EXECUTIVE ORDER
07-29

WHEREAS, the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging ("the Council") was formed in 1973 pursuant to the authority granted by the federal Older Americans Act of 1965 and organized within the Missouri Department of Social Services; and

WHEREAS, the Council serves a necessary function in that it investigates and advises the Governor regarding the needs, concerns, and potential of Missouri's elderly population. Additionally, the Council reviews and advises the Governor regarding the general direction of statewide aging services, conducts groups to study issues, and promotes public awareness; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, the Missouri Department of Social Services promulgated rules to direct the operations of the Council; and

WHEREAS, the Council and the rules governing it were transferred from the Missouri Department of Social Services to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services with the 2001 transfer of the Missouri Division of Aging; and

WHEREAS, at this time, it is necessary to amend the membership and the duties of the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging.

NOW, THEREFORE, I MATT BLUNT, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby reorganize the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging as follows:

The Governor's Advisory Council on Aging shall be composed of a total of twelve members appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall designate the Chairperson of the Council. Three members of the Council appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a term expiring September 17, 2008; three members of the Council appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a term expiring September 17, 2009; three members of the Council appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a term expiring September 17, 2010; and three members of the council appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a term expiring September 17, 2011. At the expiration of these terms, each succeeding member of the Council appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a term for four years. No fewer than fifty-percent of the members appointed to the Council shall be sixty years of age or older. Membership shall include participants in aging services and low-income minority Missourians. .

When a term is completed, the term shall extend until a successor is appointed and duly qualified. No member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. In the event a vacancy on the Council arises before a term is completed, the Governor shall appoint a person to fill out the remainder of the term.

I hereby charge the Council with the following duties:

1. Advise the Governor on state government's impact on the independence and dignity of Missouri's elders;
2. Advise the director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the director of the Division of Senior and Disability Services as to the administration of those programs that impact aging Missourians, including Older Americans Act programs, Social Services Block Grant programs, and long-term care functions;
3. Encourage the coordination of all the state's agencies, both public and private, as they provide services to the elderly by encouraging appropriate services, discouraging duplication and recommending new initiatives.
4. Serve on the Missouri State Senior Games Steering Committee, Finals Organizing Committee, and any other committee formed to assist in the promotion and implementation of the Missouri State Senior Games.

The Chairperson of the Council shall appoint special committees, subcommittees, and ad hoc committees as deemed necessary.

The Council will meet a minimum of four times a year, one of which will be designated as the annual meeting of the Council. The place and time of the meetings shall be determined by the Chairperson of the Council.

Any committees created within the Council shall submit annual reports of the committee's activities and recommendations to the Council chairperson at least thirty days prior to the annual meeting.

An annual report to the Governor of the council's activities and recommendations shall be presented by the Council Chairperson and approved by the Council at the annual meeting. Once approved, the Council shall submit the report to the Governor. Other reports will be made as deemed necessary by the Council and submitted to the Governor, director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, and the director of the Division of Senior and Disability Services.

The Council is assigned for administrative purposes to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The director of the Department of Health and Senior Services or his or her designee shall be available to assist the Council as necessary and shall provide the Council with any staff assistance they may require from time to time.

Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their services to the people of Missouri but may seek reimbursement of their reasonable and necessary expenses incurred as members of the Council.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 17th day of September, 2007.

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