
Established 2002

​Possible Actions
​
Responsibility
​
Timeline
​
Discussion Notes
​
Progress Notes
​
​
2025 Member Survey
A. Connecting People
​Possible Actions
-
Newcomers lunch/dinner gathering – quarterly?
-
Integrate new people into The Village – invite to events with VCA (roster of volunteers)
-
“Speed dating” approach to meeting new people
-
Name tags at events with street – provide nametags to all VCA members “permanently”
-
“buddy” for nights out to theatre, dinner
​Responsibility
-
Lindy & SC – Coffee time - check with S&S for a best day
-
Lindy - Name tags – through Social Committee
-
Judy - Integrate new members through Ambassadors
-
Sue will add these events to the newsletter
Timeline
-
Fall 2025
-
As events occur
Discussion Notes
-
Change lunch/dinner to Buddy system – lower priority for now
-
Name tags – Will bring sticky tags to all events and have members fill in
-
Integrate new members– will encourage with newsletters, etc. Non members will be encouraged to attend as well.
-
Potentially through the ambassadors, encourage new residents to attend each event.
-
Buddy system – lower priority for now
Progress Notes​​
B. Connecting people with similar Interests
Possible Actions
-
Set up groups eg walking, biking
-
Sport casual get-togethers
-
Connect people with similar interests eg cycling, walking, pickle ball, golf, etc , scotch & cigars, music – find out who, share
Responsibility
-
Sue – to have it in the newsletter to garner interest
Timeline
-
Fall 2025
Discussion Notes
-
Will have to put this out in a newsletter – ask who is interested in what, and who might volunteer to coordinate an activity
-
Start with walking, biking, then on to lunch, scotch, wine tasting, move from there
-
Look for volunteer leaders from Focus gp attendees to organize – if we don’t get any volunteer leaders
-
Sue to look into Pool Hall
Progress Notes
C. Organizing Meals, Wine, Park events
​Possible Actions
-
Progressive dinners
-
Socialize in the parks – informal get-togethers
-
Celebrations – recognition of major things like anniversaries, big birthdays in newsletter
-
Community meal – pot-luck, casual – or coffee
-
Wine club/tastings
-
Host parties by phases of The Village – invite all
-
Board Game/cards nights
​Responsibility
-
Sue – in newsletter
-
Lindy – Social Committee
Timeline
- July 2025, Winter 2025-26
Discussion Notes
-
Celebrations – we will need to get information through the newsletter –“ if you have something to share, we will share in newsletter”
-
Wine club and tastings will be part of section A
-
Community meal – part of the Christmas/Lighting celebration. Picnic in the Park as well. We feel that it is already done
-
Laneway get togethers – suggest that laneways organize by the laneway and invite others -.keep it simple
-
Board Game/card nights – someone could lead. Perhaps more for the winter evenings, those who stay around
Progress Notes
-
Have been able to share a few ‘good news’ stories to date eg Frasers anniversary, Janet Lamb’s marriage.
-
Held a picnic in the park in July
​
D. Enhance Communication
​Possible Actions
-
Set up a chat or web option for sharing, like Facebook but not all are on Facebook
-
Private Facebook page for VCA members
Responsibility
-
Susan
-
Sue
Timeline
-
June 2025
​Discussion Notes
-
Susan to look into setting up Facebook Page
-
Reviewed by Exec and suggestions made for revision
-
Sue to look at WIX to see what we can include in our website
Progress Notes
-
Susan has prepared Facebook page and released.Susan and Carol to monitor.
-
82 members as of October 9.​​
E. Providing support/help for seniors or anyone
​Possible Actions
-
Help those in community that need support eg Driving to appointments, help around house, computer help, snow removal
-
Babysitting
-
Dog walking/sitting
-
Vacation watch, House sitting
-
Volunteer hour ‘bank’ – trading help
-
Assistance with conflict resolution
-
Develop a roster of volunteers – help eg with computers, take to hospital appts, etc
Responsibility
-
Sue – highlight Eye Watch during the late fall/winter
-
Sue – survey
Timeline
​​
Discussion Notes
-
A lot of support is being done independently
-
There is already a Loyalty Partner (Eye Watch) who does vacation watch
-
We can put out a survey on what help is needed and who has the ability to help
-
Conflict resolution – we can link them to someone who can help eg. Constable Mike
Progress Notes
-
Discovered Happy in my Home (Community Support Services of Niagara) that does all of these things – will post and let Village know they are looking for local volunteers.
​
F. Developing and sharing “Lists”
​Possible Actions
-
Share recommendations for contractors, etc.
-
Neighbourhood Watch -
-
Encourage sharing contacts within the Village residents
-
List of services – things available
Responsibility
-
Carol will update this list and bring to Exec.
-
Sue - newsletter
Timeline
-
​For July 10 Exec mtg
Discussion Notes
-
Could post on Facebook.
-
Encourage residents to let your immediate neighbours know when you are away.
-
Share who can pet walk or sit.
Progress Notes
-
​Ardeth has called all contractors – list is now on website.
​
G. Support for widows/widowers
​Possible Actions
-
​Form a support group
Responsibility
-
Ardeth will talk with Barb Whittall re: what might this look like?
-
Carol to see if there is a group already in NOTL
Timeline
-
​July 2025
Discussion Notes
-
Support is available through Palliative Care
​Progress Notes​​
H. Neighbour Check-ins
​Possible Actions
-
Friendly visits or email
-
Neighbour check-in – call sheet
-
Emergency contacts – share by agreement
Responsibility
-
​Sue will research articles on ‘wise’ tips for living alone
Timeline
-
​August 14 Exec mtg
Discussion Notes
-
​​Encourage residents who live alone to share their emergency contact with a neighbours.
Progress Notes
-
​Check-in service also available through Happy in my Home organization.
​
I. Education
​Possible Actions
-
Education for Seniors – Financial plans, estate, funeral, power of attorney – health, etc.
-
Tech Savey – technology lessons
-
Skills exchange – cooking, baking, knitting, painting
-
Garden tours
-
Health – promote/facilitate sessions or talks going on in Town – (not everyone can navigate to sign up)
-
Safety – First Aid training
-
AED machine in The Village?
-
Publicize volunteer opportunities
Responsibility
-
​All Executive keep our ears/ eyes open for sessions we can inform residents about.
Timeline
-
Ongoing
-
June 2026
Discussion Notes
-
Anyone can see content from Niagara North Health sessions on their website. Encourage residents to share these on VCA Facebook page.
-
Good topics for future AGM & GM meetings.
-
See in a year if we want to organize any of these sessions.
Progress Notes
-
​Sept 20 Life and Learn sessions in newsletter.
​
K. Find out what men would like. Find out what LGBTQ couples would like
​Possible Actions
-
​Talk to some to see what they would like to see offered.
Responsibility
​
Timeline
-
​By September
Discussion Notes
-
​Sue looking into pool hall (women also)
Progress Notes
​
​
