Senior Networking in the 21st Century

“I have a ticket to the Symphony for tomorrow night.  Would anyone like it?”

“I am looking for a copy of Moby Dick for my book club report.  Does anyone have one I could borrow?”

Messages like these fly over a resident run list-serve called Seaburynet.  Discussions about the e-mail service started last spring when resident Kiki Eglington approached the Communications Committee of the Seabury Residents Association to suggest that a dedicated internet system be set up for internal use by Seabury residents.

Seaburynet, as Kiki Eglington explained, would function to enhance communication among residents. Available on a voluntary basis, the e-mail messaging system would complement, not replace, Seabury’s resident operated TV channel and bulletin boards used by residents for intra-community communications.

Under the direction of Ralph Sundquist, the Communications Committee debated the merits of Kiki’s proposal and voted to proceed with Seaburynet on a trial basis.  Joe Walton, resident and member of the Seabury Board of Directors, volunteered to oversee the set-up.  Residents opting to join Seaburynet received assistance to get on-line and instructions on appropriate use of e-mail.

It didn’t take long to demonstrate that Seaburynet is a winner,” said Joe.  Residents participating in the work quickly realized the benefits of an immediate link to message everyone in the group on topics of shared interest.  Operational since April 2007, boosted by flyers promoting its benefits, Seaburynet is today a flourishing network growing larger.  More than 80 residents subscribe to this beneficial and innovative service.  Independent and assisted living residents participate.

According to Ralph Sundquist, "the Communications Committee is responsible for maintaining and enhancing means of communication among Seabury residents – everything from encouraging better use of old stand-bys, like the bulletin boards to introducing new methods like Seaburynet.”  Based on committee policy, Seaburynet is for use by Seabury residents only, solely for the purpose of communicating on subjects of common interest and benefit to network members.  Subject matter offensive to others and commercial use of Seaburynet are strictly prohibited.

It has been said that the present is great with the future.  That is how Seabury residents think about their communications system. For more information, please email Renee Bernasconi.