RCLLG November Newsletter

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Newsletter Content:

1. Register for the Annual Dinner & Program

2. November Program Recap

3. Mental Health Clubhouse in Ramsey County

4. Program Recaps

THE EVENT OF THE YEAR!

Annual Dinner & Program

Thursday, December 7th

Cedarholm Community Building, Roseville

Join your fellow RCLLG members as we convene, in-person, for our annual dinner and program. Our featured speaker will be Melinda Coleman, City Manager for the City of Maplewood and Gallup Certified Strengths Coach who knows how a strengths-based culture creates positive results. Melinda took City of Maplewood employees on a journey in understanding how their individual strengths can reap amazing benefits and results. Hear how you can use your Strengths to bring value to your organization and live a happier life!

Agenda

5:00 – 5:45 PM | Social 

5:45 – 6:15 PM | Dinner Served

6:15 – 6:45 PM | RCLLG Presentation

6:45 – 7:00 PM | Break/Social

7:00 – 7:45 PM | Presentation: Maplewood Strengths-Based Culture, Melinda Coleman

7:45 – 8:00 | Q&A & End

November Program Recap

Last Friday, November 10th we were delighted to hear from two guests, Meghan Redmond and Kristine Rossow, who provided information and resources on Age-Friendly communities in Minnesota.

Meghan Redmond, Associate State Director and Community Engagement for AARP MN, provided an overview of the AARP Age-Friendly Network and spoke on resources available for communities interested in becoming Age-Friendly.

We learned that by 2030, 1 in 5 Minnesotans will be over the age of 65, and that 67% of all adults and 79% of those 50+ do want to stay in their current communities. The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities was established in 2012, Minneapolis being the first MN city to join. Meghan outlined the process of becoming Age-Friendly and explained the eight domains of livability that Age-Friendly Communities adhere to. After becoming Age-Friendly, Minnesota cities achieved these results: 60% of communities achieved change in public policy, 34% achieved private sector action or investment, and 85% achieved other successes. 

Kristine Rossow, Roseville Area Senior Program Manager, then shared how the Roseville Area Senior Program supports an Age-Friendly Community. She shared how they support the eight domains of livability - 1) Civic Participation and Employment, 2) Communication and Information, 3) Community and Health Services, 4) Respect and Inclusion, 5) Social Participation, 6) Housing, 7) Outdoor Spaces and Buildings, and 8) Transportation. Just a few of the things they do include hosting an Adult Learning Center, providing mobile clinics and information sessions, hosting a variety of social groups, and holding a Senior Housing Fair.

Check out the notes, slick decks, and recording for more information on Age-Friendly Communities in Minnesota!

Would you like AARP to give an Age-Friendly presentation to your city council? Contact Meghan at 651-726-5643 or mredmond@aarp.org!

Resources for RCLLG Members

Learn About & Help Shape Plans for a

Mental Health Clubhouse in Ramsey County

In partnership with NAMI Ramsey County, Vail Place is hosting a series of community conversations to seek input on plans for the first-ever clubhouse in our county. Convenings are planned for 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 3rd at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 285 Dale Street N, and on Monday, December 4th at the Wilder Center, lunch included.

More about the Clubhouse: Now found in over 30 countries around the world, the clubhouse model is about recovery and community, offering people living with mental illnesses opportunities for friendship, employment, housing, education and access to medical and psychiatric services in a caring and safe environment--and reversing disturbing trends of higher suicide, hospitalization and incarceration rates associated with mental illness.

Interested in being part of the conversation? Please RSVP to Addie at athimmesch@vailplace.org. Please see the flyer below for details. 

Check out the 2023 RCLLG directory

Find contact information for members and state legislators, read handy information about RCLLG, and more! Visit our website to view this directory at any time.

2023 Program Recaps

As we look towards our next program, we want to provide you with a lookback on our 2023 programs.

January: No program held in January.

February: On February 10th, we held our annual Legislative Priorities & Updates program. It was a busy time due to the legislative session, and we were fortunate to hear updates from Rep. Hemmingsen-Jaeger, Senator Sandra Pappas, Representative Liz Lee, and Senator John Marty.

March: On March 8th, we heard presentations discussing the shortage of students/youth pursuing the skilled trades and its impact on our workforce and communities. We heard from Scott Stallman, Provost at Dunwoody; Don Mullin, Saint Paul Building Trades Council Executive; Jill Stewart-Kellar, Northeast Metro 916 School District, and Ling Becker, Ramsey County’s Director of Workforce Solutions.

April: On April 14^th, a few "trash talkers" spoke to our members. We learned how our communities in Ramsey County can more effectively manage waste and be more environmentally friendly, and were fortunate to hear from representatives from Ramsey County, Maplewood, and White Bear Lake Area Schools.

May: On Thursday, May 4th, RCLLG members attended a 'May the 4th Be With You" social event at El Sombrero Restaurant in Little Canada.

June: On June 9th, we heard from three experts on legislation passed relating to Ramsey County and in Education. Our presenters included Jennifer O’ Rourke, Director of Government Relations; Melissa Finnegan, Government Relations Specialist; and Kirk Schneidawind, Executive Director of Minnesota School Board Association.

July: On July 14th, we heard from Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt and Noelle Bakken, Sustainability Specialist for the City of Roseville on climate action plan priorities and initiatives at the city and county level.

August: On August 14th, we held another great RCLLG social with almost 20 of our members. After a great meal, we took time in groups to imagine and illustrate what an ideal "interconnected Ramsey County" means to us.

September: On September 8th, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Ramsey County Manager Ryan O’Connor presented on “Juvenile Crime & Legislative Funding, discussing a history of crime reduction efforts and current community-based efforts and results.

October: On October 13th, Assistant State Climatologist Pete Boulay shared a history of Minnesota’s climate as far back as the late 1800’s, as well as what he predicts for our future.

If you have any questions about RCLLG, your membership, or news listed above, please email RCLLG@fusionLP.org.

Ramsey County League of Local Governments | www.fusionLP.org/rcllg