“We’re Green, we’re Grey, and we’re NOT going away!” That’s the motto for the 15 chapters of Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment…SSAFE. Wake Robin is one of those chapters and last month, we hosted two officers of the national organization.
Michelle Goodwin, CEO, and Joel Brady, Chair of the Board of Directors, were our guests for a couple of days. They came to give a presentation to the residents and spent some time walking around meeting people, sharing meals in our dining room, and exchanging ideas with our own Climate Action Task Force. All are interested in learning from each other how we can best work together to address climate change.
SSAFE started at Kendal at Hanover and has added 14 more communities since 2020. They said the key word in the name of the group is “Acting.” The movement is growing quickly and they are about to embark on creating a five-year strategic plan. On the website is a Resource Hub offering templates, ideas for funding, case stories, videos, recommended reading and viewing, and a newsletter. One chapter at a time, the goal is to achieve carbon neutrality or net-zero emissions by 2050.
Michelle and Joel heard about Wake Robin’s environmental stewardship activities and explored possible collaborative efforts. In their presentation they described some of the work of the various chapters and why they chose to create this organization comprised of retirement communities. They said the members of senior communities are perfect sources for leadership to push the agenda. They have experience, they have resources, and they have time to devote to this work.
They liked what they heard here so much that they have invited resident Sarah M. to give a presentation to the SSAFE General Committee. Sarah’s topic is “The Epic Tale of Reuse and Repurpose at Wake Robin” or what is better known as “The Tag Sale.”
For more information: ssafe.org
