Terms of reference
(Revised April 2002, approved by Toronto Council in June 2002)
The Toronto Seniors' Assembly provides an opportunity for the City, through the Toronto Seniors' Advocate and seniors' communities across Toronto, to better inform seniors of City initiatives and help shape issues within the City from a critical seniors' perspective.
Mandate
The mandate of the Seniors' Assembly is:
- to be a citizen advisory body to Toronto's Seniors' Advocate, advising on seniors' issues;
- to consult with respective communities on City issues and bring forward community issues to the attention of the Seniors Advocate / City;
- to provide expert advice, representing respective community perspectives on City issues impacting on seniors; and
- to increase its capacity to effectively address seniors' issues in Toronto and to partner with the City in advocating to senior levels of government.
Membership
Membership is made up of:
- senior citizens, residents of Toronto, minimum age 55, available to participate in Assembly activities as required, selected by and having direct links to other seniors initiatives (organizations or groups), able to communicate with and represent their constituency as required, and
- up to three non-voting associate members involved in seniors' issues, not bound by age or representational criteria, elected by the Assembly to assist as resource persons.
Membership reflects the diverse seniors' population, ensuring representation based on geography (across Toronto), demography (ethno-racial/linguistic/First Nations, abilities, gender, etc.), local communities and communities of common bond. The Assembly will strive to have one-third of its members represent ethno-racial, Aboriginal, and linguistic seniors groups in Toronto.
Membership is for no more than two consecutive terms (six years) and an attempt will be made to ensure overlapping membership and continuity of work.
Citizen members speak and vote as individuals on the Assembly, unless specifically asked to consult their constituency. An alternate may vote at the Assembly on behalf of the member if the latter is absent. If a member misses three meetings without reasonable notice, that member will be deemed to have resigned.
All Assembly meetings are open to the general public.
Structure
The Assembly is co-chaired by the Seniors' Advocate and a citizen elected at the beginning of its three-year term. Meetings are held bi-monthly or at the discretion of the Co-chairs.
An Executive Committee is established to set the Assembly's agenda, ensure that motions arising from meetings are implemented in a timely fashion and when required, initiate a membership selection process which must be approved by the Assembly. In circumstances where time does not allow for consultation with the Assembly, the Executive is authorized to speak and act on its behalf, following consultation with the Seniors' Advocate or designate.
The Executive is comprised of nine Assembly members elected at the beginning of every Council's term. The Executive elects its Chair and meets as required. There are no alternates, as meetings are focused on Executive matters. Guests may be included in the agenda for specific items. Unless they are elected Executive members, chairs of subcommittees attend as non-voting members. The Co-chairs of the Assembly are ex-officio members with voting rights.
Sub-committees are struck by the Assembly as required, reflecting the Assembly's priorities and according to the availability of resources. Where possible, sub-committees will mirror City departments. Each sub-committees elects its Chair and report through the Executive to the Assembly. Their meetings are open to the general public and participation of non-members is encouraged.
Organizational membership - Toronto Seniors' Assembly
Reports and other publications
Related links:
211Toronto.ca
Ontario Seniors' Secretariat
Seniors Canada On-line
