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Re-designation of “Officially Designated Events”

• Re-designation of “Officially Designated Events”
• General Issue Areas Being considered by the Policy Committee
• Events Calendar

Re-designation of “Officially Designated Events”

Effective April 4, 2005 a new policy will be adopted to clarify the distinction between independently-sponsored events and those that are Federal in nature. This will involve changing the name officially designated events to independent aging agenda events. In addition, an explanation and new instructions will be disseminated and posted on the website. The text below is to replace the current section on the web relating to designated events:

• The 2005 White House Conference on Aging continues to receive a tremendous amount of information, comments, solutions and general input to the Policy Committee for purposes of developing the final agenda. This indicates the degree of excitement and enthusiasm that exists with regard to the theme chosen for the conference: “The Booming Dynamics of Aging: From Awareness to Action.” We will continue to seek input from a broad array of stakeholders and interested parties as the Policy Committee prepares the 2005 agenda and resolutions for the conference; however, we need to distinguish independently-sponsored events from those that are governmental.
  
  
• Because there has been some confusion in public perception on the distinction between official federal government events and activities sponsored by entities independent of the federal government, events previously known as officially designated events will be renamed to be known as, independent aging agenda events.
  
  
• This change in guidance is designed to clarify that these events are conducted by entities independent of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. As a result, the name, logo or image of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging cannot be used. Further, the following disclaimer must be displayed on materials associated with any independent aging agenda event:
  
  
  • This “independent aging agenda event” is designed to provide input to the Policy Committee of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. This event is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the White House, nor does it in any way represent the policies, positions, or opinions of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging or the federal government.
    
    
• The Conference continues to welcome information gathered at these independent aging agenda events.

To apply for this designation, please read the following guidelines and submit the Request for 2005 Independent Aging Agenda Event Designation Form that is provided to and mail to Moya Thompson, Director, Outreach Coordination, 2005 White House Conference on Aging, 4350 East West Highway, 3rd floor, Bethesda, MD 20814 or by fax at 301-443-2902. You will be notified within two weeks of receipt of your application whether your event may be officially designated.  If you have questions, please contact Moya at 301-443-2394.

Background and Purpose

The 2005 White House Conference on Aging is intended to produce policy recommendations to guide national aging policy over the next decade through 2015. The leading edge of the baby boomers will begin to turn 60 within two years, and for the next three to four decades, the 60+ population will be significantly larger than today. The 2005 White House Conference on Aging will focus on opportunities and challenges presented by the “new” 60+ population of 78 million, as well as consider issues that impact the mature older population.

In Public Law 106-501, the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000, Congress specifically identified the primary purpose for the White House Conference on Aging to be to gather individuals representing the spectrum of thought and experience in the field of aging to:

(1) Evaluate the manner in which the objectives of this Act can be met by using the resources and talents of older individuals, of families and communities of such individuals, and of individuals from the public and private sectors;
(2) Evaluate the manner in which national policies that are related to economic security and health care are prepared so that such policies serve individuals born from 1946 and 1964 and later, as the individuals become older individuals, and
(3) Develop not more than 50 recommendations to guide the President, Congress and Federal agencies in serving older individuals.

Guidelines for Designation as an Independent Aging Agenda Event

In order for the 2005 White House Conference on Aging to consider the Designation as an Independant Aging Agenda Event for a local, state, regional or national activity or event, event planners must adhere to the following guidelines:

(A) The event must be policy oriented, open to the public and focus on one or more national policy issues that affect older Americans and the baby boom generation (born between 1946 and 1964).
(B) The event must include persons who represent both the public and private sectors.
(C) The event cannot be profit making, or used for fund raising. The cost of the event may be recovered by charging only for costs associated with the event.
(D) The Executive Director of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging must approve the event.
(E) A written report of the event, including its discussions, must be submitted to the
White House Conference on Aging within 30 days of the event and no later than
October 1, 2005. Each report must utilize the Official Event Report Format (to be
be provided once the event is officially designated) and

• Be clear, concise and brief (no more than 5 pages).
• Recommendations should relate to the Conference theme and agenda. (See attached list of general issues being considered by the Policy Committee)
• All recommendations must be prioritized by rank, with the most important listed first. Recommendations should clearly state specific issues as well as potential barriers and creative solutions.

Process for Designation as an Independent Aging Agenda Event

The 2005 White House Conference on Aging will welcome applications for Independent Aging Agenda Event until September 1, 2005. Each submission for (see attached form) will be reviewed, and the applicant will receive a response within 2 weeks. If the above guidelines are met, an Letter of Designation, together with the required format for the Post-event Report, will be sent to the applicant. All Designated events will be listed in the final WHCOA Conference Report. It is important to note that Designation does not imply that the WHCOA endorses the recommendations.

Applications for WHCOA Designation of Events may be submitted by mail to Moya Thompson, Director for Outreach Coordination, 2005 White House Conference on Aging, 4350 East West Highway, 3rd floor, Bethesda, MD 20814 or by phone at (301) 443-2394, by email to moya.thompson@whcoa.gov, or by fax at 301-443-2902.

• Application Form for Designation (PDF - Fill-in)

General Issue Areas for the 2005 White House Conference on Aging

The following is a list of general topic areas (including examples) that are currently being considered by the Policy Committee of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging.

Planning along the Lifespan
Public and private financing of services and benefits for current and future older Americans; Increased personal savings and investments for retirement;

• Continuing caregiving responsibilities, and long term care insurance (e.g. tax incentives)

Workplace of the Future
Flexible work arrangements; Re-employment; and Maximum use of technology

Our Community
Housing; Transportation; Access to supportive services; Livable Communities Health and Long Term Living; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Transition from a Disease Care System to a Health Care System; Chronic Disease Management; Chronic and Acute Disease Research; Use of Technology in Healthcare Delivery and Access; Focus on Nutrition Needs and Education; Home Care and Institutional Care

Social Engagement
Community Service and Volunteerism; Leisure Activities; Lifelong Learning

Marketplace
Responses to Consumer Needs and Demands: Product Development (consumer products, consumable supplies and services)

Related Links:

• Annotated Issue Agenda approved by Policy Committee (PDF)

Events Calendar