by Lois Williams

Summer has just begun, yet planning for the Minnesota Senior Federation state convention October 10 has already started. On May 31 I traveled to Little Falls, the site of this year’s convention, stopping at Aitkin to pick up Eva Zanker, president of Heartland Region, and then stopping at Brainerd for Eileen Iverson, vice president of programs. I asked if they might have suggestions for this month’s president’s column in Senior News. I took Eileen’s suggestion of writing about our trip to plan for the convention.

Our first stop at Little Falls was at the visitors’ bureau. The staff was very helpful and said they would be happy to assist in any way. They will provide goody bags to all attendees. Next, we stopped at the Falls Ballroom, site of the convention. The owner, as always, was great to work with. He was in agreement to all that we requested; setting up Oct. 9, the night before the convention, providing coffee and rolls in the morning, the noon meal, and setting up the head table, podium and microphone on the floor. To any request the reply was, no problem. He suggested providing bottled water, a registration table and several more small details.

Our last stop was at the motel to reserve a block of rooms and to make arrangements for the pizza party. All these arrangements need to be made early and put in place before other details can be made concerning the convention.

Though the convention is several months away, now is the time to plan to attend and become involved. Having a large number of members at the convention is important, as we are a grass roots organization.

This year, as a great number of members know, the Minnesota Senior Federation is reorganizing. There have been many meetings with the strategic committee and Board of Directors, and at each regional convention, state representatives were sent to explain the proposed changes. Unfortunately, many members do not attend monthly meetings or their regional conventions and do not know about the reorganization plans. Having a large turnout at the state convention to express your ideas and wishes would be great. A vote on the reorganization plan will be taken at the state convention. Every member of the Minnesota Senior Federation has a vote and a voice. Attend and be heard at the grass roots level.