By Reid A. Zimmerman
MnSF-Metro Region interim executive director

On June 5 more than 30 members and staff of the Minnesota Senior Federation gathered to consider where the organization has been, identify some critical ideas and opportunities for the future and begin to shape the character and values by which the organization wishes to be known in the years ahead. 

The following is a synthesis of the thoughts expressed by this group during their two-and-one-half-hour working session. 

When considering the reputation of MnSF over the past years, the group believes that the organization is known as:

• A trusted source of information and education
• A grassroots voice at the legislature that advocates for issues of importance
• An organization that supports seniors - helping individuals help themselves.

They also felt that MnSF had failed to create and deliver a consistent message about the purpose of the organization, had missed funding opportunities due to inconsistency of mission and action over time and had failed to be open and welcoming enough to attract a diverse membership.

Looking out into the community, the participants considered the following as presenting opportunities for investigation and response by MnSF:

• The geographic shift and changing cultural demographic of older Minnesotans.
• Opportunities to partner, network and collaborate with other organizations to provide complementary programs and benefits to our members and their peers.
• The potential to be more socially relevant and have an impact on issues of importance to a new generation of older Minnesotans.
• The potential for using technology as a tool to advance our mission and goals.

At the same time, the group considered potential threats the organization is likely to face in its ongoing capacity to serve. These included:

• Greater competition for resources, funding and participation
• The current political climate at both the state and national level.
• The existing MnSF structure and message being in juxtaposition to the emerging senior population and this younger group’s perception of their needs and desires in maturity.

Finally, the group believes it is important that MnSF hold the following values as an organization and wanted to communicate these values to a much broader audience. MnSF should be seen as:

• Trustworthy and respectful -  presenting the perception of MnSF as an unbiased information source
• An advocate for social justice
• Providing stewardship of the present for the future
• Celebrating our community’s diversity
• Using education as a means of empowering others

These comments and ideas will serve as one part of the work the organization will undertake as it continues to reshape itself for greater service to Minnesotans.  The next step will be to engage community leaders and other MnSF stakeholders in the discussion, attempting to determine if their perspective of the organization is the same as or different from our current members.

As we continue to reconsider our internal governance and structural issues, we will also keep on working to remake our image and imprint on the community as a vital, vibrant and trustworthy source of information, advocacy and programs for Minnesotans.