New Britain Area Seniors Keeps Residents Aware of Issues

Who out there has the more knowledge in helping seniors than fellow seniors? That is the key to the New Britain Area Seniors (NBAS) group and their motto "Seniors Teaching Seniors on Senior Issue".

According to Marilyn Slate, group president, the NBAS does not focus on one particular senior issue, but a variety of issues.

"We have different speakers come in and talk to the group each month on a variety of issues," said Slate. "We've done it every month for years now."
Over 8 years in fact as the group was founded on Feb. 14, 2002.

"The organization exists to provide a voice to senior citizen issues both locally and statewide," according to Slate. "To accomplish this, we work collaboratively with United Seniors in Action USA."
United Seniors in Action USA provides leadership training for members.

"Over the years, we have made many trips to the state capitol and have been successful in advocating for ConnPACE," said Slate. "In our monthly meetings we have discussed many issues including scams, elder law, bereavement and banking to name a few."

Such representatives as the police chief, fire chief, mayor, bankers, nurses, politicians and pharmacists have been among the many guest speakers.

"You name it. We had it," added Slate.

Members of the group must be at least 60 years old and can come from New Britain, Farmington, Kensington, Newington, Plainville and Southington.

"We are a bottoms-up group and it's the people who decide what they want," said Slate. "The people decided that the disabled who are looking for help can also join."
Membership dues are $10 once a year. Meeting admission is $2. It is held the second Thursday of each month at the Massachusetts Room in the New Britain Senior Center.

The group also sends out newsletters once a month filled with information, jokes, puzzles, a calendar and a recap of previous month's meetings.

"We also include things like birthday notices. We need the month not the year," Slate joked. "We also want them to know things that are going on such as the Triad Senior Prom. We are also thinking about doing a survey. At the end of the survey one name would be pulled out of a hat and a $100 prize may be given."

The group, which is run through a board of directors, also holds various fundraisers such as picnics and holiday parties throughout the year.

"What we do is really up to our members. Their voices are what have made us a success," said Slate. "Our goal is that every senior citizen has the opportunity to get involved and have a voice in solving issues that confront the senior population."

The next meeting is planned for June 10 at 12:30 p.m. at the New Britain Senior Center, 55 Pearl St.