Hi Willa welcome to the forum. Have you asked

all the members interested, the type of entertainment they prefer?

and then approach people in this area  of expertise?

and explain what you need and

ask if they are willing to donate their time now and again or  at what cost

would they be willing to do an appearance for you all.  You may be pleasantly surprised and your members willing to pay a certain amount for the right

entertainers if they will perform for a moderate amount.

I used to do Yoga/keepfit sessions for Seniors Clubs but sadly it is not what

it used to be, as Insurance now has to come into the equasion. I also

had afternoons in my own home but was told this is even fraught with danger

if not really well insured and yes even when not charging.

It has become a changed world we live in.

Sorry I am no great help

All the very best.

Phyl.

Welcome Willa I would try the local country music club,    if wou have talk back Radio , ask them to appeal on your behalf .I have no idae of your area , but I do know in Victoria and here in WA both these are great at supporting these causesmy brother is one for all that I will see if he can offer some ideas , he is in Vict

Maybe your Brother and you would come entertain

Peter and I,  Dusty-Tadpole as we just love Country

and Western. We can put music on and dance any old time. 

...

We are not far from the train so maybe we could organise

a sleeping bag and barbecue weekend? for anyone interested

(maybe not everyone)  but many here,  lol and just those

love Country Music of course. We have a modest home but it is rather large

Worth thinking about folks.

My voluntary efforts do not extend to arranging entertainment and there are good reasons for that.  However I have chaired meetings where social activities have been a regular topic.  Some suggestions:

Walk around the retirement village with a notepad.  Knock on every door and note for each person what his/her suggestions are.  Where a resident is not home, leave a form letter saying what you were there for and asking that they contact you with any recommendations by a certain date.

Do not on any account get a list of 'wants', ask each person to be specific and to recommend an act they are aware of.  Where anyone knows of someone from 'a friend of a friend' or through reputation note that down together with what action they will take to follow-up and give you the exact name/s, contact details, cost and likely availability.  Follow-up with them once, no more than that.

Publish the results with a set date for a residents' meeting to vote on the 'goers'.  Immediately publish the results of that meeting.  If anything has to be paid for, get the money into the kitty in advance and have a firm policy of no refunds after a certain date.

You will get the entertainers they can afford and would prefer through the residents' involvement - that means making realistic suggestions and being prepared to pitch in to get what they want.  It will be by word of mouth.

Your job is to coordinate, not to work miracles and I have seen too many willing volunteers run ragged only to give up in disgust.

many thanks to the nice people who took the trouble to reply to my post, I contacted our local radio station who gave me a contact number, onward from here

thanks

Willa

hello willa and welcome.

there are some excellent suggestions here.

another thought i had, if you're not already doing it, is to introduce card games.  many older people play card games and love it (i'm one of them!).  in this way, people entertain themselves and build up friendships too.

have you contacted your senior citizens centers in the local areas?  they have many activities, some of which you may want to organise at your village, e.g. table tennis, bus trips, group outings to movies, pool, make a small vege/herb garden, mahjong (spelling?), .......

the senior citizens centre i go to also has a regular "mens shed" meeting.

hope this adds to your collection of ideas.