City of Ponca City Senior Advisory Board

The City of Ponca City Senior Advisory Board was created by the Mayor and City Commissioners in June 2005, following a study of the Needs of Seniors in Ponca City Age 50 and Older conducted by the Commission-appointed Optimal Aging Committee in November 2004.

Meetings

Meetings of the nine-member Senior Advisory Board are held monthly on the second Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m. in the Barnes room at City Hall. All interested citizens are invited to attend.  

 Mission Statement

The Mission of the Senior Advisory Board is to be knowledgeable about the needs of seniors in the community and to coordinate and/or recommend the development of programs and services to improve the optimal aging of area seniors.  The Senior Advisory Board will be a source of information to the community about the availability of programs and services, and be a champion for needed services for area seniors.

Purpose and Duties

According to the Ordinance, the purpose of the Senior Advisory Board is to advise the Board of Commissioners and the City of Ponca City on any and all matters concerning, encouraging, fostering, and promoting senior development, in order to increase the well-being and quality of life of Ponca City’s senior population.  Some of the specific duties of the Board include: 

• Serving as an advocate and a voice for seniors in Ponca City

• Promoting the healthy or successful aging process through the recommendation of balanced and effective programming activities for seniors in three (3) areas associated with successful aging:

  • Social Activities to promote continued active engagement with life

  • Physical Activities to promote improved physical functioning

  • Programs on topics of current and vital interest to provide increased nowledge and promote greater mental stimulation.

• Determining where senior programming activities and services within Ponca City need to be created, enhanced, or restructured to benefit seniors more effectively, without duplicating services

• Recommending improvements to the physical facilities of the Ponca City Senior Center

  Board-Sponsored Events

The Senior Advisory Board sponsors an annual Successful Aging EXPO each year in late August.  This all-day event includes a Keynote Speaker, breakout small group sessions on topics of importance to seniors, vendor booths with information of interest to seniors, health checks, awards (for poetry, photography, and Senior Advocate or Support Organization), lunch and door prizes.

The Senior Advisory Board also co-sponsors a program in May for Older Americans and Mental Health Month.