The Age Concern annual general meeting on Wednesday was a ?real reality check? for the Age Concern board, executive director Claudette Fleming said.

With an unprecedented number of members in the audience, a real desire to hold the organisation accountable for everything from spelling mistakes to constitutional process, and a diversity of members and volunteers that crossed the boundaries of age, race, gender and profession, the AGM marked ?tremendous strides? for Age Concern.

Two new board members were named: Paget Wharton of the Bermuda Press Ltd., and James Davis of Westmeath.

Some controversy did erupt over a move to spread Age Concern?s Government affiliations from solely with Health and Family Services to include any aspect of Government that is relevant to the organisation?s needs.

That, for example, could include the Ministry of Transport regarding transport for seniors, or the Ministry of Finance regarding pensions.

However National Office on Seniors and the Physically Challenged head Dr. Melvin Dickinson rose to say he wanted to confer with Health Minister Patrice Minors before that amendment to Age Concern?s constitution was ratified.

The change will be voted on at an extraordinary general meeting of Age Concern on June 15.

Other, non-Government organisations which have joined Age Concern include: PALS, Meals on Wheels, the Red Cross, the Recreation Association for active seniors, the Salvation Army, Home care Services, Yellow Roses, the Bermuda Stroke Association and the Bermuda Health Consortium, Sunset Gardens, the Matilda Smith Williams rest home, and St. Paul?s Church in Paget.

?This is the best AGM we?ve ever had,? Ms Fleming told members at the meeting. ?This is very new to us, we are going to be held accountable.?

?The Board has decided to send more than 9,000 letters to those older than 55 and all organisations we feel should have some say or representation in this,? chairperson Walter Roberts added. ?We want to make sure we become a strong lobby in Bermuda, not only to Government, but to private industry.?

?We were overwhelmed by the support of the membership regarding the various activities,? Ms Fleming said after the meeting.

?It is very clear that members have a desire to hold us accountable in the job we do in protecting their best interests.

?It is also clear the road we are taking towards a more democratic structure for our association with participation from our grassroots members to our partners and donors is going to be crucial to ensure we are representative of our stakeholders.

?It was a real reality check.?

The extraordinary Age Concern general meeting will be held on June 15 at the Red Cross building.