Jan. 15, 2008

Thomas Friedman, a foreign affairs editor at The New York Times, is one of my favorite authors. One of his books, The World is Flat, has had a profound impact on my thinking about AAHSA and its role, not only in the US but in our global society.

In the book, Friedman describes the unplanned cascade of technological and social shifts that effectively leveled the economic world, and "accidentally made Beijing, Bangalore and Bethesda next-door neighbors." These shifts "created a flat world: a global, web-enabled platform for multiple forms of sharing knowledge and work, irrespective of time, distance, geography and increasingly, language."

So, what does that mean for your organization and for AAHSA? It means that the world is getting smaller and with the impending global aging phenomenon, everyone, regardless of where they are in the world, is facing similar challenges and opportunities in our field of serving older adults. I believe that we have a responsibility to share our innovations and models of care with others and to learn new approaches from aging service providers in other countries.

In recognition of this dynamic, we are pleased to announce a new benefit of membership for all AAHSA members - automatic membership in IAHSA - the Global Ageing Network.

Founded just 14 years ago, IAHSA is now world's largest network of aging-service providers, reaching more than 20,000 providers in 35 countries. IAHSA is ideally positioned to take advantage of the new technologies that have 'flattened' the world and is rapidly becoming recognized as a valuable resource for knowledge on the state-of-the-art ideas and trends in senior care and services around the world.

As an IAHSA member, you can:

Learn and Share Best Practices:

• Learn the latest from other countries about their work older adults. Their experiences today can shape your work tomorrow.
• Gain access to a great pool of innovative ideas and solutions to the problems we all face.
• Develop personal and professional connections with providers from around the world.
• Attend IAHSA educational events at discounted rates

Stay Informed:

• Read IAHSA's monthly email newsletter, Alliance. It features the latest news and resources on topics ranging from technology to workforce and design.
• Visit IAHSA's Web site. The site offers information you need to know about IAHSA events and programs as well as access to valuable resources.
• Read and share on IAHSA's Global Ageing Network Blog. It's a quick and nimble way for you to connect to us and your colleagues around the world.

And I can't forget about the conferences. IAHSA's 7th Biennial International Conference in Malta last June was an unparalleled success. More than 750 aging-service professionals from 30 countries, including almost 200 of your fellow AAHSA members, came together for a model of shared learning and global cooperation centered on what we all want: the highest-quality care for the people we serve. IAHSA's 8th Biennial International Conference will take place in London, England, July 20-22, 2009. Plan now to attend, and join many of your colleagues at this incredible event.

This year, IAHSA will expand its role as an international leader by establishing regional Centers for Ageing Services Technologies in Europe and Australia. IAHSA will also work with AAHSA's Institute for the Future of Aging Services to expand our knowledge of the challenges related to the long-term care workforce, an issue confronting all providers across the globe.

But enough from me. Here's what some of your colleagues have to say about what IAHSA membership means to them:

"Being a member of IAHSA has broadened my vision as to how services can be provided in New York City after being informed of best practices in the Global Community. I have found great value in meeting quality people around the world, who I am happy to call colleagues and friends."

William T. Smith, PhD
President/CEO
Aging in America, Inc.
Bronx, N.Y.

"It is wonderful to learn about what is going on around the globe in aging services. It never ceases to amaze me how different we are but also how the same we are. "

Donna G. McAleer
President and CEO
Elant, Inc.
Goshen, N.Y.

"I have never yet missed an IAHSA conference. I most remember the first one in Amsterdam. My husband, John, and I ran into a young couple from Ireland who had scraped together the money to come out of a very small budget. She ran a small home service agency in Dublin. We all talked over lunch. John and his new friend went off to the pub for the afternoon and she and I went on the tours. We mainly sat on the bus talking about our organizations and how we deliver the services. Found we were a lot alike on some things but viewed others differently. I think we could have talked for hours comparing our worlds. I have never forgotten that afternoon."

Mary Alice Ryan, President/CEO
St. Andrew's Resources for Seniors
St. Louis, Mo.

"My most memorable moment is when we visited an assisted living provider which had converted a large and beautiful mansion with large floor to ceiling windows. One of our tour group asked what would happen if a resident fell out of the second story window. "The Administrator replied, "They would probably get hurt." Folks from the USA laughed because licensure and law suits were foremost on our minds. It was refreshing to see that some societies still function at a common sense level."

Laverne R. Joseph
CEO
Retirement Housing Foundation
Long Beach, Calif.

"When I think of IAHSA, the first thing that comes to mind is the activities and workshops delivered by the outstanding leadership of individuals around the world all working toward common goals. Some of these ideas I would have never encountered if it was not for my involvement with IAHSA and its conferences. In my opinion, IAHSA is a very valuable organization and recommend that any individual or organization involved in housing become an active member. "

Steve Protulis
Executive Director
Elderly Housing Development & Operations Corporation
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

These statements say it all. Despite obvious differences between themselves and their peers, these members recognize the overwhelming similarities they share with their fellow IAHSA members. They all found great value in meeting quality people around the world, and are now happy to call them colleagues and friends. It's in this spirit that AAHSA welcomes you into our Global Ageing Network.



William L. Minnix, Jr.
President & CEO

AAHSA · 2519 Connecticut Ave. NW · Washington DC 20008 · www.AAHSA.org