Introduction → Good Fit → Chapter Expectations → Application Process → Apply
Communities Best Positioned for Success
Communities that thrive within SSAFE:
- Are nonprofit senior living communities
- Have residents already engaged in sustainability or climate-related efforts
- Have a core group of residents interested in SSAFE leadership and participation
- Have an administration that supports resident involvement in community decision-making
- Value collaboration, peer learning, and long-term sustainability planning
What Does a SSAFE Chapter Look Like?
SSAFE chapters are organized in a variety of ways. Applicants are encouraged to consider how their organizational structure can most effectively connect with the broader SSAFE organization at the national level. SSAFE encourages communities to develop structures that fit their own culture while maintaining strong connections to the broader national organization.
Potential Chapter Structures
Example 1: Umbrella Structure
The SSAFE Chapter serves as a larger umbrella committee, connecting sustainability-related committees within the community to SSAFE National.
In this model, the SSAFE Chapter may include more members than any individual sustainability committee and all nested committee members are also SSAFE members.
To avoid redundancy, the larger chapter may meet quarterly or semi-annually to provide SSAFE-related updates and strengthen coordination across groups.
Example 2: Hybrid Structure
In this model, an existing committee may overlap with the new SSAFE Chapter where most committee members also become SSAFE members.
The committee becomes a hybrid sustainability/SSAFE Chapter where regular meeting agendas include SSAFE National updates, reports from workgroup representatives, and efforts to encourage resident participation and SSAFE membership.
There is no single model for a SSAFE chapter.
Some chapters are organized around one resident-led sustainability committee. Others bring together several committees or groups with different areas of focus. Typically, a small group of residents serves as the initial chapter leadership and gradually expands participation over time.
We encourage communities to build a structure that works within their own culture, governance, and existing organizations. The important thing is that residents have a clear way to participate, communicate with SSAFE, and help advance sustainability within their community.
You don’t have to have everything figured out before you apply.
Part of the application process is a conversation about your community, what you are already doing, and how a SSAFE chapter could fit naturally into your existing structure.
Relationship with Administration
SSAFE chapters are resident-led, but they work best when residents and community administration work together. We encourage prospective chapters to involve the appropriate members of their administration early in the process and to establish a positive working relationship from the beginning.
Administration does not need to lead the chapter or take on the work of the residents. Rather, administrators can provide valuable support by helping residents understand existing sustainability initiatives, connecting them with appropriate staff, and identifying opportunities for collaboration.
Every community has a different organizational structure, so the nature of the resident-administration relationship will vary.
