A job in transition: Whiteside County Senior Center exec moving into new role

STERLING – The perpetual motion machine that runs the Whiteside County Senior Center is looking to dial it back a bit.

Doug Vandersee, executive director since April 2012, today was named its new fundraising and programs coordinator.

In his new role, his main focus will be on raising money for the center, said Lori Cortez, president of the senior center's board. He also will consult with seniors and recommend new programs and trips to the center's board.

Vandersee, 64, of Sterling, had been wanting to cut back for a while, he said. In fact, he was called out of retirement when he was hired more than 5 years ago.

"I like the senior center; they're doing a lot of good things there," he said.

"I'm excited to continue there; I really enjoyed my last 5 years," Vandersee said. "It's such a unique place, with such a variety of services."

But dealing with day-to-day operations, donors, center members, the public and the board is "pretty time-consuming."

Tori McDaniel, the county's director of public transportation, will fill in as interim executive director at least through September.

In the meantime, the senior center's board meets this week, and members will discuss what direction they want to take from here – whether to hire a new director, and what that position might encompass.

Vandersee had been retired for about a year-and-a-half – after a little over 7 years as director of the Sterling Rock Falls YMCA – when the top spot at the senior center, also a private nonprofit agency, opened up.

He was named interim executive director in April 2012, and hired permanently that July 1.

Cortez, also dean of foundation grants and government relations at Sauk Valley Community College, cites not only the center's growth, but also the positive change in the public's perception under Vandersee's leadership.

Many people assumed the senior center was a nursing home, "and that's not the case at all," Cortez said.

In addition to Medicare, Social Security and tax assistance for seniors and the disabled, the center has a computer center, provides resources for caregivers and for grandparents raising grandchildren, and offers trips, classes and all kinds of social activities, such as dancing, crocheting, bingo, card games and Wii yoga. It also serves about 1,000 meals a month.

Vandersee has worked hard to promote the center, add programs and build membership, and thanks to him, "there has been an increase in activities and programs, and an increase in services," Cortez said.

"He's been able to cultivate a really good sense of community [at the center], and in the community, he has really helped to make the senior center better known, and what we do at the senior center.

"We're just really very lucky to retain him, because he is so fully connected and established and liked in the community."

ABOUT THE CENTER

The Whiteside County Senior Center opened in downtown Sterling in 1979, and moved to its current location at 1207 W. Ninth St. in 1985.

It has about 20 volunteers and staff members, and served more than 2,000 seniors in 2016.

The cost to join is $20 a year, or $30 for a couple.

Call 815-622-9230, go to whitesidecsc.org or find it on Facebook for menus, weekly activities or more information.