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Our senior activists are always hard at work, educating and advocating--
just take a look at the recent activities below!
Your financial support keeps us on the front lines;
Mass Senior Action members take Action!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
About 50 Mass Senior Action members traveled the corridors of the MA State House to visit their legislators, asking them to support several items in the pending state budget, including funding for Long Term Care Counseling program (which could keep folks out of a nursing home), and funding for home care (to eliminate the waiting list of over 3,000 seniors). MSAC members were also asking legislators to vote against a mandate that would force seniors into Senior Care Option programs. Watch the video (here)
A determined contingent of Mass Senior Action activists wearing (paper) toilet seats headed to the Federal Building as well to target U.S. Senator Scott Brown, asking him to vote FOR an extension of the Recovery Act FMAP, which would provide approximately $608 million in federal funds to support Medicaid and other critical programs in Massachusetts.
 Remember when Senator Brown ran for office, he declared that “This is not Ted Kennedy’s seat, this is the People’s Seat”? MSAC members want to know why Brown is treating that seat more like a toilet seat, flushing away $608 million in federal support, and refusing to listen to the very people that he was placed in that seat to represent. Although several hundred constituents had called into Senator Brown’s office by Wednesday (almost all asking that he vote FOR the extension, according to one of his staff), Brown voted against the legislation in a test vote. Just like 30 other states, the Massachusetts budget assumed the six-month extension of the Recovery Act FMAP. If FMAP was not approved by Congress, Massachusetts would be forced to reopen the budget and make very deep, painful cuts to Medicaid and other programs, causing great harm to Medicaid and other vital home and community-based services for seniors in our state. Senator Brown said he could not vote for the FMAP extension because it would "increase the deficit and includes higher taxes". Call his office and tell him to vote for the extension, at 202-224-4543. [UPDATE: Even though Senator Brown voted No, Congress did pass FMAP. Now we need to get the Massachusetts legislature to apply those funds as promised.] 29th Annual Celebration Dinner - May 21, 2010
Jim Hightower - featured speaker
 On Friday evening, May 21st, more than 325 members and supporters celebrated the hard work and success of our members, and focused ahead on the second half of 2010 and beyond. Jim Hightower (national radio commentator, author, and public speaker) gave a wonderfully motivational speech, for which the crowd rewarded him with a standing ovation. (He also signed copies of his books afterwards, to the delight of dozens of participants.) It turned out to be a exceptional evening.
Each chapter recognizes an individual who goes above and beyond - the chapter's Unsung Hero. In 2010, these men and women were chosen by their chapter members: Arthur Alexander (Boston Chapter), Nancy Smith (Betty Schmidt-Cambridge Chapter), Ken Goldstein (Metro North Chapter), Ruth Sehovey (North Shore Chapter), Vivian Moulden (Springfield Chapter), and Guy Oliveira (Bristol Chapter).
John Bennett (former MSAC President) received a special 2010 Recognition Award from MSAC for his years of work on behalf of Mass Senior Action, presented by MSAC President Ann Stewart and Executive Director Carolyn Villers; Jim Hightower and Ann Stewart. SENIOR ACTION DAY at the STATE HOUSE
April 28, 2010
 Over 250 Mass Senior Action members, plus dozens of supporters, descended upon the State House to bring senior issues into sharp focus for their elected officials. The Rally and Speak-out covered a number of compelling issues before the legislature, including home care funding, health care justice, senior housing, elderly driving/senior transportation, safe levels of nurse staffing, and raising revenue so we stop cutting programs and start funding them! After traveling into Boston from all over the state, members held the rally on the Grand Staircase and then spread throughout the State House, meeting with their legislators.
Officers Training Workshop
January 21, 2010
 Twenty-three of our newly-elected MSAC Chapter officers and statewide Board members traveled from every corner of Massachusetts to join together in a day-long Officers Training Workshop, held in the beautiful offices of SEIU 1199 in Dorchester. Among the topics discussed: the history and achievements of MSAC, the Organization's structure, Officer duties, Roles & Responsibilities of Board Members, an Intro to Robert's Rules of Order, Mass Senior Action's By-Laws, and a review of the Convention 2009 Resolutions. Through both large group discussion and small group workshops, these members came together as the 2010-2011 team, dedicated to the view that Mass Senior Action is a member-driven organization, and as a state-wide organization, our goal is to effectively empower local communities and shape the statewide debate through our collective strength.
Expiring Use bill signed into law -Mass Senior Action was a driving force behind making it happen!
November 24, 2009 For the past several years, MSAC members have campaigned tirelessly to save affordable housing in Massachusetts. In November 2009 we celebrated a major success in this campaign, when Governor Patrick signed into law "An Act to Preserve Affordable Public Housing", creating a process for private and public purchasers who agree to preserve affordability to purchase developments when and if they are for sale, and providing stronger tenant protections. Why is this so important?
·Tens of thousands of privately owned apartments in Massachusetts are made affordable through time-limited state and federal subsidies. They are known as “expiring use” buildings.
·Since 1998 more than 5,000 of these affordable apartments have been converted to market rate rents.
·In the next three years the subsidies could end for over 23,000 of these affordable homes.
·Approximately 85% of the residents in “expiring use” buildings are seniors or younger people with disabilities.
·Massachusetts’ communities cannot afford to permanently lose this important source of affordable housing.
 Representative Kevin Honan with Mass Senior Action Council (MSAC) members and other bill supporters on October 28th.
(Front row, left to right) Gloria Bittle (MSAC), Peggy Hurson (MSAC), Rep. Honan, Deloris V. Anderson (MSAC), Carolyn Villers (MSAC Executive Director), (Middle row, L to R) Geneva Harris (MSAC), Maryann Mulligan (Governmental Strategies), Kathy Brown (BTC), Sean Caron (CHAPA), Alison Staton (MACDC), Elizabeth Toulan (GBLS), (Back row, L to R) Susan Hegel (GBLS), Ann Jochnick (GBLS)
 Our MissionAs a democratic grassroots senior-run organization,
MSAC is committed to empowering seniors and others
to act collectively to promote the rights and well being of all people,
particularly vulnerable seniors.
Funded in part by
 and byAFSCME Council 93 Retirees
The Boston Foundation
Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA Corporation
Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA Foundation
Boston Carmen's Union
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Civic Engagement Initiative
Common Stream
Greater Lynn Senior Services
Grimes King Foundation for the Elderly
The Hyams Foundation
IUE-CWA Local 201
Ironworkers Local 7
Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development
Margolis & Bloom
Massachusetts Nurses Association
Partners HealthCare Systems
Amelia S. & Carlos P. Rockwell Charities Fund
Roxbury Trust Fund
SEIU Local 509
SEIU 1199
Senior Whole Health
UAW Retirees Council
Villers Fund
Wainwright Bank
and many other generous funders and event sponsors ~
Thank you for your thoughtful support!
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