This description is based upon a consensus by the Federation's Executive Board members as to the operation of the reorganized Federation after October of 2007.
 
October 10, 2007, in Annual Convention, the membership of the MINNESOTA SENIOR FEDERATION (MnSF) will vote to dissolve 8 regional entities and reorganize into a more efficient corporation serving senior aged citizens of Minnesota, their families, and their care providers. The new corporation will continue to be a grass-roots advocacy spokes group for senior issues, locally, regionally and nationally as well as providing important direct services and member benefits for those over 50.
 
Following the Annual Convention, the MN Senior Corporation (MnSC) will have one central office in the Twin Cities metropolitan area to serve as headquarters for the corporation's day-to-day operations. That office will also serve as the repository of the articles of incorporation and be the seat of the Board of Directors.
 
This central office will house the professional, technical, clerical staff and volunteers required to administer and conduct the multiple programs authorized by the Board and will be the central hub for communications between the corporation and its members, sponsors, providers and the public in general.
 
The corporation will continue to have regional offices in parts of greater Minnesota to serve as a point of local contact for its membership. These offices will assist in the recruiting and enrolling of local senior clubs, centers, providers and sponsors in their geographical areas and provide local communication of state-wide programs and member benefits.
 
As part of the state staff a Field Director(s) may be assigned to assist the regional offices in matters that normally extend beyond the regional capabilities. The director would also assist by sharing information from one region to another, as a way to balance the operations and provide process quality for the programs throughout the state.
 
One of the benefits of the new corporation is the revised financial structure that will provide increased accountability while eliminating significant duplicate costs. Each region will maintain its own financial accounts under the umbrella of the Federation at a state-wide banking institution. The corporation's net worth will be the sum of all the state accounts. Regional entities having revenues and expenses will be incorporated into the organization's budget and audit process.
 
Senior Partners Care program will continue as a very important program.  The central office's role is to establish the statewide providers' network, doing the contracting, issuing annual ID Cards, publishing providers' lists by State /Regional /Specialty. This will standardize the administration procedures for Senior Partners Care across the state, and comply with legal and HIPAA regulations, still providing the regional offices to better serve as the "local contact" for recruitment and trouble shooting for the program. The regional offices will identify potential providers in their areas based upon enrollee's needs for care and providing the information back to the central office.
 
Membership processing, renewals and benefits will also be expedited with a centralized and database driven process, allowing Regional staff to concentrate on recruitment and retention of our membership.
  
REGIONAL OFFICES
 
Regional offices/staff represent the corporation in their localities to the members (individuals and clubs) and to the public.  These offices would be staffed on at least a part-time basis as required to meet the regional needs.  Staffing will be a local person(s) with adequate and proper assistance and equipment to standardize organizational operations across the regions.
 
Regional responsibilities will include:

• Local enrollment information for new members and/or clubs
• Local enrollment information for Senior Partners Care
• Identification of potential providers, supporters, donors, grant monies availability
• Communications point for local members and the public
• Arrange for Area-wide meetings surrounding MnSC issues and agendas
• Arrange for Regional assemblies and conventions
• Represent MnSC at local and regional senior and health related exhibits, meetings
• Arrange for local media coverage of senior issues and programs
• Provide local leadership with single point office support as needed
• Report local activities, issues and concerns to state office
• Storehouse and distribution point for corporation's informational materials
• Coordination of local fund raising endeavors
• Temporary base of operations and contact point for Field Director(s) while traveling in the respective areas
• Other tasks important to the strategic direction of the organization

ADVISORY COUNCIL

One of the more exciting aspects of the new corporation structure will be the formation of the new regional Advisory Council. Made up of representatives from all regions of the state, this council will assemble several times a year to identify issues of concern and possible actions that would enhance and make for better lives for seniors. It is a forum for discussion, debate, and generating ideas to direct public policy. The advisory council will regularly bring forth these topics of concern to the corporation's Board of Directors and its officers.

Change is difficult, especially for an organization the age of the Federation.  But change is all around us. Look around your house for things that have changed in the last 35 years. It time for the MnSF to change; to become a more contemporary organization capable of using new technology, the media and other opportunities to attract a burgeoning baby boomer generation to join us in our advocacy for an older population. Already, in preparation for a new organization, policies and procedures are being updated or written; staffing is being put into place or shifted for added responsibilities. Job descriptions are being written. A new set of bylaws has been written. These times are exciting, as the MnSF becomes that more efficient and cost effective organization you expect it to be.

Bylaws for reorganization of the Minnesota Senior Federation
2007 Convention agenda
Board of Directors job qualifications and responsibilities