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Linton tapped as president of senior advocacy coalition
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| By: Rachel Westberg |
January 21, 2009 |
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Chetek’s Mike Linton was appointed as the newest president of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, an organization dedicated to the advocacy of senior issues.
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Mike Linton wears many hats. He is an alderman on the Chetek City Council, president of Chetek Senior Citizens Inc. and has been involved with senior issues since joining the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups in 2004. CWAG has given Linton his newest title as well, as Linton was asked to take on the role of CWAG president.
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CWAG is a statewide non-profit organization directed by seniors that advocates for justice and quality of life for the elderly and disabled individuals. They provide a variety of programs, services, elder law and education to Wisconsin's senior citizens.
"When I retired, I needed something to do," said Linton. "I started by working at Lone Oak and got interested in senior issues. While president of the Chetek Senior Citizens, I went to a coalition meeting and they impressed me with the issues they work on."
It wasn't long after joining the organization that Linton got involved in leadership roles. He worked as a local district membership chair recruiting new members and eventually became a district chair. He became involved in advocating the SeniorCare and FamilyCare programs, which aid and support health care for families and seniors in Wisconsin.
In November, Linton was offered the vice-president position at the state level. The position, however, came with the stipulation that he would eventually become president because the president serving at that time was stepping down to retire. Linton accepted the vice-presidency Jan. 8, and on the same day, was named president.
As president, Linton will oversee the CWAG governing board and the executive director. He will also work with a new leadership program and spend some time in Madison working with CWAG staff and the state Legislature on senior issues. Linton admits, however, he is unsure of exactly what he will be doing because everything has come together so fast.
With all of his commitments and his new position, Linton keeps busy with what he sees as his full-time job, and he intends to keep it that way as long as he feels he's making a difference.
"CWAG is an important organization for seniors, and with the economy the way it is, we've got to ensure we don't lose the services that seniors and people with disabilities do have," said Linton. "My priority will be to see the continuation of SeniorCare and to keep FamilyCare on track."
Linton adds that the deficit in the state budget will have an impact on CWAG and its mission, and that it will be even more important to work hard to keep services for the elderly in Wisconsin. As part of this, he hopes to get people of all ages involved in similar issues.
"I'm very excited," he says. "I hope I can do CWAG and their issues justice. I've had a lot of support locally and districtwide from everyone, and if it wasn't for that support and encouragement from others, I couldn't be doing this."
Linton will remain president until at least July, when the annual CWAG convention is held. During that time a president will be elected. Linton is on the ballot for the position and is currently running unopposed, so he may be working in his new position for some time.
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©The Chetek Alert 2010
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