FROM THE PRESIDENT

Deb Gerow | President, ARTA

Many service groups and fraternal orders that do great work in their communities have the same question. Membership in the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association continues to grow, but some local ARTA branches struggle to attract new members. For those of us who believe in the benefits of participating in these groups, it is important to understand why some people are reluctant to join and to figure out how to address this trend.

Perhaps the main reason seniors don’ t opt to join these groups is because they do not see themselves as seniors. We are constantly bombarded by the media preaching the wonders of being young, selling the idea that there is some way to avoid the aging process. Unfortunately, many of us buy into that fallacy. Taking good care of ourselves is important; however, a societal view that accepts the fact that everyone ages would make it feel more acceptable to be a senior.

Lack of time is another reason; the lives of new retirees can be very busy. Sometimes retirees take on more family responsibilities, such as becoming a caregiver to an elderly parent or a spouse who is ill. Other seniors use their newly available time in retirement to resume activities that they were once too busy to pursue or to try new things. Travelling is also very popular; it is common to want to tour while one can. Then of course, there are those who, after years of working hard, just want some quiet time to themselves, with no desire to keep busy.

Some retirees may find that a group’ s activities are simply not of interest to them, which is one area where changes can be made to attract members in the next cohort of retirees. Groups need to reach out to welcome potential members who are approaching retirement to share information about their organization. Different events that younger seniors might enjoy may also be well received by current members. The option to choose activities one wants to participate in, while not being required to take part in everything, is an added bonus anyone can appreciate.

As seniors comprise a growing portion of the population, it is essential to acknowledge that aging can be a positive experience. Organizations must attract younger members if they are to survive. The enthusiasm of new seniors and the wisdom of older retirees can create an unstoppable combination. Just think of what can be accomplished by working together.

For more information on how to join an ARTA Branch in your area visit artabranches. net

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