9-16-20221
CHANHASSEN SENIOR COMMISSION MINUTES
September 16, 2022
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jerry Cerchia, Linda Haight, Jim Camarata, Kara Cassidy, Bhakti Modi.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Susan Kibler, Ruth Lunde.
STAFF PRESENT: Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Mary Blazanin.
GUESTS PRESENT: Dawn Plumer, Linnéa Fonnest.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Commissioner Haight moved to approve the Agenda. Commissioner Cassidy seconded the motion.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
SENIOR COMMISSION MINUTES DATED JUNE 17, 2022:
Commissioner Cassidy moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Haight seconded the motion.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
COMMUNITIES OF BELONGING – PATRICK STIEG, PUBLIC HEALTH
SPECIALIST
• Communities are not about the individual. They are a collection of individuals who
together create what makes each community unique. The stronger and more unified that
collection of individuals is, the stronger the community will be.
• Communities of Belonging is based on that concept—that a community should be a place
where people are truly connected and know each other, care about each other, and take
care of each other – even if everyone does not agree on very many issues. The result of
that interaction is a stronger and better community that benefits everyone living in it.
• A Community of Belonging welcomes all people, at all times – no matter their age,
gender, faith traditions, income, race, ethnicity, language, occupation, sexual orientation,
political ideology, physical ability, or anything else that makes them the unique
individual that they are.
• All people seek a sense of belonging and the resulting sense of security and safety.
Whether someone is a senior who often experiences social isolation, or someone who
lives with physical or emotional challenges, or a newly arrived immigrant family, it is in
the interest of fellow residents to ensure that everyone in a community has fair
opportunities to live and work, and to feel that they belong.
• Creating a sense of belong in a community benefits everyone through stronger social and
emotional ties and a feeling of wellbeing by living in that community. Those ties, in turn,
make communities safer, economically stronger, more resilient, more able to tackle future
challenges and more unified around doing whatever it takes to benefit the overall
community.
• Conversely, a lack of that sense of belonging results in residents not readily willing to
spend their time and effort strengthening a community’s economy, its safety, or
addressing its challenges.
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• In Carver County recently, we saw residents come together to volunteer to help support
their fellow residents who were isolated or unemployed as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic. Businesses, churches, individuals, law enforcement and community
organizations worked together to create and provide emergency food boxes. The effort
served more than 4,500 households/families and more than 16,000 individuals in 2020.
• This successful pandemic-related effort showed what is possible in Carver County at the
local community level, if we set aside our differences to work together to create
communities of belonging, that have their foundation rooted in the belief that the whole is
truly greater than the sum of its parts.
SENIOR EXPO
The commission made comments and requested edits to the brochure. All members will be
present at the event by 10:00 am.
SENIOR CENTER 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The commission asked if Mayor Ryan will be at the event. All commissioners were
encouraged to attend the event.
UPDATE ON SHIP GRANT INFORMATION
This is a statewide program. Carver County is investigating the option of partnering with
Wright County. One of the programs will involve a home assessment for individuals
reporting repeated falls.
4TH OF JULY BINGO EVENT:
The Senior Commission raised a total of $680.00 for Project Delta. The funds were turned
over to Beyond the Yellow Ribbon who in turn sent it to Project Delta.
ACT ON ALZHIEMER’S UPDATE:
In November, the Senior Commission will have a table at the Library. Educational information will
be available. Commissioner Lunde asked if someone should be available at the table. There will be
multiple events at the Senior Center addressing Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
COMMUNITY HEALTH UPDATE – DAWN PLUMER, PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM
SPECIALIST
The County is still providing booster shots. Nurses will provide blood pressure test at the
Expo
Library Adult Programs
Linnéa Fonnest informed the commission that most items were in the minutes and will not repeat
them.
Senior Commission Comments:
The Senior Commission discussed changing the name of the Commission to Commission on
Aging. The Commission addresses topics such as transportation, information and
assistance, independent living in the home, social and recreational programs, senior
Chanhassen Senior Commission Minutes – September 16, 2022
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center and senior housing, etc. that encompasses individuals of all ages. The
Commission voted to change the name to reflect their goals and mission, which
addresses aging. Commissioner Camarata moved to change the name to
Commission on Aging, Commissioner Modi Seconded the motion. All voted in favor
and the motion Carried.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chairman Cerchia called for meeting adjournment. Commissioner Haight moved to adjourn;
Commissioner Camarata seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Prepared and submitted by Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Senior Planner