The day I chose

to drop by the Friendship Center of Fayette Senior Services was a busy

one. I had mentioned to FSS Director Andy Carden that I would like to

do a story on the center. He gave me an open invitation to stop by any

time.

Fortuitously,

I randomly chose the day when Carol Edwards, a representative from the

Area Council on Aging of the Atlanta Regional Commission, was visiting.

It was also the day FSS members had scheduled their quarterly meeting.

Edwards spent

the morning visiting with the group, playing cards and observing. Prior

to lunch Edwards and Carden called the group together for their quarterly

meeting, held in the dining and activity area. A number of the seniors

came to the center specifically to be on hand for the quarterly meeting.

Carden opened

the meeting with a few comments, then turned it over to Edwards.

Edwards has

been a regular visitor at FSS for over ten years and has watched the changes

over the years. She told them how the Center looked when she first began

monitoring the program, noting that staff members had volunteered their

time and their families to wallpaper and paint and make the place more

cheerful. She asked questions regarding their views on the Center and

explained the role of the ARC in many of the day-to-day decisions and

choices made by FSS.

Her primary

mission at the meeting was to determine whether the group would like to

establish a more formal "site council" which would allow them

some independence from Fayette Senior Services. She explained the concept,

the advantages and the rules, then entertained questions. Ultimately,

a vote was taken by FSS members regarding setting up a site council. They

unanimously rejected changing their current status.

Fayette Senior

Services is subject to oversight by the Atlanta Regional Commission as

they receive funding from the agency. FSS is a not-for-profit agency with

16 employees. All of the employees work on a part time basis with the

exception of Carden. Numerous volunteers help in a wide assortment of

areas.

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