Translated from the original version - Acadie Nouvelle - October 5, 2009

Robertville – Seniors should do more to assert their role in society.  The New Brunswick Senior Citizens` Federation encouraged the participation of seniors with the recent  presentation of workshops.  The NBSCF completed a provincial tour specifically for francophone members of Golden Age Clubs.  The sessions resulted from research to identify the needs of seniors.

Leadership was highlighted in the questionnaire.  The theme of “leadership” was chosen by the NBSCF as the initial one to be developed.

The workshops commenced in Grand Falls and concluded in Moncton during a one-week period.

The sessions developed action plans for members so they could take their place in society and assume responsibilities to advance their interests.

“Someone who is dependant on and always looks to a partner or the Club president to say yes or no, this will not work.  The tour created excellent discussion and debate, and it was well received” stated Sister Anne Robichaud, president of the Research Committee of the NBSCF.  While Sister Anne explained the results of the survey, Jean Ladouceur, former Director of the Faculty of Administration at the Université de Moncton, outlined the leadership stage.

“The session which I am presenting aims to identify the nature of leadership, the manner of presenting it at the Club level, and the way to develop leadership with the seniors to improve their situation and their quality of life” explained Mr. Ladouceur.

“Officers of seniors` Clubs can become agents of change, transform their activities, encourage interaction among members, in order to produce repercussions in the community” he added.

Dr. Jacques Faucher, director of l`Espace bioéthique Aquitain, in France, completed the round-table by encouraging debate on ethics and the respect towards seniors, which seem to have been lost over the years.  On the other hand, the seniors must also be open to suggestions from the younger generation.
There are approximately 170 golden age clubs in New Brunswick with a total membership in excess of 20,000.