Skip to header Skip to main content Skip to footer
Helpful Village logo
Add me to your mailing list
Youtube channel Instagram page Facebook page
Header image for Pasadena Village showing nearby mountains and the logo of the Pasadena Village
Villager Log-in
Donate

Blog archive

November 2024

Event of Remembrance
11/22/2024

Phishing Scams: What You Need to Know
11/22/2024

Pupusas Family Style: Another Adventurous Dining Winner
11/22/2024

Celebrating the Holidays
11/21/2024

Genealogy Group: Discovering Our Pasts
11/21/2024

Nathan Wolford – From Tragedy to Ministry
11/21/2024

Pasadena Village Board of Directors: A Brief Overview
11/21/2024

President's Message
11/21/2024

The Day of the Dead (Dia de muertos)/ Mexican Culture/Community
11/21/2024

Vintage Celebration: Aging Like a Fine Wine
11/21/2024

Review of Racism in Our Local Past
11/20/2024

Creative Juices Flow in The Village
11/19/2024

Checking In by Ed Rinderle
11/15/2024

Eagle Poem by Joy Harjo
11/15/2024

I Shall Forget You Presently, My Dear (Sonnet IV) by Edna St. Vincent Millay
11/15/2024

Pictures From Brueghel by William Carlos Williams
11/15/2024

October 2024

ARBORIST WALK: NOT FOR TREE HUGGERS ONLY!
10/29/2024

Bill Wishner: Visual Hunter
10/29/2024

Can a Village Group Fix Our Healthcare System?
10/29/2024

Community Board Directors Strengthen Village Board
10/29/2024

Connecting with Village Connections: The A, B, C, & D’s of Medicare @ 65+
10/29/2024

Grief is a Journey: Two Paths Taken
10/29/2024

Message from the President
10/29/2024

Promoting Informed & Involved Voters
10/29/2024

What Will Be Your Legacy?
10/29/2024

1619, Approaching the Election...
10/27/2024

Beyond and Within the Village - A Star is Born
10/17/2024

Happiness by Priscilla Leonard
10/11/2024

Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden
10/11/2024

Unpainted Door by Louise Gluck
10/11/2024

In the Evening by Billy Collins
10/10/2024

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
10/10/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

September 2024

August 2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

First Anniversary
08/19/2024

Alexandra Leaving by Leonard Cohen
08/16/2024

Muse des Beaux Arts by W. H. Auden
08/16/2024

The God Abandons Antony by Constantinos P. Cavafy
08/16/2024

Ch – Ch – Ch –Changes
08/15/2024

Cultural Activities Team offers an ‘embarrassment of riches’
08/15/2024

Engaging in Pasadena Village
08/15/2024

Future Housing Options
08/15/2024

Message from the President
08/15/2024

There Are Authors Among Us
08/15/2024

Villagers Welcome New Members at the Tournament Park Picnic
08/15/2024

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
08/14/2024

A narrow Fellow in the Grass by Emily Dickinson
08/13/2024

Haikus
08/13/2024

One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
08/13/2024

Poem 20 by Pablo Neruda
08/13/2024

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
08/13/2024

Trees by Joyce Kilmer
08/13/2024

July 2024

June 2024

May 2024

Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready?
05/28/2024

Farewell from the 2023/24 Social Work Interns
05/28/2024

Gina on the Horizon
05/28/2024

Mark Your Calendars for the Healthy Aging Research California Virtual Summit
05/28/2024

Meet Our New Development Associate
05/28/2024

Putting the Strategic Plan into Practice
05/28/2024

Washington Park: Pasadena’s Rediscovered Gem
05/28/2024

Introducing Civil Rights Discussions
05/22/2024

Rumor of Humor #2416
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2418
05/14/2024

Springtime Visitors
05/07/2024

Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024

No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024

An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024

Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024

Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024

The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024

Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024

April 2024

March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

Community Board Directors Strengthen Village Board

By Jim Hendrick
Posted: 10/29/2024
Tags: board of directors, dick myers, jim hendrick, newsletter november 2024

Cowritten with Dick Myers.

At Pasadena Village, we are a member-led organization focused on supporting older adults in the San Gabriel Valley through wellness, engagement, and fostering meaningful friendships. While our Villager’s needs drive much of our activities and decision-making, we also believe that bringing in broader perspectives can significantly strengthen our community. That’s why we have Board Directors from local business and professional sectors. These individuals contribute invaluable expertise, resources, and connections that amplify our  ability to serve Villagers effectively.

The inclusion of community Directors provides numerous benefits to our organization, and their roles in guiding our strategic initiatives have been vital. They bring a wealth of experience that we may not find within our membership, allowing us to run more efficiently and sustainably.

Serving the Aging Population

Pasadena Village was founded to serve the needs of an aging population, and our community Board Directors bring relevant expertise to this area as well. Rick Holliday, owner of THR Insurance, is a Medicare Consultant, plays a critical role in helping us support members in navigating the complexities of Medicare and healthcare systems. His insight ensures that our members have access to the right information and resources as they make important healthcare decisions. As an active Director and village volunteer, Rick recently gave a very detailed and entertaining presentation on changes in Medicare Law at Washington Park Community Center for the public that was sponsored by Pasadena Village.

Expanding Expertise and Perspectives

The primary reason for including community Board Directors is to ensure that Pasadena Village benefits from a wide range of skills and knowledge. Our organization is complex, requiring oversight in legal, financial, healthcare, real estate, and nonprofit management areas. While we have a strong staff and a sizeable group of dedicated villagers, outside professionals bring unique expertise that helps us meet our goals more effectively.

For example, Nolan Arcos, another of our community Board Directors, is an Estate Attorney with Lagerloff, LLP, a well-respected legal firm in Pasadena. His legal knowledge ensures that Pasadena Village adheres to the necessary regulations and operates ethically. Navigating nonprofit governance can sometimes be legally challenging, but with Nolan’s support, we are confident in maintaining transparency and integrity in our work.

Financial health is crucial to the longevity of Pasadena Village. Ron Stoffers is a Fiduciary who is the Regional Director of the Professional Fiduciary Association of California (PFAC). He serves on the finance committee, helping with budget planning, financial oversight, and long-term sustainability. His role allows Pasadena Village to make sound financial decisions, ensuring that we have the resources to serve our members for years to come.

Access to Resources and Networks

Another benefit of having community Board Directors is the access to resources and networks they bring. These professionals often have strong ties with businesses and organizations that can support Pasadena Village through funding, sponsorships or partnerships. The connections that our Directors have developed in the local community allow us to tap into a broader range of opportunities that might not have been available otherwise.

For instance, Michelle Chiu, Regional Director with Forest Lawn Cemetery, is actively involved in DEI initiatives. She has deep connections within the nonprofit sector and is instrumental in helping Pasadena Village form meaningful partnerships with other organizations. Her leadership in nonprofit management has been key to helping us grow our network and collaborate with others who share our mission of serving older adults.

Board Directors from outside our immediate membership can also help raise our visibility within the broader community. Their involvement lends credibility and promotes our organization to potential donors, partners, and supporters, which is crucial for maintaining the financial health of our organization.

Similarly, Shad Cruz, a licensed Social Worker, brings his academic background in gerontology to the Board. As a former intern with Pasadena Village, Shad understands our organization deeply, and his studies in aging are directly relevant to the community we serve. Shad’s knowledge allows us to stay up to date on the latest research and best practices in gerontology, ensuring that we are meeting the unique needs of our members as they age.

Broader Community Representation

Having community Board Directors also ensures that Pasadena Village represents a broader cross-section of the San Gabriel Valley. Our board reflects not just the voices of Villagers but also the perspectives of those who engage with the community in other meaningful ways. This approach helps us avoid becoming too inwardly focused and ensures that we remain connected to the broader community we serve.

The contributions of our community Board Directors play a crucial role in the success of Pasadena Village. Their specialized skills, access to resources, and community connections help us achieve our mission of promoting wellness, engagement, and friendship for older adults. By broadening our expertise and deepening our ties to the community, they provide the leadership we need to ensure that Pasadena Village continues to thrive and grow in the years to come.

 

Blogs Topics Posts about this Topic