Why RSSCB

Respect the old when you are young
Help the Weak When you are Strong
Confess your fault when you are wrong
Because one day in life you will be old,
Weak and wrong.
 

On the auspicious 3rd day, 12th month of Iron Male Tiger year of the Bhutanese calendar corresponding to 7th January 2011, it was a historic moment for the group of retired officials who were in Royal Audience. During the audience, His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo was pleased to state that while elected government was being institutionalized and making good progress there was serious concern of social problems in the Kingdom. His Majesty was pleased to command that the retired government servants have great potential to remain productive and contribute towards well being of the communities and in the process of nation building. He expressed the hope that the retired officials will put their wealth of experience and knowledge to productive uses by forming partnership of senior citizens to foster harmonious living and well being of the senior citizens and the people in general.

The situation and living standard of Elderly Citizens in our country at present is a growing concern. The challenges being faced by them as reflected by the National Statistics Bureau in 2017 report is given below:

-around 63% face financial problem

-around 30% suffer from poor shelter

-around 26% suffer from food self sufficiency

-around 15% are landless

-around 15% are debt ridden

-nearly 18% fear hunger among others and

-Almost 71% fear sickness and Death

After the Royal Audience, on the same day, the group of 18 retired government servants as founding members started the Royal Society for Senior Citizens. It is now registered as Public Benefit Organization (PBO) with the Civil Society Organization Authority of Bhutan with effect from February21, 2011. The Society now has about 200 members who are committed to pursue the vision and mission of the Society.
 
Every passing year the number of retiring government employees including the three services (RBA, RBG and RBP) and the corporations are on the rise. At present, there are more than 4000 pensioners residing in 20 Dzongkhags. Such trends could increase the membership thereby requiring the RSSC to set up Dzongkha, Geog and Cheog level representatives at Yenlag (branch) offices in due course of time to cater to the needs of senior citizens in every part of the country.
Who is eligible for RSSC membership?
The membership of the Society is open to all retired civil servants, pensioners, RBA, RBG,RBP of all ranks and corporate retirees and any senior citizens of 60 years of age and beyond.The registration /membership is nu 1800 per year and Nu.300 for initial registration. The objective of joining the RSSC membership should be to support the RSSC financially through the membership fee or voluntary participation in the activities to serve the senior citizens of the country in general.
Obligations of being a member of the RSSC
a) Agree to volunteer and participate in Society’s activities
b) Agree to promote Society’s objectives.
c) Agree not to politicize RSSC
d) Agree to abide by the regulations as approved by theAGM.
Organization and Structure
The Royal Society for Senior Citizens (RSSC) is an apolitical organization and will not affiliate with any political parties. A Board of Trustees on behalf of the RSSC members governs it. The 18 members Board of Trustees are elected during the AGM including the President, 2-Vice Presidents,Member Secretary and a Treasurer for a period two years.
 
Location of Office
RSSC, NPPF Building, 3^rdFloor
P.O Box.1608.
Phone:land line-0233213 Fax:02332116
Email: rsscbhutan@gmail.com
Web page: www.rsscb.org
 

Building an inclusive and harmonious society consistent with the principles of Gross National Happiness
2. MISSION
Enabling senior citizens to harness greater happiness for their family and rest of the society.
 
Objectives and purposes
a) Inspire Senior Citizens to remain meaningfully engaged and facilitate the engagement and harness their experience and knowledge.
 
b) Support harmonious living in the community.

 
c)   Promote a meaningfull and degnified life for senior citizens.

 
 
d) Extend advisory and legal counseling when in need to the senior citizens.
e) Establish senior citizens centres in populated areas from where the various  services can be accessed, provide facilities to meet informally and exchange ideas, learn from each other and generally a place to socialise, which is an important aspect for healthy ageing after retirement.
 
Challenges and opportunities
In Bhutan population of senior citizens age 60 and above, according to the National Statistical Bureau (NSB) was 44319 (6.98 %) in 2005 and increased to 63775  in 2017
This trend will rise every passing year and probably time to understand and address related issues as in other countries. People say time is changing. It is not the time but people are changing owing to progress in economic and social development in the country. With progress and changing situation the senior citizens need for a) income security b) health care. c) Capacity building andenabling environment have become more urgent.
There are however huge opportunities to truly realize the Royal Vision, in enhancing the welfare and well being of the older citizens in the country. It is the intention of the RSSC to build a strong well staffed secretariat including an experienced and able Executive Secretary to realize the Royal Vision
 The establishment cost for two years comprising staff salary and office rent has been met by annual grants from His Majesty’s office. Thereafter, the members themselves have been contributing over and above the membership fees for all the meetings including observing the International Day of Older Persons on First October each year.
With many new committed members and new ideas to address the issues related to senior citizens, it is now necessary to have a committed secretariat to develop and put the ideas into action. For this to realize a sustainable source of income or charitable donors would be required.

A TRUST FUND

The Society therefore, proposes to mobilize resources to establish a Trust Fund as a fixed deposit of 20 million Ngultrum to generate enough fund to meet the cost of establishment as well as to develop projects for meeting immediate concerns of the senior citizens. The projects can be developed by the well experienced retired senior citizens and submitted to the prospective donors for funding.
The RSSC therefore would welcome donations personally or by the organizations and business houses towards meeting our common destiny and building the future we all desire for our senior citizens. All contributions /donations to the RSSC as a registered Public Benefit Organization (PBO) are exempted from taxes by the Ministry of Finance.
Any contributions may be made in the name of Royal Society for Senior Citizens (RSSC)
Current Board of Trustees (from Nov 25, 2017):