Lyn Maben, Vice President of the Resident Council, reflects on "paying it forward"
Lyn Maben
Terwilliger Plaza Member and Vice President, Resident Council
How would you define the community at Terwilliger Plaza?
We are a collective of retired professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds. Terwilliger Plaza is a progressive community of individuals who are interested in current events, value learning, engage in civic and political discussions, and actively support the arts and cultural life of the city.
Can you expand upon your thoughts that one’s decision to live at Terwilliger Plaza is a choice?
If you are choosing Terwilliger Plaza, you are choosing to become involved and become an active Member of this community. We are an independent continuing care retirement community, not a part of a larger entity. We are self-governed, our Board of Directors is majority Members who set policy and make decisions about the fiduciary and operational aspects of Terwilliger Plaza. While we aren’t in charge of running the day-to-day operations of Terwilliger Plaza, we are involved; we have a voice and are engaged in creating the culture and building community.
What is the Resident Council?
Resident Council is one of two forms of governance here at Terwilliger Plaza and is a forum where Members can voice their views about life at Terwilliger Plaza, either through their selected Floor Representative or directly in person at Council meetings. Each floor in independent living has a resident representative, with each floor selecting their representative. The council meets monthly to hear from the floor representative and the various committees present reports and announcements of upcoming events. Also, at this monthly meeting we receive an update from the CEO, COO and the Chair of our Board of Directors. The president of the Resident Council sits in on the board meetings but is not a voting Member, allowing for a direct connection between Resident Council and the Board.
What are your reasons for serving on the Resident Council?
The opportunity to be of service – to “pay it forward”. That is what this community is all about. Let me give you an example. When COVID-19 became a threat last spring – by mid-April our Disaster Preparedness Committee created a special team called the COVID Volunteer Team, establishing a nice partnership between Members and the administration.
For instance, newspaper deliveries. Collectively, we receive about 700 newspapers a week and the delivery person was prohibited from entering the building due to COVID-19 restrictions. COVID-19 Volunteer Team members who are subscribers from the various floors volunteered to distribute newspapers and soon, we had a cadre of people who came down at 6 am every morning to collect the newspapers and go door to door delivering newspapers to their neighbors. Packages and grocery deliveries were also delivered by community Members – all part of this volunteer team.
Just recently, when the COVID vaccination became available and Members were facing challenges in securing online appointments, a group of volunteers who are adept at the internet helped Members make their appointments. Members helping Members in service to the community. These are some of the many examples that show how our community is different and very special.
What are other ways in which a Member can be actively engaged in the Terwilliger community?
Currently there are approximately 40 different committees and activity groups that are Member originated and sustained – opportunities for Members to participate with neighbors that have shared interests. These groups range from Tai Chi self-practice, to Mahjong enthusiasts, to the Friday night music committee, the Saturday forum committee who select outside speakers, to the movie committee. The administration also has many committees that it sponsors in which Members participate, from dining to transportation to social accountability.
What is your advice to someone who may be considering the opportunity to live at Terwilliger Plaza?
If this is the right community for them, people should choose to move here sooner rather than later. It never gets easier to downsize. The sooner you arrive, the sooner you can begin to make friends with all the fascinating people who live here and to avail yourself of the amenities and conveniences, while still living an independent life. This is a welcoming community; people are engaged, and you will have a voice in the cultural life here at Terwilliger, as well the many functions and operations within our community. You will be joining a very special community of people.