Considerations

Before you begin...

1. Is there a feeling that a single-town approach will leave key constituencies out of the equation?

2. Does your planned regional approach include several non-profit service and citizen groups that have traditionally spanned town boundaries?

3. Would a coalition of towns likely foster enhanced collaboration and cooperation - OR deepen negative competitive tendencies?

4. Are there existing cross-town collaborations upon which to build?

5. Are there important individuals outside of the single-town “core” municipality (often the service center for the region) who would be valuable to the Age-Friendly, Lifelong Community organizing team?

6. How do the municipal governing structures function – as a single/dominant entity?  Several towns with a fiercely competitive relationship?  Contiguous towns with cooperative municipal structures?  Or something else?

7. If the relationship is not friendly and productive, is your Age-Friendly, Lifelong Community prepared to develop innovative operating procedures and embark on a rigorous campaign to improve relationships and construct inclusive measures?

8. If your municipal structures are not strong or lack depth, can you foresee your AFC functioning on the strength of the non-profit service organizations and volunteer supports?

As you move forward...

9. Should each town become an independent member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities? 

10. How will the relationship work going forward?

11. How will you keep each town invested in the work of the regional Age-Friendly, Lifelong Community?

12. Will each town have a representative on your core leadership group/Board?

13. Should there be any fiscal agreement?

14. If the town government is not the lead convener of the Age-Friendly, Lifelong Community – who?  Is there a strong central agency that is active in each of the individual communities?

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