MEL was formed in 2000 as an association of retired and recently retired men who are mentally and physically active and want to develop new friendships and participate in interesting and fun activities. The MEL mission statement reflects this goal:
MEL IS A NONSECTARIAN, SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF CONTEMPORARY, SENIOR MEN, WHO ARE NO LONGER FULLY COMMITTED TO THEIR CAREERS, AND WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN MEL AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CAMARADERIE AND INDIVIDUAL GROWTH THROUGH DIVERSIFIED GROUP ACTIVITIES.
MEL members represent a range of years and experiences and have a common desire to try activities never tried before, to be open to new ideas, and to share this with others.
E-mail is used as communication. It is essential you have access to sending and receiving e-mail and know how to use it. In addition, we use this website to communicate, post the calendar of activities and archive useful MEL information. And during the winter months, when many Melmen become snowbirds, some meetings and activities become blended, i.e., live and with a Zoom component, or take place entirely via Zoom, so you need to know or learn this useful tool. (Of course, we’ll help you.)
MEL is a registered not-for-profit organization. The direction of the group is managed by a nine-man Board of Directors, which deals with such issues as, dues, planning for growth and the like.
The activities of MEL come from our members. Melmen represent a wealth of talent. Do you have a great idea? Then YOU are the captain of that idea. You send e-mail to the membership giving YOUR plan, the date, and location and asking who wishes to join the fun. This plan has driven the success of MEL, where one works alone or with others to create a successful event. Longer-tenured members are always willing to help you get started. Some activities occur regularly such as card games, the movie group, the book group, a variety of athletics, etc. And some are one-offs or occur infrequently like museum trips, professional sports attendance, couples’ events like plays or dinners, etc. Many MEL activities and events include a meal. MEL is an army that moves on its stomach.
It is expected and important to the future of MEL that members participate in events as well as create new events. You may also “sponsor” an event that has been created previously.
MEL meets on the first Friday of each month at Temple Beth-El in Northbrook at 9:00-ish AM. for coffee and conversation and the meeting runs from 10:00 AM to Noon. The first hour includes a business meeting reviewing issues and plans past and future. There is also a guest speaker. Later, there is a Good & Welfare sharing of good news, births, graduations, etc.
The meeting ends with a private group discussion in which members share issues they face in their retirement years. Termed the Bregman-Grossman Hour, this portion of the meeting is unique to MEL and has been found to be very useful for members as they see others share the same concerns and openly explore ways to deal with these very important issues. These discussions “remain in the room” and are not discussed outside the MEL meeting.
After the meeting, we adjourn for lunch for those who wish to participate.
Welcome to MEL. YOUR enjoyment will be a result of YOUR participation.
To learn even more, please contact our President, Bruce Edelson, at Bruceerep@aol.com.