Seniors' Advisory Committee

Terms of reference:

Policy advice

The committee:

• Provides input to City Council and staff about issues of concern
• Considers any matters which may be referred to the committee by Council or staff
• May take positions on policy initiatives from other levels of government within the mandate of the committee

Collaboration

The committee:

• Works co-operatively with city staff and other agencies whose activities affect constituent communities, including initiating and developing relevant projects
• Acts as a resource for staff doing public involvement processes and civic events
• Monitors City programs to ensure that the needs of the elderly and their families are considered

Awareness and outreach

The committee:

• Exchanges information with the constituent communities and the general public about relevant programs and issues of interest
• Engages in outreach to disseminate information and encourage participation from constituent communities

Planning and reporting

The committee:

• Produces an annual work plan with specific objectives by no later than April of each year, in consultation with Council and staff liaisons, for distribution to Council and civic departments for information
• Presents accomplishments and progress to date at the annual Council of Councils event
• Submits an annual report to Council describing its accomplishments for the year, including reference to each objective set out in the work plan and any arising issues to which the committee has responded

Subcommittees

• Housing
• Transportation
• Communications

Meeting frequency

The committee meets six times a year and does not meet in August. Generally, the committee meets once a month on a Friday at City Hall.

Attendance requirement

Members may miss no more than two consecutive meetings without obtaining leave of absence from the committee. Membership will be terminated following the second such absence.

Membership

Volunteer opportunities will be posted on the City’s vacancies webpage when available

Persons appointed to an advisory body shall meet the following essential criteria:

• Not be employed by the City of Vancouver
• Live or work in Vancouver, or have a significant body of experience with issues in Vancouver
• Be able to demonstrate relevant experience or knowledge, abilities and skills relate to the mandate of the advisory body

Composition:

• 15 members of the public
• 2 non-voting Council liaisons
• 1 non-voting Park Board Commissioner liaison
• 1 non-voting staff liaison
• 1 non-voting School Board Trustee liaison
• 1 non-voting Vancouver Public Library staff liaison
• The appointment of civic members to each advisory committee shall meet the compositions objectives set out in the Diversity on Advisory Bodies policy

Length of term:

• Committee members are appointed until December 31, 2020.
• No member of the public shall serve for more than four consecutive years on the same advisory body. A former member is eligible for reappointment after one year out of office.

Liaisons​

• City Staff: Taryn Scollard, Director, Streets Division

Meetings, agendas, and minutes

All meetings are open to the public.

In addition to the regular meetings listed here, the Committee also meets several times per year for informal working sessions. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office for more information.

2018 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2017 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2016 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2015 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2014 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2013 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2012 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2017 in Review

An overview of the committee's 2017 accomplishments and future goals as presented at the Council of Council's on October 12, 2017.

• View the poster

2017-2018 Work Plan

The 2017-2018 Work Plan summarizes the high priority objectives for the committee term and establishes an action plan to achieve those objectives

• View the work plan 

2016 in Review

An overview of the committee's 2016 accomplishments and future goals as presented at the Council of Council's on November 9, 2016.

• View the poster  (933 kb)

2012-2014 Report of activities

• View the committee's report

2012-2014 Council of Council presentation

An overview of the committee's closing term accomplishments and recommendations for continuation of the work was presented at the Council of Councils in December 2014.

• View the committee's presentation (1.8 MB)

Fall 2012: Advised and supported the City's Seniors Dialogues

The City of Vancouver held six Seniors Dialogues to ask local seniors, their caregivers and seniors service providers to share their ideas on how Vancouver can prepare for a growing seniors and older adult population. In particular, the City wanted to hear how City facilities and services can be more age-friendly – how they can be made more accessible and inclusive of older residents with diverse needs, an important consideration in pursuit of Vancouver’s Healthy City Strategy goal of making a healthy city for all.

• Learn about Vancouver's Healthy City Strategy