SSA Committees & Task Forces
Members of SSA are encouraged to participate and share their expertise with other professionals through a number of standing committees. Students are especially encouraged to join a committee as an opportunity to work and interact with professionals in gerontology. Below are list of committees with a brief description and a contact person for more information.
Awards
Duties of this committee are to review candidates for a number of SSA awards, including the Walter M. Beattie, Jr. Award for making significant contributions to the field of aging in New York State, and the SSA Student Awards for students who have written high-quality research papers on a gerontological issue.
For more information contact:
Janna Heyman, Ph.D., President-Elect Chair
Email: heyman@fordham.edu
Budget/Finance
Duties of this committee include: a) auditing and reviewing the Treasurer’s Report; and b) planning and implementing strategies for fundraising.
For more information contact:
Robert Maiden, Ph.D., Chair
Email: fmaiden@alfred.edu
Committees and Standards
The duties of the Committees and Standards Committee are: 1) to review the business and proceedings of the Society to ensure compliance with SSA bylaws; 2) to provide guidance on the conduct of the Society’s business when requested by the Board of Directors, Elected Officers or SSA members, and 3) to suggest changes to Society by-laws to reflect the dynamic nature of the organization to reflect the current business and challenges of SSA.
For more information contact:
Ann Brownhill Gubernick, Chair
Email: abrownhill@verizon.net
Education
Supports the continued education and professional development needs of SSA members from all professions, as well as students and community leaders/advocates. It provides recommendations, knowledge and expertise to the SSA Board of Directors and collaborates with the Student Committee to support students’ knowledge of gerontology and careers in aging.
For more information contact:
Jurgis Karuza, Co-Chair
Email: Jurgis_Karuza@urmc.rochester.edu
Manoj Pardasani, Co-Chair
Email: mpardasani@fordham.edu
Electronic Communication
The Electronic Communications committee is charged with implementing and maintaining electronic communications to SSA members and the public through the SSA website, the SSA listserve, and SSA mailbox.
For more information contact:
Deborah Heiser, Chair
Email: deborahheiser@gmail.com
Membership
The membership committee works to recruit and attract new members to SSA as well as maintain contact with current and previous members.
For more information contact:
Tracey Sokoloff, BSN, MPH, Co-Chair
Email: tsokoloff@isabell.org
Christeen Verchot, Co-Chair
Email: cbverchot@utica.edu
Nominations
The nominations committee works to identify and nominate members to various board positions available in SSA.
For more information contact:
Thomas V. Caprio, Immediate Past President Chair-Nominations
Email: Thomas_Caprio@urmc.rochester.edu
Planning and Development
The Planning and Development Committee identifies opportunities to disseminate information about projects and research to enhance the quality of life for older adults of New York State; to increase branding of the State Society on Aging of New York; and to strengthen support of the organization through increased membership and financial support.
For more information contact:
James O'Neal, Co-Chair
Email: joneal@vnsny.org
Diane Rehse, Co-Chair
Email: diane_rehse@urmc.rochester.edu
Program 2010
The program committee is responsible for organizing the annual conference in October in concert with and under the direction of the President of SSA.
For more information contact:
Maria Yagual, Co-Chair
Email: MYagual@isabella.org
Liz Seidel, Co-Chair
Email: lseidel@acria.org
Meredith Morris, Co-Chair
Email: mermorris@gmail.com
Publications
The publications committee develops and publishes the biannual newsletter, membership directories, and other printed SSA materials.
For more information contact:
Jacqueline Berman, Ph.D., Chair
Email: jberman@aging.nyc.gov
Social Policy
The purpose of the Social Policy Committee is to facilitate the development of policy statements that address the needs of older people in New York State and are keeping with the mission of the society.
For more information contact:
Martha Bial, Chair
Email: bial@fordham.edu
Student Committee
The student committee informs and encourages student participation in the State Society on Aging of New York and also strives to find out what students' needs are and ensure that SSA tries to meet these needs. It welcomes participation from both professional and student members. It aims to provide student information sharing and networking and support to students throughout New York State.
For more information contact:
Irene Gutheil, Co-Chair
Email: gutheil@fordham.edu
David Steitz, PhD., Co-Chair
Email: dsteitz4@zimbra.naz.edu
Mebane Powell, Student Representative
Email: MPowell@aging.nyc.gov
Student Representative
For more information contact:
Mebane Powell
Email: MPowell@aging.nyc.gov
President's Circle
For more information contact:
Judith L. Howe, PhD., Chair
Email: judy.howe@mssm.edu
Minority Task Force – Ad Hoc Committee
For more information contact:
Corinda Crossdale, Co-Chair
Email: ccrossdale@monroecounty.gov
Luz Martinez, Co-Chair
Email: lmartinez@iclinc.net