How to Involve Residents in Program Planning
Activity calendars aren’t just schedules, they’re snapshots of your community culture. And the best way to make sure they reflect your residents’ interests is to invite them into the process.
When residents are involved in planning, something powerful happens: participation increases, programming feels more personal, and everyone walks away feeling heard. Here’s how to make resident input an enjoyable, ongoing part of your monthly planning—without adding more stress to your plate.
Step 1: Reframe It as a Social
Don’t call it a planning meeting. Call it a Calendar Social or a Resident Roundtable. Add music, light snacks, and a few simple decorations. Creating a relaxed, welcoming environment turns planning into a shared experience instead of a task.
Pro tip: Use themed snacks to match the season—lemonade and cookies in July, hot cider in October. Even simple touches create a sense of occasion.
Step 2: Ask Better Questions
Open-ended prompts can lead to unexpected inspiration. Try:
- What was your favorite program last month?
- Was there anything you missed?
- Is there a hobby or topic you wish we explored more?
- If you could plan one day of the calendar yourself, what would it look like?
Be ready for tangents, they’re often where the gold is. A story about someone’s childhood hobby could spark your next great group activity.
Step 3: Use Visual Tools
Print a blank calendar, lay out sample flyers, or create a “Would You Rather?” board with upcoming themes. Ask residents to place a sticker next to the ones that interest them. Or pass out mini ballots and tally results together. This is especially helpful for residents with hearing loss, memory challenges, or language barriers; everyone gets a voice, even without speaking.
Step 4: Mix Data with Dialogue
Use your Go Icon engagement reports to spot trends. Did attendance drop on certain days? Are themed socials doing better than crafts? Bring those insights to your Calendar Social and let residents help you interpret the why. This makes them co-creators, not just participants, and helps you fine-tune the calendar with real context behind each decision.
Step 5: Make It Ongoing
Create a standing monthly time slot for resident feedback even if it’s informal. That consistency builds trust, encourages participation, and gives residents something to look forward to. You can even rotate “Calendar Champions” each month. They’re residents who help you prep the board, gather feedback from neighbors, or suggest new themes. It builds leadership and ownership within your community.
Bonus Tip: Let Go Icon Help
Go Icon’s built-in tools make it easy to gather ideas, spot trends, and fill calendar gaps with fresh, personalized options. Use the Activity Generator for quick suggestions based on interests and wellness goals, or check your engagement analytics before your next planning session.
By blending personal connection with smart tools, you can co-create a calendar that truly reflects your community. Your residents are full of ideas; sometimes all you have to do is ask! Make space for their input, and watch your programming (and participation!) flourish.