APRIL
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: WHOLE COMMUNITY PLANNING
DATE
April 7, 2025
TIME
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION
Virtual
COST
FREE
HOST
Central Minnesota Council on Aging
SUMMARY
Explore ways for community leaders to plan for the whole community:
- Identify basic emergency preparedness principles
- Discuss the roles of government, community organizations, and businesses
- Provide framework for organizations to develop emergency plans
- Explain how communities can plan collectively
Presenters will share how coordination of planning across multiple sectors can eliminate duplication in efforts. Discussion will include ways to incorporate vulnerable members of the community in planning.
AUDIENCE
Community, business, or agency leaders, and age-friendly communities interested in learning about emergency preparedness planning
CONTACT
DATE
April 8, 2025
TIME
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Central
LOCATION
Virtual
COST
FREE
HOST
MN Leadership Council on Aging
SUMMARY
In this session, we'll explore practical communication strategies to address and combat bias in both personal and professional settings. Guest Foua-Choua Khang will also discuss the power of language in minimizing stereotypes and promoting inclusivity. By the end of the session, attendees will gain actionable tools to communicate more consciously, challenge bias, and contribute to a more equitable space for all voices.
AUDIENCE
All are welcome
CONTACT
INTRODUCTION TO THE
NON-PROFIT HEALTH CHECK
DATE
April 9, 2025
TIME
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Central
LOCATION
Virtual
COST
FREE
HOST
Trellis
SUMMARY
Trellis recognizes the critical challenges facing organizations serving older Minnesotans. In response to mounting difficulties, we're introducing the Non-Profit Health Check, a comprehensive workshop series launching in Spring 2025. Designed for organizational leadership, this program provides practical tools to evaluate and enhance non-profit health through hands-on exercises and targeted assessments. Participants will develop customized frameworks to identify organizational strengths and areas for improvement, creating actionable plans to ensure sustainability.
AUDIENCE
Open to all Minnesota-based organizations serving older adults, the workshop series is limited to top-level decision-makers, including CEOs, Executive Directors, Board Chairs, and Senior Program Managers.
CONTACT
DISASTERS DON'T WAIT:
BE PREPARED IN ADVANCE
DATE
April 10, 2025
TIME
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
LOCATION
Virtual
COST
FREE
HOST
Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging
SUMMARY
Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging invites you to learn about disaster types and impacts, response and recovery, safety measures, and the various roles and responsibilities during a disaster.
AUDIENCE
All are welcome
CONTACT
NATURE ACCESS FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH SPECIFIC NEEDS
DATE
April 17, 2025
TIME
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Central
LOCATION
Virtual
COST
FREE
HOST
Joelle Hoeft Consulting
SUMMARY
Nature enriches lives at every stage, offering benefits to our health, well-being, and sense of connection. For older adults with specific needs, such as those living with dementia, Parkinson’s, and vision
impairment, the challenges of ensuring access to nature can seem daunting. This webinar offers practical tips and considerations for adapting outdoor experiences to ensure that nature remains accessible and enriching for all. Hear from Minnesota program leaders pioneering inclusive nature engagement, and gain inspiration and practical ideas to create meaningful, safe, and enjoyable outdoor experiences for yourself, loved ones, or those you serve.
AUDIENCE
All are welcome
CONTACT
KEEPING THE SPIRIT ALIVE
THE CONFERENCE FOR CAREGIVERS AND THOSE SUPPORTING A LOVED ONE WITH DEMENTIA
DATE
April 27, 2025
TIME
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Central
LOCATION
Adath Jeshurun Congregation, 10500 Hillside Ln W, Minnetonka, MN 55305
COST
FREE
HOST
Trellis
SUMMARY
This conference seeks to explore what “we can do” as we move into what we are capable of, and how to nourish ourselves and others on a care journey. The keynote panel will share and acknowledge many types of grief, how it affects our minds, our hearts, and our bodies as well as tools to support you on your own grief journey.
12 additional breakout sessions provide opportunities on other topics.
AUDIENCE
This conference provides content that is relevant to all
CONTACT
MAY
BUILDING BRIDGES: THE POWER OF HUMAN CONNECTION IN AN ERA OF SOCIAL ISOLATION
DATE
May 6, 2025
TIME
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION
Great River Regional Library
1300 W St. Germain Street
St. Cloud, MN 56301
COST
FREE
HOST
Central Minnesota Council on Aging
SUMMARY
This summit will address the growing issues of social isolation and loneliness, explore their impact on individuals and communities, and learn practical solutions to create meaningful engagement. Dr. Jeremy Holloway, Professor of Health Equity, Social Connection, and Resiliency at New Mexico Highlands University, is keynote speaker.
Goals:
- Raise awareness about social isolation and its impact on all age groups, with a focus on older adults.
- Equip participants with tools and strategies to promote effective engagement and reduce loneliness.
- Showcase innovations that have successfully built bridges and strengthened communities.
- Inspire cross-sector collaboration to address social isolation through community-based solutions.
AUDIENCE
All are welcome
CONTACT
DISCOVERING PURPOSE, MEANING, AND CREATIVITY THROUGH NATURE AS WE AGE
DATE
May 8, 2025
TIME
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Central
LOCATION
Virtual
COST
FREE
HOST
Joelle Hoeft Consulting
SUMMARY
Nature enriches lives at every stage, offering benefits to our health, well-being, and sense of connection. In this webinar, five inspiring leaders from across Minnesota share how they are finding purpose, meaning, and creativity in nature as they age. Their stories highlight ways to build community and protect the health of the natural world. You’ll also explore resources from Age-Friendly Minnesota’s online
Nature Resource Center. Join us to discover how nature can inspire flourishing—for yourself and for the world around you.
AUDIENCE
All are welcome
CONTACT
AUGUST
TELLING YOUR STORY WITH DATA
DATE
August 11, 2025
TIME
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION
Virtual
COST
FREE
HOST
Central Minnesota Council on Aging
SUMMARY
Explore ways for community leaders to share their stories with data:
- Discuss the ways you use your numbers
- Showcase different ways to portray your data
- Highlight essential components of quality tables and charts
- Using stories to complement the numerical data
Presenters will interactively share how to showcase data accurately. Discussion will include ways to incorporate how to use quantitative (numbers) and qualitative (narratives) to tell your story.
AUDIENCE
All are welcome
CONTACT
Do you have an Age-Friendly event to add to the calendar? Share the details in our event submission form and we'll post it!
Do you have questions about Age-Friendly technical assistance events? Contact Lydia Morken.
To learn more about the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council's work, including our grants and priorities, visit our full website.
In 2023, the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council asked MN Leadership Council on Aging to create and
maintain this site to promote events, disseminate resources, and showcase age-friendly activities.