The Resident Council is the leadership body of the Resident Association at RiverWoods, representing all residents and facilitating communication between residents, management, and the CCRC Board of Trustees. It operates through selected members who serve up to three-year terms and includes Resident Trustees during their terms. Each RiverWoods community has its own Resident Council.
Council Structure and Membership
Each Resident Council consists of twelve members selected by residents for staggered one- or two-year terms (RiverWoods Manchester and Durham) or three-year terms (RiverWoods Exeter), with Resident Trustees serving as council members during their terms. General meetings are held monthly, with the exception, sometimes, of July and August, with open attendance for all residents. At Council meetings or open forums, residents are encouraged to attend and provide input. Working sessions are held by invitation and at some communities, council members hold campus-specific ‘Chat’ sessions for residents only to discuss local concerns. Meeting minutes are always shared with the residents.
“It takes special people to volunteer their time to the Council during their retirement years,” says Former Resident Council Chair, Dick Crosbie. “In many ways, they are like judges appointed to the bench. They should come with no personal agendas, be open-minded, and be willing to listen to both sides of an issue, not necessarily just their own. They need to be negotiators looking for the best deal.”
The Selection Process
Each year, the Resident Council forms a selection committee to manage the replacement of members whose terms expire. All residents are encouraged to suggest candidates by submitting recommendations in collection boxes placed at each campus. Then, the Selection Committee chooses a slate of candidates for decision by the Resident Association at its Annual Meeting.
Its Purpose
The Resident Council represents residents’ interests. While residents do not make management decisions, the Council provides input, raises concerns, and ensures residents’ voices are heard to influence decisions that affect quality of life and services. It facilitates the on-going, two-way communication that keeps residents informed and engaged.
As current Resident Council Chair, Dennis Wagner, explains: “We ask questions, express concerns, make recommendations — that is, we provide resident input that can and does influence decisions and their implementation. The RC’s responsibility is to ensure that our voice is heard by management and the Board — that questions and concerns receive response. The RC also ensures that residents remain informed on matters that affect them. On our behalf, the RC facilitates this vital two-way communication that leads to best solutions.”
An Influencer Role
Although the Council does not have decision-making authority, it acts as an advocate by conveying residents’ concerns to management and seeking resolutions or explanations. It participates in working sessions where management consults the Council on upcoming decisions, sometimes improving outcomes.
Dick Crosbie tells it like this: “We have no say in the final decisions regarding operations here at RiverWoods. We take Resident’s concerns expressed in the Chats or hallways, and we convey them to the relevant Manager, and we try to get some resolution. We may not always be able to rectify the complaint, but we’ll always get an answer as to why something can or can’t be done and that answer may come from one of us or, if general enough, be answered in a Community Conversation. Our job is to be an advocate for the residents.”
“The other area where we act as Influencers is the Council Working and Special Sessions. Here Management will bounce upcoming decisions off us. Sometimes we can improve on those decisions and sometimes we cannot. Many times, we have gotten management to alter, refine, or reverse their pending decision.”
This role distinguishes it from other CCRCs where residents do not have such influence.
Why Join a Resident Council?
A resident council is one powerful way to get involved, serving as a structured platform for residents to advocate for changes. For those who have previously held leadership roles, these councils provide a familiar space to apply their expertise, while those entering retirement may find a fresh sense of purpose by helping others find their voice and ensuring every member of the community feels heard. Whether through formal committees or informal interest groups, active participation transforms residents into co-creators of their home community while fostering social bonds and a shared sense of pride.
Joining a community provides more than just a place to live; it offers a dynamic environment where you can work alongside your neighbors to make meaningful improvements that enhance everyone’s quality of life.