Since their election on Oct. 10, the newly elected MnSF Board of Directors has been meeting every two weeks for as long as four or five hours each time to tackle issues confronting the reorganized Senior Federation. 

Their first order of business was to elect officers. Barbara Kaufman was elected chair and Kathleen McKinstra, vice chair. Dennis Anderson and Susie Ragland were elected treasurer and secretary, respectively. 

Dominating their work this past month have been financial and personnel issues. Mike Roehl, CPA of Langer and Associates, presented the 2006 audit and management letters for both the state and metro organizations, which were accepted and approved. The 2008 budget process was discussed with the intention of reviewing a preliminary budget in November and finalizing it in December. “This board already has a much better handle on the financial situation than a year ago,” commented Reid Zimmerman, interim executive director. “They are really digging in to understand both the strategic role the budget plays as well as the details required to pull it together.”

A significant portion of the Nov. 19 meeting will be spent working through those budget issues with Dennis Gerhardstein, director of administration, and Chuck Hoistad, the MnSF accountant.

On the personnel side, the board approved a shift in health premium cost allocations for staff and discussed the open position of pension rights manager. McKinstra has stepped in to assist with some of the ongoing case work and communications until that position can be filled.

The board approved a job description for the position of executive director and a process for receiving and reviewing applications for the position. Zimmerman indicated his intent to not be considered a candidate for the position. He cited that the organization needed a different kind of leader to move it ahead now that the reorganization has been completed and his personal desires to expand his teaching and consulting and investigate new opportunities. The acceptance of resumés will begin immediately in the hope of having a new director on board in January, 2008.

In addition, the board is dealing with formation of the advisory council and more formal relationships between the two groups as well as development of a nominating committee to investigate community members that can add their special skills and connections to the board in coming years.

Finally, the board has been reviewing and discussing the Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence published by the MN Council of Nonprofits as a means of better understanding qualities that make up an outstanding nonprofit and how the board of directors can lead and influence that excellence.

“This is a dedicated group and their hard work will pay off,” stated Zimmerman. “If the rest of the leadership positions in this organization are filled with the same kind of dedication, the next decade will see the Federation growing significantly in its ability to lead on public policy issues and serve a growing and deserving senior population.”

Kaufman added her thoughts, “I hope people will not wait to be asked to help. We need both your energy and your financial support to accomplish the tasks at hand in 2008 and beyond.”