The theme of the 2013 LeadingAge Annual Meeting in Dallas held October 27-30 is Expanding the Possibilities. Because older adults are at the heart of our work, LeadingAge is inviting residents/participants from LeadingAge member organizations across the country to make origami fortune tellers for a public art piece being created for the 2013 LeadingAge Annual Meeting in Dallas. Inside each fortune teller, we are asking the elders to write a word or short phrase that describes their purpose in life or something they are deeply passionate about.
Members can use the following questions to elicit the written responses:
- What’s your purpose in life?
- What are you most passionate about?
Origami Details
Written and video instructions on how to make a fortune teller origami is available on leadingage.org/annualmeeting.
Any color and type of paper can be used, the more colorful the better. Paper should be square and no bigger than 10 inches square. Each origami piece should have a small hole placed on one side, with a string or ribbon tied to make a loop so it will hang on the art piece in Dallas. We are requesting as many origami pieces as you can make for us. Each piece should have a passion written inside, but residents can make more than one if they wish. Also feel free to invite, family members, staff and others to join in the project.
Once all your origami is complete, please box up the completed origami pieces and ship to us.
Shipping Origami
Each participating LeadingAge member should box up all the origami and ship it to LeadingAge by October 4.
Ship to: Essie Charles/Origami Project, c/o LeadingAge, 2519 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008
Please put a note inside the box with the following information:
- Name of organization
- Main contact
- Phone and email of main contact
- Approximate number of fortune tellers in the box
What Happens to the Origami in Dallas?
Upon arrival at Annual Meeting each attendee will receive one of these beautiful handmade fortune tellers. These will be distribute by greeters in the Registration Area. The greeter will share what the project is and instruct each attendee to read the word or phrase inside their fortune teller and then place their fortune teller on one of our commitment trees. By placing their origami on the tree, the attendee is symbolizing their commitment to nurturing the passions of the elders within their communities—and beyond.
By Monday after all the attendees have placed their origami we will have a spectacular piece of Public Art that will be the centerpiece of the annual meeting and a reminder of what the conference is all about.
We’d like to ask you to participate whether you are going to the Annual Meeting or not. We plan to celebrate all the participating member organizations at the General Session and on signage by the exhibit. We will take a photo of the completed trees and use the image as a thank you card we send to each member organization who participated so residents can see the finished trees.
Origami Reminders
- You may use any kind of paper. The more colorful the better. Paper should be no larger than 10 inches square.
- Make the origami first then have the residents write their message in the center once the piece is complete.
- Tie a small string or ribbon around each like shown in the picture and video so they can hang from the tree.
- Do you need to be attending the Annual Meeting to participate? No, this is for all members whether you are attending or not.
- Deadline for LeadingAge to receive your origami is October 4
Any questions, please contact Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@leadingage.org or Essie Charles at echarles@leadingage.org
Special thanks to Martino and Binzer for Sponsoring this inspiring endeavor!
