The National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) is committed to supporting and strengthening the nation’s 11,000 senior centers through best practices, professional development, advocacy, research, and national standards for senior centers.
Why should you join NISC?
We are the only organization solely focused on the needs of senior center professionals.
NISC leadership, senior center professionals, and the National Council on Aging's (NCOA) staff work in partnership to address the issues that are most important to you, the older adults you serve, and your communities. NCOA’s advocacy team ensures that your concerns are heard on Capitol Hill.
Membership is free, and as a NISC Affiliate, you will receive concise e-newsletters focused on the issues you care about—policies that affect funding, grants, and awards you can apply for. In addition, all NISC Affiliates have free access to NCOA’s newly funded Modernizing Senior Centers Resource Center, where you can find resources and specialized programming that you can adapt for your senior center.
NISC is setting the standard for the future of senior centers.
To advance the quality of senior centers nationwide, NISC developed nine standards of excellence for senior center operations. Called Building Excellence, these national standards serve as a manual for senior centers, and is available to all NISC Affiliates. As we continue to develop the indicators of excellence for today’s senior centers, we hope NISC Affiliates will serve as ambassadors for senior center standards and self-assessment and work with us in assisting the thousands of centers to reach their full potential.
Currently Building Excellence for Self-Assessment is not available online, but you can email NISC's membership team at membership@ncoa.org to get a copy so you can evaluate your operations and conduct a self assessment.
Your next big idea may come from half way across the country.
When you join NISC, you are instantly connected to a national network of professional support and innovative solutions. Ask for help, share an opinion, or get your next big idea within the NISC network.
NISC's education and training opportunities provide an inside look at what’s working at other senior centers across the country and bring experts in the field directly to your desktop.
The benefits of becoming a NISC Affiliate member
- Building Excellence for Self-Assessment, national standards that promote excellence in senior centers
- National Senior Center Month publicity guide and customizable poster
- Cellular Recycler revenue opportunity
- Discounted access to Behavioral Health in Aging Certificate Program (offered by the Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research at Boston University School of Social Work)
- Discounted Motion Picture Licensing Agreement
Additional benefits
- Public policy updates and advocacy
- Monthly newsletter
- Educational webinars
- National conference discounts
- Community education program materials and training
- Networking and national projects
- NISC Collaborative Leadership program
What NISC Affiliate members are saying ...
Through NISC, I have learned how to be a successful advocate for my seniors and the programs we offer."
- Chuck Ricks, Senior Center Director, WV
NISC's standards of excellence gives us amazing leverage. When we write grants, we will be much more attractive to the grantors.
- Paula Dolan-Pare, Volunteer & Former Senior Center Director, MA
