Seniors Navigator Melanie Melanson joined Federal Retirees volunteers and members from across P.E.I. for a screening of Golden: The End of Ageism, a powerful film about age stereotypes.
Summerside branch volunteers were impressed by the film Golden: The End of Ageism, which they first viewed at the Federal Retirees 2022 Annual Meeting of Members (AMM). So impressed, in fact, that they wanted to make sure older adults in P.E.I. also had the opportunity to view the film.
Working with the staff advocacy team to secure the rights to screen the film, branch volunteers went about planning a movie night open to all older adults on the Island. Branch president Colleen Duval initiated the idea, while treasurer Brian Marcipont and advocacy volunteer Wendy Marcipont Doyle planned the event. Branch volunteers Leah Boyle, Cheryl Allen, Cliff Poirier, Juliette Arsenault and Denise Murchison, as well as P.E.I. APO Anne MacEwen helped make this event possible.
The event was attended by Federal Retirees members and prospective members, members of the local community and staff of the office of the P.E.I. minister of social development and seniors, including Seniors Navigator Melanie Melanson.
“This event was a great success and a wonderful way of involving members of the community in our important advocacy work for all older adults,” said MacEwen.
“From the first time I watched this film, I felt its power and the feedback on this film was exactly what I hoped for. I heard comments like ‘I never realized that when I was treated that way, my discomfort was justifiable’ and ‘I am going back to that class where I felt I didn’t belong,’ and even ‘I have done that to myself, excluded myself due to age’,” said Duval.
As a direct result of this event, the P.E.I. Department of Social Development and Seniors is exploring the opportunity to purchase the screening rights for Golden: The End of Ageism to use for internal training opportunities. As well, Summerside branch welcomed some new volunteers who, having seen the value of Federal Retirees advocacy in action, want to get involved!
About Advocacy Spotlight
Advocacy Spotlight showcases successful initiatives and projects put forward by our dedicated volunteers and supporters.
The National Association of Federal Retirees has a proud history of advocacy on behalf of our members and all retirees. In collaboration with our volunteers and supporters from coast-to-coast, we continue this tradition of strong, smart advocacy campaigns focused on improvements to the financial security, health and well-being of our members and all Canadians. Our success is not only measured in policy changes and legislation. It grows with every meaningful discussion with parliamentarians, and with every email and letter written. Together, we are achieving and surpassing our strategic advocacy goals and targets every day.