About us
Our mission
To eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Our vision
A world without Alzheimer's disease.
Financial information
The Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donor-supported organization. Programs and services are made possible through contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations. The chapter uses 76% of funds raised for programs, services and research efforts.
Our history
The Alzheimer’s Association Oklahoma Chapter began in 1984 as the Tulsa Green Country Chapter. In 1996 the chapter merged with the Central Oklahoma Chapter in Oklahoma City and became the Oklahoma Chapter. In 1997 the Bartlesville branch office was implemented and the Oklahoma City office became a branch site. The Oklahoma Chapter was originally one of 203 local chapters throughout the nation and was one of only a few having rural outreach branch offices. Later as many chapters throughout the nation merged, Western Arkansas joined our chapter in 2001, while Central Arkansas became a part of the Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapter two years later.
Since 1996, our chapter has grown to include offices in both Oklahoma and Arkansas. These include Oklahoma City, Fort Smith and Little Rock (Arkansas). Outreach offices are also located in Fayetteville and Bella Vista (Arkansas).
Today, we are known as the Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapter—one of 81 chapters nationwide affiliated with the national Alzheimer’s Association.
Our Chapter includes a 26-member board of directors with membership from all office locations. There are seven standing committees at the Chapter level, which include: personnel, program, marketing, development, finance, public policy and diversity, and governance and nominating. In addition, we have an executive committee and an alumni advisory board. Each office has a leadership council made up of local community leaders and at least one Chapter board member; in addition, regional offices also have, at minimum, a program committee.
The Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapter has grown from a small staff of seven full-time and five part-time staff members in 1998, to 30 full-time and two part-time employees today. In addition, our volunteer base continues to a membership of 100’s of volunteers who donate their time by offering office support, service on a committee of their choosing, or helping with our annual events—including our signature Memory Walk® and Galas held at all locations.
Core services of the chapter include: HelpLine—with 24/7 coverage, volunteer respite, quarterly newsletter, support groups, Safe Return registration, educational forums for family members and professional healthcare providers, multi-cultural and rural outreach and one-on-one family counseling. The chapter also raises dollars specifically for research.
In an effort to bring more awareness nationwide, in 2006 the Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapter became the first chapter in the nation to become a Unified Fundraising Model with the national Association. Under this plan, both the Chapter and the national office have agreed to coordinate and unify their fundraising efforts by means of direct marketing, planned gifts, major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, general development, and special events. There are now 42 chapters involved in this unified fundraising effort.
In 2007, for the first time, the Tulsa area is involved in a Clinical Trials pilot project—one of only five cities selected nationwide to participate.—in an effort to raise awareness of the urgent need for more people to volunteer for Alzheimer’s research studies. There are currently more than 5 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer’s disease and—according to the Association’s Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures 2007—half a million new cases are expected this year alone. It is anticipated that Oklahoma will see a 19% increase in Alzheimer’s disease in people aged 65 and older by 2010. Thus, the Association has convened a physician task force to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s clinical studies and to advocate for participation. We are most fortunate to have been chosen to participate in this Clinical Trials project.
As we have begun a new phase at the Alzheimer’s Association—it is an exciting and timely effort to bring more awareness to constituents as our nation faces epidemic proportions of Alzheimer’s disease with the aging baby boomer population. Our chapter has a history of taking the lead in offering programs and services to the communities we serve. With your continued donations and support, we extend our “thanks” as we continue in our vision of ‘a world without Alzheimer’s’.
To view our most recent Annual Report, click here.
To view a listing of our Advisory Board Members, click here.
To view a listing of our Alumni Advisory Board Members, click here.
