This is a statement that a former professor of mine used to challenge my class of older students. Our aim was to become Addiction and Mental Health Counsellors and part of our education was to take a good hard look at who we were before venturing into the world of helping others. Some of us thought the statement meant that we would be reliable and predictable if this was how we lived our lives, others then put forward the idea that if you just do things in the same old way, without thinking through each situation, you could quite easily get stuck in a rut.

Creative problem solving is when a situation presents itself and you use the opportunity to find new ways of thinking, behaving, exploring options and determining the action to be taken, and then monitor the outcome. Sometimes the results are not what you had hoped for, so you go back and see what other options can be taken. Unfortunately, at times when an issue is presented we either resist taking action or we take too long thinking and exploring ideas before we ever get to the action stage, and in the meantime, more problems have been added to the issue we set out to resolve.

This year, the board resolved to find more opportunities to work collaboratively with organizations that have been actively engaged for some time on the issue of poverty, to give support to actions that others initiate and to offer our help where and when needed. Several members made contact with key groups and have already attended meetings. It is felt going it alone would be counterproductive when a lot of work has already been done.

As in past years, limited affordable housing, the rising cost of health care, (some of it related to the cost of prescription drugs), the environment and its impact on vulnerable people i.e., the frail elderly, those with chronic illness and children, have been cause for continued concern and action. At a board meeting a number of months ago it was suggested each committee should include the additional impact for those living in poverty. The board requested that the president, at the February meeting of the Ontario Seniors Secretariat Liaison Committee, recommend that an invitation to attend a Liaison Committee meeting be extended to Cabinet Minister Deb Matthews, Chair, Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction. This received wholehearted support. The committee is pleased that the province is following through on its promise to focus on poverty and that the members would welcome the opportunity to be included in a consultation process, similar to other provincial initiatives, recent examples, the Local Health Integrated Networks (LHINs) and the Aging at Home strategy.

We participated in the Consultation on Retirement Homes, organized by the Ontario Seniors Secretariat. Our desire is that the government will soon pass legislation to cover the management of these homes. In November we were able to send a representative to the Elder Abuse Working Forum in Vancouver, thanks to the financial support of the Ontario Seniors Secretariat.

We helped plan a debate together with a number of organizations that provide support to recipients of Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). This was held in September under the auspices of the Doctors of Social Work, University of Toronto. Representatives from four main political parties responded to questions by a panel of three people representing those who are on ODSP.

In November 2007, members of the board were asked to participate in a pilot pandemic exercise directed toward the frail and vulnerable. Volunteers were trained to phone those who might need help and to address specific needs. CPC members took the part of the frail and vulnerable.

Members of the board are active participants at Canadian Pensioners Concerned (CPC) meetings and functions, many are also involved with a variety of other community organizations. I believe that their broader involvement enriches this organization. My appreciation to all of you for your support, ideas, energy, knowledge, attention to detail, hard work and sense of humour.

Many thanks to the members who write letters, represent CPC at meetings and community events, share ideas, write articles for our publication, Viewpoint, are helping hands for mailing, set up displays, tell others about CPC and last, but not least, continue their membership and financial support.

To Dorothy Archer, editor of Viewpoint congratulations for a job well done and to Margaret (Peggy) Gunhouse, Office Manager, thanks for keeping us on track.