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We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know: That’s Why We Have Educational Programs

By Sue Addelson
Posted: 09/17/2024

Our highly dedicated and enthusiastic Educational Programs Team continues to deliver one meaningful program after another after another. Some are online, some in person. All are interesting, interactive and member-driven.

How much do you know about the different types of home health care available to you? Are you curious about the important work Flintridge Center is doing to break the cycle of violence in Pasadena? Have you driven along the Arroyo Seco and wondered about its history?

These are just a sampling of recent topics organized by the Educational Programs Team, at least one every month. In the September Voice of the Village, Karen Bagnard reported on the team’s eye-opening presentation in July about Future Housing Options. 

Kären found the information valuable, though she still regards the panel discussion on The Red Flags of Undue Influence, held several years ago, as the best program this team offered. “This is very important information for all of us and those who love us,” she said. It’s so important, the Educational Programs Team is planning another panel discussion covering undue influence and financial elder abuse after the first of the year. 

Lorrie Gray attended both the recent Stay Safe from Fraud and Scams and Emergency Preparedness sessions. Although she was familiar with the information that was presented, she found both to be good refreshers. “This is practical information we all need to be aware of. A review never hurts,” she said.

Some presenters are experts from outside the Village; some are Villagers sharing their wealth of knowledge. Some programs are extremely well-attended; some appeal to a more targeted interest group. What they all have in common is, they are relevant and informative. 

The group who does all the behind-the-scenes work to bring these programs into being includes Villagers Barbara Madden, Wayne April, Dave Folz, Toni Johnson, Doug Colliflower, Sally Asmundson, Patti La Marr and Susan Carr. In addition, JuliAnne DeChaine, who is not a Villager but works with the elderly, is a valuable and respected member of the team.

All team members find their very rewarding. Susan Carr is a nurse and former director of public health. “I have a lot of experience putting together education programs. A natural fit for me. This is a very professional group of people and I enjoy them very much,” she said.

Doug Colliflower, the newest member of the team, joined because he thought it was a good fit considering his background, experiences and current career. “I’ve hosted a couple of events that were well received and that is a good feeling. Providing information and resources that are helpful to our members is rewarding,” he said.

The team meets once a month. They go over their list of topics to see what to offer up next and decide who is going to be the organizer. The organizer contacts the speaker, creates the agenda, comes up with a catchy title, gets the biography of the presenter so they can introduce the person, and then facilitates the Q&A and thanks the speaker. “Often the hardest part is finding an appropriate speaker who is able to present on the topic,” says former team leader Wayne April.

Marv Dainoff recently gave a talk on Practical Ergonomics. “It was relatively well attended and there were good questions afterward. My sense is that there is a ton of expertise among Villagers. I would encourage anyone who has the same passion for explanation as I have, to get engaged,” he said.

If you would like to be a presenter, or know someone with an area of expertise, contact Katie or any team member with your idea.

This is the second in an ongoing series about Village teams. You can read about the Cultural Activities Team here.