VAN Forum

VAN Forums engage older adults in topics that further their own vital aging and help connect them with others to foster vital communities and a just society.

Upcoming Forums are listed below. Notes from past Forums are listed at the bottom of the page.

June 2013

Eating Your Age: Busting myths about eating well - Wilder

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Wilder Center
451 Lexington Avenue North
Saint Paul 55104

Eating Your Age: Busting myths about eating well - Wirth

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Fireplace Room, Wirth Park Chalet
1301 Theodore Wirth Parkway
Golden Valley, MN 55422

Past Forums

2013

May 2013
- Finding Reliable Online Health Information - Woodbury
  Tuesday, May 7, 2013
  
  Presenter(s):
  Robin Austin, MS, RN-BC, Doctorate candidate, Nursing Practice
  Forum Notes
- Finding Reliable Online Health Information - Edina
  Friday, May 3, 2013
  
  Presenter(s):
  Robin Austin, MS, RN-BC, Doctorate candidate, Nursing Practice
  Forum Notes
April 2013
- Finding Reliable Online Health Information
  Friday, April 19, 2013
  
  Presenter(s):
  Robin Austin, MS, RN-BC, Doctorate candidate, Nursing Practice
  Forum Notes
March 2013
- Making Advance Care Planning Choices - Edina
  Wednesday, March 20, 2013
  Forum Notes
- Making Advance Care Planning Choices - Woodbury
  Tuesday, March 19, 2013
  Forum Notes
January 2013
- Be Your Own Healthcare Advocate
  Tuesday, January 8, 2013
  
  Presenter(s):
  Robin Austin, MS, RN-BC
  Forum Notes

2012

November 2012
- Eating Your Age: Tips and Trick You Need to Eat Well
  Tuesday, November 27, 2012
  Forum Notes
October 2012
- Eating Your Age: Tips and Tricks You Need to Eat Well - Shoreview
  Tuesday, October 30, 2012
  Forum Notes
- You've Earned a Say: Make Your Voice Heard
  Wednesday, October 10, 2012
  Forum Notes
June 2012
- Good for Business: Making the Most of the Maturing Workforce
  Monday, June 25, 2012
  Forum Notes
May 2012
- Hartland to Capitol Hill: The Journey of a Wounded Healer
  Sunday, May 20, 2012
  Forum Notes
March 2012
- You've Earned a Say: Make Your Voice Heard on Medicare and Social Security
  Thursday, March 29, 2012
  Forum Notes
February 2012
- Aging in Place: Services That Pave the Way - Feb 15
  Wednesday, February 15, 2012
  Forum Notes
- Aging in Place: Services That Pave the Way - Feb 14
  Tuesday, February 14, 2012
  Forum Notes

2011

December 2011
- Fraud Fighters Forum
  Tuesday, December 13, 2011
  Forum Notes
October 2011
- Your Medicare: Making the Best Decisions - Bloomington
  Wednesday, October 12, 2011
  Forum Notes
- Your Medicare: Making the Best Decisions - Roseville
  Tuesday, October 11, 2011
  Forum Notes
- Your Medicare: Making the Best Decisions - Duluth
  Friday, October 7, 2011
  Forum Notes
September 2011
- Living Vitally through Lifelong Learning
  Tuesday, September 20, 2011
  
  Presenter(s):
  Pat Quade, Retired Director of International Education, St. Olaf College
  Susan Mundale, President, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Minnesota
  Sarah Millfelt, Deputy director for Programs and Education and Artist Grants Director, Northern Clay Center
  Laurie Beckman Yetzer, Jubilee Project Developer, Lutheran Volunteer Corps
  Forum Notes
August 2011
- Be the Change: Making a Difference in Your Community
  Tuesday, August 2, 2011
  
  Presenter(s):
  Peg Kavaney
  Forum Notes
June 2011
- Social Networking is for Everyone! Learn how to make the most of your accounts
  Friday, June 17, 2011
  
  Presenter(s):
  Elizabeth (Liz) Lightfoot, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of the Ph.D. Program at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work
  Forum Notes
May 2011
- Let's Get Outdoors!
  Tuesday, May 3, 2011
  
  Presenter(s):
  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  Conservation Corps Minnesota
  Forum Notes
March 2011
- Lifelong Housing Design: Options and costs for upgrading your current home
  Monday, March 14, 2011
  
  Presenter(s):
  Lyn Bruin, Housing Studies Associate Professor, College of Design, University of Minnesota
  Jodi Riha, Masters Student, College of Design, University of Minnesota
  Diane Sprague, Lifetime Home Project
  Ron Peterson, Residential Energy Auditor, ENERVISION
  Steve Johnson, Sustainable Resources Center
  Forum Notes
February 2011
- Assitive Technology: What is it and how can it improve your life Forum?
  Friday, February 11, 2011
  
  Presenter(s):
  Jennifer Mundl, Assistive Technology Specialist, Courage Center
  Sue Redepenning, OTR, Assistive Technology Supervisor, Courage Center
  Forum Notes
- Assistive Technology: What is it and how can it improve your life?
  Tuesday, February 8, 2011
  
  Presenter(s):
  Jennifer Mundl, Assistive Technology Specialist, Courage Center
  Sue Redepenning, OTR, Assistive Technology Supervisor, Courage Center
  Forum Notes

2010

December 2010
- Careers: The Second Time Around
  Tuesday, December 14, 2010
  
  Presenter(s):
  Phyllis Moen, McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in
  Sociology at the University of Minnesota
  Lucy Rose Fischer, Artist, Author, and Researcher
  Michael Orange, Teacher and Consultant
  Judy Hornbacher, Entrepreneur
  Forum Notes
November 2010
- Your Medicare after healthcare reform: Making the best possible decisions
  Tuesday, November 9, 2010
  
  Presenter(s):
  Senator Amy Klobuchar, Invited
  Lauren Gilchrist, Senator Franken's Office
  Derek Robinson, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Region V CMS
  Kelli Jo Greiner, Minnesota Board on Aging
  Marilyn Theesfeld and Louise Olson, Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging
  Forum Notes
October 2010
- Understanding End of Life Options: Getting to the heart of the matter
  Tuesday, October 12, 2010
  
  Presenter(s):
  Michele Fedderly, Executive Director, Minnesota Network of Hospice and Palliative Care
  Barry Baines, MD, Associate Medical Director UCare
  Minnesota, Associate Medical Director for Hospice of the Twin Cities, and Medical Director of the Johnson Hospice Care Agency
  Forum Notes
September 2010
- North Minneapolis: Empowering a Neighborhood
  Tuesday, September 14, 2010
  
  Presenter(s):
  Andre Dukes, Engagement Director, PEACE Foundation
  Taronda Richardson, Bakery and Employment Director, Cookie Cart
  Sister Jean Thuerauf, Mercy Missionaries of Minneapolis
  Forum Notes
August 2010
- Use Your Lifetime of Experiences to Make a Better World - ALVA: Leadership Development for the rest of your life
  Wednesday, August 11, 2010
  
  Presenter(s):
  Mary Kowalski, ALVA facilitator
  Dick Kavaney, 2010 ALVA Grad
  Mary Ellen Kennedy, 2010 ALVA Grad
  Forum Notes
July 2010
- Creativity and Aging: The benefits of engaging in arts and culture
  Tuesday, July 13, 2010
  
  Presenter(s):
  Susan Perlstein, National Center for Creative Aging
  Forum Notes
June 2010
- Gray Matters: What you Need to Know about Aging and Mental Health
  Tuesday, June 8, 2010
  
  Presenter(s):
  Kay King, Director of the Older Adults Living with Mental Illness Program at the National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota (NAMI Minnesota)
  Debra J. Moser, Older adult living with a mental
  illness
  Atashi Acharya, Director, Senior Mental Health Services, Volunteers of America, MN
  Forum Notes
May 2010
- 3rd Annual Forum on Boomers and Civic Engagement
  Tuesday, May 18, 2010
  
  Presenter(s):
  Keynote Speaker:
  Tom Endres, Vice President, Civic Engagement for the National Council on Aging
  Jim Scheibel, Former Mayor of St. Paul
  Forum Notes
April 2010
- Disability Awareness: Living an Active and Engaged Life - Stillwater
  Wednesday, April 14, 2010
  
  Presenter(s):
  Candy Pettiford, Courage Center client, volunteer tour guide and community speaker
  Connie Shaffer, Driver's Assessment and Training, Courage Center
  Christian Knights, Public Affairs associate, Courage Center
  Forum Notes
- Disability Awareness: Living an Active and Engaged Life - Golden Valley
  Monday, April 12, 2010
  
  Presenter(s):
  Candy Pettiford, Courage Center client, volunteer tour guide and community speaker
  Connie Shaffer, Driver's Assessment and Training, Courage Center
  Christian Knights, Public Affairs associate, Courage Center
  Forum Notes
March 2010
- The Future of Long-Term Care: Finding effective and affordable models
  Tuesday, March 23, 2010
  
  Presenter(s):
  Patti Cullen, Care Providers of Minnesota
  Thomas Devine, DAVID Agency
  LaRhae Knatterud, Minnesota Department of Human Services
  Forum Notes
- Gardening for Health and the Common Good
  Monday, March 8, 2010
  
  Presenter(s):
  Joanne Ellis, 2009 VAN ALVA Graduate
  Ede Holmen, Loring Park Resident and Volunteer Gardener
  Sherry Brooks, Minneapolis Park Board Gardener
  Peg Johnson, Treasured Haven Farm, a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Farm
  Forum Notes
January 2010
- Health Care Reform in Minnesota: The Impact on Older Adults
  Monday, January 11, 2010
  
  Presenter(s):
  Community-based Panel
  Jan Malcolm, CEO, Courage Center
  Kathryn Roberts, CEO, Ecumen
  Michele Kimball, State Director, AARP
  
  Health Care Provider Panel
  Donna Zimmerman, V.P., HealthPartners
  Brock Nelson, CEO, Regions Hospital
  Matthew Anderson, V.P., MN Hospital Association
  Janet Silversmith, Director of Health Policy, MN Medical Association
  Forum Notes

2009

December 2009
- Creativity, Dance and Storytelling: Staying Active, Vital and Engaged
  Monday, December 7, 2009
  
  Presenter(s):
  Maria Genne', Artistic and Executive Director of Kairos Dance
  Nothando Zulu, Director, Black Storytellers Alliance
  Forum Notes
November 2009
- Building Bridges: Teaching about the Hmong in our Communities
  Monday, November 9, 2009
  
  Presenter(s):
  Nai Christopher Lo, Hmong Cultural Center
  David Yang, St. Paul police officer, Shaman
  Forum Notes
October 2009
- Protecting Minnesota's Environment and Saving Dollars: The Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment and Apple Valley's Green Initiatives
  Monday, October 12, 2009
  
  Presenter(s):
  Steve Morse, Executive Director, Minnesota Environmental Partnership
  Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland, City of Apple Valley
  Forum Notes
September 2009
- Alzheimer's Awareness: What can you do to prevent, understand, and treat dementia?
  Monday, September 7, 2009
  
  Presenter(s):
  Catherine Johnson, Licensed Psychologist, Associated Clinic of Psychology
  Lori La Bey, Seniors Lifestyle Trends
  Forum Notes
August 2009
- ALVA: Turning Your Lifetime of Experience into Leadership that Matters
  Monday, August 10, 2009
  
  Presenter(s):
  Kris Orluck, Senior Coordinator, Parks and Recreation Board, Senior Coordinator, City of Maple Grove
  Mary Kowalski, VAN Networking/Education Committee Chair; Retired, 3M, Training and Development
  Peg Kavaney, 2009 ALVA Grad
  Lynn Moratzka, 2009 ALVA Grad
  Forum Notes
July 2009
- Social Networking
  Monday, July 13, 2009
  
  Presenter(s):
  Elizabeth Lightfoot, Ph.D.
  Associate Professor
  University of Minnesota - School of Social Work
  Forum Notes
June 2009
- Communities for a Lifetime
  Monday, June 8, 2009
  
  Presenter(s):
  Bob Roepke, Former Mayor of Chaska
  Mike Weber, President/CEO of Volunteers of America of Minnesota
  Mill City Commons
  River Bluffs Village
  Forum Notes
May 2009
- 2nd Annual Forum on Boomers and Civic Engagement
  Monday, May 11, 2009
  
  Presenter(s):
  Lester Strong, CEO, Experience Corps, Washington D.C.
  Jim Scheibel, former Mayor, St. Paul, former Director, AmeriCorps, VISTA, National Senior Service Corps.
  Presentations from leading MN nonprofits
  Forum Notes
April 2009
- Putting Your Passion Into Action: Volunteering Outside the Box
  Tuesday, April 14, 2009
  
  Presenter(s):
  Kelly O'Brien, Director of RSVP of the Greater Twin Cities, a program of Volunteers of America Minnesota
  Colleen Fritsch, Director of Volunteer Resources, DARTS
  Mary Quirk, Volunteer Resources Leadership Project Manager, Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration
  Forum Notes
March 2009
- Fostering Healthy Communities: Connecting Health Care Providers, Neighborhoods, and People
  Tuesday, March 10, 2009
  
  Presenter(s):
  Michael J. Johnson, President of the Park Nicollet Foundation
  Edward Ratner, M.D., Chair of the Minnesota Medical Directors Association
  Rita Kach, St. Louis Park, Senior Program Coordinator
  Marney Olson, St. Louis Park Community Liaison
  Forum Notes
February 2009
- Public Transit in the Twin Cities: Today and Tomorrow
  Tuesday, February 10, 2009
  
  Presenter(s):
  Barb Thoman - Transit for Livable Communities
  John Diers - Independent Consultant on Transit Operations
  Forum Notes
January 2009
- Aging Policy Summit
  Tuesday, January 13, 2009
  
  Presenter(s):
  Hubert H. "Skip" Humphrey III
  AARP National Board Member
  Jean Wood, Executive Director, Minnesota Board on Aging
  Paul Anton, Chief Economist, Wilder Research
  Legislative Panel:
  Members of the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives addressing how Minnesota can look to the future and beyond the challenges of the 2009 session
  Forum Notes

2008

December 2008
- Supporting and Advocating for Vital Communities
  Tuesday, December 9, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Annette Sandler
  Hadassah Zohara
  Peggy Gaard and Gail Skoglund
  Rita Kach
  Forum Notes
November 2008
- Self-Care for Caregivers
  Tuesday, November 11, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Joan Knuesel, FamilyMeans
  Forum Notes
October 2008
- A Meeting with Don Shelby on Project Energy
  Tuesday, October 14, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Don Shelby
  Forum Notes
September 2008
- Redwood Falls Community VAN Forum
  Tuesday, September 30, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Mark Skeie, VAN Leadership Group Chair
  Tom Hyder, VAN Coordinator
  Local Leaders
  Forum Notes
- Crookston Community VAN Forum
  Tuesday, September 23, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Mark Skeie, VAN Leadership Group, Chair
  Tom Hyder, VAN Coordinator
  Local Leaders
  Forum Notes
- Bloomington Community VAN Forum
  Wednesday, September 17, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Mark Skeie, VAN Leadership Group Chair
  Tom Hyder, VAN Coordinator
  Local Leaders
  Forum Notes
- Vital Legal Planning
  Tuesday, September 9, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Barbara Kristiansson
  Kathy Eveslage
  Greg Marita
  Forum Notes
August 2008
- Latino Elders and Hospice Care Composing a New Elder Care Landscape
  Tuesday, August 12, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Jesse Bethke Gomez, President of CLUES and Barbara Greene, Multicultural Consultant for Hospice Minnesota
  Forum Notes
July 2008
- Social Entrepreneurship
  Tuesday, July 8, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Mark and Janet Skeie
  Forum Notes
June 2008
- ALVA: Leadership Development for the Rest of Your Life
  Tuesday, June 10, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Kris Orluck and Mary Kowalski
  Forum Notes
May 2008
- Citizens League: Common Ground, Common Good
  Tuesday, May 13, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Sean Kershaw, Executive Director, Citizens League
  Forum Notes
April 2008
- Finding Your Creative Art
  Tuesday, April 8, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Pat Samples, MN Creative Arts and Aging Network (MnCAAN)
  Forum Notes
March 2008
- Local Action, Global Results Influencing International Conflicts
  Tuesday, March 11, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Dr. Ellen Kennedy, State Coordinator, GI-Net (MN Genocide Intervention Network)
  Forum Notes
February 2008
- Effective Advocacy: Minnesota’s Policies for Aging and the 2008 Legislative Session
  Tuesday, February 12, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Heidi Holste, AARP; Leni Wilcox, Wilder Foundation and co-chair of the MN Leadership Council on Aging
  (MNLCoA); Dawn Simonson, Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging (MAAA)
  Forum Notes
January 2008
- VAN’s Vision & 2008
  Tuesday, January 8, 2008
  
  Presenter(s):
  Mark Skeie, Chair VAN Leadership Group
  Tom Hyder, VAN Coordinator
  Forum Notes

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