Monday, May 12, 2008

ALLM Meeting Notes from 5-1-08

Alliance for Lifelong Learning Minnesota

Meeting Notes

May 1, 2008

Introductions

Blog

· We need to use the blog regularly over the next 6 months to determine whether it will be a useful way to communicate. To visit the blog, go to www.lirnmn.blogspot.com

· The blog may be a way for us to share program and speaker ideas, websites of interest, funding sources or ideas, etc.

· Bob will check about changing the blog’s name to match our new name: Alliance for Lifelong Learning Minnesota

· Bob will also check to determine whether it is possible to implement an automatic alert whenever new information is posted on the blog. If not, we may need to send out a group email to alert everyone. Goal: check the blog once a week

· We should develop several general statements (e.g., regarding program ideas, speaker suggestions, or other general interest areas) that can remain posted at the blog site. When we have information we wish to share about a particular topic, we can share that information by clicking on the comment link associated with the interest area. Others can then respond to the Comment, initiating an online dialogue. Janet and Bob will work to develop several of these general statements. Let us know if you have any specific suggestions

Our next meeting will be in Duluth on October 3. We are invited to attend the meeting and stay for a train ride along the shore of Lake Superior, together with a pizza dinner in the evening. If you plan to stay overnight, hotel reservations should be made soon, as this is peak leaf viewing and other statewide groups are also meeting in Duluth at that time.

Cathie Logan has invited us to hold our spring 2009 meeting in Winona. More details to follow.

To begin our work of drafting a mission statement, we met in small groups to discuss the core values of the new network. Suggested core values included:

· Retirement – a time of brightening – not fading

· Network provides connectivity

· Community of leaders

· Strengthening sense of commonality

· Brain health/exercise

· Ideas and resource sharing

· Engaging older adults

· State-wide collaborative

· Multi-sector

· Learning is lifelong

· Provide personal growth and self-esteem for older adults

· Recognizing the potential of older adults as “keepers of history and culture”

· Learning is a community connector/community builder

· Every elder is entitled to learning in retirement; learning opportunities should be available to all; access to learning for everyone

· Quality of life is enhanced through learning

· Learning capacity need not diminish with age

· Learning should promote mental, physical and social well-being

· Education should provide opportunities to share personal experiences and expertise

· Quality of programming

· Volunteer-driven

· Member-directed programs

· Evaluation and feedback

· Social opportunities

These core values were shared with the whole group. Following discussion, the whole group suggested the following as the most important core values of the network:

· Organizing through a network allows for lifelong learning groups and leaders to share resources and stay connected

· Learning is lifelong

· Learning should be available to all

Editor’s note: Are there other core values that should be included in this list?

Following this discussion on core values, the groups continued to work together to draft a mission statement for our network. The groups submitted the following suggested mission statements:

1. To promote adult lifelong learning through program support, training, funding, technical resources, and collaboration.

2. Lifelong learning leaders dedicated to a quality collaborative network.

3. A statewide collaborative of leaders to enhance, expand and engage the quality of lifelong learning.

4. A Minnesota consortium of programs that provide learning and social opportunities for older adults.

5. The mission of this network is to benefit its members through sharing knowledge of and experience with lifelong learning programs.

Janet, Chrisanne Pieper, and LuAnne White will study these statements and draft a final version for group leaders to review and discuss via the blog.

Following lunch, small groups met to discuss and share Ideas for raising money to support programs. Suggestions included:

1. Dessert theater

2. Memorial gifts (check out Leave a Legacy website)

3. Collaborate with other educational organizations

4. Encourage donations on application forms

5. Business sponsorships

6. Sell ads in program brochure; list businesses that cater to older adults and ask for their financial support in return

7. Seek sponsorship for specific programs

8. Grants – e.g., power companies, MN Humanities Council, Metro Regional Arts councils

9. Dues

10. Program fees (have different rates for members and non-members)

We also chose a name for the network: Alliance for Lifelong Learning Minnesota (ALLMn). Janet will contact the Secretary of State to register the name and group.

Goals and objectives for next 6-12 months:

1. Finalize core values and mission statement (Janet, Luanne, and Chrisanne)

2. Register new name with Secretary of State (Janet)

3. Plan Duluth program (include demo of ITV collaboration with Crosby; discussion re possible publicity for network) (Mary Lee, Janet, others from Duluth group)

4. Use blog; set up subject areas of interest available for comments (Bob; everyone)

5. Share program brochures (request to be on mailing lists of other groups; bring brochures to Duluth meeting) (everyone)

6 – 18 months:

1. Pursue possible funding from Mn Board on Aging and/or other potential funders. Note that the MN Humanites Council will be offering grants again this fall. There will be 10 grants of $2500 each. Applications will open

2. Write our legislators re renewal of Older Americans Act

3. Collaborate with another group for a statewide conference, e.g., Mn Arts and Aging Network (MnCAAN); Minnesota Association of Senior Services (MASS), Vital Aging Network, Mn Association for Continuing Adult Education (MACAE)

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