Skip to main content Skip to footer
Blog Archive
July 2026
1619: The Lingering Imprint Returns This Fall – Ideas Welcome 07/04/2026
Evolution of Holidays: What Are We Doing for Thanksgiving This Year? 07/01/2026
A Message From The President: Bridget Brewster 07/01/2026
A New Year, A New Board of Directors 07/01/2026
Gertrude Stein and the Birth of Modernism: A Family Connection 07/01/2026
Home Sweet Home...No Moving Required 07/01/2026
How Did You Get Here? 07/01/2026
Scams, Frauds, AI…Oh No, Not Again 07/01/2026
Two's Company! 07/01/2026
Village Magic 07/01/2026
June 2026
Home Sweet Home...No Moving Required Designing Spaces for Safe and Secure Living 06/09/2026
Ability Resource Fair - A.R.F.! 06/01/2026
Building Community: The Village Engagement Team Welcomes New Villagers 06/01/2026
Goals, Priorities and Tasks. Oh, My! 06/01/2026
Jabber-Walkies 06/01/2026
LGBTQ+ Bars: A Book-talk 06/01/2026
Ladies Who Lunch 06/01/2026
President’s Message 06/01/2026
May 2026
What Are "Teams"? 05/24/2026
What Does Board Oversight Mean? 05/19/2026
April 2026
Aging in Harmony: Pasadena Village and Encore Creativity 04/29/2026
Altadena’s Coyote Comeback 04/29/2026
Catch it Before it's Gone! 04/29/2026
In Sickness and in Health: Interview with a Caregiver 04/29/2026
Legacy Project 04/29/2026
Not Too Old To Get Carded 04/29/2026
President's Message 04/29/2026
Stuck in Milwaukee - Airplane Travel 2026 04/29/2026
The Art Journaling Workshop 04/29/2026
Think You're Losing Your Mind? 04/29/2026
Visiting The Getty 04/29/2026
March 2026
My Home For Now 03/30/2026
My Home for Now 03/30/2026
Black History Month: Poetry Reading Brings Community Together 03/26/2026
Do I Really Need a Will and/or a Trust? 03/26/2026
Everybody Needs a Blankie 03/26/2026
Fire Recovery Grants – Giving Back to the Community 03/26/2026
Kickoff: Prepared 50+ Emergency Preparedness 03/26/2026
President’s Message: Volunteering to Build Community 03/26/2026
The Birth of an Archive for Pasadena Village 03/26/2026
Too Smart to be Scammed? 03/26/2026
“I DIDN’T KNOW THAT!” A Refresher Course 03/26/2026
Across the Waiting Room 03/11/2026
February 2026
Refresh and Refocus 1619: Continuing the Dialogue 02/28/2026
Status - February 28, 2026 02/28/2026
AI Presentation 02/26/2026
Exploring the “Cheech” 02/26/2026
Mary Mejia is Here to Make a Difference 02/26/2026
One Year On 02/26/2026
President’s Message – March 2026 02/26/2026
Support Groups: Who, What, When, Where, and Why? 02/26/2026
Volunteering, Belonging, and the Power of Connection 02/21/2026
January 2026
BEACONS OF HOPE - The Dump Trucks of the Eaton Fire 01/29/2026
Exploring the Hidden Trails Together: The Pasadena Village Hiking Group 01/28/2026
Five Years of Transformative Leadership at Pasadena Village 01/28/2026
For Your Hearing Considerations: A Presentation by Dr. Philip Salomon, Audiologist 01/28/2026
Hearts & Limbs in Zambia 01/28/2026
Lost Trees of Altadena Return Home 01/28/2026
President's Message: WHY the Village Works 01/28/2026
TV: Behind the Scenes 01/28/2026
Trauma to Triumph 01/28/2026
1619 Group Reflects on Politics, Climate, and Democratic Strain 01/23/2026
How Pasadena Village Helped Me Rebuild After the Eaton Fire 01/10/2026
Blog Archive
May 2026
What Are "Teams"? 05/24/2026

Finding Joy in My Role on The Pasadena Village Board

By Michelle Chiu · Posted 03/28/2025

Growing up, my grandfather was a beacon of community service.  His tireless commitment to volunteer work wasn't a set of isolated actions but a lifestyle that demonstrated how one could intertwine personal purpose with communal betterment.  As I became an adult, I have followed in his footsteps and have participated in many volunteer work opportunities throughout my life.  The opportunity to serve on the Pasadena Village Board feels especially like a way to honor his memory and legacy.  

The opportunity to contribute to the mission of Pasadena Village with its emphasis on fostering a supportive environment where older adults can age gracefully and independently, surrounded by a network of peers and support is in alignment with my personal convictions and aspirations to create a lasting positive impact.  

On a personal level, the rewards are manifold. Besides the satisfaction of knowing I am part of a meaningful organization which makes a difference in many people’s life, the role provides continuous learning experiences. Each interaction and board meeting offers insights into leadership, strategic planning, and the importance of empathy in decision-making. Working alongside a diverse group of passionate individuals enriches my understanding and hones my ability to collaborate effectively. Moreover, one of the most profound rewards is witnessing firsthand the transformation and empowerment that can flourish within a supportive community, evident especially during the aftermath of the devastating Eaton Fires. Being part of a process that positively impacts lives provides me a sense of fulfillment and purpose that is hard to replicate elsewhere.

Professionally, I've amassed skills and experiences that I believe can benefit the strategic direction and governance of Pasadena Village. As a board director, I can leverage my expertise in organizational management, strategic planning, and community outreach to help steer the village toward accomplishing its goals. It's rewarding to know that my professional abilities can contribute outside of my regular work environment, especially towards causes that improve the quality of life for others. I am very fortunate to work for a company that shares my belief in the importance of giving back to the community and actively supports volunteer work and sponsorship initiatives. It is incredibly fulfilling to be part of a workplace where corporate generosity and individual passion intersect, creating a ripple effect of positivity and change.

Ultimately, serving as a Board Director for the Pasadena Village is more than a duty—it's a privilege that offers both personal and communal benefits. The opportunity to give back, learn, and grow with the organization and its members is an invaluable experience, one that continues to nurture my commitment to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Pasadena Board of Directors meets every 3rd Tuesday of the month at 4:00pm, sometimes on Zoom and sometimes in person. The meeting is open for all to attend, so if you are interested in knowing more about how the Board operates and what we do, you are welcome to attend any upcoming Board meetings. Please feel free to reach out to Bridget Brewster or me with any questions regarding the Pasadena Village Board of Directors. Your questions will help inform future articles concerning the purpose, scope, operations and governance of your Board of Directors.

Blog Topics Posts about this Topic