MINNESOTA SENIOR FEDERATION. METROPOLITAN REGION.

An Inventory of Its Records at the Minnesota Historical Society

Manuscripts Collection

Expand/CollapseOVERVIEW

Creator: Minnesota Senior Federation. Metropolitan Region.
Title:Federation records.
Dates:1972-2009.
Language:Materials in English.
Abstract:The collection documents the formation of the state and metropolitan federations, their administration, legislative advocacy, and member services, as well as their health care and housing programs. Included are minutes, annual and financial reports, leadership manuals, assembly proceedings, committee files, program files and convention programs. Also included are grant proposals, service provider agreements, long range plans, legislative reports, public testimony, drug price surveys, internal newsletters, membership files, flyers and pamphlets, and video recordings. A large portion of the collection relates to the various health programs created or promoted by the federations including the prescription drug importation programs Rx Express and CanadaRx. Materials from the Federation Pharmacy Services Inc., Senior Federation Services, Senior Housing Inc., Senior Partners Care and the Medicare Justice Coalition are also contained.
Quantity: 30 cubic feet (31 boxes).
Location:See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

Expand/CollapseHISTORICAL NOTE

The Metropolitan Region of the Minnesota Senior Federation, known earlier as the Metropolitan Senior Federation, sprang from an August 11, 1972 meeting of the Greater Metropolitan Federation which recognized that, although there were a large number of Twin Cities senior citizens organizations, there was no single advocacy group "strong enough to exert sufficient pressure to accomplish needed changes to improve the lifestyle of the seniors."1 To unite these various groups, the Metropolitan Senior Federation founding convention was held on January 31, 1973. In attendance were nearly 500 delegates from 47 senior citizen groups.

In its first year of activity, the Metropolitan Senior Federation lobbied for lower property tax rates and the repeal of Minnesota's Old Age Lien Law. It also established the first of its health programs by introducing a discount buying agreement with a national retail pharmacy chain and by negotiating a comprehensive health insurance program with Mt. Sinai Health Plan. In its second year, the Metropolitan Senior Federation opened an office headquarters, sponsored a rally protesting injustices in social security benefit adjustments, established a second health plan with Samaritan Hospital, and began efforts to organize a statewide organization which was formally founded in 1977 as the Minnesota Senior Federation.

In 1978 the Minnesota Senior Federation hired its first staff director when it contracted for one-quarter of the Metropolitan Region director's time. By 1980 the Minnesota Senior Federation was able to hire its first full-time staff director. Also in 1978 the Metropolitan Region's newspaper the Clarion became the Minnesota Senior Federation News which served as a statewide and regional publication until 1990 when the Metropolitan Region gave its edition up to become the basis for the later statewide newspaper.2

In the 1980s and 1990s the state and regional organizations each continued to grow and to collaborate together. They cooperated in holding drug rallies, organized bus trips to Canada to buy prescription drugs, lobbied for legislative reforms to regulate drug prices and protect affordable housing, held accountability sessions regarding cutbacks in social security, Medicare, and transportation, advocated to reduce residential phone rates, and created both regional and statewide federation websites. Throughout this time the Federation and its regions continued to focus on topics concerning health maintenance organizations, long term care, nursing homes, home health care, retirement planning, retirement career options and job retraining, community service, housing, home ownership, public utilities, transportation, prescription drugs and physicians costs, social security, Medicare, living wills, taxes, and insurance.

In the late 1990s and into the 2000s the regional and state federations undertook a lengthy period of reorganization. Due to continuing internal tensions, unresolved long-standing conflicts, and economic recession, the Minnesota Senior Federation was dissolved in 2009. Other organizations continued to provide some of the programs and services previously administered by the Minnesota Senior Federation. Those that persisted included Senior Partners Care, Senior Rx Care, publication of the consumer guide Health Care Choices for Minnesotans on Medicare, and HealthPartners dental insurance program.

1 A Decade of Action-The Metropolitan Senior Federation, (St. Paul: the Federation, 1983), p. 3, in Anniversary Committee, General Files. Accession 15,213.

2 The Minnesota Senior Federation: A Brief History, in History, circa 1985-2000. Accession 16,599.


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Expand/CollapseADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Minnesota Senior Federation. Metropolitan Region. Federation Records. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 15,213; 16,599

Processing Information:

NHPRC logo

Processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with a Basic Project grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Catalog ID number: 001733057


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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Expand/CollapseACCESSION 15,213 (RECEIVED 1995)

Expand/CollapseGeneral Files

This accession is arranged as two series. The general files (1972-1990) comprise the bulk of the accession and were kept by the Metropolitan Regions headquarters. The director's files (1970-1990) comprise less than two cubic feet, but contain materials which best document the Federation's formation and which include select topics and committees.
The director's files were kept by the Metropolitan Senior Federation's first staff director, Peter T. Wyckoff, who was instrumental in organizing both the regional federation and the statewide federation and served as director of both groups (1978-1980). While the director's files provide information on some of the Federation's earliest legislative efforts, provider negotiations, and projects, the general files provide later and fuller coverage of both committees and topical issues. Information referenced with the director's files may also be found within the general files and vice versa.
Location
143.J.10.2FAd Book Committee, 1981-1983.
Ad Books, 1982-1983.
Includes Metropolitan Senior Federation '82 Yellow Pages, Metropolitan Senior Federation '83 Yellow Pages.
Anniversary Committee, 1982-1983.
Area Vice Presidents, 1989.
Articles of Incorporation, 1973, 1981.
Audits, 1983-1989.
Auto Insurance, 1984-1986.
Cable T.V. Committee, 1981-1982.
Canadian Health Care Information, 1990.
Center for Career Change:
Advisory Board, 1984-1989. 7 folders.
Correspondence, 1984-1989. 6 folders.
Mott Foundation, 1985-1989.
Workshops, Seminars, and Work Program, 1984-1989. 5 folders.
Central Minnesota Senior Federation, 1977-1984.
Location
143.J.10.3BConvention, 1973, 1975, 1977-1980, 1982-1984, 1986-1987, 1989. 11 folders.
Cooperating Bank Program, 1985.
Correspondence:
General, 1984, 1987-1989. 3 folders.
Associate Executive Director, Linda L. Stratton, 1985-1987.
President, Andy Jones, 1979.
President, Bernard M. Skrebes, 1981-1984.
President, Carl E. Carlson, 1984-1987.
Delegate Assembly, 1973-1989. 14 folders.
Delegate Assembly Informer newsletter, 1984-1989.
Location
143.J.10.4FDental Care, 1974-1977.
Dental Committee, 1983-1984.
Drug Survey, 1986.
Energy/Utilities Committee, 1981-1983, 1985-1989. 4 folders.
Executive Board, 1982-1989. 7 folders.
Federal Income Tax Exemptions, 1981-1984.
Festival, 1974-1976, 1987-1988. 2 folders.
Finance Committee, 1982-1984, 1986-1989. 7 folders.
Financial Development Committee, 1987-1989. 4 folders.
Financial Planning Committee, 1982-1983, 1986-1989. 5 folders.
Location
143.J.10.5BFund Raising Committee, 1986-1987. 3 folders.
Health Benefits Committee, 1986-1987.
Health Care Council, 1984-1987.
Health Plan Committee, 1986-1987.
Health Plan Information Center, 1983, 1986-1987, 1989. 6 folders.
Hearing Committee, 1973-1974, 1977-1979, 1982-1983. 2 folders.
HMO Committee, 1983-1984.
Home Equity Conversion Committee:
Committee, 1984-1985, 1988. 2 folders.
Home Equity Conversion Proposal, 1984.
Homeowners Insurance: Group Property Underwriters, 1987.
Hospitals, 1982-1983. 2 folders.
Industrial Areas Foundation, 1972.
The Insider newsletter, 1981-1984.
Insurance Committee, 1981-1986. 2 folders.
Iron Range Senior Federation, 1975-1979.
Issues/Resolutions Committee, 1973-1975, 1977-1979, 1981-1983, 1986-1988. 7 folders.
Leadership Retreat, 1986.
Legal Committee, legal aid service:
Committee Files, 1981, 1985-1989. 4 folders.
Participating Attorney Agreements, 1981, 1988-1989. 2 folders.
Legislative Alert, 1986-1989. 3 folders.
Location
143.J.10.6FLegislative Committee, legislative advocacy, 1973-1974, 1982-1983, 1986. 3 folders.
Living Will, 1987-1989.
Long Range Plan, 1989.
Long Term Care Committee, 1982-1984, 1986-1989. 6 folders.
Management Meetings, 1987-1989. 5 folders.
Marketing, 1981-1985. 2 folders.
Medcenters Health Plan, 1982-1985.
Medicare Campaign Committee, 1984.
Medico Life Insurance Company, 1987-1989.
Membership, 1981-1983.
Membership Committee, 1984-1989. 5 folders.
Membership:
Affiliated Club Handbooks, 1984-1989.
Senior Clubs, 1981-1989. 4 folders.
Location
143.J.10.7BSenior Clubs Membership Forms, 1979-1980, 1984-1985. 8 folders.
Minnesota National Health Care Coalition:
Coalition Files, 1986-1988.
Long Term Care Campaign, 1989.
Member Organization Forms, 1987-1988. 2 folders.
Minnesota Senior Federation, 1977-1978, 1984-1989. 13 folders.
National Council of Senior Citizens, 1981-1989.
National Issues Task Force/Committee, 1981-1989. 5 folders.
Location
143.J.10.8FNicollet/Eitel Health Plan, 1982-1983.
Nominating Committee, 1987-1989. 2 folders.
Nursing Home Task Force:
Task Force Files, 1976-1981.
Legislative Proposals, 1975-1976.
NWNL Insurance Plans, 1989.
Paul Burke & Associates, Inc., 1981-1983.
Medicare Supplement Program, 1984-1986.
Personnel Committee, 1979-1989. 6 folders.
Physician's Health Plan, 1981-1984.
Pre-Retirement Committee, 1982-1985. 4 folders.
Preferred Provider Organization Committee, 1982-1985. 3 folders.
Press Releases, 1985-1989.
Productivity Plus, 1989.
Proposals, 1982-1990. 8 folders.
Location
143.J.10.9BPublic Relations Committee, 1985-1987.
Public Speaking Committee, 1983-1986.
Publications Board, 1985-1989. 5 folders.
Rosters: Officers and Committees, 1982-1989.
Senior Aides, 1984-1987.
Senior Center Staff, 1986-1987.
Senior Housing, Inc., 1983-1989. 6 folders.
Senior Options, 1986-1989. 4 folders.
Service Brochure and Directory, 1982-1983, 1984-1985. 2 folders.
Share-A-Home, 1986-1987.
Significant Developments newsletter, 1988-1989. 2 folders.
Social Security Subcommittee, 1982-1983.
South Central Minnesota Senior Federation, 1979.
SSI Aware [Supplemental Security Income], 1987-1989.
Steering Committee, 1982-1989. 8 folders.
Tax Committee, 1984-1988.
Telephone Rate Case, 1983-1984.
Transportation Committee, 1983-1989. 2 folders.
Travel Committee, 1986-1988. 3 folders.
Location
143.J.10.10FVision Committee, 1984.
Volunteers, 1981-1982.

Expand/CollapseDirector's Files

Location
143.J.10.10FCentral Senior Federation, 1974-1978.
Comprehensive Senior Health Program, 1985-1988.
Convention, 1973-1975, 1979. 4 folders.
Dental Survey, 1978.
Doctors' Costs, 1973.
Drug Costs, 1973-1977.
Drug Survey, 1973-1975. 4 folders.
Health Insurance, 1972-1973.
Health watch, 1987.
Home Maintenance, 1973-1977.
Insurance Committee, 1981-1986. 2 folders.
Iron Range Senior Federation, 1974-1976.
Metropolitan Senior Federation [Greater Metropolitan Federation]:
Federation Files, 1970-1976. 2 folders.
Recruitment Lists, 1972-1975.
Ministry Project, 1973.
Minnegasco, 1974.
Minnesota Association of Seniors, 1973-1974.
Minnesota Senior Caucus, 1975-1976.
Minnesota Senior Federation, 1984-1990. 7 folders.
Nursing Homes/Aide to Spouse, 1978-1983. 2 folders.
Location
143.J.11.1BOperational Plans (Weekly Task Lists), 1972-1975.
Preferred Provider Organization, 1982-1983, 1986. 2 folders.
Proposals, 1973-1978.
Samaritan Hospital Health Plan, 1972, 1974-1975, 1978.
Senior Citizens Coalition of St. Paul, 1971-1975.
Senior Health Plan, 1983-1984, 1986, 1988. 2 folders.
Senior Organizations, 1972-1974.
Seven County Senior Federation, 1974-1976.
Social Security Injustices Rally, 1974.
State Plan, 1973-1975.
Treasurer's Reports, 1973-1976.
VISTAS, 1977-1980.

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Expand/CollapseACCESSION 16,599 (RECEIVED 2009)

Location
129.J.10.4FHistory, circa 1985-2000.
News clippings, 1999-2003. 16 folders.
Organized by region.
Location
129.J.10.5BNews clippings, 1999-2001. 4 folders.
Organized by region.
Charters, certificates and proclamations, 1975-2003.
Minnesota Senior Federation:
Constitution and bylaws, undated and 1976-1985. 2 folders.
Minutes, agendas and financial records, 1977-1985. 3 folders.
Financial statements, 1991-2007. 12 folders.
Location
129.J.10.6FFinancial statements, 2000-2007. 4 folders.
Board of Directors and committee minutes, reports and correspondence, 1989-2008. 33 folders.
Arranged chronologically.
Location
129.J.10.7BAnnual reports, 1986-1993. 3 folders.
Leadership handbooks, 2000-2001. 2 folders.
Metropolitan region:
Minutes, agendas and financial records, 1973-2005. 17 folders.
Location
129.J.10.8FFinancial records, 1986, 2000-2004.
Annual reports, 1992-1995.
Budget, 1993-1996, 2001.
Attachments.
Case and mission statements.
Mission statements and program summary.
Fund development and strategic plans.
1997 Administrative files:
Annual report.
Area Vice Presidents [AVPs].
Boat trips.
Board of Directors.
Board retreat.
Boss.
Convention.
Delegate Assembly.
D.A. Informer.
Energy/Utility Committee.
Finance Committee.
Financial development.
Fund-raising, direct mail.
General correspondence.
Health, Kelli Jo.
Health Act/Single Payer.
Location
129.J.10.9BIncome/Security/Tax Committee.
Issues Coordinating Council.
Long Term Care [LTC].
Membership Committee.
Membership Coordinating Council.
Nominating Committee.
Prescription drug.
Program book.
Program Coordinating Council.
Significant development.
Tim Penny complaint.
Director's files:
Americans for Generational Equity [AGE].
Center for Career Change, 1989.
Doctor's Costs Steering Committee mailing lists.
Drug survey, 1976.
Festival, 1979, 1990. 2 folders.
Finance Committee, 1975.
Health Insurance, 1978.
Hearing Committee, 1978.
H.M.O., Medical Center Health Plan [MCHP].
Industrial Areas Foundation.
Insurance Committee records.
Insurance policies.
Medicine Shoppe.
Minneapolis Foundation, 1978.
Ordean Foundation.
Location
129.J.10.10FPreferred Provider Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Senior housing records.
Travel, 1977.
State plan SE.
Telephone rates.
Director's files by region:
Duluth Senior Citizen Coalition.
Duluth state plan.
Minnesota Valley Senior Federation.
South East Minnesota Senior Citizen's Organization [SEMSCO].
Seven County Senior Federation.
West Central Senior Federation.
Annual conventions, 1973-1980. 6 folders.
Location
129.J.11.1BAnnual conventions, 1976-2005. 4 folders.
Leadership handbooks, 2002-2007. 5 folders.
Grants.
Reorganization: Metro dues.
Job postings.
Federation Pharmacy Services, Inc. 1977-1985. 5 folders.
Minutes and financial statements.
Senior Federation Services, 1977-1980. 2 folders.
Minutes and financial statements.
Senior Housing Inc., 1978-1988, 1990, 1993. 4 folders.
Minutes and financial records.
Location
129.J.11.2FTax Sheltered Annuity:
Regional criteria, 1992-1994.
Regional federation disputes.
AIG insurance.
Metro Senior Federation.
Multi-regional information, 3 folders.
Regional files:
Central Senior Federation.
Iron Range.
Metro Senior Federation.
Midwest.
Minnesota Valley.
North East.
North Star.
Location
129.J.11.3BNorth West.
Northern Lakes (Heartland).
Seven County.
South Central.
South East [SEMSCO].
South West.
State Annual Conventions, 1973-2008. 11 folders.
Location
129.J.11.4FReorganization:
1977-2002. 8 folders.
Development plans, 1989-1999.
Long range plan, 1989. 2 folders.
Leadership retreats.
Leadership development.
Futures report, 1999.
Training documents.
Staffing, 1996-1997.
Strategic planning, 2001.
Affiliated groups.
Energy assistance.
National Coalition of Consumer Organizations on Aging [NCCO].
Issues Coordinating Council.
Attract young people.
Public Relations Committee.
History: 2000 reorganization.
Reorganization information.
Transition team.
MNSF general information.
Organizational chart.
Organizational history articles.
Early program description.
Bylaws.
Board of Directors, 2003-2008.
Executive Committee, 2003-2006. 2 folders.
Membership Committee, 2005.
2008 programs.
Delegate Assembly, 2003-2006.
Christian Sharing Fund, 1975-1977.
Ten year MSF officers.
Location
129.J.11.5BMNSF presentations, 2007.
Policies.
Senior citizen organizations and the federation.
Work plans, 1987-1993. 2 folders.
Goals and objectives work plan, 1989.
MNSF significant developments.
Metro region. 2 folders.
Metro and fed goals, 1980.
State and metro conflict, 2000.
Advisory council, 2008.
Transition, 2002.
Housing programs:
Affordable housing funding.
Affordable housing committee meeting agendas, 1998-2004. 13 folders.
Training manuals, 2002-2003. 2 folders.
Preservation project, 2002-2004. 2 folders.
Location
129.J.11.6FSenior housing history, 1972-1987.
Housing campaigns in St. Paul, 1999-2002. 5 folders.
County level housing campaigns, 2000-2004. 4 folders.
State-wide housing campaigns, 2001-2003. 3 folders.
National housing campaigns, 2002-2003. 3 folders.
Housing Minnesota, 1999-2003. 8 folders.
Organizing, 3 folders.
Minneapolis affordable housing trust fund, 2001-2003. 10 folders.
Tenant rights and responsibilities reference, 10 folders.
Policy work.
Housing grant proposals, 1999-2000. 2 folders.
West Hennepin chapter housing fair, 2002. 2 folders.
Presentations, 2002. 7 folders.
Housing, 3 folders.
Don't borrow trouble, 2 folders.
Location
129.J.11.7BHealth programs:
Annual reports, 1989-1992. 2 folders.
MNSF health program, 1987.
Minnesota national health care.
Group Health, 1990-1994. 8 folders.
Seniors Plus, 1980s.
Medico lawsuit. 1987.
Audio. 1996.
Chiropractic program.
University hospital.
Dental plan.
Dental program, 3 folders.
Durable supplies.
Fliers and mailings.
HPIC and SPC information, 2000.
Health care research.
Home care contracts.
Home health care.
Kimberly Home Health Care Inc., 1984.
Optometric program, 2 folders.
Podiatric association.
Transit.
Senior Partners Care [SPC]:
Mission statement.
History.
Ramsey history.
Testimonials.
Literature history.
Location
129.J.11.8FMinutes and reports, 1989-2002.
Training manuals, undated and 1989-1991.
Minnesota Hospital Association presentation, 1999.
procedures.
Brochures.
1998.
Booth letter and memo.
Medicare assignment, task force, 1988.
Expansion, 1988-1990.
SPC/Minnesota Medical Association [MMA], 1988.
Project, 1988-1989.
Speakers, 1997.
Program. 2 folders.
New programs.
Hmong.
State staff, 1997.
Agreements. 5 folders.
Old SPC.
Health Care Choices [HCC], 4 folders.
Health Plan Information Center [HPIC]:
Reports, 1985-1991.
Program, 2008.
HMO guide, 1991-1995.
HMO meetings, 1987-1988, 2008.
Federal funding and insurance counseling, 1990-1993.
Prescription drugs:
History, undated and 1995-2001. 4 folders.
Bus trips, 1995-2001.
Federation Importation Oversight Committee [FIOC], 2003-2004.
Rx meetings, 1999-2000.
Lawsuit against Rx companies, 1999.
Location
129.J.11.9BRx rally, 2000.
Rx Drug Action Committee, 2000-2003. 2 folders.
Rx Express manual, 2002.
Canadian prescription drug program, 2002.
Canadian Rx articles and research, 2004.
Rx research. 2 folders.
Prescription drugs, 8 folders.
Rx drug campaign key legislators, 2001.
Minnesota legislature drug bills, 2000.
Drug importation, 6 folders.
Workshop, 1999-2000.
State campaign, 1999-2001. 2 folders.
Winnipeg trip, 2000.
Rebates and price disclosures, 1998.
Generic substitutions, 1998.
Rx formulary.
Testimonials.
Seizures, 2006.
Election issues, 2000.
Multi-state contracting pharmacy concerns, 1997-1999.
National Council of Senior Citizens, 2000-2001.
Dayton Rx information, 2001.
Canada re-importation, 2001.
Expansion, 2005.
Prescription legislation, 1995-2003.
Senior day at the capitol, 2003.
Legislative letters, 2000.
Lawsuits, 2000-2004.
Medicare drug discount outreach program, 2004-2005.
Medicare primer, 2000.
Medicare ads, 2004.
Best buy drug program, 2007-2008. 2 folders.
Location
129.J.11.10FBest buy drug program, 2006.
Medicare Justice Coalition, 1999-2006. 24 folders.
Location
129.J.12.1BFinancial counselling program, 1995-2001.
Job search assistance program, 1984. 2 folders.
Social entrepreneur project, 1999.
Retirement planning program, 1999.
Legal referral program, 1994-2007. 5 folders.
Long Term Care Committee, 1990-1992.
Membership and Marketing Committee, 1989-2006. 5 folders.
Health Action Committee, 2005-2006.
Taxes Committee, 2005-2006. 2 folders.
Utility Action Committee, 2000-2006. 2 folders.
Events and meetings, 2003-2004. 3 folders.
Contacts from outreach efforts, 2000-2003. 4 folders.
Senior News:
History, 1992, 1994-1995, 1998.
Governance, 2006.
Major companies, 1996-1997.
Sales statistics and advertising, 1996.
1997-1999.
2000.
Minutes, 1998-2004. 7 folders.
Photographs, circa 1978.
Advertisements and press, undated.
Location
129.J.12.2FPamphlets and flyers, 6 folders.
Miscellaneous printed materials, 1986-2009. 5 folders.
Video, 1996.
[0.25 cubic feet empty, letter]
Location
129.H.19.1B-2Video cassettes [VHS]:
Rallies, training, Minnesota Senior Federation and other organizations.
1991-2004. 35 video cassettes.
Location
129.H.19.2F-1 2004-2005 and undated. 23 video cassettes.
[0.2 cubic feet empty]

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