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This study focuses on the phenomenon of cooperation between employees, patrons, and volunteers in the context of a specific program. Individuals working in a multi-generational organization will find challenges in learning how to solicit and accurately interpret needs and expectations; communication styles, and how to respond positively and meaningfully to requests. The setting for this study is a senior center, but focuses on one program. The players within this setting specifically include the cooks, patrons, volunteers, and the center´s other staff. A case study using the program design methodology is the approach used to gain insights as to how the organization is structured which includes its decision, diagnostic, information, and learning subsystems; the major processes employed in conjunction with the necessary functions in order to produce services meeting the needs of the players. The outcome of this program design includes a needs analysis, recommendations, solutions, and a program redesign evaluation the center can use to improve its program design and, additionally produce a new definition of management theory.

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Vaughan P. Houger, Ph.D. works with organizations in identifying performance improvement opportunities and applies an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach in consideration of a life-cycle balanced system resulting a solution that satisfies stakeholder expectations and meets public acceptability.

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