Women Over 50- Cultivating Friendship & Community

MISSION STATEMENT:

1. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A SUPPORTIVE AND WELCOMING COMMUNITY FOR WOMEN OVER 50 TO FOSTER NEW FRIENDSHIPS AND MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH EACH OTHER.
2. WE BELIEVE IN THE IMPORTANCE OF MINDFUL SOCIALIZATION. THEREFORE WE STRIVE TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE WHERE WOMEN CAN GROW, SUPPORT AND SHARE WITH EACH OTHER THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCES WITHOUT JUDGEMENT. IT IS MY GOAL TO PROMOTE POSITIVITY, APPRECIATION, INCLUSION, AND RESPECT FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THIS GROUP WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
3. EATING WISELY & MINDFULLY
4. MAINTAIN AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
5. REMAINING ACTIVE & ENGAGING IN ACTIVITIES THAT NOT ONLY CARE FOR OUR PHYSICAL WELL BEING BUT ALSO OUR COGNITIVE, EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING.
6. PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES WITH OTHERS THAT BRING US HAPPINESS AND JOY.

That being said this is a private group and we do have etiquette and rules just like other organizations. There is a recommended $20/yearly dues to be a member of this group. This dues is due on a yearly basis to support the fee that meetups charges the organizers. As the sole organizer I pay dues twice a year every 6 months. You are welcome to pay by cash or check if you prefer at the first or second meeting that you attend.
GUIDELINES:

1. No one gets left behind in any event.
2. If anyone is more capable than someone else it is okay to walk or hike ahead. There are always more or less two women walking or kayaking together. No one should feel left out or left behind. As the organizer/leader I take the time to make sure that I have created a safe for all. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to be safe and stay within the limits of your own bodies capabilities.
3. There is no room in this group for "mean girls" we are no longer in high school. In other words pettiness, argumentativeness, judgement and gossiping will be frowned upon in this group.
4. If you are inactive in the group for 6 months and or have never attended one event since you signed up you may be cut from the group to allow other members who are interested to join. If you are cut from the group you are always welcome to reapply at another time when you can make a commitment
5. Please bring identification/drivers license to all events.
6. Please be mindful to be on time for all events. Be kind and considerate to other members. If you are going to be 15 minutes late please let me know. I know that there is a lot of traffic on the road and this can result in delays but we do need to be mindful about all the other members that did get there on time and are waiting for you.

Message from Linda the Organizer:
My name is Linda, I am the group organizer of this community. I started this group because I realized that friendship is an important component to our health, wellness and longevity. The current research states not having a community, a tribe or a friendship network is likely to take 15 good years off of your life. It is as dangerous to our well being as smoking 15 cigarettes a day according to the Surgeon General. Relationships are just as important as good sleep, eating healthy foods, exercising and hydrating our bodies. Friendships require time, effort, commitment, love, trust, understanding, and so much more. According to the current research forging a friendship requires at least 34-200 hours of connecting with each other on a regular basis. When you think about it that is a big commitment. Friendships take time to forge and we always want to be mindful while we journey forward. In a world that is constantly changing friendship can offer you the anchor to move forward with the genuine support of other women who understand and are there for you.
"Friends give us the courage to lift the blinds on our hearts. To open up and show what we generally keep hidden from the rest of the world." (Unknown) Friendship is a gift.
I love planning and organizing group events, I am always looking for new and innovative ideas that may appeal to members. I am available to listen to members and support them. I am very interested in hearing from members about what they need and what they are interested in, such as talks and events they may want to see on the calendar.
We all have a lot to be grateful for and I am personally grateful for all of the learning opportunities I have encountered in my lifetime, in this group and the friendships I am cultivating. I am willing to share this knowledge with other women and support them on their journey.
This group has been in existence since December 15th of 2022. I am blessed to say that I am the organizer, coach, and founding member of this lovely group of women. I have personally grown as an organizer, coach and friend over the past three years. This is an amazing group of women and I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience and I hope you will too! If this is what you are looking for we welcome all new and returning members who are seeking a deeper more meaningful connection and friendships that support us through this time of our lives.
Sincerely,
Dr. Linda