During the pandemic, most TAN members provided programming via Zoom. This idea exchange was an opportunity to hear how programming formats changed after the pandemic, with an emphasis on hybrid delivery formats.

This is a brief summary of highlights from an idea exchange that focused on key issues related to the roles and responsibilities of treasurers in third age groups.

24 TAN members participated in the breakout discussions to identify any further challenges or successful strategies.

There were questions about whether retirement communities want what we can deliver, some participants thought that many of these strategies could also support outreach to other types of groups – professional, multi-cultural, retiree and other interest groups, etc.

This Idea Exchange was presented/facilitated by Cathy Spark and attended by 20 volunteers from 14 TAN member organizations. The following is a brief summary of the information presented and the discussion.

The area of partnership that needs to be more fully explored is with retirement homes. 

Cathy Spark presented pros and cons of using social media, so please refer to her PowerPoint for more detailed information.  Brian Gaston took the group through his PowerPoint on the pros and cons of using YouTube. 

The PowerPoint reviewed key issues to consider in surveying your audience to get the best information possible, including who, when (and when not to), and how to survey, and minefields in the survey process.

Marketing – your website, communications materials, social media and word of mouth, is about building your brand… the awareness about what you stand for.

Cathy opened the exchange with a discussion about volunteers and third age learning.

All groups are concerned with finding and assessing the quality of speakers.

It was noted that ‘hybrid’ refers to several possible variations and is related to different technologies as well as different ways of engaging the audience. 

Hybrid models are likely to be very expensive given the in-venue equipment (cameras, etc.) and the more complex knowledge needed to livestream while carrying all the venue costs.