Are you concerned about the turmoil in our economic, political and social environments?
Do you want to do your part to make a difference?
Do you want to stay motivated and continue moving forward?
The Vital Aging Network’s Vital Voices bring people together to share their views, listen to others and support each other in taking action to make a better world.
In the broadest sense, Vital Voices is about helping us know the kind of world we want to live in and to take action to make it true.
We’re calling Vital Voices sessions civic discussions. They are about civic engagement and its essential role in the functioning of a healthy democracy.
The word “civic” has several meanings. We are using “civic” in terms of its role: Civic is “being a good member of society.” Civic engagement is “working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference.” (source)
Promoting civic engagement has been a part of VAN’s mission since its inception, now 25 years ago. We have achieved that mission in different ways in the past. Today, we see an increasing need to create spaces in our society where people can come together, create community and support each other in doing good works. The Vital Aging Network is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and, as such, we are a nonpartisan organization. Our work is not partisan, but it is about what we can do to make a good society.
Why a gathering focused on older adults? As older adults, we believe we have a responsibility to contribute. We have experience, perspective and often time and resources to apply to forming a world that we want to live in. We think we have an obligation to do so. We hope that you agree. Vital Voices supports that action.
What’s the goal? Our goal is to create a bold space where we engage with each other, challenge each other, learn from each other and inspire each other to contribute to the common good — in small and large ways.
How will it work? Vital Voices sessions meet once a month for one-and-half to two hours. VAN provides a welcoming space and time to personally connect with others. We’ll facilitate ensure that the discussions are meaningful and respectful. Everyone in the session is a co-creator of the space.
Vital Voices in St. Paul is currently full. If you are interested in participating in a Vital Voices session, join the VAN email list and stay tuned.