Dear friends of GANS

Over the last several years the Board of Directors of GANS have worked diligently to find new and inventive ways to reach our membership and general population when the numbers at events started to decline. GANS held more intimate events like Networking Tuesdays and Lunch & Learns. Unfortunately people just did not attend these events.  We also  attempted to host a conventional style conference as well as an unconference, both of which were cancelled due to lack of registration.   We polled our membership for what they would like to receive from us, and responded with a website and members forum, both of which were not well utilized. GANS also lifted the membership fees for everyone to encourage more interest in the Association. When the fees had to be reapplied after two years, GANS was faced with the reality that very few members (<25) were willing to pay for membership.

As a result, of this, we realized that the time had come for GANS to dissolve as we could no longer ask the board members to continue putting forward time and effort. We put dissolution to a vote with the membership and they have  passed the special resolution for dissolving the Gerontology Association of Nova Scotia. The application shall be completed and submitted to the Registry. The remaining funds in GANS’ coffers were project funds received from the Department of Seniors and will be returned to them as per the Registry guidelines.

The decline in engagement has baffled the Board of Directors. As a group we felt that and still feel that aging is one of the biggest policy and community issues facing this province that has yet to be addressed. In the year 2012 this province does not have a dementia strategy and is faced with some of the highest alternative level of care rates in the country and there is not public discourse to have these and so many more issues addressed in a fair and systematic way.

It  is our hope that the void that is created by the dissolution of GANS is quickly filled with a ground swell of committed and concerned citizens who will voice the concerns of an aging population and advocate for those who have lost their voice. People who will ensure that every senior has enough, is treated with respect, and no one lives in fear in their home wherever that may be. There cannot be complacency with regard to the experiences of seniors in our province. There continues to be a great need for a spotlight and voice on  the lived realities of seniors.

Aging is the single unifier between every single one of us. We are all growing older and it is our wish that every single citizen in this province maintains their dignity and pride.

Thank you for your support over the past 35 years.

 Board of Directors

Gerontology Association of Nova Scotia 1977-2012