History of GRAPE
(From a 2011 newsletter article by GRAPE Member Cheryl Bilski)
A casual telephone conversation between Nancy Stark, a case manager for Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Bev Groden, a representative with the Regional Council on Aging, now LIFESPAN, discussed the need in Rochester's community for a professional membership organization that would link all who had a service or program to offer those age 55 and over.
It was decided there was a need to disseminate information within a network of services and a broad-based structure was necessary. Twenty-five invited professionals attended a breakfast and brainstorming meeting on August 27, 1992. The group identified reasons for establishing a professional networking organization. The needs presented were: to learn more about each other's programs; coordinate calendars and events; link private and public systems together; assist with advocacy issues; improve communications between medical/health systems and long term care systems; fee structures; provide better information to physicians; easier access to existing systems; opportunities for collaborating a professional referral system; effective publication of events; identify special interest groups; professional development opportunities and co-operative programming.
The second point of interest focused on whom and what types of program specialists should belong to the professional networking organization. Numerous suggestions were made. Out of twenty-five attendees, fifteen people started the Steering Committee. This was the beginning. Meetings led to the appointment of interim officers and the development of a mission statement, goals and objectives. A second meeting on October 8, 1992, was attended by fifty people. From a slate of names presented, Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly was born.
Volunteers were recruited for specific needs. Committee chairpersons were identified and joined the Steering Committee to set priorities for each. By-laws needed to be written, programs developed, financials put in order and membership benefits and recruitment procedures stated. November's meeting, with sixty-five people in attendance, reviewed the organization's structure and financial support. Forty-five people contributed a total of$1000+ to get GRAPE off the ground. Over the first three months of 1993, a newsletter was issued; membership categories and guidelines were defined. A brochure and evening programs were developed and a resource directory produced. They finished writing by-laws and formed committees for each task. Affiliation with RCOA gave credibility to apply for grant funding in order to support the directory.
March of 1993 was the first dinner program as a kick-off for membership drive, with eighty-five attending. June was the first annual meeting and formal election of the Board of Directors. From June through the following March, 240 people joined, representing over one hundred organizations. During this time GRAPE. received its not-for-profit status, an $8000 grant to fund the directory, and mailed 3,000 brochures announcing the “Professionals Guide to Elder Services." With $10,000 in the operating budget, the receipt of the bulk rate mailing stamp and no longer dependent on the RCOA umbrella, GRAPE was a strong and vital organization.
Today thirty-three years later, GRAPE is still, and with everyone's support, will continue to be a strong and vital organization to the Rochester community. Our current membership is over three hundred members representing over two hundred organizations. The growth of GRAPE continues due to our member referrals and the assistance our members provide for older adults in the area!