Presentation by Elmer Berlie

Recently, the Walking Group known as 23 Skiddoo held its ninth anniversary dinner, and as usual the volunteers were invited. There was much laughter, storytelling, and the annual epic from the resident poet. As we were leaving, one of the group whispered to me: Elmer does go on, doesn’t he? But you know we all love him!

23 Skiddoo has been a part of the Victoria Hospice Walking Group Program since November 1994. It has maintained a strong membership of 23 people or more. Due to deaths, illnesses, and a member moving away, the membership currently is 18, with an average of 12 for each Saturday morning walk. By what miracle have we been able to maintain both our membership and the high average attendance at our weekly walks?

Perhaps the most important element is that, from the first walk, everyone was given a list of hosts and the location of the walks for the next six months. At times, this list covered an entire year. If a member were unable to host on a particular Saturday, then dates were exchanged with another member.

The host is responsible for organizing the walk and seeking help from others as necessary. All members are phoned to advise them of the walk’s location, the meeting place, the numbers attending, the luncheon location, and transportation arrangements as required. A record of the walk is maintained on a master schedule.

The indirect result of this record keeping has been a sense of responsibility in group members. Not once in our 10 year history has any host failed to carry out her or his walk obligations. Hosting twenty or more people can be a great deal of work, and in the early years, not everyone was able to host as some members lived in very small apartments.
However, team spirit soon developed, and members helped one another when there were family problems or illnesses. Acceptance of personal responsibility has been a key feature in the success of 23 Skiddoo.

The next important factor contributing to the group’s record has been an absence of cliques. Certainly, close friendships have developed, and these folks usually walk together. However, if we stop for a rest, the walking pairs usually change. Seating at the luncheon is random, and, invariably, a vigorous discussion around some issue develops as people interact with each other.

Another factor in the group’s longevity has been our ability to have serious, emotional, and occasionally heated discussions related to problems that develop from time to time. Some members felt that frequent hosting caused by our reduced membership was creating undue stress and expense. They argued that we should hold a hosted walk every fourth week and that the other walks should have only the meeting place point and the walk area designated. After the walk, we could meet somewhere for refreshments, or we could go home. Others held the view that the status quo should be maintained, and that such a radical change would lead to the disintegration of 23 Skiddoo.

After much discussion, through May to July, the members were asked to submit written reasons for their preferences, pro and con, and to offer other suggestions. In July, once members received a written summary of the members’ opinions, each was handed a secret ballot. The majority voted to implement the change. A revised walking schedule was prepared and handed out to members in September.

The group has easily adapted to the new format even though some minor changes have been necessary. One member volunteered to do the phoning to find out how many are going to lunch and so advises the luncheon place. The important fact is that everything is operating well, and relations amongst the members are as positive as they were before.

When 23 Skiddoo members started walking together, everyone covered the full distance. Over time, as we have aged, we have undertaken long walks and intermediate walks. Now, we are at the stage where we have long, intermediate, and short walks. The one which you take depends on your aches, pains, and feelings on that particular day.

What has kept such a diverse group of men and women together for all these years? Yes, we have our walking schedule which has led to the development of both member responsibility and a keen team spirit. There are no cliques. We are able to have serious debate when problems develop and solve them in an effective way. Of course, strong friendships have developed between the members, but I think that the 23 Skiddoo connection is stronger than all of these elements indicate!

When people walk and talk, a strange interaction develops between them. It is a force that binds them together, and it is intensified by the factors described above. The group develops around a sense of deep-seated permanent love. It is a miracle!