The best place

Photo Credit: Diane Tran

"My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment."

-Oprah Winfrey

PARALLEL || POSTS

• In proportion
• To where
• Time well spent

February 8 Ashoka Twin Cities Solutions Forum

As part of the Change Your City initiative, Ashoka Twin Cities is highlighting another set of changemakers at the February 8 Solutions Forum. If you weren't able to attend the last forum or find the projects described below particularly compelling, read on for more details about the event and registration. To get a better sense of how the Twin Cities is already a hub for for social solutions, learn more about Minnesota's own Fellows on the Ashoka Twin Cities website!

You're invited to an inspiring evening of learning, sharing, and creative thinking around new solutions to advance lasting social change:

Ashoka Twin Cities Solutions Forum
Live Interview with Ashoka Fellows
Conchy Bretos & Felipe Vergara

Join leaders from the private and citizen sectors of the Twin Cities for a one-hour live interview, conducted by media personality Rick Kupchella, with Ashoka Fellows Conchy Bretos and Felipe Vergara. The event is free and will be held at the Walker Art Center on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 7 p.m., with a reception to follow. Doors will open at 6:30p.m.

• Conchy Bretos developed MIA Consulting, an initiative for more autonomous elderly care, working with policy and public housing buildings so low-income and disabled elderly won’t be forced into nursing homes against their will.
  
  
• Recognizing the need for an efficient system to finance higher education, Felipe Vergara created Lumni and is introducing human capital contracts—a new set of financial products—to draw private capital toward the high education sector.

Ashoka is the global association of the world's leading social entrepreneurs - men and women with system-changing solutions for the world's most urgent social problems. In the Twin Cities, Ashoka is creating a model chapter that engages business entrepreneurs in social innovation, inspires the public to be active changemakers, and positions the Twin Cities as a hub for social solutions.

The Solutions Forum is co-sponsored by InCommons, The John S. & James L. Knight Foundation, and Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP.

Minnesota African American Heritage 2011 Calendar Unveiling

We know that knowledge of the existence of a civic tradition helps to foster civic engagement, so I love the idea of the Minnesota African American Heritage Calendar, which helps to annually tell the story of 12 outstanding individual citizens and demonstrates the value and honor we rightly bestow upon those who take action to better our communities. The 2011 edition is now for sale and you can find information below on how to order the calendar. The public is also invited to an Unveiling Ceremony slated for this weekend in St. Paul and encouraged to attend to congratulate and show support for the 2011 honorees!

Unveiling Ceremony for the Minnesota African American Heritage Calendar 2011

Saturday, January 29, 2011 7pm -8:30 pm
Progressive Family Life Center
1505 Burns Ave in St. Paul, MN
Admission: $10 (includes 1 calendar). Children 12 and under free.

Can't attend the ceremony? You can get your calendar now! The 2011 Minnesota African American Heritage Calendar is now available for only $10. For the 5th year, it showcases the accomplishments of the following African Americans with roots in Minnesota. The 2011 Class of Honorees are:

• W. Toni Carter
• Bobby Joe Champion
• Timothy T. Childs
• Christopher E. Crutchfield
• Nathaniel Khaliq and Victoria Davis
• Lee Gatlin
• Robin P. Hickman
• Kimberly Price
• Rudy Rousseau+ The Steeles
• Deborah Watts
• Robert Williams

The 2011 calendar features these twelve accomplished honorees, each with a unique story to tell. This collaboration supports the nurturing, education and development of our children, youth and families. This calendar presents a richness and texture to the history of African-Americans to fill the gaps in history books. Hopefully, these exceptional individuals will inspire all youth in Minnesota and beyond.

The 2011 Minnesota African-American Heritage Calendar will support the purpose and vision to celebrate our heritage and to inspire the human spirit. For further information or to order the calendar, please contact Kim White at 651-263-5769 Wh6k@aol.com, Pat Evans at PDEvans@aol.com, or the Progressive Family Life Center @ 651-774-5503.

Accepting Applications: 2011 Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP) Fellowship

A proud alumna of the Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP), I want to urge eligible students to apply for this fantastic fellowship opportunity by the February 1, 2011 deadline. The IIPP program is especially effective due to its thoughtful and comprehensive curriculum, the network of high-profile staff and successful Fellows, and their world-changing work cultivating a more insightful, competent, and diverse group of U.S. professionals working in international affairs. See below for program details and to see if it may be a fit for you or someone you know!

Institute for International Public Policy Student Fellowship Program

The UNCF Special Programs Corporation’s Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP) Fellowship Program is now entering its 17th year. The Institute seeks to enhance U.S. national security and global competitiveness by promoting excellence, international service, and awareness among a representative cross-section of the American citizenry. IIPP also seeks to broaden access to international education and training opportunities for underrepresented minority college students.

Fellowship Components:

• Sophomore Summer Policy Institute
• Junior Year Study Abroad
• Junior Summer Policy Institute
• Summer Language Institute
• International Internship
• Internationally Focused Advanced Degree Program
• Wraparound Student Services (academic, study abroad, and career advising)

Eligibility Requirements - We welcome applications from undergraduate sophomores who:

• Are enrolled full-time at an accredited, four–year baccalaureate-granting institution.
• Are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents (documentary support required).
• Will remain enrolled at their undergraduate institution for two years following their acceptance to the Fellowship.
• Have a minimum 3.2 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).
• Have a strong demonstrated interest in international affairs.
• Are an underrepresented minority (African American, Hispanic/Latino American, Asian American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander).
• Plan to seek admission to an internationally focused advanced degree program.

Students from Minority Serving Institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Other Minority Serving Institutions (OMIs) are particularly encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline: February 1, 2011

YNPN-TC Nonprofit EDGE Series: Getting in the Door and Getting the Job

YNPN-TC is kicking off 2011 with a Speed Networking event at Mai Village tomorrow night! No RSVP is required, but it's anticipated there'll be great turnout, so bring your business cards and get ready to get to know some stellar folks! For those who need more advance notice about opportunities for advancing your career and networking skills, take a gander at the next Nonprofit EDGE series event details below!

Getting in the Door and Getting the Job: February 15, 5:30 - 7:00 PM at Goodwill Easters Seals headquarters, 553 Fairview Ave. N.

Part of YNPN-TC's Nonprofit EDGE series for job seekers, this hands-on workshop will give attendees the opportunity to speak with hiring managers at local nonprofits and get advice on the process of getting a job. Email in your resume beforehand to get specific advice tailored to you!

Get all the details and register online at http://ynpngettinginthedoor.eventbrite.com/

Registration is required and space is limited so don't delay!

In proportion

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."

-Anais Nin

PARALLEL || POSTS

• To where
• Time well spent
• Daily resolution

From LEAD with Love: A Benefit for Children's HeartLink

The LEAD Project has just announced its first charitable event of 2011, entitled, "From LEAD with Love: A Benefit for Children's HeartLink." Not only can your Valentine's Day weekend plans include great food and an open bar, your dollars can show some love for Children's HeartLink, too! The event flyer follows and you can learn more and purchase tickets for the formal event on the LEAD Project website.

The LEAD Project is excited to announce its first charitable event of 2011!

All event proceeds will benefit Children's HeartLink, an organization working in partnership with health care centers in underserved regions of the world to promote sustainable cardiac care for children with congenital or acquired heart disease.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the LEAD Project website.

Celebration 31: Minnesota Women's Consortium "Honoring Women's Dreams"

The Minnesota Women's Consortium celebrates 31 years this January! Join the celebration, and help us to honor the member groups being awarded for exceptional achievement in honoring women's dreams. Learn more about the five dreams below in the equali-tree, register to attend with a friend or two or a table full, and get ready to celebrate all the good work being done!

PROGRAM 6:00 Cash bar & mingling Dia Satori will autograph copies of C Sweets: Desserts from the Executive Suite, Dessert recipes and stories from 50 women leaders. $5 from each purchase will be donated to the Minnesota Women's Consortium. 6:40 Dinner - Choose from two delicious entree options, and sample C Sweets. 7:15 Honors - Mistress of Ceremonies Cathy Wurzer, host of MPR's Morning Edition, TPT's Almanac, and producer of Tales of the Road - Highway 61. Exceptional Achievement in Honoring Women's Dreams Equal Place at the Table Honoree: Center on Women & Public Policy, University of Minnesota - Debra Fitzpatrick Woman-Centered Health Care Honoree: Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota - Sarah Stoesz Self-Determination Honoree: Hnub Tshiab, Hmong Women Achieving Together - Nou Yang Peace and Safety Honoree: Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center - Suzanne Koepplinger Economic Justice Honoree: Life-Work Planning Center (Mankato) - Jean Willaert 8:30 Adjourn SENECA FALLS SOCIETY Abigail Adams Nina and Ken Rothchild Lucretia Mott Sally Jorgensen Katherine Austin Mahle Susan B. Anthony Joyce S. Prudden YWCA of Minneapolis Sojourner Truth Jessica Trites Rolle Rosalie Wahl Ida Wells Barnett Kathy Ahrens Carol Freeman SENECA FALLS SOCIETY/ Clara Ueland Jan Jordet Connie Barry **** Sharon Bigot Sally Pillsbury Marilyn T. Bryant **** Lyn Burton Mary Jo Skaggs Ralph Ebbott **** Kay Erickson Patty Tanji Billie Franey **** Shelly Franz Lauren Weck Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner Western Bank Rhoda Gilman **** Grace Harkness Meredith Hart **** Ruth Hayden MORE Seneca Falls/ Clara Ueland Joan Higinbotham **** Karen Howell **** Teresa Hudoba Lorraine Kemmer **** Lurline Baker Kent **** Karen and Dave Kirkwood Mary Louise Klas **** Tom Knabel and Kent Allin, UTS Perrin Lilly **** Becky Lourey **** Peggy Lucas Ann Newhall **** Mary Nuebel **** Marilyn Raplinger Nancy Rustad **** Ellen Sampson **** Heidi Stennes Emily Anne Tuttle **** Clara Ueland **** Susan Vento Bonnie Watkins and John Zakelj **** Lynelle Wood **** Ann Wynia Named Table Hosts Minnesota Nurses Association Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota Jessica Trites Rolle for Minnesota NOW St. Cloud State University Women's Center and Student Life & Development Sponsors Louis B. Asher * Wendy Amundson * Karen J. Anderson * Anonymous * Rachel Callanan * Margaret Clayton * Janet Conn * Judy Corrao * Lyn Crosby * Janet Dieterich * Dunnwald & Peterson, P.A. * Sara Evans * Mary H. Gates * Susan McCormick Hadley * Nancy Hite * Marge Hols * Lori Jacobwith * Rep. Phyllis Kahn * Marlene Kayser * Maureen Kucera-Walsh * Patricia W. Lancaster * Becky Montgomery, MN Women's Political Caucus * Shirley Nelson * Linda Ojala, Ojala Law Office * Jane Olsen * Senator Sandy Pappas * Connie Perpich * Jan Rabbers * Andrea F. Rubenstein * Carol Sheggeby * Laurie Simon * Nora Slawik * Rosemary Smithson for US Women Connect * Diane Tran in honor of Sara Renn * Kay Williams * Dede Wolfson * Women's Programs of Employment Action Center * Kate Wulf

Minnesota Valley Humane Society Liquidation Sale

The economic downturn has proven difficult for a wide range of nonprofit organizations, including those that serve animals. Sadly, the Minnesota Valley Humane Society is closing its doors this month, after 30 years of service to south metro area. In a challenging time for the organization and the animals and families it serves, please consider supporting their efforts to shut down with a balanced budget and to find their office equipment and items good homes.

Minnesota Valley Humane Society Liquidation Sale Dates & Times Friday, Jan. 21 from Noon to 8pm Saturday, Jan. 22 from 9am to 6pm Cash & Check ONLY! where: 1313 Highway 13 East Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 Everything Must Go!!! Office Furniture Office Supplies Electronics Pet Supplies Storage Supplies Cleaning Supplies Tools Garden Benches Clothing Refrigerator Freezers Washing Machines Dryer Van and much more... Minnesota Valley Humane Society 1313 Highway 13 East Burnsville, Minnesota 55337

Nicaragua en fotos

Nothing like a little selva and surf to boost up the Vitamin D counts during the long, dark Minnesota winter! Nicaragua's Ometepe Island, capital city Managua, and colonial town of Granada provided some gran vistas y memorias during my holiday break. See below for some of signs, squares, and sights encountered during the viaje!

Photo Credits: Jeff Bauer, Diane Tran

To where

"I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been."

-Wayne Gretzky

PARALLEL POSTS

• Time well spent
• Daily resolution
• The difference between theory and practice

Accepting Applications: Young Professionals of Twin Cities (YPOTC) Board

You know I can't resist those holiday letters, always so full of gratitude and acknowledgement, good cheer and festiveness, and optimism for what lies ahead! Check out this one from the officers of the Young Professionals of Twin Cities (YPOTC), established in 2007 to provide a place where young professionals can connect with other young professionals, to its ever-growing membership and learn below about two current openings for the board.

Dear Members,

It’s that time of year where we all take some time to reflect on the things that are most important to us and acknowledge everything we are thankful for. This year, we want to thank all of you for loyally attending our events. Because of you our organization has grown to almost 4,000 members. We realize the growing number of networking groups and events bombarding your calendars, so thank you for choosing to support the YPOTC. Our goal is to provide you with a safe, professional and fun environment to meet other young professionals in the Twin Cities area. To ensure that we’re providing you with the most valuable experience possible, we’re coming up with new opportunities and seeking out new partners to work with. We also value membership feedback and ideas, and welcome you to share them with us.

On behalf of the YPOTC board, we want to thank our Sponsors for promoting the YPOTC and for so generously donating the wonderful food for our events. We also want to thank the United States Marines for so graciously coming out on this chilly night to support our Toys for Tots drive. Words cannot express our appreciation for all you do for our country! We also want to acknowledge Farzad and the staff at The View for being such gracious hosts to our monthly happy hour events. Your generosity and flexibility are very much appreciated and we look forward to many more events with you. Thank you again for making 2010 a wonderful year, we look forward to the endless opportunities 2011 has in store. Happy Holidays and Happy New Years!

Your 2010 YPOTC Board

YPOTC News & Announcements! YPOTC is looking to fill two board positions.

VP of Sponsorship

Mission: Bring value to YPOTC members’ professional lives by coordinating sponsorship for social and educational events.

Job Description: Prospects for and creates sponsorship opportunities for the YPOTC organization. In this role, you will be responsible for seeking out and securing sponsors for our various events. This includes but is not limited to food/drink sponsorship at the second Tuesday happy hours, possible venue sponsorships for the educational events and general YPOTC sponsorship funding. Coordinates event sponsorship with Social Events chair and Educational chair. This role will be responsible for all communications between sponsors and board.

Requirements:

• High level of professionalism
• Ability to effectively communicate via email and phone
• Self starter with the ability to maximize networking skills
• Must be organized
• Able to attend one board meeting and one event per month and one education and community event annually
• Use YPOTC’s name and your affiliation in good faith
• Able to form a committee
• Have fun with it

VP of Business Affairs

Position Responsibilities:

1. Work with members to create all standard templates (meeting minutes, sign in sheet, Sponsorship Info, etc.)
2. Summarize meeting minutes and email to board members in addition to saving in the shared folder.
3. Manage Shared Folder
4. Manage Bank account and sponsorship dollars
5. Explore the possibility of becoming a 501c3

Interested applicants should email their resume to Alanna Spotts at amkpeer@yahoo.com by 12pm, January 18th. Please include which position you're applying for and a summary of why you think you're a good fit for the role. The top three candidates will be required to interview with the board the evening of 1/25/10. Candidates will be notified of the decision by 1/28/11.

A Day On: AmeriCorps/ICC MLK Jr. Day of Service Activities

I received an update about some exciting MLK Day Service and Celebration activities next week from Alana Stimes, Communications Chair for the InterCorps Council (ICC) of Minnesota. The vision for the ICC is to promote engagement, communication, collaboration, and education to empower AmeriCorps and the Minnesota community. See their press release below for just how they're realizing their vision next Monday and come out to their post-MLK Jr. Day Happy Hour at Merlin's Rest afterward!

AmeriCorps service members will host community service projects on Monday, January 17, 2011 in honor of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King. Service projects have been organized across the state by the InterCorps Council of Minnesota as part of the MLK Day of Service.

AmeriCorps and other community members will “Make it a day on, not a day off,” by volunteering all across the state, in the Twin Cities metro area as well as St. Cloud, Duluth, Moorhead, and Crookston. AmeriCorps is a national service that engages over 1,400 individuals in service to Minnesota communities. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?' AmeriCorps members and community members volunteering on Monday will answer that question in full force. For more information on the InterCorps Council of Minnesota and this service project, please visit http://sites.google.com/site/iccminnesota/ or call 612-366-8474.

For more information on AmeriCorps members in Minnesota, please visitwww.serveminnesota.org or call 612-366-8474.

 

Post-MLK Jr. Day Happy Hour at Merlin's Rest

Please come join members of the ICC for a Post-MLK Day Happy Hour and hang out time at Merlin’s Rest Pub from 5-7 on Monday, January 17th. All ages are welcome with drink specials for those over 21. After 7pm feel free to stay for Merlin’s Rest Pub’s “Shanty Pub Singers.” This is great opportunity to meet members of AmeriCorps and learn about their service experiences for MLK Day. For directions or just to check out the venue follow the link below: http://merlinsrest.com/.

Netroots Nation: Minnesota!

I'm honored to have been invited to speak at the second iteration of the Netroots Nation: Minnesota conference this Saturday, January 15 in St. Paul. While my panel from 2:10pm-3:00pm will focus on connecting blogs and organizations, the remainder of the event includes a full day of trainings, panels, and plenty of opportunities to learn, re-charge, socialize, and strategize with other changemakers. The full Netroots Minnesota agenda hasn't been set, but you can check out some of what's taking shape here, and if you like what you see, click here to save your spot today!

You're Invited: January 15 Minnesota Rising 2011 Strategy Session

Happy New Year, folks! Hope you're enjoying the start of 2011! As most of you are aware, the Un/Conference Follow-Up strategy session scheduled for last month was canceled due to one of the largest snowstorms to hit Minnesota since the 1991 Halloween blizzard. Now that the streets are a bit more navigable and it's time to set New Year's Resolutions, let's go ahead and get together to focus on what a difference this year can make!

15 January 2011 Minnesota Rising Strategy Session

Please RSVP for this weekend's brainstorming and strategy session to minnesotarising@gmail.com. We hope to see you and your great ideas there!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

10:30AM - 12:30PM

Minneapolis Central Library

300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 55401

Room N-202, Mark E. Johnson Conference Room

Time well spent

"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe."

-Abraham Lincoln

PARALLEL POSTS

• Daily resolution
• The difference between theory and practice
• The gift is nothing without the work.

Accepting Applications: Powered by Engine

One of the best things about the holidays is the exchange of greeting cards, update letters, and yes, mass texts, that remind of you of all the people who have touched your life and whose lives you have touched. Minnesota Rising received a New Year's communique from Jim Delaney at Engine, which provides a revolutionary way for talented professionals and nonprofits to work together, sharing that they are seeking highly-skilled volunteers for 6 exciting projects they'll be embarking upon at the start of 2011. See below for the note and spread the good word about one of the ways to make 2011 one of the best yet!

Hi friends –

These days, people keep talking about “the new normal” in many walks of life. While Engine is new, I don’t think we can be considered normal quite yet. We offer a new way to engage in community activity, spend volunteer time and engage with talented peers. I recently got this testimonial from a participant on an Engine project:

“This project provided me with a unique opportunity to use my professional skills in a new and exciting way. Partnered with extremely talented professionals from all over the Twin Cities, I left our meetings energized, engaged and extremely motivated to do more. It is truly an amazing feeling to leverage your professional skills in a way that furthers the cause of a nonprofit organization and inspiring to meet so many other people that share your passion.”

We are currently seeking several more highly-skilled people to engage in important community activity in a new and compelling way. We look for people who want to:

• Develop their leadership and professional skills
• Build or enhance their network of highly-capable peers
• Engage in high-impact capacity-building for nonprofits

Specific skills are not required, but backgrounds in marketing, sales, Six Sigma, HR, accounting, consulting, finance or general management are all a plus. We also have an IT reporting project.

List of upcoming Engine projects - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TRMPJ9B
Participant application – http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GM2RR7S

Please apply or pass this on to friends or colleagues who want a unique and engaging experience.

One last thing – we just moved into our new office at 91 S 10th street (right near The Local) – keep an eye out for upcoming events!

Thanks, and Happy New Year!
Jim Delaney

Principal – Engine for Social Innovation

Visit www.PoweredByEngine.com

Guest Blog: Sarah Young + Rock Your Block

Sarah Young graduated from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management with a Marketing major and Coaching minor. It was during her undergraduate career that she got involved in the entrepreneurial community in the Twin Cities. She made a splash at last September’s Startup Weekend, pitching her idea for Rock Your Block for the very first time, and being named one of the winners of the weekend! Sarah serves on the boards of Project Skyway and BizLounge, organizations that support entrepreneurs in Minnesota. To support herself and her business through this start-up phase, Sarah works part-time consulting for local technology companies and also coaches high school pole vault in the spring. She also helps a local entrepreneur with facilitating team-building cooking events through his company, TasteSuccess. Learn more about Sarah and Rock Your Block in her guest blog post below!

Inspiration and Overview

Rock Your Block is a safe and secure application that helps teens find ways to make money by connecting with adults in their neighborhood community. My inspiration for creating Rock Your Block is most appropriately credited to my work ambition as a young child and teenager. From about the age of 9, I would walk around the neighborhood with my dog with the hope that I would run into other dog-owners so I could hand them a business card and pitch my dog-walking and pet-sitting services. The dog-walking evolved into other types of odd jobs, such as taking care of pets, babysitting, bringing in mail and watering plants. Whatever odd job was available, I would do it.

As someone who grew up with the evolution of the Internet, I quickly became intrigued by the idea that professionals could find jobs through online services like LinkedIn and Monster.com. Then I started to wonder why there was never a service like this that targeted teens and youth looking for odd jobs. After loads of research, I began to conceptualize the idea for providing a service that helped teens find quick and simple jobs from people online. I wanted to build something that would be safer than Craigslist and more targeted toward teenagers. Teens always love to discover new ways to make money and are paying for more things themselves these days. With a busy schedule around school, athletics, and extracurriculars, it is hard for teens today to commit to even part-time jobs. Rock Your Block is the perfect alternative solution.

Rock Your Block is built off of the idea that teens often find odd jobs from people they or their parents already know. To leverage this referral and word-of-mouth method, we are building the application through Facebook. According to Pew Research Center, over 90% of teens use the Internet. So why not help make this time more productive by providing them with jobs through an online application using the most popular social networking site?‬

Building Rock Your Block within Facebook allows people to connect with others around them and with people in their network. Nowadays, people tend to turn to the Internet when it comes to connecting with others first before connecting face-to-face. Rock Your Block helps push people to that first step in connecting with people.

My vision is to help teens and their families understand the value in learning life skills such as helping others in their community, managing money, and creating a positive reputation. By establishing partnerships with schools, churches, and other community organizations, I will be able to promote the benefit that Rock Your Block can provide to help engage members of all different types of communities.

Next steps

• A Beta-version of Rock Your Block will be available within the next few months. I am currently gathering volunteers to be the test group. This means these volunteers will get to be the first users of Rock Your Block for a free trial period.
• In order to find these potential users, I have been speaking with different high schools, community councils, community engagement organizations, and churches to gain feedback on how they would find value in Rock Your Block.

Recommended Reading: Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice

In preparation for a recent board of directors meeting, I was asked to review the Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice: A Guide for Charities and Foundations. In the spirit of New Year's Resolutions and a fresh start to making 2011 the best year yet, I'll share the brief description below and link to the guide. Happy reading, and even happier success in governance for the nonprofit you support!

Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice: A Guide for Charities and Foundations was released by the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector in October 2007. The Guide outlines 33 practices designed to support board members and staff leaders of every charitable organization as they work to improve their own operations. The Panel encourages these leaders to examine the Principles carefully and determine how best they should be applied to their own operations. The development of these Principles included comprehensive analysis of over 50 systems of self-regulation and best practices, two public comment periods, and the involvement of charities and foundations nationwide. The Panel on the Nonprofit Sector has been dedicated to finding ways to strengthen governance, transparency, and ethical standards within the charitable community since its creation in October 2004 at the encouragement of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.

Accepting Applications: Bush Fellowship Program

The Bush Foundation has selected some 2,200 Bush Fellows from Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota over the course of the last 45 years. In their latest efforts to focus on developing courageous leaders and vibrant communities, they have revamped the program slightly, but will continue to invest in the capacity of individuals in order to support the leadership needed to solve tough problems. Do you see a specific problem in your community? Are you a courageous leader? Do you think you could be part of making a change for the better? See additional details below and read more about the Bush Fellowship online. Applications will be accepted until February 25.

Bush Fellowship Program - Overview

In 1965, the Bush Foundation began investing in individuals through fellowships. The three programs that evolved had disparate goals, but shared one belief—investing in individual artists, physicians and “leaders” from a broad range of disciplines would create broad impact for the communities in which they lived and worked, as well as for their fields. For the last 45 years, nearly 2,200 “Bush Fellows” have lived up to this belief and have achieved more for their communities than we would have ever dreamed.

Inspired by the achievements of these Fellows, the Foundation will continue to invest in the capacity of individuals through the Bush Fellowship Program. While this fellowship program is informed by and replaces the three that went before it, the Bush Fellowship Program responds directly to the new challenges that face our communities.

About the Bush Fellowship Program

• Applicants self-determine the community and demonstrate their connection to it, the problem/issue they want to address, and their plan for building their leadership capacity to address it.
• The main requirement of the proposed learning plan is that it prepares the applicant to mobilize others in their identified community to find solutions to the identified problem/issue.
• Grants will be for a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $75,000. Funding will be paid out over two years.
• The Bush Foundation expects to have a long-term relationship with Bush Fellows. In addition to the two years of funding, fellows also commit to engage with the Foundation to advance its goal of building leadership capacity within its defined geographic region for two more years immediately following the end of their funding as part of the fellowship.
• Bush Fellows will not be required to take a leave of absence from their employment in order to pursue the fellowship.
• A Bush Fellowship cannot be combined with participation in the Native Nations Rebuilders Program.

Daily resolution

"I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me."

-Anaïs Nin

PARALLEL POSTS

• The difference between theory and practice
• The gift is nothing without the work.
• The feeling of being rained upon