How to plan for senior citizen group at church?

[jspoole]

I have been heading up our senior citizen group (55 and up) at church for almost a year. This was a new endeaver and the seniors have been loving all the activities we have been doing. Well they wanted some over night trips planned so I planned for a 3 day trip with the local tour company just for our group. Well now that its time to confirm that you are going and pay your deposit almost all of them are backing out and I was informed that "most of them were not rich like us (meaning me and dh) and that they could not go. The total was like $400 a person (everything included for that price) It was planned for 7 months in advance so that they could pay like $75 a month per person and be done with it.

I just need some advice. What would you do in this situation? Just cancel the whole thing and just say forget heading up this group? It really cut me to the heart when I was informed how most of them were feeling about us. I have really been putting my whole heart into doing things with the seniors, but hey this is the first thing that they have actually had to pay for themselves since we started, so now I see why everything else has had such a big turn out. The church has been footing the bill.

 

[disykat]

I'd cancel the trip and stick with potlucks etc. at the church that don't have an extra fee involved.

Sometimes people like to talk big about going on overnights, but the reality of it is too much for them. If anyone brings an overnight up again, simply remind them that was already tried and wasn't successful because people preferred activities without costs involved.

I'd try not to take their take on your financial situation ("not rich like you") as anything but a thoughtless way of expressing they'd prefer not to spend money on group activities. They weren't really meaning to insult you, but rather explain their own financial situation. Maybe they were so thoughtless out of defensiveness?

 

[kathie859]

I have been heading up our senior citizen group (55 and up) at church for almost a year. This was a new endeaver and the seniors have been loving all the activities we have been doing. Well they wanted some over night trips planned so I planned for a 3 day trip with the local tour company just for our group. Well now that its time to confirm that you are going and pay your deposit almost all of them are backing out and I was informed that "most of them were not rich like us (meaning me and dh) and that they could not go. The total was like $400 a person (everything included for that price) It was planned for 7 months in advance so that they could pay like $75 a month per person and be done with it.

I just need some advice. What would you do in this situation? Just cancel the whole thing and just say forget heading up this group? It really cut me to the heart when I was informed how most of them were feeling about us. I have really been putting my whole heart into doing things with the seniors, but hey this is the first thing that they have actually had to pay for themselves since we started, so now I see why everything else has had such a big turn out. The church has been footing the bill.

OP, I'd cancel and continue to organize the type of events that get the most participation. Don't take the comments personally--some people get snarky re: lack of disposable income and can't say "I can't afford this" but attack someone else to deflect their disappointment.

 

[powellrj]

A senior coming in to comment. First of all, to most seniors that is a big amount of money to spend on a trip of a trip of a few days. Our church is taking a trip to the smokies for a week and the cost is $235 for transportation, lodging and food and there are still some people who can't afford to take the trip.

Another thing is how much walking is involved. If there is much walking involved, you will lose lots of people there.

I would just keep planning local things and see how that goes before you try anything big again.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

I would make one last call out, with a solid, "If we do not get x amount of people the trip will be canceled." Then let it go. One, have you heard these comments directly from people, or is it secondhand? You cannot rely on secondhand. All of the comments may be coming from one person.

Second, have a fill out the form of "This is what I would like to see more of from this group." Then have specifics, "Free dinners. Outings that cost $5 or less per person," or "outings that cost 10-20 per person....." Have a list for ideas too.

This will give you a good idea of what people want. While seniors are filling out the forms walk around. If you see someone not writing, sit right down and begin asking them. Often people would much rather talk than write, or writing may not be comfortable to them.

You could even do something really silly. Have a would you rather do this or that. Then have people wad up paper and toss it to the side they would rather do/attend. This is a riot and it will get everyone involved. You will need folks to run around and collect the "votes," before the next round.

 

[pearlieq]

I'm so sorry you did all this work only to see it wash out like this, especially with people being less than kind or appreciative.

Hard as it might be, I'd try really hard not to take their comments personally. Money is a very sensitive subject for many people and no one likes to admit they can't afford something. They're probably feeling embarrassed and disappointed about not being able to go and are (unfairly) deciding to project some of that on you. Just let it go and count your blessings that it would have been an option for you to go.

As for the future, I would agree with surveying the members and giving them a choice of budget ranges for activities along with continuing to organize many things with low or no cost.

If they still want overnight, maybe there are some cheaper options? Maybe a nearby national park has inexpensive lodging and tours/ranger programs people might be interested in. Are there church owned lodgings or recreation areas you could look into? Or maybe it could literally be a one-night trip somewhere to keep costs down.

Finally, it's OK to keep your eyes wide open after this and decide whether you want to keep pouring your energies into this group. You may find this is a one-time thing triggered by people feeling money pressures or you might find that this group of people isn't actually very nice but does like to "take" whatever you're willing to give. If that's the case, it's completely fine to hand over the reins if you find organizing things is not nourishing to you.

 

[Poohforyou]

A senior citizen group that starts at age 55? I'm 50 with a 13 yo. I can't imagine being ready for a senior group for a good 20 years.

Back to the topic at hand, I'd cancel and just keep doing what you're doing.

 

[writersblock42]

I think that maybe should put out a survey and see what people want to do.

The questions could be

1. What types of activities would you like to see?
2. Would you be interested in overnight trips? If so where. What price could you afford for a weekend trip.
3. Would you like to go on day trips? If so where and what is the price you would be willing to pay for a day trip.
4. Would you be willing to participate in fundraising to go on trips?

 

[Earstou]

I would have a planning session where you ask for ideas from the group. Start by having them fill out a survey at the beginning. Ask about trips, how many nights they want to spend away, what range they want to spend, where they might want to go. You need this information so that you can find a trip that would interest them. The senior groups I'm familar with usually do 1 night away to a nearby tourist attraction (museum, playhouse, historical sites).

 

[powellrj]

A senior citizen group that starts at age 55? I'm 50 with a 13 yo. I can't imagine being ready for a senior group for a good 20 years.

Back to the topic at hand, I'd cancel and just keep doing what you're doing.

I am 54 with a 16 year old, but around here its unusual. Back in the heyday of GM, most retired after 30 years so being retired in your early 50's was common. Since the loss of the GM jobs its not as common. The only reason I am now hanging with the seniors is because my mom has dementia and I quit my job to care for her. I am up on all the Keenager and Red Hat activities these days!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

A senior coming in to comment.

Another "senior" here to comment.
I retired as a CEO when I was 56, now 64.

1) I hang out with lots of other seniors (62-70).
2) Most have to budget their money carefully.
3) If not for just the current month, for the LONG TERM.
4) Many have a pension, but some are limited to just Soc Sec.
5) After monthly expenses, that leaves little free cash.
6) And, they need to plan for many more years, and unplanned needs.
7) So, $400 for just 3-4 days would be a big outlay.

NOTE: When the time comes for their payments, it is possible that many
no longer see the rationalization for such a fee for such a short trip. If
you want to keep it going, you need to "sell" it to them. Show them the
benefits TO THEM. Otherwise, they will think it is a "rich person's" trip.
It is something almost frivolous.

 

[allison443]

I'm another one surprised that 55 year olds are in a senior citizen group! Is the group all around that age, or does it include people in their 70s and 80s as well? That's a wide range. I'm in my early 50s and my parents are 80. We have divergent ideas of activities, etc.

Also if a trip is $400 a person, for a couple that's $800. Not insignificant. Also I'm in my 50s and I wouldn't take a bus trip for a weekend away. My parents started going on those trips when they got older and didn't like to drive long distances to unfamilar areas anymore.

I think it's nice you are trying to organize these activities. You offered but don't take it personally if people don't all want to go.

 

[Southernmiss]

Kudos to you for working so diligently to make a quality program for your community.

Our church's senior's group's main focus is a gathering a month with prayer or devotion with a different focus each month. Sometimes there will be a guest speaker or something like flu shots in flu season. Followed by a nice prepared lunch where participants can bring a dish to share, but the main substance of the meal is provided. A donation basket is set out and in over 10 years, the group has always collected enough donations to offset the church's cost of the meal with some left over.

This seems to meet the needs of most of our seniors. Those who are able to travel do so on their own. Otherwise, they all seem to enjoy just coming together to pray, eat and visit with each other.

 

[tar heel]

Looks like I'm a senior, too.

OP -- I know this must be very disappointing. It was probably hard for people to tell you that they couldn't afford the trip. I would guess that the people it would appeal to would be the older folks who wouldn't travel by themselves. I'm 56 and I can't imagine doing anything like that for many more years, if ever. Of course, DH and I both work, so the money wouldn't be the issue per se. We wouldn't choose to spend $800 on that kind of trip, though.
.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have debated on posting but...
I work in Senior Care...

When I read the OPs post there's a lot of focus on "I Have been" Where was the input from the Seniors? Sounds like you have been planning EVERYTHING A to Z. Maybe that's not right, but if it is...

Even in nursing homes we have a "resident council" (and trust me these folks aren't going on trips LOL!) to tell us what THEY want to do. It's time to identify some leaders and get them involved. You should not be a one person planning machine! It needs to become thier group!

 

[writersblock42]

55 is very young these days
That being said a lot of places offer discounts to seniors starting at the age of 55 and many communities consider seniors 55 and up. I think the idea is that a 55 plus community is the idea that they are still very active and want to do activities but may be retired, no longer have young kids at home to take care of and want a place to plug in with mature adults.