1999 Groves Conference

Theme: "Late Life - New Life: Creative Aging in Changing Families, Organizations, and Communities"

Location: Don Ce Sar Resort

St. Pete Beach, FL

April 17-21, 1999

Conference Chair: Roma Stovall Hanks, Ph.D.

University of South Alabama

Associate Conference Chair: Jean Pearson Scott, Ph.D.

Texas Tech University

Local Arrangement Assistants: Julie Shiyou-Woodard, Daniel Abbott, Phoebe Chin

University of South Alabama

Program Summary:

The Groves Conference for 1999 began with a gorgeous sunset, a chocoholic's dream buffet, and Marv Sussman's delightful memories and challenging suggestions for the future of Groves, titled "Groves' Third Age: Moving in Jump Time."

Sunday morning found approximately 60 attendees wowed by the Don Ce Sar's Sunday Brunch Buffet. The plenary session on "Aging in the 21^st Century: Issues for Research and Policy on Aging and Family was presented by Dr. Jill Quadagno of Florida State University, immediate past President of the American Sociological Association. In the Groves tradition, Dr. Quadagno's experience on Capitol Hill as well as her wealth of research experience brought that leading edge quality to the first morning's session. Workshop sessions followed, including one led by University of Florida professors Felix Berardo, Gordon Streib, and Donna Berardo. By the end of the afternoon, we were beginning to appreciate the resources that had brought us to Florida for our look at aging at the turn of the millennium. The day ended with a Groves Family Reunion and Beach Party cookout.

Monday morning's session deepened our appreciation for the resources of our Florida location. A distinguished panel of five faculty members from the University of South Florida Institute on Aging presented a discussion of "Florida's Innovative Approaches to Aging Research and Programming." Workshops in the morning focused on various issues, including unresolved grief, widowhood, residential relocation, aging in place, privacy in medical records, and gender issues in aging and caregiving. During the luncheon roundtable session, Hong Li, winner of the Sussman Prize, presented her research report. Thanks go to session moderator Marcia Laswell for keeping the roundtables moving and getting us out in time for an afternoon tour of St. Pete's museums and pier. (Some of our seaworthy members took an afternoon sail around Tampa Bay.)

Tuesday's plenary was a bit of a departure from the conference theme, but in the Groves tradition of plowing new ground to uncover trends and issues for research and policy. Gus Whalen, CEO of Warren Featherbone Company shared his experiences with organizational change in industry. What's the point for Groves? Well, according to Mr. Whalen, the one constant in the competitive and technologically changing world of industry is family! As organizations change and communities change and businesses and workers age, the interdependence of work and family becomes increasingly evident and vital. 

Tuesday afternoon brought a continuation of the popular roundtable sessions and another set of workshops. The day ended with the Presidential Dinner. Rob Ryder was back at Groves after a too-long absence, and shared his reflections on Groves' past and future. President Judy Fischer reminded us that we can change life by changing rhetoric - what potential lies in the influence that is ours!

Wednesday's open mike and breakfast was a sharing of selves as well as ideas. The conference concluded with plans for Asheville and Alaska. We were reminded that when we come to Groves our spirits as well as our minds are enriched. Whether it is a conversation in a tour bus, or the inspiration of a beautiful sunset, or an idea gleaned from an unexpected plenary, Groves offers more than just another opportunity to present our work. Groves is a community of scholars - and a band of friends - looking always for ways that research and policy can influence the world around us for good for families and communities.

Publication Opportunity:

Felix Berardo and Roma Hanks are planning to edit a book from the 1999 Groves Conference papers (and more). Please send an expanded abstract by November 1 to Roma Hanks: rhanks@usouthal.edu or fax to (334)460-7925. Please include your phone, fax, email, and mailing address with your abstract. If you prefer snail mail, send to:

Dr. Roma Stovall Hanks

Director, USA Programs in Gerontology

HUMB #34

University of South Alabama

Mobile, AL 36688-0002

Appropriate chapters will be around the theme, "Successful Aging in Families and Communities." Submissions may describe late life transitions in family and community context, highlight exemplary programs, suggest issues for policy or research, or challenge readers to explore the positive aspects of aging at the dawning of the new millennium.

Several promising abstracts have already been received. Our tentative timeline is to have abstracts by Fall 1999, chapter drafts by Spring 2000, and publication by late Fall 2000.

Whether or not you presented at the 1999 Groves Conference, you are invited to submit an expanded abstract for consideration. Proceeds of the publication will benefit the Groves Conference on Marriage and Family.