A Brief History of SPIN

SPIN Mission Statement: Senior Provider Information Network (SPIN) is dedicated to providing quality education and networking opportunities to senior healthcare professionals.

1980s
SPIN started in the early 80’s by a group of service coordinators from the senior centers. The original goal of SPIN was to educate and inform the coordinators and to assist in identifying seniors who were eligible for services.
1990s
In the early 90’s assisted living and retirement facilities were beginning to crop up and this was a great place to network and learn as much as possible about new and innovative ways to serve the seniors in our community meetings. Meetings were held at different locations each month on the east and west side of Portland. This offered us the ability to tour facilities as those involved felt it important for attendees to see the buildings and people to whom members refer.
2000s
In early 2000 a steering committee was established. In addition, there were so many requests to host meetings on the east side of town that SPIN took on a broader audience alternating meetings between east and west sides of Portland. By the mid 2000’s SPIN develop an online presence and regular email communication. This replaced the costly and inefficient paper mailings that used to be relied on to announce upcoming meetings.
 
Recognizing SPIN attendees and presenters are busy with the holidays, in 2013 SPIN implemented a holiday giving project focusing on the needs of the residents of needy seniors at Providence Elder Place. Since then we have annually partnered with deserving senior center clients on the East and West side of Portland providing countless items ranging from socks and games to gift cards and tool boxes. In 2019 we decided to do holiday giving during the summer to avoid conflicting with multiple requests for donations that all come at the same time.
2020s
SPIN remains true to the mission of providing quality educational presentations and networking opportunities to senior healthcare professionals​.  The continued focus on educational presentations and networking opportunities makes SPIN a premier organization and high on the list of must attend meetings. 
SPIN still operates without funding, and the board remains grateful to the hosts and speakers who fill those roles.