Hello, Spring!
I’ve been feeling so re-energized by the beautiful weather we’ve been enjoying lately, and I hope you have too! With a new season comes fresh energy, exciting changes, and, understandably, some questions. I wanted to take a moment to address a few common ones I’ve heard recently—because if one person is wondering, chances are others are too.
Welcome Desk at the Main Building
If you’ve been to the Main Campus recently, you may have noticed our new Welcome Desk, installed in early March. This change came directly from member feedback during our Strategic Planning process. Many of you shared that it sometimes felt like staff was tucked away behind closed doors, making it harder to connect with the Membership team. We took that to heart and set out to create a more accessible and welcoming space. While we’re still fine-tuning a few details, we’re excited about how this change will help us better serve you!
Funding & Community Support
Like all nonprofits, Active Generations relies on a mix of funding sources to provide our programs and keep our mission strong. We receive support through federal, state, and local grants, Sioux Empire United Way, membership dues, and program fees. In addition, we’re fortunate to have incredible corporate and individual donors who make enhancements like the ones you’re seeing possible.
For example:
- The new Welcome Desk was made possible thanks to support from Sammons Financial.
- A golf simulator, coming soon as a fun new programming option, was funded by Scheels and Sanford Health.
- The upcoming Library Renovation & Technology Upgrade is supported by a grant from the Bob and Rita Elmen Family Foundation.
These partnerships allow us to keep membership fees as low as possible while still making improvements that enhance your experience. We’re also working hard to bring back programs that were paused during the pandemic and to explore new opportunities based on your feedback.
Like many of you, we are navigating rising costs, and we remain committed to finding ways to support our programs beyond membership dues. We’re grateful for the incredible support of our community and will continue seeking additional funding partners to bring even more requested enhancements to our buildings and programming.
Membership Updates
As mentioned in our last update, we are adjusting the membership structure to reflect what we’ve learned since the rollout in August 2023. We encourage you to attend a Member Listening Session or book an appointment with a Member Specialist to find the best membership option for you. We want to ensure you’re getting the most out of your experience with us!
New Programming Coming Your Way!
🌟 After-Hours Access Pilot Program – We’re excited to begin piloting after-hours access in April! If you’re interested in being part of this pilot, stop by the front desk at Main or East to learn more.
🎓 Augustana University LifeLong Learning Partnership – Dr. Lucas Hamilton kicks off his engaging, TED Talk-style in-person series in April. You can sign up for one session or all of them! These sessions will be offered at both campuses and are free for members.
🎉 Active Generations Expo – Based on your feedback, we’re expanding the Expo this year! Last year, we hosted an Expo at East Campus, and many of you requested one at Main as well. So this year, we’re holding an Expo at both Main and East—be sure to check the dates!
Thank you for being part of Active Generations. Your feedback, enthusiasm, and support keep us moving forward. We can’t wait to see you at these exciting new programs!
Betsy Schuster
Active Generations President & CEO
