The Ohio Association of Senior Centers, Inc. (OASC) is celebrating 59 years of service to Ohio Senior Centers and, by extension, the older adults they serve. As OASC celebrates another milestone as the oldest state association of senior centers in the nation, we recognize that we have come a long way, we are leading the way into the future aging network and we look forward to the 2018 Annual Spring Conference “Staying Dynamic in a Changing World.”

In 1959, a small group of dedicated senior center directors led by Muriel Bertsch of Hamilton, Ohio met to establish a new organization. She had a vision of uniting senior centers in Ohio to enable them to become stronger focal points of service in their communities. This organization was originally known as the Ohio Association of Centers for Senior Citizens, Inc. In 1975, the organization incorporated. Then, in 1984 the name was changed to the Ohio Association of Senior Centers, Inc. (OASC). While a strong leader in Ohio, Ms. Bertsch was also a founder of the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC). She often used her OASC experience as a guide in building NISC and for how other state associations could benefit the aging network. The purpose of OASC has remained essentially the same over all of these years, to provide leadership, advocacy, training and networking for its members.

Within the first few years an annual conference became the center piece of this active group. The OASC Spring Conference is still a “must attend” for senior center and aging network professionals. In 1983, a newsletter was first published and continues to be a vital link with members. In 1995, senior center staff certification became a reality and continues as an important part of the mission of OASC. In 1998, OASC made its presence known on the World Wide Web. In 2015, The OASC introduced Senior Center Certification which offers Senior Centers another level of professionalism and dedication to senior care.

The Board of OASC is made up of active, busy senior center directors and staff who work hard as volunteers on behalf of senior centers and the clients these senior centers serve. Through the years, board members have come from all over the state to add to the diversity of ideas and create a strong, effective organization that benefits urban, suburban and rural senior centers in their mission to serve senior citizens where they live.

As member senior centers, we are part of a great tradition. Together, we look forward to a bright future in the aging network as we serve older adults through senior centers. Please visit our website at www.ohioasc.org.