The Central Plains Aging Advocacy Network is comprised of a group of individuals from Harvey, Butler and Sedgwick Counties who have expressed an interest in issues affecting older adults.

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy, is the utilization of resources to influence public decisions.

Advocacy involves action. The person doing the action is called an "advocate". The following list of key action statements give an idea of how broad advocacy can be.

• Advocates may represent themselves or a group.
• Advocates listen to others to be better informed.
• Advocates gather and share reliable information related to issues or goals.
• Advocates sell their point of view to others.
• Advocates mediates between individuals and groups to achieve mutually beneficial change.
• Advocates build coalitions to gain wider support for a particular idea or course of action.

Senior advocacy that works.

Successful advocacy on behalf of older adults often has some of the following components:

• It uses information and research in a timely fashion;
• It targets the appropriate individual or group that can bring about the desired change;
• It creates strengths and cohesiveness among diverse senior groups in a community that may become effective, articulate spokespersons;
• It understands the community and maintains its perspective about what it is trying to achieve;
• It plans activities to involve the greatest number of people possible to achieve the greatest impact; and;
• It raises the consciousness and understanding of participants and the general public about the issues involved.

There are many ways to be an advocate.

You can be an advocate on behalf of yourself. You can also be an advocate for another individual, or a group of individuals. The group can be residents of a certain area. Or it can be a class of people, such as all people over the age of 60. You can be an advocate for an existing organized group, such as a charity or civic organization.

You can also be an advocate for the public interest. In this case, for example, you may present a point view before the state legislature or a Governor's planning task force.

Some people feel reluctant to assume the role of an advocate. They may be understandably nervous about stepping forward to take on the responsibility. They may feel more comfortable simply "helping" people.

Sometimes the situation is complex, and those involved are confused about how to proceed to get their point of view across and obtain change. They may not be sure exactly what change they should propose. Maybe they have never fought city hall before, and wonder if it is possible to make a difference.

Too often, however, the reluctance to be an advocate is based on the fact that people may not feel they have the right to be heard. They have simply never thought of themselves as someone who could testify or mediate a dispute or represent their group before a board of commission.

You will be surprised just how much you can do, once you get started. And you will find that there are a lot of people just like you that hold similar ideas. You will discover that you have more resources to create change than you at first believed.

Kansas Silver Haired Legislature

The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature (SHL) is a unicameral legislature composed of 125 representatives. All are over 60 and are elected from their county residence. Wyandotte, Johnson, Shawnee and Sedgwick counties have 5 additional delegates. The legislature provides an educational experience in the political process and provides an opportunity to identify priority concerns of Kansas senior citizens. The SHL develops bills and resolutions which are presented to the Kansas Legislature and the Governor as recommendations for state policy.

What is the Purpose of Silver Haired Legislature?

• To Educate - Participation provides experience in the political process.
• To Inform - Actions of the SHL inform the public and the Kansas Legislature on concerns of the elderly.
• To Involve - The SHL provides over 412,000 seniors a way to become involved.

How is the Silver Haired Legislature Funded?

The SHL is funded by donations and volunteer help. Contributions are tax deductible and may be made payable to the "SHL Treasurer" and sent to the treasurer or to an Area Agency on Aging.

Who may become a Silver Haired Legislator?

Any Kansan aged 60 and over who is a registered voter may file for candidacy. The term of office is two years and members may be re-elected for three successive terms.

How are Silver Haired Legislators Elected?

Silver Haired Legislator elections are conducted by the Area Agencies on Aging across the state every two years. Candidate registration forms, petitions and filing instructions are available from any Area Agency on Aging.

What are the responsibilities of a Silver Haired Legislator?

Advocate for legislation introduced by the SHL testify at hearings on SHL legislation, meet with seniors in their county/district on SHL legislation affecting the elderly, and attend scheduled SHL meetings and SHL annual session.

How to get involved?

To become a candidate obtain the rules and procedures from an Area Agency on Aging or an officer of the SHL. If you do not want to become a candidate, support your Silver Haired Legislator(s) and suggest issues of concern to the elderly.