Soon after the 1950 founding of The Mayflower Community, the Executive Director, Harris Stafford, called together the residents to discuss organizing them into an association that would work collaboratively with the administration in fulfilling the mission of the Mayflower. The meetings were called “Town Meetings” to maintain the New England and the Mayflower connection with the Congregational Churches of which we were a part.
In the almost 70 years since that time, the Mayflower Residents Association (commonly called the MRA) has remained a vital part of the life of our community. It has promoted the strong working relationship among residents, administration and staff that is a hallmark of Mayflower. All persons who live here automatically become members of the MRA. This includes Independent Living, Beebe Assisted Living, and Health Center residents.
The purpose of the organization is to make certain that all who move to Mayflower are welcomed and that they are included, to the extent that each resident chooses, in the wide range of social, educational, recreational, and spiritual activities that are available. Many of these activities are organized by MRA standing committees, which has resulted in flexibility to address new interests as they arise, as well as maintenance of old favorites. Newcomers can volunteer to serve on existing committees or initiate new projects, depending upon their interests and energy.
The MRA elects officers who facilitate the work of the various MRA committees and arrange for at least two Town Meetings each year. All residents are encouraged to attend these meetings in order to participate in the business of the organization as well as to hear reports from and have discussions with administrative department heads.
Coordinated through the MRA, each Mayflower neighborhood (residence building or Harwich Terrace patio home area) has a volunteer who serves as a neighborhood host. The host assists in welcoming new residents into the neighborhood. Each neighborhood is included in a cluster of other neighborhoods, which gather for lunch once a month. The purpose of the lunches is to provide an informal means for residents living in different locations within The Mayflower Community to become acquainted with one another.