Beginning on June 1, I became a “PIP” – otherwise known as a “Previously Important Person.” That is, I stepped down from a two-year term as president of our Residents Association. During those two years I did the routine things that played to my organizational skills – presiding over the monthly meetings of the Residents Association, the Council, and the Executive Committee, always seeking to develop agendas that addressed the concerns and interests of our residents. Fellow residents tell me that my greatest achievement was keeping Council and Residents Association meetings to an hour’s length!
Inevitably, in a community of over 700 people, there were controversies: Shall we have a dress code for the new Courtyard Dining Room? Shall we have a resident-supported orchard? But we worked through them and no blood was shed.
Meeting monthly with our CEO, Kevin McLeod, and COO, Elsie Norton, and serving on our Board of Directors were especially meaningful in communicating with our administration and having a voice in the discussions of our Board regarding the direction of Carolina Meadows. Kudos to Carolina Meadows administrators and directors for actively seeking the input of Residents Association leaders!
The most satisfying events of each year, however, were leading the fundraising for our Employee Appreciation Fund and seeing our residents exceed our goal each year; awarding scholarships to six staff members each year, thereby enabling them to advance their careers; and selecting four residents each year to receive the President’s Award for their service to Carolina Meadows.
I have been asked what I am going to do now with all of my free time. Here are a few items on my list – get reacquainted with my spouse; start reading all of those books I’ve wanted to read; and maybe even subscribe to Netflix so that I can join in on our friends’ conversations about all of the great series I have been missing. And, just to be sure that I remain involved, I am now co-chairing, with fellow resident Marie Lauria, the Eastern Region of the North Carolina Continuing Care Residents Association. That should keep me out of trouble.