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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.
February 2012
Aging in Place: Services That Pave the Way - Feb 14
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
3737 Bryant Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55426
Aging in Place: Services That Pave the Way - Feb 15
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
740 Kay Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
Past Forums
December 2011
October 2011
September 2011
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Living Vitally through Lifelong LearningTuesday, September 20, 2011Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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August 2011
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Be the Change: Making a Difference in Your CommunityTuesday, August 2, 2011Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Peg Kavaney
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June 2011
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Social Networking is for Everyone! Learn how to make the most of your accountsFriday, June 17, 2011Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Elizabeth (Liz) Lightfoot, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of the Ph.D. Program at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work
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May 2011
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Let's Get Outdoors!Tuesday, May 3, 2011Presenter(s):Forum Notes
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Conservation Corps Minnesota
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March 2011
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Lifelong Housing Design: Options and costs for upgrading your current homeMonday, March 14, 2011Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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February 2011
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Assitive Technology: What is it and how can it improve your life Forum?Friday, February 11, 2011Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Jennifer Mundl, Assistive Technology Specialist, Courage Center
Sue Redepenning, OTR, Assistive Technology Supervisor, Courage Center
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Assistive Technology: What is it and how can it improve your life?Tuesday, February 8, 2011Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Jennifer Mundl, Assistive Technology Specialist, Courage Center
Sue Redepenning, OTR, Assistive Technology Supervisor, Courage Center
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December 2010
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Careers: The Second Time AroundTuesday, December 14, 2010Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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November 2010
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Your Medicare after healthcare reform: Making the best possible decisionsTuesday, November 9, 2010Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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October 2010
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Understanding End of Life Options: Getting to the heart of the matterTuesday, October 12, 2010Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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September 2010
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North Minneapolis: Empowering a NeighborhoodTuesday, September 14, 2010Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Andre Dukes, Engagement Director, PEACE Foundation
Taronda Richardson, Bakery and Employment Director, Cookie Cart
Sister Jean Thuerauf, Mercy Missionaries of Minneapolis
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August 2010
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Use Your Lifetime of Experiences to Make a Better World - ALVA: Leadership Development for the rest of your lifeWednesday, August 11, 2010Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Mary Kowalski, ALVA facilitator
Dick Kavaney, 2010 ALVA Grad
Mary Ellen Kennedy, 2010 ALVA Grad
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July 2010
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Creativity and Aging: The benefits of engaging in arts and cultureTuesday, July 13, 2010Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Susan Perlstein, National Center for Creative Aging
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June 2010
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Gray Matters: What you Need to Know about Aging and Mental HealthTuesday, June 8, 2010Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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May 2010
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3rd Annual Forum on Boomers and Civic EngagementTuesday, May 18, 2010Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Keynote Speaker:
Tom Endres, Vice President, Civic Engagement for the National Council on Aging
Jim Scheibel, Former Mayor of St. Paul
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April 2010
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Disability Awareness: Living an Active and Engaged Life - StillwaterWednesday, April 14, 2010Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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Disability Awareness: Living an Active and Engaged Life - Golden ValleyMonday, April 12, 2010Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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March 2010
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The Future of Long-Term Care: Finding effective and affordable modelsTuesday, March 23, 2010Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Patti Cullen, Care Providers of Minnesota
Thomas Devine, DAVID Agency
LaRhae Knatterud, Minnesota Department of Human Services
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Gardening for Health and the Common GoodMonday, March 8, 2010Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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January 2010
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Health Care Reform in Minnesota: The Impact on Older AdultsMonday, January 11, 2010Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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December 2009
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Creativity, Dance and Storytelling: Staying Active, Vital and EngagedMonday, December 7, 2009Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Maria Genne', Artistic and Executive Director of Kairos Dance
Nothando Zulu, Director, Black Storytellers Alliance
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November 2009
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Building Bridges: Teaching about the Hmong in our CommunitiesMonday, November 9, 2009Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Nai Christopher Lo, Hmong Cultural Center
David Yang, St. Paul police officer, Shaman
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October 2009
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Protecting Minnesota's Environment and Saving Dollars: The Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment and Apple Valley's Green InitiativesMonday, October 12, 2009Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Steve Morse, Executive Director, Minnesota Environmental Partnership
Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland, City of Apple Valley
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September 2009
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Alzheimer's Awareness: What can you do to prevent, understand, and treat dementia?Monday, September 7, 2009Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Catherine Johnson, Licensed Psychologist, Associated Clinic of Psychology
Lori La Bey, Seniors Lifestyle Trends
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August 2009
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ALVA: Turning Your Lifetime of Experience into Leadership that MattersMonday, August 10, 2009Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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July 2009
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Social NetworkingMonday, July 13, 2009Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Elizabeth Lightfoot, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Minnesota - School of Social Work
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June 2009
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Communities for a LifetimeMonday, June 8, 2009Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Bob Roepke, Former Mayor of Chaska
Mike Weber, President/CEO of Volunteers of America of Minnesota
Mill City Commons
River Bluffs Village
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May 2009
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2nd Annual Forum on Boomers and Civic EngagementMonday, May 11, 2009Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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April 2009
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Putting Your Passion Into Action: Volunteering Outside the BoxTuesday, April 14, 2009Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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March 2009
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Fostering Healthy Communities: Connecting Health Care Providers, Neighborhoods, and PeopleTuesday, March 10, 2009Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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February 2009
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Public Transit in the Twin Cities: Today and TomorrowTuesday, February 10, 2009Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Barb Thoman - Transit for Livable Communities
John Diers - Independent Consultant on Transit Operations
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January 2009
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Aging Policy SummitTuesday, January 13, 2009Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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
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December 2008
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Supporting and Advocating for Vital CommunitiesTuesday, December 9, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Annette Sandler
Hadassah Zohara
Peggy Gaard and Gail Skoglund
Rita Kach
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November 2008
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Self-Care for CaregiversTuesday, November 11, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Joan Knuesel, FamilyMeans
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October 2008
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A Meeting with Don Shelby on Project EnergyTuesday, October 14, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Don Shelby
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September 2008
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Redwood Falls Community VAN ForumTuesday, September 30, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Mark Skeie, VAN Leadership Group Chair
Tom Hyder, VAN Coordinator
Local Leaders
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Crookston Community VAN ForumTuesday, September 23, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Mark Skeie, VAN Leadership Group, Chair
Tom Hyder, VAN Coordinator
Local Leaders
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Bloomington Community VAN ForumWednesday, September 17, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Mark Skeie, VAN Leadership Group Chair
Tom Hyder, VAN Coordinator
Local Leaders
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Vital Legal PlanningTuesday, September 9, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Barbara Kristiansson
Kathy Eveslage
Greg Marita
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August 2008
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Latino Elders and Hospice Care Composing a New Elder Care LandscapeTuesday, August 12, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Jesse Bethke Gomez, President of CLUES and Barbara Greene, Multicultural Consultant for Hospice Minnesota
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July 2008
June 2008
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ALVA: Leadership Development for the Rest of Your LifeTuesday, June 10, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Kris Orluck and Mary Kowalski
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May 2008
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Citizens League: Common Ground, Common GoodTuesday, May 13, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Sean Kershaw, Executive Director, Citizens League
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April 2008
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Finding Your Creative ArtTuesday, April 8, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Pat Samples, MN Creative Arts and Aging Network (MnCAAN)
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March 2008
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Local Action, Global Results Influencing International ConflictsTuesday, March 11, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Dr. Ellen Kennedy, State Coordinator, GI-Net (MN Genocide Intervention Network)
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February 2008
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Effective Advocacy: Minnesota’s Policies for Aging and the 2008 Legislative SessionTuesday, February 12, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
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)
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January 2008
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VAN’s Vision & 2008Tuesday, January 8, 2008Presenter(s):Forum Notes
Mark Skeie, Chair VAN Leadership Group
Tom Hyder, VAN Coordinator
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