Get Out the Vote

I keep hearing things like “The most important election of our time,” “The worst financial crisis since 1929,” and “extraordinary times.” Things do feel pretty heavy these days, but I keep thinking that elders probably have a broader perspective on these claims. If you’re not doing learning circles or at least picking an elder’s brain about “these times” you could be missing out on information that could help you decide your vote or even bring you comfort about “getting through the tough times.”

And have you seen this news story about the 106-year old nun living in Rome who hasn’t voted since Eisenhower who jumped through all the necessary hoops to cast her vote this year? I guess that says something about this election.

I’m encouraging you to help elders who are interested cast their votes and even work with each other to vote early or arrange your schedule so that staff are able to make their voices heard as well. Culture change teaches us shared leadership, the power in taking part in framing the “way things are done” and the importance of being part of a community. Besides creating home for elders, I can’t think of a better way to do those things than voting.