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History of the Southeastern Association of Area Agencies On Aging, Inc.

The Southeastern Association of AAAs (SE4A) was organized in 1973 by several Area Agencies in the Southeast Region, which included representatives from eight states and was a result of their concern over national and regional issues facing Area Agencies on Aging attempting to establish viable programs for the elderly.  The major thrust of the initiatives in establishing the Association centered around problem solving, training, and dissemination of information pertinent to assisting Area Agencies on Aging in implementing, improving, and/or expanding com­prehensive and coordinated services for older people throughout the Southeast.  One of the major goals established for the Association was to coordinate an Annual Training Conference region-wide.  This thrust has been continued throughout the existence of the Association.  It provides the mechanisms necessary to promote skill development, professional knowledge, best practice sharing, and information exchange.

The Association established a central contact office in 1980 under the leadership of the 1980 President, George Dick, when the Association decided to incorporate.  The contact office was originally established within the First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging, 207 North Boone Street, Suite 800, Johnson City, Tennessee 37604.  The Association became chartered and incorporated under the laws of the State of Tennessee in 1981 under the leadership of Sandra Ray, President, 1981.  In an effort to continue formalizing the purpose of the Association, the Association received tax exempt status as a 501 (c) (3) organization in 1982 under the leadership of Mr. Tom Reece, President, 1982.  Today, the Association continues its incorporation status in the State of Tennessee with the corporation’s Registered Agent being Nancy C. Peace, Director of the Upper Cumberland Area Agency on Aging in Cookeville, Tennessee.

PAST CONFERENCES AND PRESIDENTS OF THE ASSOCIATION

The first annual meeting of the Association was held in 1974 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in conjunction with the first Annual Training Conference.  The Annual Conference with Association's meetings have been rotated throughout each of the eight Southeastern states and has established a rotation routine as a result of com­pleting the eight-state cycle in 1981.  The Association works on behalf of Area Agencies on Aging and older persons in eight Southeastern states, including the states of Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama, with the listing order reflecting the Annual Conference rotation cycle.

A listing of the Association’s past Presidents along with the locations of the Annual Membership Meetings by the year held is included in Appendix A, Presidents and Annual Meetings of the Association.  For historical purposes, it should be noted that the term “President” replaced the office of “Chairman” by the Association with its 1993 by-law amendments.

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

During its development and history, the Association has established four professional awards to recognize outstanding contributions by individuals and organizations in the field of aging:

  • The JANE KENNEDY EXCELLENCE IN AGING AWARD is presented annually to one or more individuals or organizations either inside or outside of the Area Agency on Aging network that promotes the safety, welfare, and well-being of older persons within the Southeast region.  The Association’s Board renamed this Award, previously known as the EXCELLENCE IN AGING AWARD, in 1998 to recognize the contributions and service of one of its founding members, Jane Kennedy.  It was first awarded in 1977.
  • The POSITIVE IMAGES IN AGING AWARD recognizes the private and/or public sector groups, agencies, or businesses for their efforts to present a positive image of older adults.  Recognized at the Annual Conference, this award may be given at any time of the year.  Each nomination is measured against the award criteria making this award unique in that it is non-competitive with other nominations.  It was first awarded in 1987.
  • The PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AWARD is presented annually to recognize out­standing partnerships within individual states of the Southeast between the public and private sectors in support of the aging population.  The maximum number of awards is one per State per year.  It was first awarded in 1991.
  • The OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD recognizes religious institutions, service agencies civic clubs, and governmental departments, which have made positive contributions to the lives of older people.  It was first awarded in 2000.
  • Depending upon the availability of funds, the Association has also adopted the practice of awarding one or more Scholarships on an annual basis to deserving students who are planning a career in gerontology.  Any member AAA may submit or sponsor a student’s nomination.

Appendix contains a detailed listing of the Association’s past Award Recipients.

SE4A Annual Meeting Locations & Listing of Past Presidents

Year President Annual Meeting
1974 Bob Gonia (AL) Fort Lauderdale , FL
1975 Bob Gonia (AL) Atlanta , GA
1976 Morton Congleton (NC) Biloxi , MS
1977 Nancy Peace (TN) Myrtle Beach , SC
1978 Peggy Chadwick (KY) Lexington , KY
1979 Jane Kennedy (MS) Nashville , TN
1980 George Dick (SC) Asheville , NC
1981 Sandra Ray (NC) Birmingham , AL
1982 Tom Reece (TN) Clearwater , FL
1983 Nelda Barnett (KY) Savannah , GA
1984 John Wade (MS) Biloxi , MS
1985 Julia Greene (FL) Charleston , SC
1986 James Kirkland (SC) Lexington , KY
1987 Linda Bedo (NC) Nashville , TN
1988 Bill Cooper (KY) Winston-Salem , NC
1989 Kay Hind (GA) Huntsville , AL
1990 Gayle Boswell (AL) Orlando , FL
1991 Robert McFalls (TN) Savannah , GA
1992 Jane Mapp (MS) Biloxi , MS
1993 Robert McFalls (TN) Myrtle Beach , SC
1994 Nancy Robertson (AL) Louisville , KY
1995 Nancy Robertson (AL) Memphis , TN
1996 James Kimbrough (KY) Charlotte , NC
1997 Michael Stogner (SC) Mobile AL
1998 Michael Stogner (SC) St. Pete Beach, FL
1999 John Stokesbury (FL) Savannah , GA
2000 John Stokesbury (FL) Biloxi , MS
2001 Kathy Whitaker (TN) Myrtle Beach , SC
2002 Kathy Whitaker (TN) Lexington , KY
2003 Amy Tribble (GA) Gatlinburg , TN
2004 Amy Tribble (GA) Research Triangle Park , NC
2005 Debbie McCarty (KY) Perdido Beach , AL
2006 Debbie McCarty (KY) Orlando , FL
2007 Dean Burgess (NC) Savannah , GA
2008 Nancy Robertson (AL) Biloxi , MS

SE4A Listing of Jane Kennedy Excellence in Aging Award

YEAR

JANE KENNEDY EXCELLENCE IN AGING AWARD

1977

Dr. Arthur Flemming

1978

Congressman Claude Pepper

1979

Margaret Jacks

1980

Dr. Ellen Winston

1981

M. Gene Handelsman

1981

Dr. Nan Hutchinson

1982

Virgie Cone

1983

Viola Brawner

1984

Coach Pete Griffin

1985

Vita Ostrander

1985

Morton Congleton

1985

Morton Congleton

1986

Dr. Septima Clark

1986

Dr. Septima Clark

1987

Anthony E. Stark

1988

Nancy C. Peace

1989

Patrick B. Harris

1990

Dr. Eric Pfeiffer

1991

Philip Mishkin

1992

Frank O. Hinckley

1993

Dr. Beverly Pardue

1994

Cheryll L. Schramm

1995

Robert B. (Bob) Blancato

1996

Jane Kennedy

1997

Dr. George L. Maddox

1998

John Arriola

1999

Virginia Zachert, Ph.D

2000

Jimmy Buffett

2001

Margot Holland Raynor

2002

Kay Hind

2003

Peggy Chadwick

2004

Betty Rose Severyn

2005

Jean R. Bridges

2006

Robert L. McFalls

2007

Dennis Streets

SE4A Listing of Positive Images of Aging Award

YEAR POSITIVE IMAGES OF AGING AWARD
1987 Land's End
1988 McDonald's, Wal-Mart
1989 Days Inn of America, Super D Drug Company
1990  
1991  
1992  
1993 Choice Hotels International; Tennessee Valley Authority-Health Services Division; and North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
1994 NationsBank
1995 Aiken Regional Medical Centers, Aiken, SC; Leadership for an Independent Future for the Elderly, Memphis, TN; NationsBank, Columbia, SC; Radcliffe Elementary School, Aiken, SC; and The WMC Stations, Memphis, TN
1996 Eastern NC Alzheimer's Chapter, Raleigh, NC; Southern Piedmont Alzheimer's Chapter, Charlotte, NC; Triad NC Alzheimer's Chapter, Winston-Salem, NC; Western NC Alzheimer's Chapter, Asheville, NC; Project LOVE, Columbia, SC; St. Petersburg Times, FL; Wal-Mart Store #630, Florence, SC; and WKNO-TV, Memphis, TN
1997 Kellogg Company; and Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, TN
1998  
1999 The Golden Life Newspaper, Senior Leaders, Inc., Kensington Foundation, Sun Trust Bank, Brandon Wilde
2000 Wal-Mart Super Center, Edens Garden & Aiken Elementary, Tropicana Product, Inc
2001 Mattie C. Hall Health Care/Center Camp Wee Journey Intergenerational Day Camp, Andy Rooney, CBS News, South Carolina Silver Haired Legislature, Roy E. Mathis, Speaker, Kingsport Senior Center/Omega Challenge
2002 Next
2003 North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature; Chad Buffkin-Golden Life Newspaper of Hartsville, SC; Joel Stoner and Daniel Curry - Kentucky Legal Aid
2004 Tom Smith, TimesDaily from AL; Main Street Cafe and Catering from TN; Joyce Kidd from Johnson County, TN, Senior Center; KIPDA AAA Division of Social Services from Louisville, KY; Greenville, SC Sherriff's Office; Georgia Generations Magazine; Northern Services Volunteer Behavior Health Care System of TN
2005 Northwest Piedmont Medicare Lookout Senior Theatre Troup of NC; Highlands Community Ministries Outreach Program of Louisville, KY; Barren River Family Cargiver Support Program of Ky; Rogersville, TN, Senior Citizens Center
2006 North Carolina Regional LTCO Association for "Faces of Long Term Care"; Senior Lifestyles – WBZT 1230 AM, Ron Kauffman, Host; News Connection USA for Mature Lifestyles and Senior Connection; Tri-County Elder Abuse Council; Covenant Senior Health; Baptist Regional Medical Center
2007 Dr. Melissa Hakman and Western Kentucky University; Connie Hodges and United Way of NE Florida; ElderServe, Inc.; Retirement Living Television

SE4A Listing of Public/Private Partnerships Award

YEAR PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AWARD
1991 SC South Carolina Electric & Gas Co.
TN Memphis Senior Survey Research Team
1992
1993 AL Morrison's Hospitality Group, The Alabama Aging Network
  GA WRDW Television, Central Savannah River AAA
  KY General Telephone Electronics, Lincoln Trail AAA
  MS Mississippi Power Company-Singing River Electric Power Association, Southern Mississippi AAA
  NC Henderson County Council on Aging, Eaton Corporation, Steel Case Corporation, Land-of-Sky Regional Council
  SC Coastal Advertising Federation, Coastal Carolina AAA
  TN First American Bank, Upper Cumberland AAA
1994 AL First National Bank, Birmingham
  GA Valdosta Mall, Valdosta
  KY Elizabethtown Lincoln Trail Drug Education Resources
  NC Interim Healthcare, Inc, Wilson
1995 AL Alabama Power Company/TARCOG AAA
  FL Florida Power and Light Co./Florida Association of AAAs
  KY Bath County Medical Clinic Senior Support Services, Owensville/Gateway AAA
  MS Deposit Guarantee National Bank, Jackson/Southwest MS PDD/AAA
  SC Premier Cable Communications, Gaffney/South Carolina Appalachian AAA
  TN Agenda for Independent Living Through Empowerment, Memphis/Delta AAA
1996 KY Western KY University Adult Day Health Care Center/Barren River AAA
  SC Roper Health System, Charleston, SC/ElderLink, Inc.
  TN TN Leadership Team, AARP/TN Association of AAAs
1997 AL Valley Innovative Services, Inc./South Central Development Commission AAA; and, Carrousel Productions/Top of AL Regional COG/AAA
  FL Better Living for Seniors Consortium/Tampa Bay Regional Council AAA
  GA Phillip Morris/Miller Brewing Company/SOWEGA Council on Aging AAA
  NC Cone Mills/Isothermal PDC/AAA
  SC Irmo Chaplin Recreation Commission/Central Midlands COG/AAA
  TN First American Bank, Cookeville/First TN & Upper Cumberland AAAs
1998 AL University of Alabama at Huntsville College of Nursing/Top of Alabama Regional Councils of Government AAA
  FL North Broward Hospital District, AAA of Broward County
  NC Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, North Carolina Association of AAAs
  TN West TN Health Care, Northwest TN AAA, Southwest TN AAA
1999 NC Bluedog Associates, Inc., North Carolina Association of AAA's
  SC Louis Rich Company, South Carolina Association of AAA's
  TN AARP/Tennessee State Office, Tennessee Association of AAA's
2000 AL Madison County Wal-Mart Super Center, TARGOG
  NC Super Kmart, Albermarle Commission AAA
  TN Durham Foundation, Tennessee Association of AAA's
2001 NC Second Harvest Food Banks/North Carolina Association of AAA's
  SC Bi-Lo, Inc. /South Carolina Appalachian COG/AAA /Central Midlands COG/AAA
  TN Knox County District Attorney's Office/Knoxville Legal Aid Society
2002 NC Land-of Sky Regional Council AAA/Ingle's Markets, Inc.
  GA SOWEGA COA/AAA/Merck & Co., Inc.
  FL AAA of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. /Eckerd Patient CARE Network
  KY Barren River AAA/Western Kentucky Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc.
2003 NC Operation Heat/Fan Relief Program
  GA GA Prescription Drug Program./GA AAA's & GA Division of Aging
  KY GR AAA/ Town Square Mall
  TN TN King PHARMA/First Tennessee Human Resource Agency
  AL Alabama Vision Center/TARCOG AAA
2004 KY United Parcel Service and Arthur S. Kling Senior Center
  NC Prime Times Publications and Land-of-Sky Area Agency on Aging
  SC The Sage Institute and South Carolina Appalachian COG/Area Agency on Aging
  TN N Lawler-Woody, Inc. and East Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability
2005 AL Al Valley Services, Inc./ Alabama Area Agencies on Aging
  KY Ben Crocker, Attorney at Law/Barren River Coordinating Council on Elder Abuse
  TN TN AARP Tennessee State Chapter/Tennessee Association of Area Agencies on Aging
2006 AL Central Alabama Aging Consortium/HealthSpring of Alabama
  SC South Carolina Appalachian COG-AAA/Bi-Lo, Inc., Joyce M. Smart
  FL AAA for Southwest Florida/Florida Power and Light

2007     AL    Westar Aerospace and Defense Group/TARCOG Area Agency on Aging
KY   Huish Detergents Inc/Barren River Area Agency on Aging
NC   Lowe’s Home Improvement Store #0561/Eastern Carolina Council AAA