By Paul Conyers
The Senior Resources Committee came together for its latest meeting on June 20 to discuss the initial planning for the 2023 Londonderry Senior Expo. The Committee sees the Expo as their main event.
Committee Chair, Jim Green, approved using the cafeteria of Londonderry Middle School for the next Senior Expo over the High School.
“The cafeteria is fairly large,” said Green. “It could easily hold 40 tables or more, and there are handicapped entrances…I thought that it was a wonderful choice.”
Green added that the Expo already has 12 vendors committed to the event a week after sending email requests. The process is ongoing, and the Committee hopes to expand its list of potential attendees over the next few weeks. “We’ve got a place, we’ve got logistics pretty well, we’ve got contacts out to the vendors, and we should know where we are by the next meeting.”
Another topic under discussion included a booth for Old Home Day. The Senior Resources Committee intends to participate in the annual Londonderry celebration, and Green was looking to advertise the Expo and the benefits it can bring to the community.
The banner design for the Committee was also under discussion for the Old Home Day Parade.
“I think the banner has got to be something that stands out,” suggested Committee member, Barbara Mee. “I bet half the people watching wouldn’t read the banner otherwise.” One suggestion was to add red letters to their blue banner, allowing it to stand out and make it easier to see from a distance.
Leach Library representative, Matt Fuller, announced several upcoming programs for Londonderry seniors, including a presentation by local artist, John Webster, on July 19, a mediation workshop on Aug. 2, and a musical performance “blending songwriting and History” on Aug. 23. More information is available on the library website.
Another concern was the shortage of volunteers around town, especially for senior programs.
“What are the barriers that we’re seeing that are keeping people from volunteering?” asked Green. “What is stopping people from saying ‘this is something I can do that would be enriching for me? You have to have some motivation, something you want to do.”
One suggestion simply asking people to help by creating awareness in town.
“Part of it is just not having an awareness of the need” said Fire Dept. liaison, Phil Leblanc. “It’s not that they don’t want to or are not willing to, it’s not of the forefront to say ‘this is a need right now, would you be willing to help?'”
“I think a lot also depends on personality,” Mee added. “I’m an extrovert.”
The Senior Center relies on volunteers to provide effective services to residents.
The Senior Resources Committee is scheduled to meet again on the third Tuesday of the month in the Sunnycrest Conference Room at 6 p.m.