Retired Eagle Activities Club

R.E.A.C. clubs are developed to provide an opportunity for retired members aged 55 and over, to cultivate friendships, enjoy leisure time, social and cultural activities.

This internal unit is the backbone of many of our Eagle Aeries. Holding fundraisers, and providing a much needed social setting for our seniors.

To learn more about joining or starting a Retired Eagles Activities Club, please contact the Grand Aerie Program Department.

More About the Retired Eagles Activities Club (R.E.A.C.)

More than 5,000 Americans celebrate their 65th birthday everyday, and more than 30,000,000 have passed this mile stone. Eventually, every individual will be affected and every age group should be informed about aging. What we have to do is to dispel the myths and stereotypes which influence negative attitudes about the process of growing older and replace them with a positive approach to aging with optimism. Seniors do not shed their personalities when they shed their birthdays. Older people do not lose their zest for life just because they are getting older. Because there are so many of the elderly, it is more necessary then ever that we create a place where they can meet with their own peer group, they can break bread together, dance and participate in the programs of their choice.

• The "Retired Eagles Activities Club" was formed in Coeur d'Alene under the sponsorship of Eagles Aerie #486 in October of 1973.
• There are 133 Charter members and 217 on the membership roster.
• The Club has its own constitution and by-laws which were set up by the Grand Aerie and adopted by the Club.
• The officers of the Club consist of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Sergeant at Arms and the Chaplain. There are three trustees and seven different committee groups.
• The Clubs regular meetings are held once a month, every second Friday at 6:30 p.m., followed by Pinochle and finally refreshments to complete the evening. Aerie #486 sponsors the Friday night Pinochle parties and is conducted by the REAC Club.
• Other activities consist of potluck and Eagle games for members only; this is one month, and the next month the REAC Club sponsors a Public Pinochle party. The REAC Club also sponsors a summer picnic for its members each year. All arrangements are set at the June meeting of the Club.
• The REAC Club has contributed $200 toward the Kootenai County Senior Citizens Center building fund and has also bought $58 worth of chairs for the center. The Club also shared equal amounts with the Aerie in purchasing nine card tables. This amounted to $94 for the Club.
• Requirements for joining the REAC Club are as follows: You must be 55 years of age or older and a member of the Eagles, Aerie or Auxiliary, in good standing. Wives of Eagle members may join providing they are 55 years of age or older. Widows of deceased Eagle members are eligible to join the Club, providing they come under the age requirement and carry an updated ladies card.
• The fiscal year of the Club is from January 1st to December 31st of each year.
• Members' dues are $1.00 per year and all members are urged to renew their membership within the first 30 day period of the fiscal year.
• The Club also has as a memorial to its deceased members an amount of $5 each which goes into the Kootenai County Senior Citizens Building Fund.
• The purpose of the REAC Club is to promote the participation of its members and their enjoyment of leisure time, social, recreational, cultural, charitable and community service activities.
• View the R.E.A.C. Constitution and Bylaws
• Download the R.E.A.C. membership application

Suggestions for R.E.A.C.

• Keep the leadership warm and cordial. Cold efficiency is not welcomed by the senior citizens.
• Encourage doers, not spectators.
• Don't show favoritism.
• Strive for variety, rather than just limiting programs to card playing or suppers.
• Plan sightseeing tours, park visits, historic shrines if nearby and community singing. Don't overlook the goodies in the public library, such as film rentals and the recording of popular plays, which can make up a very satisfying program.
• If your Aerie has a pool table or bowling, arrange for use of such facilities on a regular basis.
• Keep plenty of table games on hand, such as chess, dominos, jigsaw puzzles and cards.
• Be aware of your potential power. Watch your local papers for matters coming up before your local governmental body and take a stand on matters that affect senior citizens. Write, call and go down in a body when hearings are held.
• Everyone has put off learning some art or craft until there was, "more time." If there is enough interest, call your school board or the Y and check on how instruction may be obtained. The City Recreation Department is also a source of such information.
• Have round table discussions on unannounced subjects of current interest. Give people a chance to air their opinions.
• Appoint a historian who keeps a scrapbook of all your activities. Be sure to list your charter members in front of the book.
• Have fun, but fulfill your sense of being needed by being helpful. (See pamphlet entitled, "Add Life to Years, the REAC Way.")

Note: REAC Membership cards are available, free, from the Program and Activities Department, 1623 Gateway Circle South, Grove City, Ohio 43123.

What Can Elderly Groups Do To Aid the Young? Plenty!

1. Yarns of yesteryear-story telling.
2. Teach a craft of skill: simple sewing, basic cooking, whittling, kite making, simple gardening, etc.
3. Group outings to zoo, museum or other places of interest.
4. Folk lore. Ethnic cultures are rich in traditions, history, food, etc.
5. Be a grandparent to some child who has no grandparents or lives far away from them.
6. Special holiday parties.
7. Go to school affairs, taking a special interest in the extra curricular activities as well as the scholastic progress of some particular young person.
8. Tournaments-kids vs. elders-such as checkers, simple card games, puzzles, etc.

The above are only suggestions. Through the wealth of your own experiences, extend the list and act on it.

Note: If you do not have a R.E.A.C. club, start one so that there will be more longer-living folks to help young people.