Research and experience both show that men and women tend to socialize differently as they age. While women can often effortlessly bond “face-to-face” over a cup of coffee and conversation, men generally connect best “shoulder-to-shoulder”— bonding over a shared activity, a common interest, or a friendly game. This low-pressure environment helps break down the barriers to friendship that can sometimes emerge as men age, making purposeful retirement activities for men essential for building genuine community.
At Village On The Isle (VOTI), we understand the importance of fostering these meaningful connections. That is why our community is filled with opportunities for male residents to build lasting friendships as part of their retirement living. At the heart of this camaraderie is our signature Men’s Group, alongside a variety of hands-on campus activities.
Inside the Men’s Group
Every Tuesday morning from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, you can find 25 to 30 men gathered in the Venetian Room in Matthew Hall at Village On The Isle in Venice, FL. The chairs are thoughtfully arranged to encourage engagement, and the attendees are ready to learn and connect with their neighbors.
The structure of the group is designed to be welcoming, casual, and reflective. Every meeting kicks off with a touch of levity - usually a resident sharing a joke to set a relaxed, positive tone for the hour. Then, the Men’s Group welcomes a speaker to share their unique perspective on the topic of their choice.
To keep the environment unified, there are a few unspoken rules: no politics, no religion, and rarely any talk of sports or finance. Instead, the focus is on learning and storytelling.
One of the most unique aspects of the group? The men do not know the topic or the guest speaker ahead of time. Yet, the room is consistently full. The men show up faithfully every week, driven by a love of learning and the simple joy of being together as men.
Led by Experience and Faith
Leading our spiritual programs and the Men’s Group is Rob Hall, our Advancement Director and Chaplain. Pastor Rob has deep roots in the VOTI community, having first joined our Board of Trustees in 2016-17. After serving as the Lead Pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice from 2014 to 2023, he officially became a staff member and our dedicated Chaplain in 2022.
Under his guidance, the Men's Group has flourished into a rich, engaging, and highly anticipated weekly tradition.
A Wealth of Stories and Shared Knowledge
The weekly meetings feature a diverse rotation of topics and speakers:
· Campus Leadership & Staff: Members of the VOTI leadership team - from culinary to marketing to security - often stop by to share behind-the-scenes updates, keeping the men informed about their community. Staff members are also invited to share their personal passions, art, or hobbies.
· Guest Experts: Pastor Rob brings in outside voices, including a storytelling coach who uses engaging prompts (like "what kind of door was in your childhood house?") to help the men beautifully articulate their own histories.
· Resident Stories: The richest moments often come from the men themselves. Witha room full of former corporate executives, professors, veterans, and lifelong hobbyists, the wealth of knowledge is incredible. The men regularly share their own occupational triumphs, military experiences, and hobbies, ranging from fishing to biking.
Finding Friendship in Retirement Living
Just as important as the learning that happens in the group are the friendship that have formed.
“It’s interesting to watch,” said Rob. “Once they establish a friend there, they sit with that person every Tuesday. Many of the men arrive 10 minutes early just to catch up, while newcomers can easily slide into the back row to get a feel for the group before fully jumping in.”
Resident Larry Linton is a regular attendee of the group and is very involved on campus, having led the camera club for three years. He attends weekly because of the wide variety of topics that are shared and the camaraderie of the group.
“I meet people there that I wouldn’t have met anywhere else and get to chat with them,” said Larry. “There’s a social dimension to it and an education piece to it. It’s quite a nice gathering.”
Larry says that from time-to-time he also invites his friends to attend with him, and they enjoy it so much they came back the next week.
“All of us keep coming back because we enjoy what the presenters have to say,” said Larry. “VOTI does a great job with activities, there is always something going on.”
Engaging Retirement Activities for Men at VOTI
While the Men’s Group provides a wonderful space for intellectual engagement and storytelling, VOTI also offers plenty of specialized, hands-on activities that cater to that "shoulder-to-shoulder" style of male bonding.
Beyond the Venetian Room, you will frequently find large groups of male residents gathering for:
· The Woodworking Shop: A dedicated, specialized space where builders, makers, and tinkerers can work on projects and share their craftsmanship.
· Billiards: A popular daily hangout, with a group that regularly meets around 3:00 PM at Kelly’s Cafe to shoot pool and chat.
· Sports & Fitness: Friendly competition thrives on the bocce ball and shuffleboard courts, as well as in the fitness studio.
Whether it’s turning wood in the shop, sinking a ball in the corner pocket at Kelly’s Cafe, or learning something entirely new on a Tuesday morning, the men at Village On The Isle are proving that retirement is the perfect time to build new bonds.
They aren't just passing the time; they are sharing their stories, engaging their minds, and building a true sense of brotherhood.
Discover Connection at Village On The Isle
At Village On The Isle, shared interests and friendships are part of what makes retirement living meaningful. Our unique retirement activities for men create shared connections, meaningful friendships and a sense of community that sustain our male residents. Come see these opportunities for yourself. For more information about our community, schedule a visit by calling (941) 202-4451.