Last Updated on August 28, 2025
Stephanie Leddy
In the past, when the Ravens started Training Camp in August, I knew that, as a teacher, I had to get in my training mode as well to prepare for the new school year. Over the years, I have worked with or taught every grade from kindergarten to graduate school with the exception of fourth and seventh. This August it seems appropriate for me to get in my training mode once again as the 43rd Resident Council President at Charlestown.
My two years as a member of the Council and Co-Chair of the Dining Committee have helped me understand and appreciate the function of the Council in relation to the Association which is made up of all of the residents of Charlestown.
The Council members serve as a liaison between the residents and the administration. We listen to people’s concerns, we bring the issues to the committee appropriate for the concerns. We are fortunate to have active staff liaisons, senior managers and/or supervisors, who attend their relevant Resident Council committee meetings. They can address the issues or make notes and reply or provide an action.
For example, we, Dining Co-Chairs, met first with Ken Zahn and now Paul Edelman, Director of Dining, prior to the committee meeting to discuss any issues we had heard from the residents and to hear what was coming up for the restaurants. He would then be prepared to discuss and give solutions for the issues and share upcoming news with the committee.
One of our sub-committees, Dietary Focus, has been particularly active in seeking more and healthier vegetable selections and has presented the chefs with a list of these vegetables for their use.
Each committee has its own action plans. We are fortunate to have a responsive administration who listens to our concerns and addresses them in a variety of venues so everyone can be aware of the response. The twelve Council committees are made up of residents interested in specific topics and who are willing to tackle them. All residents can attend any or all committees to decide which would benefit from their involvement. They can belong to all that are of interest and concern. We all benefit from that variety of interest. That leads to a better quality of life for all of us here in Charlestown.
Thinking of this unity of action has prompted me to have UNITY as our theme for this year. All parts of the community, from us residents to our Board of Directors to the cleaning crew are working for the best possible Charlestown to exist.
This year we will continue to strengthen the connection between Independent Living and Continuing Care; see that sustainability actions are moving forward; and be hopeful that a brighter IT, especially cellular, solution is coming.
Whatever our divergent interests, the ultimate goal is working together in UNITY for that harmonious life we all want to continue to live.
Residents’ Council President 2025-2026