January 2026

LOOKING BACK/PLANNING AHEAD

By Bridget Brewster
Posted: 06/27/2025

“Pasadena Village is a successful organization that can face changes and challenges head on. We adjust and adapt to situations swiftly and efficiently, as evidenced in the Eaton Canyon fires. Thanks goes to the united efforts of the staff, volunteers, Villagers, board directors, and the greater community.”  Board President Dick Myers began the annual Board Planning Retreat with these words. From this perspective, the work of the day began.

The Pasadena Village Board of Directors was graciously hosted by Villa Gardens who provided a wonderful lunch and the space for 17 Directors and the Executive Director to review the past year and set goals and objectives for the year ahead. The review began by reflecting upon what seemed to work well last year and what needs more attention in the coming year. Our strengths were quite clear: we responded to the Eaton Fire swiftly, courageously and with compassion; the spirit of support and volunteerism was obvious; more than 60 new Villagers were enthusiastically welcomed; the Board of Directors is unified, informed and active. Our challenges were equally obvious: we need to engage Villagers in the importance and rewards of participating and leading; we want to establish sessions for developing strong leadership; we plan to inform more clearly the need to enhance the budget through various fund and friend raising; we will address the desire for Board and Villager interactions

The work of our Board of Directors is grounded in the Strategic Plan created in 2022 and reviewed annually. Eight functional areas representing relevant Village committees and small group gatherings were identified:

LEADERSHIP: Village organization and leadership

DEVELOPMENT: fundraising for the Village

FINANCE: development of the budget

PROGRAMS: social, cultural, and educational activities including special interest groups

MEMBERSHIP: attracting, nurturing, and educating our Villages

COMMUNICATIONS: internal and external information, including the website

SUPPORT: internal and mutual support for Villagers and volunteers

PARTNERSHIPS: relationships with outside organizations

During the Retreat, each Director chose two areas to explore what else can we be doing in these areas, how to do them, and whether each person will serve an advisory role or a participant role. Board Directors will help set directions and offer guidelines so that Village Teams can implement them. Final reports are pending follow-up meetings and will be a major focus of the 2025/2026 fiscal year.

In-depth discussions concluded with
GOALS AND PRIORITIES FOR 2025/2026:
Membership Goal: 300 Villagers by July 2026 
FOCUS AREAS AND PRIORITIES:
     Determine non-renewal, opt outs, turnover rates
          -New, younger members need our attention
          -Focus on the quality of our service
          -Focus on forming friendship instead of providing services
          -Be part of creating/planning rather than the recipient only
          -Focus on ways to maintain the spirit and feeling of the surrounding
          community group
     Re-examine annual fundraiser
     Quarterly Board mixers with Villagers
     Support for fire survivors, providing resource connections
     Leadership chairs, co-chairs
          -Clarity/description on leader responsibilities
          -Clearly define committee responsibilities so people feel comfortable
          volunteering

Every year the Board of Directors faces the daunting task of clearly articulating information gathered from Villagers throughout the year, reviewing the Strategic Plan, and listening to each other intently as we develop goals for the next year. We are, indeed, fortunate to have a well-informed, very engaged and responsive group of individuals who give hours and hours of time throughout the year to ensure Pasadena Village continues to attract, engage and serve the aging adults in our community.

As always, all Villagers are welcome to attend Board meetings. The Board of Directors meet at 4:00 pm on the third Tuesday of each month. You can find a list of Directors on our website, and you are encouraged to reach out to any Director with questions or concerns.