If you’re interested in advocating for older adults, the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature may be right for you.
The SHL is a unicameral assembly composed of 125 representatives from across Kansas. This group develops bills and resolutions that are presented to the Kansas Legislature and governor as recommendations for state policy. Participants experience the political process as they identify priority concerns of Kansas’ older adults.
The 2023 SHL elections will be held in March. Any Kansan aged 60 and over who is a registered voter may file to represent his or her county. The term of office is two years, and members may be re-elected continuously.
Central Plains Area Agency on Aging (CPAAA), which serves Sedgwick, Harvey and Butler counties, will accept applications from all three counties. Butler County has one delegate, Harvey County has one delegate and Sedgwick County has six delegates (one of whom is designated at-large).
“I became involved because I wanted to help my fellow senior adults,” said SHL legislator Donna Lehane. “SHL allows those all across the state of Kansas who have become actively involved with this organization to speak up for seniors.”
The candidate filing deadline is Feb. 17, with the election scheduled for March 17. Voting options will include online, mail-in and limited in-person locations.
You can find more information about the SHL on the CPAAA’s web site at www.cpaaa.org. Contact Monica Cissell at CPAAA at mcissell@cpaaa.org or call 316-660-5229 for the candidate application packet or for more information.
Monica Cissell is director of information and community service for CPAAA.
