UMRA member Marilyn DeLong was one of three panelists who participated in a recent discussion and idea exchange on the value of shared writing groups as a means of community building, hosted by the national Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE). She shared the history of the University of Minnesota Women’s Club and its Creative Writing Circle.

DeLong, U of M College of Design professor emerita, is the current president of the Women’s Club and co-leader of the Creative Writing Circle. Members of the circle are writing memoirs, historical fiction, poetry, or whatever is of interest. Some volunteer to submit samples of their writing, which the group then reviews and “offers support and critique” at its monthly, two-hour meetings, DeLong said. “The critique is kind, insightful, questioning, and focused on improvements.”

AROHE board member Dolores (Dee) Stegelin, Clemson University College of Education professor emerita, compiled an excellent summary of the November 2025 panel discussion, which includes a list of shared writing resources. See "AROHE Community Building Brief” to learn more.

—Eric Hockert, UMRA past president and AROHE president-elect