Retired Elders and Students Delegation

Students and the Elderly Represent Our Past and Future, And They Deserve A Real Voice

Why is it that despite politicians claiming to act on behalf of the children, or of students at school, or of our elderly, students and elders both face neglect of their salient issues as well as actual interpersonal neglect?

Why is it that despite disproportionate representation of the elderly in Congress and countless student activist and student political organizations on campuses across the world, that our “leaders” are still unwilling or unable to adequately educate, cultivate, and protect our youth, or to adequately care for and safeguard the elderly?

Why is it that the cost of living manages to price out both those on a fixed income AND those pursuing education?

These are all signs of a system that doesn’t represent the people inside of it, that is indifferent, even hostile, to both our past and our future. These are signs of a system that is failing and must end.

Both Students and Retired Working Class Elders, just like many disabled people, exist totally at the mercy of this system, unable to perform enough labor for subsistence, though for different reasons, and largely unable to control the environments in which they find themselves. Our society does not adequately prepare students for the future nor elders to deal with the past or even to survive in the present. Many elders and students are in tenancies, often paid for by someone else. The level of control over society of these groups is minimal.

Our society also alienates both Elders and Students to the extent that our shared generational history has been eroded, skills and stories are being lost, and Elders are suffering mental deterioration without continual youth interaction. The connection between the elderly and our youth is deeply linked to our health as a people.

It’s Time For A New Generational Link, to Unite Past and Future in the Present

Not only do Retired Elders and Students share connected struggles, but the ability for them to learn from and care for each other is unmatched. As most students are young and inexperienced, a collaboration with with the well-worn provides them with mentors and valuable insight, while their youthful energy and connection to the current moment provides elders with both physical assistance and youthful mentors to navigate a changing world, and even an audience to teach stories and skills.

The Retired Elders and Students Delegation is a co-equal delegation, meaning that no matter how few the membership, it still is entitled to a full equitable delegatory vote on Council matters. Members are retired working-class elders, working elders of retirement age, all children under 18, and all active Students attending any school, of any age. Also included are their primary caregivers and childcare/eldercare professionals. All members are voting members, and membership will elect its own non-voting delegation leaders, as with all delegations. There must be at least one student and one elderly leader of this delegation.

On all issues related to childcare, eldercare, and school policies, or any issue primarily affecting students, children, and retired Elders, this delegation will open, lead, and close discussions. Members from this delegation will chair Council Scouts and all committees on these topics, and this delegation retains a veto on topical proposals on Council matters.