Culture clash between old and new residents of 55+ community

I am an active committee chair within a So. FL 55+ HOA. We have 900+ homes and villas which were built 28 years ago. Today, we are seeing a turnover of homes to Boomer and post-Boomer residents. Many older residents are moving into next-stage housing. We have many very active older residents who are in positions of power and who have resoundingly closed ranks to newer ideas and people. I know this exists in other communities and am wondering how people are dealing with it. Do we wait in the wings for the older group to die (as has been suggested by many) or do we start our own organizations and fight a daily battle for acknowledgement. Many of our older residents have "dropped out" rather than fight the power elite and our younger group is starting to exhibit apathy after initital forays into the governance of the community. Several of the "younger" people have already sold their homes rather than have to deal with the autocracy here.
I plan to live here the rest of my life, and hopefully, that will be many more years. I am strong now but fearful that I will become apathetic if we can't effect any changes soon. We have tried many things so far: run for office, head new clubs, produce new ideas for the general community. Our club is very successful attracting the largest membership of any club here. But there is a constant battle for calendar dates, for use of idle facilities, etc. At this point, we feel like two unarmed camps. Not good for neighbors. Any ideas for easing this and helping to merge the generations would be greatly appreciated.

Good suggestions but logic does not prevail here. You have restated my platform when I ran for the BOD. The Greatest Gen says they don't care about property values - they are already seeing huge profits on their original investment. It is the new people who paid today's dollar for their props that are aware and ready for change to enhance property values. We have followed many of your suggestions (i.e. competitive props) to no avail.

KarenW6:
With a community of 900+ homes, obviously you will always have 2-camps, the older and the younger of the over-55 residents. A community of 900+ homes sounds like it would be impossible to merge, it's just too large.

I could see how those younger may have needs which differ from the older folks in the community. You did express concern over a 'battle for calendar dates' and for 'use of idle facilities.' If you post specifics, perhaps we can be of more help.

KarenW6: With your over-55 community being 28 yrs. old, I can understand that a large part of your member-population may be perhaps over 80 yrs. old. I can also understand that they have time each day when they would want to socialize and connect with their neighbors. Not so with those 'younger 55's' perhaps still working, and only available to schedule something in the evenings. It sounds like you really need to come up with a solution so your community members are able to schedule the theater and clubhouse when they choose.

Does your CC&R speak to the use of the amenities and being part of the Council of Clubs? Is this mandatory for your community?

It is not surprising that since you are allowing non-members (the public) to use the facilities, community members are balking at not being able to schedule. Is it possible to only schedule for your immediate community members (not the public), and to provide a scheduling arrangement/process which would allow all members an equal opportunity.

KarenW6:

There has to be some common sense applied to this situation, as well as some flexibility to come up with a solution to benefit all. The membership of 900+ must come together and realize, whether they are 55 or 85yrs. old, everyone will have to bend just a little. This is really about people understanding that one theater and one clubhouse is there to serve 900+ members needs, all with equal rights to use. You state that the problem lies with the process for scheduling.
- Can members determine a morning/afternoon, and an evening to be 'Card Player Day' each week--day/evening based on a majority vote
- With space/availability at a premium can you combine the Womens' and Men's Card Room to just 'CARD ROOM'--this allows use of another room for other purpose
- No group to meet without first scheduling the day/time--to avoid members 'dropping by' at will and using squatters' rights...
- Do you have a lobby area or'welcome area' where a few tables can be set up?

Investigate the use of 'partition walls' so that more than one group can meet at the same time without interfering with the other. There are 'walls' that connect to a track on the ceiling which can be moved to 'divide' the room or pulled back to allow the room to be one open area.

Arrange to have a brainstorming session/meeting for everyone to contribute ONLY SOLUTIONS, not complaints. It's exciting to think of a very large community so active and interested in enjoying each other that there isn't enough time/room available to meet everyone's needs. Of course, a second/third clubhouse room would serve to solve scheduling problems, but you have stated that is not an option. I just hope when I reach my 'golden, golden' years, I, too, will have a scheduling problem like this one....!!!

KarenW6: So glad! Keep us posted on your progress. That's what this forum is all about.