Past President Eileen Iverson has written the president’s column for the last 48 months. Eileen’s articles were very well written and for me will be a hard act to follow. Members encouraged me to run saying not to worry about the writing as it would be a small part of the presidency and with a little help I would do fine.
Thank you to all who attended the convention and for your vote of confidence. The Senior Federation is a grass-roots organization and it is the work of all members that make things happen. I will listen to your concerns and ideas and will help in any way possible. My telephone number and e-mail are at the end of this article.
I have been an active member of the Minnesota Senior Federation for more than ten years. During that time I have served as president of Iron Range Region (now North Star Region) for five years and as vice president for four. I have served for three years on the Executive Board and seven on the Board of Directors
For the past five years I have been serving as president of Itasca County Committee on Aging have been a member on the Board of Directors of Itasca County Elder Circle. These past eight years I have been a member of the Advisory Board of Human Services in Itasca County. I served for six years on the ARDC Board on Aging but I’m not currently a member.
Four years ago, the Minnesota Senior Federation went through a transition period. Changes made during that period have helped to build the Federation into a stronger organization. Health action, prescription drugs, property tax, sales tax, Social Security, housing and energy are standing committees that meet face to face in St. Cloud in the summer months. The rest of the year business is done through teleconferences. Join one of these committees.
A new membership committee is chaired by Rev. Gil Kiekenaap. Gil put on his running shoes and has not stopped. The new Minnesota Senior Federation brochure is a result of this committee’s hard work. The importance of the brochure is being felt already. I received two phone calls requesting to join the Minnesota Senior Federation last week. Both callers stated they found our brochure at a hospital waiting room. Both said that they were searching for this type or organization to join.
The Minnesota Senior Federation continues to grow in membership. The strength of our members and their endless energy to work on so many issues is what makes the Minnesota Senior Federation grow. It is a grass-roots organization. Attend your next local regional meeting and become involved.
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