Bellevue’s Network on Aging, a 20-member nonprofit advocacy group working on issues related to aging adults, is now looking for two new members to appoint to the board.

Founded in 2006 and inspired by groups such as the Kirkland Senior Council, the Network on Aging formed to advocate for causes that would benefit aging adults in the Bellevue community. The Network on Aging formed independently but works with the Bellevue Parks and Community Services Department for support with community and legislative outreach as well as collaboration with regional groups.

Dan Lassiter, community services supervisor and staff liaison for the group, said the group works by discussing important issues and then going out to speak with various legislators or governing boards to advocate for beneficial change for seniors.

One of the current issues the board is working on, Lassiter said, was transporation for the elderly and disabled around Bellevue. The board is in discussion with Metro Transit about more options for seniors. Members of the board have also met with legislators on local, regional and state levels on a variety of issues. Going down to Olympia to speak on an issue isn’t an uncommon activity for the board.

“Another big area they’ve been really pushing is to get programming for memory loss,” Lassiter said. “There’s not much activity to help people with Alzheimer’s or dementia.”

The group also works with similar boards based in other communities such as Kirkland. Part of the current efforts of the board include more regional partnerships to provide a more unified voice across the Eastside, Lassiter explained.

Of the 20-person board, 15 are voting members while the additional five act as liaisons that still participate in discussions and group activities but do not have voting power. Members serve for two-year terms, but terms can be renewed indefinitely as long as a given member is continually voted to retain their position. Members must devote six to 12 hours per month to board activities and must live, work or serve older adults in Bellevue.

Applications for the two open positions are due on Sept. 28. Lassiter explained that September is when they put the call out for new members to fill open positions, and interviews for those positions will take place in October.

Application forms can be picked up at the North Bellevue Community Center on 4063 148th Ave. NE. Moe information is available at Network on Aging web page www.bellevuewa.gov/bnoa and at Bellevue Aging Services office at the North Bellevue Community Center.

For more information, contact Community Services Supervisor Dan Lassiter at 425-452-4470 or by email at dlassiter@bellevuewa.gov.