Skip to header Skip to main content Skip to footer
Helpful Village logo
Add me to your mailing list
Youtube channel Facebook page
Header image for Pasadena Village showing nearby mountains and the logo of the Pasadena Village

Blog archive

November 2024

Event of Remembrance
11/22/2024

Phishing Scams: What You Need to Know
11/22/2024

Pupusas Family Style: Another Adventurous Dining Winner
11/22/2024

Celebrating the Holidays
11/21/2024

Genealogy Group: Discovering Our Pasts
11/21/2024

Nathan Wolford – From Tragedy to Ministry
11/21/2024

Pasadena Village Board of Directors: A Brief Overview
11/21/2024

President's Message
11/21/2024

The Day of the Dead (Dia de muertos)/ Mexican Culture/Community
11/21/2024

Vintage Celebration: Aging Like a Fine Wine
11/21/2024

Review of Racism in Our Local Past
11/20/2024

Creative Juices Flow in The Village
11/19/2024

Checking In by Ed Rinderle
11/15/2024

Eagle Poem by Joy Harjo
11/15/2024

I Shall Forget You Presently, My Dear (Sonnet IV) by Edna St. Vincent Millay
11/15/2024

Pictures From Brueghel by William Carlos Williams
11/15/2024

October 2024

ARBORIST WALK: NOT FOR TREE HUGGERS ONLY!
10/29/2024

Bill Wishner: Visual Hunter
10/29/2024

Can a Village Group Fix Our Healthcare System?
10/29/2024

Community Board Directors Strengthen Village Board
10/29/2024

Connecting with Village Connections: The A, B, C, & D’s of Medicare @ 65+
10/29/2024

Grief is a Journey: Two Paths Taken
10/29/2024

Message from the President
10/29/2024

Promoting Informed & Involved Voters
10/29/2024

What Will Be Your Legacy?
10/29/2024

1619, Approaching the Election...
10/27/2024

Beyond and Within the Village - A Star is Born
10/17/2024

Happiness by Priscilla Leonard
10/11/2024

Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden
10/11/2024

Unpainted Door by Louise Gluck
10/11/2024

In the Evening by Billy Collins
10/10/2024

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
10/10/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

September 2024

August 2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

First Anniversary
08/19/2024

Alexandra Leaving by Leonard Cohen
08/16/2024

Muse des Beaux Arts by W. H. Auden
08/16/2024

The God Abandons Antony by Constantinos P. Cavafy
08/16/2024

Ch – Ch – Ch –Changes
08/15/2024

Cultural Activities Team offers an ‘embarrassment of riches’
08/15/2024

Engaging in Pasadena Village
08/15/2024

Future Housing Options
08/15/2024

Message from the President
08/15/2024

There Are Authors Among Us
08/15/2024

Villagers Welcome New Members at the Tournament Park Picnic
08/15/2024

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
08/14/2024

A narrow Fellow in the Grass by Emily Dickinson
08/13/2024

Haikus
08/13/2024

One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
08/13/2024

Poem 20 by Pablo Neruda
08/13/2024

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
08/13/2024

Trees by Joyce Kilmer
08/13/2024

July 2024

June 2024

May 2024

Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready?
05/28/2024

Farewell from the 2023/24 Social Work Interns
05/28/2024

Gina on the Horizon
05/28/2024

Mark Your Calendars for the Healthy Aging Research California Virtual Summit
05/28/2024

Meet Our New Development Associate
05/28/2024

Putting the Strategic Plan into Practice
05/28/2024

Washington Park: Pasadena’s Rediscovered Gem
05/28/2024

Introducing Civil Rights Discussions
05/22/2024

Rumor of Humor #2416
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2418
05/14/2024

Springtime Visitors
05/07/2024

Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024

No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024

An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024

Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024

Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024

The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024

Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024

April 2024

March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

WHO AM I?

By Esther Gillies
Posted: 02/01/2021
Tags:

Who Am I?

- Esther Gillies -

I used to sit at the board table but now appear as a face on the zoom screen where we meet.  I watch over the Village, help make policy decisions, ensure the smooth operation of our organization, access resources, and ensure fiscal accountability.    I sit on the Pasadena Village Board of Directors.  I am a volunteer…as are all other members of the Board of Directors.

 

I lead and support others in becoming involved in the array of activities found within the Village. I encourage new ideas, creativity, and enthusiasm for involvement in Village programs – from hiking groups to discussion groups, from support groups to educational activities, and in non-COVID-19 times, visits to museums, attendance at music and theater events. I am a volunteer…as are all of the chairs of the Village Committees and the leaders of our many affinity groups. We create community.

 

I reach out by phone to members to stay connected, and while learning new skills, help populate the Village website with accurate information.  I contribute articles to the newsletter, provide members with transportation to doctor visits, grocery stores and Village events.  I coordinate Neighborhood group meetings for Village members, check in to see that friends are doing ok. I help with special celebrations – the monthly birthday party, volunteer recognition events and more. I pick up and return books to the library for members who lack library access. I recruit volunteers and introduce new members to the Village.  I am a member volunteer …as are many of the members of the Village.

 

I share my tech skills to keep the computers and electronic devices running, assist with transportation requests, and work on special assignments. I am a non-member volunteer for the Village.

 

Obviously, the “Who am I” of this article is really “Who are We?”    We are volunteers. We are the backbone, the heart and soul of the Village community within which member sharing and caring can thrive. 

 

Members and non-member volunteers alike are often surprised at the richness of the experience of giving time, energy and talent to the Village.  What they learn is …when I give, I also receive. The giving intensifies the connection to the Village, providing opportunities for developing new friendships, utilizing old talents, and keeping us engaged in meaningful activity.

 

At this time, new and exciting volunteer opportunities are emerging – big and small.  This is a great time to become involved.  Additional information about specific volunteer opportunities will be available in upcoming newsletters and the Village Bulletin.  Specific requests for information can be directed to the Village office for Natalie Cohen, Chair of the Volunteer Coordinating Committee.

 

 

 

Esther Gillies

1-30-21

Blogs Topics Posts about this Topic