Calendar House: A Senior Center Meeting the Future Head On

Calendar House:  Planning Visions for the Future of Rapidly Changing Senior Generations 

By E. Richard Fortunato

Calendar House Senior Center - Southington, CT

Based on a commentary published in the Southington Citizen - November 27, 2012

It’s surprising how many in a town of 42,000 like Southington, CT. either don’t know what Calendar House is or what goes on there.  Located on Pleasant Street, across from the Joseph A. DePaolo Middle School, this town-owned and operated senior center is the leading go-to-place for many active 55 + adults.

Calendar House provides physical fitness classes and artistic opportunities such as painting, stained glass work, games, reading, TV and a host of learning opportunities. There are clubs for those interested in financial investments, digital photography and computer maintenance.  

Computer Learning Center - Class in Action in Lab

Computer classes are taught by trained and experienced volunteer instructors in a friendly environment in the Computer Learning Center.  At a nominal fee, classes start with the most basic introduction to computers up to and including a wide range of interests and the opportunity to learn and develop skills in the effective use of word processing, email, internet, digital photography, managing your files and folders, computer maintenance and more, including the most recently added course in the effective use of your iPad. 

Seniors enjoy a modestly priced nutritional noon time meal
at the Calendar House Senior Cafe 

A multiple-use main hall at Calendar House provides for entertainment, social events, health information programs and services.  A popular noon-time activity is a modestly-priced healthy meal that also offers members opportunities for social interaction forging new friendships.  

Popular deluxe motor coach trips to interesting places and entertaining events are also organized for members. 

As to demographics, the 55 + population in Southington of more than 12,500 continues to grow.  The boomer generation is well on its way into active senior living while life expectancy increases  significantly.  People now coming into their senior years are more attuned to higher tech activities and lifestyles than their predecessors.  The challenge for Calendar House is to keep pace with the swiftly changing senior culture.  

This year, the town's focus has shifted to a closer look at what Calendar House is now and what it needs to be to provide optimum service and use of our maturing generations. 

In early summer of 2012, after months of review and great interest by the senior population, the town council acted to place the responsibility for the operations of Calendar House directly under the authority of the Town Manager, Garry Brumback, with the executive director, Bob Verderame, reporting directly to him. 

The council revised its ordinance code to change the role of the previously controlling Senior Citizens Commission to one of an advisory board that would assist the town and Calendar House with new and fresh ideas based on positive and forward thinking as it conceives and develops ideas for new possibilities.  The town council will revisit these changes in July 2013.

Meanwhile, for decades, there had already been in place an effective association of the members of Calendar House.  That association is well organized with by-laws and committees under the direction of a board of directors elected by the senior members annually. They meet regularly and works closely with the Calendar House executive director, Bob Verderame, to advise and assist in him in its activities. Members are themselves seniors who are very active in Calendar House activities, many of them being present at the center weekly and even daily.  

Leslie Cotton, Town Clerk, administers oath to Mark White
with Garry Brumback, Town Manager, and Peter Freeman,
President of Calendar House Membership Association (l) and
Lana White observing. 

The Town Council agreed with its Ordinance Committee's study that the senior citizens commission should become an advisory body rather than a controlling board with the direct management and reporting lines being under the control of the Town Manager, Garry Brumback.  The council also saw wisdom in the idea of involving seniors including those active in Calendar House leadership to be involved in the work of the future of the facility and its potential because of their experience and knowledge of the center and the people it serves.  

Membership association president, Peter Freeman, was authorized by the town council to serve or designate someone to serve on the new Senior Advisory Commission.  He named C. Mark White, vice president of the membership association, to a  new seat on the advisory board with the enthusiastic concurrence of the Calendar House Membership Association's Board of Directors and its membership. Confirmation by Town Council Chairman, John Dobbins was prompt.  

A month later, Dobbins appointed Clifford H. Snow, Jr. to a vacant seat on the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission,  after the resignation for personal reasons of Margaret Chase. 

Town Council Chairman John Dobbins congratulates Cliff Snow
on taking the oath of office on the Senior Advisory Commission
with Garry Brumback (l), Leslie Cotton, (center) and
Gert Semrow, (r.), looking on. 

Snow has been active at Calendar House since 1996, serving as auditor of the Finance Committee and Chairman of the By-Laws Committee.  Elected a director in 2000, Snow was then elected president for five consecutive years and has since continued to serve as a director.  Through his dedication to Calendar House, Snow has become an iconic figure and highly respected leader in the organization. He refers to Calendar House as his home away from home.

Change has already started. One example is The Dial-A-Ride Bus program which is a major service of Calendar House  providing free transportation to 55 + residents and people with disabilities to accommodate visits to doctors, dentists, shopping locations and a daily service to and from Calendar House for lunch, programs, activities and appointments such as the critical service of transportation to regular dialysis appointments at Bradley Memorial Hospital. 

The Dial-A-Ride bus service had frankly become an increasing source of controversy prior to the change over of the senior commission to an advisory body.  Differences in approaches and management style among commissioners also led to a deepening divide between the former senior commission and the executive director, the staff, volunteer leaders and members of Calendar House.

The upside is that the issues were effectively addressed after the appointment by Brumback of an Audit Committee that included Freeman, Edward S. Pocock, Jr., and White, working directly with Verderame and the staff. 

Scheduling, dispatch and service have all been improved in a very short span of time with the introduction of technology to drive the system instead of the prior manual system.  In addition, a fourth bus was added and the staff and drivers participated in professional customer service training. 

"The restructuring of the program is a credit to"the efforts of the Audit Committee and a re-energized staff who have accomplished it by making more efficient use of limited resources." Brumback said. Verderame said that he was pleased that innovative ideas are moving along well and that the staff and clients seem to be happy with the results. 

Brumback also mentioned that photos of the staff and volunteers are now prominently displayed in the lobby to aid members seeking direction and information. 

Among other plans for Calendar House, Brumback noted the establishment of a Strategic Planning Committee whose mission is to develop a vision for the Calendar House of the future.  “While there is much to be done, we also have a wealth of human resources available to us in our senior population to help us achieve our goals”, Brumback said.   Freeman said that there is more to come with substantive ideas in their formative stages of development. "All this will, in time, bring about exciting and creative innovations for Calendar House." Freeman said.   

Meanwhile, around Calendar House, the staff and volunteers are busy as ever with a renewed spirit that the future looks bright. 

If you haven't visited Calendar House, consider dropping in for a visit weekdays between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.  The staff will also be pleased to arrange a tour for prospective members or a family member. 

Read more about Calendar House at its website.