History of Buffalo Deaf Senior Citizens

History of the Buffalo Deaf Senior Citizens

BDSC was organized on Thursday Feb. 13, 1975 at the Buffalo Club of the Deaf on 1910 Genesee St., Buffalo, NY. Twenty-eight (28) deaf individuals (18 women and 10 men) came to this first get-together for the purpose of starting this new club for Seniors.

Wilma Heacock was appointed the Chairman and Frank W. Hayes as Secretary/Treasurer by the assembly. The attendees decided that Fifty-five (55) years of age was the approved minimum age for membership but anyone who is retired regardless of age is welcome.

A donation of $26 was collected and the decision as to how the funds would be used will be decided at a later meeting. It was decided that the new club will be held on the 3^rd Thurs. of each month at BCD from 11 am to 4 pm (later changed to 10 am start).

At the first meeting the following month it was voted that the officers will be Chairman and Secy/Treas. Wilma Heacock and Frank Hayes were nominated. Both were declared as officers. President Heacock appointed Lillian Hayes, Robert Heacock and Russell Martina as Board of Directors.

It was decided that the club funds shall be managed by the officers and directors as approved by the assembly. It was voted and seconded that the club observe the Roberts Rules of Order as the proper procedure in conducting meetings.

At the following month's meeting the name of the club was voted and approved as Deaf Senior Citizens of Buffalo NY. Now it is Buffalo Deaf Senior Citizens that was probably changed at a later meeting. Also, a decision was made to change 'Chairman' to 'President' and add a Vice-President as well as separate the Secretary/Treasurer to 2 positions.

There were no membership dues but donation at door during socials was 25 cents.

Many things have changed since then. Now we open on the first and third Thurs of the month. Dues are

$7.00 a year. Admission to socials are $2.00 for first Thursdays and $3.00 for members and $4.00 for non-members on third Thursdays.

BDSC has grown considerably since 1975. It now has about 165 members. Members age 49 and over can join but only age 55 and over can serve as officers.

Our By-Laws was created and approved several years later and has been updated a few times. We will be celebrating our 40^th anniversary in 2015.

Tags: History of Buffalo Community/Organizations

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