Page 89 - Vibrant Living Scrapbook

Components of the Community Meeting (cont’d)
Predictable Ritualized Routines
The Barkans emphasize that people do well with predictable, ritualized routines, that rituals make events like the Community Meeting special compared to other activities.
Budget Neutral
Holding Community Meetings is one of many possibilities for chipping away at institutional culture. It costs no money but is priceless.
Community Meetings Take On a Life of Their Own
Although the Barkans created a framework
for Community Meetings, no two meetings are alike. Those living and working in the home plan the meeting agenda. It all depends on residents and staff’s interests, ideas, wishes, skills and talents. Obviously, the more they become involved, the richer the experience for everyone in your community.
An effective and enjoyable Community Meeting at Clear Creek Care Center in Denver, CO, in 2002 went like this:
• Pledge of Allegiance.
• Resident-led song, “God Bless America.” You might think having a song is a little corny, but we’ve learned the right song in the right setting can energize a group. You might consider patriotic or other types of songs commonly appreciated by your group.
• Celebration of birthdays and landmark life events. Remember to celebrate birthdays and life events of both staff and residents. This is a great way to honor all those in your midst.
• Announcements of upcoming events and other items of general interest are given by anyone.
• Planning of events and holidays and the décor for them. No longer do activity staff members alone bear the responsibility for planning events and decorations. It is fun to see
which residents and staff members have
ideas and interest.
• Residents are honored for their first-time attendance.
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