The very first meeting of the Arizona Senior Center Association was held at the Desert West Senior Center, City of Phoenix in 1991. Doris Marshall with the City of Phoenix and Steve Trahan with Mesa Senior Services were looking to unify state senior centers so issues and concerns could be presented to AAA Region I. Some who attended the first meetings were not at all interested in unification issues because they were not AAA funded or did not have the meal component in their senior centers. After seeing there could be a lot gained by having a state association where issues could be addressed, ideas shared, networking done and so on, ASCA was formed. The founding members who later became Chairs of the organization continue to provide support to the organization. The first official Statewide program ASCA held was the "Senior Center Spelling Bee"

Those who belong to ASCA have found it is very beneficial. In the past many senior centers struggled as they did not have an association to lean on or learn from. Senior centers needed a support system, a place to go for training and a means to network with other professionals in their field. Because national conferences are so expensive and small communities and towns do not budget for them the Association decided to provide an affordable in-state alternative.

In the past the Association held all day winter in-service events. This is something the association has discussed and will continue to look at for future non-conference events. One of the early boards of directors developed the bylaws. Tweaking has been done through the years and continues to be done as the association changes. Milestones for the Association included the following. In 1998 under Chair Sally Bartsch the association became a 501-C-3 and able to accept charitable donations. The toll free telephone number was established in 1999 and the first employee was contracted for the agency to assist administratively. In the early 2000’s a web site was created by Brad Bixler giving members more ability to communicate and allowing persons to inquire directly through the website regarding ASCA issues. This service continues and is an important factor in promoting the Association.

Earlene Sharp/2002-2003 ASCA President states, "I have seen a lot of changes in ASCA through the years. I think the conference is still of key importance to keep the association together." Earlene along with others would like to see ASCA increase membership to make it even more statewide. This is being accomplished as the association now has the list of every senior center in the state and will continue to invite them to join us for our annual conference and to our quarterly meetings. So please become a member of ASCA and help us become the best association in the United States of America!

HISTORY OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

• 1994 - Strike It Rich – Laughlin
• 1995 - Mining for Gold - Prescott
• 1996 - Prospecting New Highs - Prescott
• 1997 - Aging Trends under the Sun - Tucson
• 1998 - The Future Is Now! - Prescott
• 1999 - Aging Services in the New Millennium
• 2000 - Raising Standards
• 2001 - Managing Change
• 2002 - Going for the Gold - Prescott
• 2003 - Building Bridges for the Future - Prescott
• 2004 - Sizzle and Spice, Creative Ideas for Arizona - Globe
• 2005 - Up, Up and Away: Vision for the Future - Tucson
• 2006 - Building Better Programs-The Future is Now – Flagstaff
• 2007 - Boomers-R-Us – Laughlin

ASCA PRESIDENTS PAST AND PRESENT

• 1992 – Steve Trahan - Mesa
• 1993 – Steve Trahan - Mesa
• 1994 – Ivy Wixson - Sun City
• 1995 – Ivy Wixson - Sun City
• 1996 – Dan Taylor - Mesa
• 1997 – Dan Taylor - Mesa
• 1998 – Sally Bartsch -Phoenix
• 1999 – Sally Bartsch -Phoenix
• 2000 – Joan Brainard - Glendale
• 2001 – Joan Brainard - Glendale
• 2002 – Earlene Sharp - Phoenix
• 2003 – Earlene Sharp - Phoenix
• 2004 – Jane Eck - Mesa
• 2005 – Jane Eck - Mesa
• 2006 – Brad Bixler – Lake Havasu
• 2007 – Brad Bixler – Lake Havasu
• 2008 – Brad Bixler – Lake Havasu
• 2009 – Brad Bixler – Lake Havasu