Financial Planning and Management for Seniors was the topic of discussion at the 12th conference on seniors organized by the National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC) on October 28, 2006 at the Kerala Center in Elmont, Long Island, NY. Despite the stormy weather with heavy rain and high winds, over sixty participants participated in the day-long event, which was held in collaboration with the Indian American Kerala Center and India Association of Long Island (IALI).
 
The National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC), incorporated in early 1999, is a nonprofit 501C3 organization with the mission to serve seniors through information, referral and advocacy services.
 
The main speaker of the day was Dervinder Singh Esq., an Attorney and Financial Planner. The luncheon keynote speaker was Dr. Sharon Mullon, Commissioner, Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs. She spoke on: Services for Older Adults and How the Nonprofit and Public Sectors Can Work Cooperatively Together. The participants were welcomed by E.M. Stephen, Executive Director of the Kerala Center and Dr. Samir K. Dutta, Vice President of NIAASC. In his opening remarks, Rajeshwar Prasad, NIAASC Executive Director, urged all the participants to pray for an early recovery of Anjali Pandya, wife of Dr. Ashwin Pandya, NIAASC President, who had to be with her at the hospital, and made it a point to attend the afternoon session.
 
Satpal Malhotra, NIAASC Treasurer, while introducing Singh, brought to the attention of the participants that Singh was always willing to help the community. Dervinder Singh, underscored the importance of Health Proxy, Durable Power of Attorney, and Living Will. He also elaborated on Long Term Care. During the interactive discussion, he urged that everyone needed to have the above instruments and he volunteered to help fill out the forms if a working session was arranged by NIAASC.
 
While introducing Dr. Mullon, Dr. Binod K. Verma, IALI President, underscored her wide range involvement in issues and problems faced by seniors for many years. In her address, Dr. Sharon Mullon focused on the various services provided to seniors in Nassau County by her department, including, housing, nutrition, adult day care, caregiver support, home energy assistance, long term care insurance information, health care information, counseling and assistance. She also touched upon intergenerational programs. Dr. Mullon stated that a comprehensive and coordinated county-wide network of 35 senior centers has been established. She also distributed literature about services to seniors. Dr. Mullon alluded to a paper presented by Rajeshwar Prasad, NIAASC Executive Director, last year on adaptability difficulties faced by seniors of Indian origin who have immigrated to USA in the last decade or so.
 
The luncheon keynote address was followed by the Awards Ceremony wherein three honorees were recognized. Ardaman Singh Madan was chosen to receive the award in the category of someone directly involved in conducting senior program for Indian Americans. The Senior Citizen Program at the Jain Center of America – New York (JCA) in Elmhurst, Queens was chosen for this honor in the category of an ongoing Indian American senior program. The JCA, a 25-year old organization, has the mission of promoting Jainism undertakes many educational and religious activities, but the focus has always been the goodness of humanity. In the category of a well-known community leader with commitment, though not necessarily involved directly, to concerns and aspirations of seniors, NIAASC selected an internationally known community leader Dr. Thomas Abraham. Dr. Samir K. Dutta gave a historical perspective of almost 4-decade community service for NRI/PIOs by Dr. Abraham.
 
The day-long event also saw the election of the new Board members. The NIAASC Nominating Committee Chairman, E.M.Stephen, informed that as per NIAASC Constitution, one-third members retire every year. This year on December 31, seven members “will be retiring but they are eligible to be reelected.” All agreed to serve on the Board of Directors for a term of three years ending December 31, 2009: The seven members are: Tara Kotecha, Dr. Ashwin Pandya, Chandubhai Patel, Rajeshwar Prasad, Dr. Ashok Satkalmi, E.M.Stephen and Romesh Tewari. In addition, the committee recommended the election of six new members to serve on the Board of Directors. The committee recommended Sampurna Jain, Meena Modak, P. Ramaswamy Mohan, and Avinash Suri for a term of two years ending December 31, 2008, and Ardaman Singh Madan, and Chandrakant Shah were nominated for a one year term ending December 31, 2007.
 
As per NIAASC Constitution officers are elected for a 2-year term. While Dr. Ashwin Pandya continues to be the president, Dr. Samir K. Dutta and MK Ramasubramanian are the vice-presidents.  Satpal Malhotra will continue as the secretary, and Chandubhai Patel is the treasurer.

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