What happens at the end of a golden age?
Earlier this year, faced with declining membership, a lack of enthusiasm, and concerns about costs, the Lennoxville Golden Age Club opted to close up shop.
“Nobody wanted to take on the position of president,” said Pat Decoteau, sharing that although people were quick to tell her that she was doing a good job in the role, no one seemed to want to hear her say she was ready to move on. “I’ve had it for four years and I’m getting tired,” she added.
The former president pointed out that in her time with the club membership had steadily dropped from a number in the 80s to around 35. As costs
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remained the same, that meant that the burden of paying for the twice monthly meetings and meals was falling on fewer shoulders without much promise that things would pick up again anytime soon.
Reflecting on the declining membership, Decoteau said that the main issue is that although people could join as soon as they were 55, the members were getting older and many moved into homes where activities could be found closer to home. She also spoke to the skills of the cook at the Bulwer Golden Age Club, saying that it was hard to find someone who could measure up, even if the gatherings of the group took place at different times.
Although the former Lennoxville president said that things are going well in Bulwer at the moment, she pointed out that their president position is up for reelection next year.
“I’m interested to see what happens,” Decoteau said, reflecting on her own challenges in finding a replacement.
Following the decision of the Lennoxville Golden Age Club to stop meeting, the Lennoxville and District Community Aid is stepping up to try to fill the void.
Next Tuesday afternoon, the group will be holding a public consultation at the Amedée Beaudoin Community Centre from 2-4 p.m. with the aim of hearing from locals about what they are looking for in social activities.
“It is part of our mission to help seniors stay at home and help give them the best possible quality of life,” said Sylvie Gilbert-fowlis, the Executive Director of Community Aid. “We wouldn’t want people to become isolated.”
Joined by Leigh Hortop, who works in programming for seniors with the organization, Gilbert-fowlis said that the purpose of next week’s meeting is not to become the new Golden Age Club.
“The big thing on our end is the consultation and getting to know what the needs are,” Hortop said. “It doesn’t need to fit the structure of what it was.”
The community aid representatives underlined the consultation as a chance for networking and building new connections either between people who were Golden-agers but not members of Community Aid, or members of Community Aid but not involved with the Golden Age Club, or just total newcomers looking for an opportunity to exchange and develop ideas.
“It’s up to the people to let us know what they want,” Hortop added, pointing out that Community Aid is not necessarily placed to be able to answer everyone’s wishes, but that there is a desire to keep things from disappearing entirely.
“New ideas are always welcome,” Gilbert-fowlis added. “Seniors are evolving.”