Prime Timers Magazine —
[from an undated copy of an article]

Prime Timers Houston [PTH]
Talks to Woody Baldwin

Woody Baldwin is a native Texan, growing up in Amarillo. He received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma. Upon graduating he joined the Army and served in WWII. He then went to UCLA for graduate work, completing his masters and doctorate in Business. After ten years of teaching at UCLA, he joined Simmons College in Boston as dean of the School of Business and was there for 26 years.

Woody not only had a teaching career, he was also a public speaker. He spoke to many student and professional groups about business. One of his favorite topics was the student revolutionaries of the 60's and their effects on business. Later, after becoming chairman of the Council on Aging in Reading MA, he a started speaking about issues concerning aging and retirement. Since starting Prime Timers, he has spoken to many of the chapters and other gay organizations.

Woody ranks his students and Prime Timers as his proudest achievements. Many of his former students have told him that he is the biggest reason for their success. As for Prime Timers, one needs only to look at the number of chapters that have formed throughout the world because of the seed Woody planted! Woody now resides in Austin Texas, living in a retirement home and staying active by serving on many of the resident committees.

PTH What gave you the idea for starting Prime Timers?

Woody Since I was in education, I was very, very closeted for my whole life, I wanted to do something for the gay movement besides just contribute a bit of money to gay causes. After retirement and a long series of events, I decided to test the waters to see if there was a need for a social organization for older gays and bisexuals. Those events have been detailed in a hundred publications, but if you do not have access to any of this, I’ll be glad to go into more detail. I am sure it is detailed somewhere on the Prime Timers Worldwide webpage. I only needed one meeting to see that I was onto something hot, and the chapters began to appear from everywhere.

PTH When you started Prime Timers what activities and goals did you have in mind for the organization? After twenty years, have these goals changed or modified?

Woody My goals when I started Prime Timers were exactly the same as they are today — to provide a vehicle whereby older gays can have a rich social life, the same as the younger ones. Activities grew as the organization became larger and more opportunities were suggested, not only by me but from members everywhere. Twenty years later new activities are still emerging as [the] chapters, through [Prime Timers] Worldwide, exchange ideas about ways to enrich the social lives of the persons it was intended for. The organization, through a natural course of events, has emerged as an educational and cultural facility as well as a socia onel.

PTH Would you mind relating to us one or two of your best experiences as a Prime Timer?

Woody I suppose my best experiences are an ongoing thing as I feel I have realized my long-time desire to contribute something to the gay community. Each new chapter (I call them my babies) is a thrilling experience for me.

PTH What is your vision for Prime Timers for the next twenty years?

Woody My vision for the next twenty years is to produce more chapters and independent members, thereby making all older gays know that the opportunity exists for them to enrich their lives through Prime Timers. I especially want us to expand to foreign countries and contribute even more to the furthering of the acceptance of gay life throughout the entire world. I like to think we have, in our own quiet way, elevated the status not only of older gays but the entire gay community as well; we have shown young gays that gay life does not end at some imaginary age.

PTH Prime Timers Houston does hot have a problem finding members we have a problem motivating members to take a leadership role. Could you provide some advice on how to inspire volunteers to come forward in a leadership role?

Woody I assure you that this happens to all kinds of organizations. I, because of my position as dean of a school of business a women's college, had for P.R. reasons to belong to many professional organizations. Each of these had the same problem—only a handful of members did 95% of the work. I wish I had the answer to this problem. I have some ideas that sometimes work and sometimes don't. I don't believe we as chapters do a good job of telling people how LIITLE time and how much FUN is involved in the leadership activities. As individuals. we have learned never to volunteer as it often turns out to be a time consuming waste of personal time; asking people to serve on committees is more productive if you give a realistic picture of the small amount of time involved in the participation. Also many guys are willing to work but have to be asked personally; they just don't volunteer. Participation on committees can be a motivating factor for men to become more involved, which can easily lead to board participation, etc.

PTH A last question for your many Houston friends, what is Woody Baldwin up to these days? Do you have any projects that you are currently working or is this personal?

Woody I am still an honorary member of the Worldwide board, but I am getting so old that I don't take on as much responsibility as before; but I am still greatly interested in the welfare of the Prime Timers and willing to do whatever I am able to do. I now live in an independent-living retirement home and get involved in a number of activities here; I guess I have an innate desire to feel necessary, and this Lifestyle offers a lot of opportunities for that. This sounds insane I know but I really enjoy living here. I still enjoy male companionship with all that implies. enjoy theater (although that has been curtailed by my significant loss of hearing), travel as my limitations permit, playing bridge, and participating in the Austin Prime Timers activities.