Council on Aging launches 2025 senior-man and senior-woman nominations

Mary Anne Easley, chair of the Council on Aging, told members the council will open nominations for the 2025 Senior Man and Senior Woman of the Year beginning tomorrow and that the nomination form has been revised to ask nominators to list organizations, length of service and duties.

The new form, Easley said, is intended to require more detail from nominators while allowing flexibility on how many organizations a nominee lists. Easley said nominations will open May 8; the deadline to submit is May 30 at 1 p.m., and the council will choose the winners at its June 4 meeting. "Nominations are open tomorrow, May 8. The deadline for submitting applications is May 30," Easley said.

The nomination is limited to volunteer service only. Easley said nominees "must be volunteers who are not paid for their efforts" and that the form will be changed to clarify that listing three organizations is optional. Laura (Salt Marsh staff) confirmed the form and supporting materials will be distributed through the Salt Marsh newsletter, Daybreak, NCTV and the Salt Marsh website; she also said she will include the nomination notice in her newsletter and that a press release will go out the morning nominations open.

Council members discussed the annual awards event format. Easley said the council and the NCEA, a nonprofit that serves seniors, plan to cosponsor the recognition event in late June and are weighing whether to replace the traditional luncheon with a later-day cocktail reception at the Salt Marsh or to approach the Nantucket Hotel as a possible venue. Easley said the NCEA would cover the cost. "We have plenty of time for planning," she said, but added she will "talk it over with NCEA because they're the people who are going to fund this thing."

Members were reminded to read all nominations in advance; the council's established selection process asks each member to rank first, second and third choices for a man and a woman. Laura told members last year the council received about 25 nominations and that all nomination packets will be emailed to members prior to the June 4 meeting. "Last year, we had about 25, which was a lot," Laura said.

The council postponed approval of minutes because the minutes were not available and approved the meeting agenda by motion. Members were urged to publicize the nomination window and to be prepared to form a quorum on June 4 so the selections can be made on schedule.

The Salt Marsh will issue the press release and distribute printed forms to the facility and other community locations when nominations open.