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Expanding the Possibilities

By Bridget Brewster
Posted: 09/19/2024

If one decides to attend a conference of any kind, location can be a real plus.  Village Movement California made a great choice that enhanced the motivation to attend, for sure.  La Jolla, California was a beautiful setting, not only for the conference itself, but for some, the many activities the days before.

In the two days prior to the conference, which began Thursday, October 12 and ended Friday, October 13, a few happy souls (Wayne April, Tom Young, Suzi and Phil Hoge and daughter Karen, Bruce Cristensen, Jeff Gustadt and Katie Brandon) enjoyed watching hang-gliders, touring an aquarium as well as a few other sights.  The highlight may very well have been the water escapade on a pontoon captained by none other than Katie Brandon, our fearless Executive Director.

As the conference began, the Pasadena contingent was joined by Jo Yeargin, Barbara Madden, Vicki Hodges, Sue Kujawa, Dick Myers and Bridget Brewster.  We were, by far, the biggest group from any one Village in the state participating in the conference.  It was pretty special to be welcomed by the familiar smile of Priyanka Kumar, our Pasadena Village Member Services and Volunteer Coordinator.  Priyanka was part of the conference Planning Team and made us all feel very proud to be so well represented.  An observation made by several of us was summed up in a statement from Jeff Gustadt, “I felt that the Pasadena Village was a type of model for other villages, and we were helpful to others.”

The two-day agenda was packed with informative, motivative and challenging information and interaction. Please take a few minutes to peruse the various presentations. We heard perspectives on culturally affirming care, confronting ageism, enhancing social connections to improve health and creating connections between Villages and the healthcare systems.  Barbara Madden had this to say, “The value of our focus on creating a diverse, supportive community was affirmed as we heard presenters speak about loneliness and isolation and ageism.”  Bruce Christensen added, “It was encouraging that all the people at the conference had a desire and enthusiasm related to aging well and successfully navigating the later parts of life.”

The importance of advocating for positive outcomes for aging adults was stressed as we learned more about the National Plan on Aging. Through a concerted effort of all the California Villages, Village Movement California is now included in the California Plan on Aging.  Jo Yeargin said, “California is actively working to lower health care costs, and we were able to participate in that by completing the national survey.” 

Throughout the conference we had time to talk with Villagers from around the state and learn what others are experiencing.  Dan Guerrero found that, “One-on-one conversations with members of other Villages was the most rewarding part of the conference for me.”  Suzi Hoge said, “I was very interested in learning about the California Village Movement and all the various villages throughout the state. What other Villages offer and how they operated is so varied.”  

The conference closed with an enthusiastic message for California Village Movement Interim Executive Director, Carolyn Ross.  She stressed an emphasis on improving structure and enhancing leadership.  Our local Board President, Dick Myers, stated, “I was greatly encouraged to learn that our focus in Pasadena Village on leadership and structure was in alignment with what’s happening at the state level.”

Our heads were ready to explode by the end of the conference, which made a dinner date with Pasadena Villagers at a local Italian restaurant a welcome way to share our thoughts with each other.  Wayne April summed it up pretty well, “There's something enervating and optimistic about gathering with other people who are working on the same thing, even if you're dog-tired doing it. I had a chance to find out what other Villages are up to and discovering that we all have ideas to share because we're all in this for the same reason - to be useful, productive, and entertained! It was fun.”