President’s Update
Welcome to November!
Each month, I look forward to writing the President’s Update to reflect on the past month and chart the path ahead.
First, I want to extend my thanks to everyone who participated in the Strategic Planning feedback sessions, whether through focus groups or surveys. The Board of Directors and I are eager to review the results in the coming month. We are a diverse group, full of ideas and opinions, and I’m excited to continue conversations on how we can find common ground and embrace new opportunities. While we may not always agree, I am committed to keeping the dialogue open and explaining the direction of the agency as we move forward.
One topic that has come up frequently is birthday listings in the newspaper. When I started in May, I was made aware that we had been listing the full names of every member celebrating a birthday that month. Personally, I love birthdays! In fact, my daughter turned seven in October, and I’ve been hearing about her birthday plans for the past two months!
From an Active Generations perspective, my decision to now only list the first name and last initial is a compromise. Our organization has never specifically asked members if they want to be listed publicly. Privacy of your information is something I feel strongly about and allowing you to have say if we recognize your birthday or not is part of what I feel should be asked not assumed. I believe it’s important that members have the choice to opt-in for birthday recognition.
In early 2025, we will be launching a new membership software with a member interface, and through this transition, we will be asking members whether they would like their birthdays recognized. Once we have your consent, I’ll be more than happy to explore new ways of celebrating birthdays within our community.
Regarding the new software, please don’t worry if you prefer not to use the mobile app! We’ll continue to offer current methods of communication, and we’ll also hold training sessions for those interested in learning how to use the app on their phones.
November brings the busy season of elections, and both Active Generations locations will serve as polling places. We’re working hard to minimize the impact on our daily schedules, but please expect a bit more activity and schedule adjustments in our buildings on election day. Just a reminder: all political apparel, signs, or campaign materials must be concealed on election day, as required by South Dakota law (SD Codified Law 12-18-3).
As always leading up to the election and every day, I ask and expect that everyone – members and staff alike – treat each other with respect and kindness, regardless of political preference or cultural differences. While we encourage open dialogue, offensive or disruptive behavior, whether through conversation or clothing, will not be tolerated.
As we approach the end of the year, Active Generations continues to grow and evolve thanks to the generosity of donors across all our programs. If you are 70½ or older, you have the opportunity to make a tax-free gift directly from your IRA to Active Generations through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). This allows you to satisfy your required minimum distribution while making a meaningful contribution to our mission. It’s a simple way to make a lasting impact while potentially reducing your taxable income. Consult with your financial advisor to see if a QCD is right for you. If you’d like to learn more about how your gift can benefit Active Generations, please reach out to us!
In November, we are excited to celebrate our veterans at our Veterans’ Program on November 7th. And don’t miss the highly anticipated return of the Follies on November 14th with the show, Let’s Do It Again.
In this season of Thanksgiving, I am grateful every day for the opportunity to serve our members and the Active Generations community!
Betsy Schuster
Active Generations President & CEO
