flexible Structure
The best way to predict
the future is to create it.
the future is to create it.
Peter Drucker
Lifelong Communities recognize the importance of municipal government to support age-friendly initiatives and to foster the inclusion of older people in all aspects of community life. Each city, town, or region is unique - there's no one-size-fits-all approach to organizing how your core team fits within the municipal structure.
Some are led by town or city staff members
Some advisory committes are appointed by their municipality
Some are facilitated by community-based organizations
Some organize themeselves as 501c3 non-profit organizations recognized by the IRS
Some take a regional approach
Some are all volunteer, grassroots initiatives
Each approach has its own benefits and challenges. What they all have in common is a way to keep municipal officals aware of age-friendly opportunities and accomplishments. Partnering with your municipality results in stronger impact on the community and increases the sustainability of age-friendly.
Municipally Led Age-Friendly, Portland
Appointed Committee, South Portland
Organizational Lead, Caribou
501c3, Grateful Undead
All-Volunteer independent, Sullivan
Linda Weare - Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Portland &
Chair, Age-Friendly Portland - describes some of the work they have completed and stresses their unique organizational model. Linda leads the work as part of her role as the Director of the Office of Elder Affairs and has engaged some strong partner organizations to form the core leadership team. Many other organizations, businesses, and residents are involved in one or two initiatives, but are not part of the core leadership team.Lisa Joyce - Outreach Librarian, South Portland Public Library &
Co-Chair, Age-Friendly South Portland - shares the perspective of a municipally appointed committee. Toward the end of her presentation, she offers some hints and tips that apply to all committees, regardless of structure:Keep lines of communication open and always be willing to see other points of view.
Use local media whenever possible
Partner with as many groups as you can
Give credit to everyone involved, no matter how small the participation was
Thank everyone involved. Do it repeatedly and publicly.
Elizabeth Singer - Community Relations Coordinator, Cary Medical Center &
Chair, Age-Friendly Caribou - explains how the work of Age-Friendly Caribou is structured. Elizabeth, as part of her work with Caribou Medical Center, provides leadership and coordinates the many successful activities undertaken by Age-Friendly Caribou. She emphasizes the importance of partners in all of their work and communicating regularly with elected officials and other partners about successes.Kathy Chaiklin - Board Member, Grateful Undead - introduced us to the Grateful Undead and to the 501c3 structure that they (reluctantly) adopted. Her "lesson learned" is, "succession, succession, succession". She emphasizes the importance of managed growth, only implementing the programs that have strong support and engagement by volunteers.
Candy Eaton - Chair, Age-Friendly Sullivan - speaks about the loose organizational structure they have adopted while maintaining very close ties to their municipality. Because they are not an appointed committee, anyone who comes to one of the monthly meetings (including permanent and summer residents as well as people in neighboring communities). Candy also stresses the key role that partners play and emphasizes the importance of different committee members taking leadership in a particular initiative to avoid one person shouldering the responsibility of all the age-friendly work .