Community Board Member of the Year
Retirement Housing Foundation recognizes the important work that local board members do in governance, as well as in enhancing the quality of life for residents in our communities.
Local board members are often instrumental in the concept, construction, and launching of a new community.
While this award is largely based on service to the RHF community, it is important to note that these individuals often are involved in many humanitarian activities in the larger community that the RHF facility is located in.
This award is not given out annually.
2020 Community Board Member of the Year
Paula Margeson
Carbon Creek Shores – Anaheim, CA
The idea for Carbon Creek Shores originated with a Housing Task Force for the 198l International Year of the Disabled Person. Paula Margeson of the Dayle Mcintosh Center, acted as a catalyst in continuing the 6-year effort, recruiting a Technical Advisory Board of volunteers and contributing both in-kind resources and leadership in the project’s development. In 1983, RHF joined in the venture. Carbon Creek Shores became Orange County, California’s first accessible, affordable apartment complex for persons with disabilities.
Whether it is Game Night on the second Saturday of every month where she and her husband bring games to play, snacks to eat or prizes to win; MC’ing RHF’s 55th Anniversary celebration and other events at the community; helping to create Independent Living Skills classes for residents to participate in; or donating a TV for the lobby, Paula shares her enthusiasm for life with all the residents at Carbon Creek Shores.
Paula is the Executive Director of the Dayle Mcintosh Center, an Orange County nonprofit organization that supports the efforts of people with disabilities to live independently. She has worked in the Disability Rights movement for more than thirty years and is committed to the principle of equity for all people. Ms. Margeson spearheaded the development of two accessible/affordable apartment complexes in Orange County, as well as, the establishment of the area’s first homeless shelter designed specifically for people with disabilities. She has served on numerous advisory committees and state councils representing the interests of the disability constituency. Ms. Margeson was part of a group of 60 leaders in the field of disability, who reviewed and provided input on the drafting of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
RHF is pleased to present Paula Margeson with the 2020 Local Community Board Member of the Year Award.
Congratulations to all of our past award recipients!
2019 Local Community Board Member of the Year – Sister Patricia Morisset
2018 Local Community Board Member of the Year – Jane Roach
2017 Local Community Board Member of the Year – Rosemary Hansen
2016 Local Community Board Member of the Year – L. Miles Snyder
2015 Local Community Board Member of the Year – Stacey Moore
2013 Local Community Board Member of the Year – Levern Allen
2012 Local Community Board Member of the Year – Rev. Ray Scribner
2011 Local Community Board Member of the Year – Rev. Fritz Mellberg
2010 Local Community Board Member of the Year – Norman Webster
2009 Local Community Board Member of the Year – Rev. Glenn Hunt
2006 Local Community Board Member of the Year – Wil Hahn
