, she’s prepared to continue.

“It’s been satisfying,” she said. “I’ve met so many new people and it’s so satisfying to see a project succeed.”

Currently there are 12 members and the board has room for 15.

This has been a strong board,” Dubie said. “It’s very much a working board. We’re ambitious and we’re a fun group.”

To pick up a nomination form you can either visit the KSC and get one from the front desk of download one from the KSC website. Completed forms must be returned no later than 4 p.m. on Aug. 17. You can drop them off or email them to ked.dubie@sympatico.ca.