Minnesota Rising featured in October 2011 Minnesota Business Magazine!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! In the midst of a busy fall, Minnesota Rising is ecstatic to have been featured in the October 2011 edition of the Minnesota Business Magazine, in an article (starting on page 26) by Maura Keller entitled, "The Great Generational Divide." Minnesota Rising leaders, Diane Tran and Nick Banovetz, are both quoted. See here for the story or get your own copy of the Minnesota Business Magazine today!

You're Invited: InCommons Collab-umentary Night!

I'm a fan of collaboration, documentaries, and made-up words. There's clearly no way I can resist attending next week's "Collab-umentary," hosted by InCommons. A night focused on storytelling, collaborative and technical skills-building, and sharing some wisdom, it's sure to be an evening of crowd-sourced fun! If you want to save yourself a spot, do so soon; registration closes on Thursday, December 1!

COLLAB-UMENTARY NIGHT A collaborative experience brought to you by InCommons, an initiative of the Bush Foundation The story of your work in communities is valuable - and we want to help you tell it through video. That's why we'd like to extend this special invitation to you to join us for the first-ever InCommons Collab-umentary Night. COLLAB-UMENTARY: OUR MADE-UP CONCEPT Never heard of a Collab-umentary? Not surprising, because we just made it up! It's not a technical workshop - instead, it's a blend of crowd-sourcing and video creation to tell the story about the change work happening in our communities.  It's an evening designed both for those of you who need help learning how to tell your story through video AND those of you who have some ideas to share - because InCommons is about people learning together and helping each other turn challenges into opportunities. Share a little wisdom, get a little wisdom, and maybe next time when InCommons holds another collaboration night, the roles will be reversed. WHAT THE EVENING WILL ENTAIL Time to meet and connect with other people like you making change in their communities A hands-on, collaborative video-making experience using participatory techniques (which means you will be getting up out of your chair and into all sorts of shenanigans) A tasty meal from Chow Girls Catering Surprise giveaways WHEN & WHERE You don't want to miss it, so grab whatever gizmo or back of an envelope that holds your calendar and mark this one down: Collab-umentary Night Monday, December 5 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Appetizers, dinner, and cash bar available CoCo Minneapolis 400 S. 4th St., 4th Floor Minneapolis, MN 55415 Please RSVP here by Thursday, December 1. But don't wait too long, space is limited! If you want to help make sure the right people are in the room, spread the word and invite other people who are working to make change in their communities and have a story to tell!

Washing the dishes

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

"There are two ways to wash the dishes. The first is to wash the dishes in order to have clean dishes and the second is to wash the dishes in order to wash the dishes."

-Thich Nhat Hahn

You're Invited: Minnesota Community Blueprint to Asian/American & Pacific Islander Health Equity: Today And Beyond

As we draw closer to the end of 2011, it's time to begin considering what might be or what might begin in 2012. The Minnesota Asian/American Health Coalition will be engaging community members in conversation next week about Minnesota's Community Blueprint to AAPI Health Equity. RSVP to learn about the situation today and to give your input as to how we can approach equity in 2012 and the future!

MA/AHC would like to invite you to join us for an engaging discussion on the MN Community Blueprint to Asian/American & Pacific Islander Health Equity. Please view invitation for more details.

Minnesota Community Blueprint to Asian/American & Pacific Islander Health Equity: Today and Beyond

Wednesday, November 30, 2011 11am - 3pm

Open your invitation

Happy Thanksgiving! With gratitude for collaboration and teamwork.

There has been much to be grateful for in 2011 with Minnesota Rising - our second annual Un/Conference, being featured in the October 2011 edition of the Minnesota Business Magazine, and the launch of our Cascading Conversations Tour! All of this, however, could not have been accomplished without a great deal of teamwork, leadership, and collaboration on the part of those helping to spearhead Minnesota Rising's efforts to build a network for what's next.

In a similar vein, Jake Voit of InCommons shared a note earlier this week to express his gratitude for the work that's been done this year to support the development and co-creation of InCommons. See below for his thoughtful message and thank you all for being a part of this collaborative community! Happy Thanksgiving!

GRATITUDE FOR COLLABORATION If you're a strong believer that disparate individuals and organizations can always come together in a cooperative spirit to seek solutions, incidents in the past few days may have put some dents in your ethos. Fan of professional basketball? NBA owners and players couldn't agree on a contract and the season is likely over. Hopeful that the Congressional supercommittee could find a grand bargain in their budget negotiations? It didn't happen. And, the pepper spray incident at UC Davis can only beg the question, "are we as a nation destined to keep moving ideologically farther from one another?" Hardly. National incidents of rancor and conflict will always be amplified by national media, often so loud it can drown out the incredible endeavors courageous individuals undertake each day to seek and find common ground. At InCommons, we see the spirit of collaboration surviving and thriving everyday, and this Thanksgiving, we are so incredibly grateful for this fact - particularly as it relates to our own development. We are thankful for the thousands of Minnesotans who have become part of the InCommons community over the past year - simultaneously defining, applying and embodying our values as they sought community solutions. We are grateful for the hundreds of individuals statewide who have provided solicited and volunteered feedback and ideas to help co-create and advance our organization. We're thankful for the facilitators helping guide our InCommons gatherings, fostering meaningful conversations among participants. We are grateful to the countless individuals and organizations that have submitted ideas and solutions to the community challenges we've helped support or organized. We appreciate the time and energy given in submitting entries, and the fact that these entries are now available for all members to review and peruse as they search for inspiration and blueprints in solving their own community issues. From all of us at InCommons, you have our sincerest appreciation. -Jake Voit, InCommons Manager

2011 Un/Conference Breakouts: Dan Wick + The Achievement Gap

The Minnesota Rising 2011 Un/Conference: Building A Network For What’s Next was held on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the CoCo coworking and collaborative space in St. Paul, MN. Hosted by and for emerging leaders, the Un/Conference engaged emerging leaders across Minnesota in an energizing day of innovative learning and dialogue, skill-building, and network-building with their peers!

Minnesota Rising was pleased to feature some stellar breakout session presenters, including Dan Wick, who has a passion for improving education for all kids. Check out his session reportback following the Un/Conference below!

What we are doing

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

"We can too easily become identified with goodness--feel that we are 'the enlightened ones.' We cease to ask questions about what we are doing, how we are doing it, whether it might be done another way. Not only must we question ourselves; we must create the kind of atmosphere that invites others to question us and to give us feedback on how they perceive and hear and experience us."

-Elizabeth O'Connor

2011 Un/Conference Breakouts: Andy Cook + Civic Entrepreneurs and Today's Politics

The Minnesota Rising 2011 Un/Conference: Building A Network For What’s Next was held on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the CoCo coworking and collaborative space in St. Paul, MN. Hosted by and for emerging leaders, the Un/Conference engaged emerging leaders across Minnesota in an energizing day of innovative learning and dialogue, skill-building, and network-building with their peers!

Minnesota Rising was pleased to feature some stellar breakout session presenters, including Andy Cook, an Annual Giving Officer at Regions Hospital Foundation. Check out his reflections following the Un/Conference below!

The energy was tangible and the discussion was fantastic this past Saturday at the MnRising Un/Conference. I was privileged to lead a breakout session with Cat Beltmann of the Citizens League on the topic of civic entrepreneurs and today’s politics. The basic premise: Our generation is full of bright, forward-thinking future leaders; most of us are frustrated with today’s partisanship and polarization. What can we do to be engaged now, and also ensure our game is played differently when we’re in charge?

The discussion centered on individuals’ perceptions of how the political machine operates, and ways in which we can get involved without giving in. These included voting, contacting legislators—including personally, not only via form letters or other mass correspondence—and engaging with non-partisan organizations like the Citizens League. It was interesting—and disappointing—to see how many of these young leaders had at one time held an interest in running for office and now have no desire to run, not wanting to become just another political pawn. The one response I could give is that if we do not get involved and lead, then the people left are the ones perpetuating today’s gridlock.

Attendees also pointed out that we are engaged in ways other than politics, including social ventures, non-profits and community initiatives. This is true, yet the perception remains among many that our generation is disengaged and apathetic. But as the feeling in the room illustrated, we are anything but apathetic. I will add, however, that the most important people in this point are the people who were not in that room—we must engage with others and broaden the reach of our next-generation-now mentality.

Headed out of the session, we all learned that even though we disagree on different issues and policy specifics, we can—and must—have substantive conversations and productive debate, all with the goal of identifying shared values and creating our shared future.

The session closed with a very simple idea: We must act and lead with the full belief that we will create a strong future, while acknowledging and working within the cold realities of how the system operates today.

Whether or not we are in positions of leadership, we are leaders. And when we do take charge, our commitment is to re-write the rules and work in collaboration for a better Minnesota.

Thanks again to everyone who participated, and I hope we can continue to work together for our shared values and vision.

Friday Fun: Jen Ford Reedy at Hamline Commencement

Jen Ford Reedy was last year's Minnesota Rising Un/Conference keynote speaker. This year, check her out as Hamine University's Commencement Speaker for the graduating class of 2011. She talks about how she could have been employee #12 at Yahoo and how she ardently believes in the potential for this generation to change the world. Hear more below!

Un/Conference Breakouts: Al Coleman's Secrets to Success

The Minnesota Rising 2011 Un/Conference: Building A Network For What’s Next was held on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the CoCo coworking and collaborative space in St. Paul, MN. Hosted by and for emerging leaders, the Un/Conference engaged emerging leaders across Minnesota in an energizing day of innovative learning and dialogue, skill-building, and network-building with their peers!

Minnesota Rising was pleased to feature some stellar breakout session presenters, including Al Coleman, author of Secrets to Success: The Definitive Career Development Guide for New and First Generation Professionals. Check out his slide deck from his presentation below!

Essential Strategies for Becoming or Enhancing Your Skills as an Emerging Leader

View more presentations from Al Coleman

YP Builds with TC Habitat for Humanity!

The Minnesota Rising 2011 Un/Conference: Building A Network For What’s Next was held on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the CoCo coworking and collaborative space in St. Paul, MN. Hosted by and for emerging leaders, the Un/Conference engaged emerging leaders across Minnesota in an energizing day of innovative learning and dialogue, skill-building, and network-building with their peers!

Minnesota Rising is pleased to collaborate with Network Partners, emerging leader group organizations, to help cross-promote our parallel efforts to provide leadership development and community-building. Below, we share a message from Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, which invites you and/or your YP group to organize a "Build Day" with Habitat!

Greetings from Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, The fall season has quickly come over us and winter is just around the corner. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity wishes to reach out to Young Professional groups around the metro area to consider organizing your next event this fall or winter to be a “build day” with Habitat at one of our multiple metro sites. As a Young Professional group, we know that your focus is to gather individuals, strengthen relationships, and build community; making a build day with Habitat a terrific options and experience for your respective Professional group.

If your Young Professional group would be interested in making Habitat a future volunteering event please do not hesitate to contact me and we can work together to schedule your group at a build site! Thank you and take care,

Dan Streefland

Constituent Management Assistant

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

You're Invited: American Indian Go Run in Minnesota!

A past "Go Run" trainee, I'm excited to announce that The White House Project has specifically designed a political leadership training this weekend for American Indian women. With a number of upcoming tribal elections and American Indian women poised to run and take on leadership positions, this training comes at just the right time. Know someone who might be a great fit? Sometimes, all it takes is your asking!

American Indian Go Run in Minnesota

I'm so excited that we are offering our first ever Go Run specifically for American Indian women, led by a team of American Indian trainers who will provide the tools to conduct a successful campaign. Interested? There's still time to be a part of this exclusive group of 40 women who are gearing up for the 2012 election season, with tribal elections kicking off the year. Apply today! Know someone who would benefit from this opportunity? Encourage them to apply!

November 19-20
Deep Portage Learning Center, Hackensack, MN
Cost: $75

This specialized training prepares women in Northern MN for upcoming local, and tribal elections with the goal of increasing the number of American Indian women running for public office, working on campaigns, and advancing their leadership in the public sector. Click here to register.

You're Invited: November 2011 Ashoka Solutions Forum

In fine fashion, Ashoka Twin Cities will continue its efforts to share its best with Minnesota and highlight yet another set of their leading changemakers at the November 16 Solutions Forum. If you weren't able to attend the last forums 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 are invited to ASHOKA SOLUTIONS FORUM NOVEMBER 16, 2011

Ashoka, the world's largest association of leading social entrepreneurs, invites you to join us for our third Ashoka Solutions Forum. Join other local changemakers to hear from Ashoka Fellows Molly Barker and Thorkil Sonne: Ashoka Fellow Molly Barker is building a new women's liberation movement that breaks the cultural stereotypes and barriers preventing girls and young women from living healthy, authentic lives. Ashoka Fellow Thorkil Sonne changes the way society perceives autism by transforming it from a handicap to a competitive advantage. The Ashoka Solutions Forum series is designed to highlight the stories of proven social innovators with a goal of inspiring local changemakers and growing the local changemaker community. What: An on-stage interview with two Ashoka Fellows who are working to change systems. Date: November 16, 2011 Time: 7:30pm-8:30pm followed by changemaker community reception. Doors open at 7:00. Place: Minneapolis Central Library - Pohlad Auditorium Space is limited and filling fast, so register today! We're looking forward to seeing you there. Click here to register! 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. Ashoka sources the best social innovations, mobilizes hundreds of thousands of people to create change and enables businesses, the media, policy makers and "changemakers" to work together to create global impact. Drawing from our global platform, Ashoka Twin Cities focuses on supporting social innovation and developing the skills of changemaking at a local level. in partnership with

You're Invited: Flash Mob for COPD Awareness Month!

Inspired by the Flash Mob craze but haven't yet found your way to make a splash in public? The American Lung Association in Minnesota is looking for a few good folks to help bring awareness to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month this weekend. Learn more below, and get your lungs in gear to be heard!

		You are invited to the following event: Flash Mob for COPD Awareness Month EVENT TO BE HELD AT THE FOLLOWING TIME, DATE, AND LOCATION: Nov 13, 2011 1:00 PM Rosedale Shopping Center 10 Rosedale Center Roseville, MN 55113 View Map Help bring awareness to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) this November by participating in our COPD Flash Mob! We will be flash mobing at the Rosedale Shopping Center in Roseville, MN in the Carribou Coffee Plaza on Sunday November 13,... Read More Share this event on Facebook and Twitter We hope you can make it! Cheers, American Lung Association in Minnesota

You're Invited: Twin Cities Media Alliance Fall Media Forum

The Twin Cities Media Alliance is hosting their annual Fall Media Forum this weekend to inform, connect, and organize citizens and citizen journalists. Curious to how to amplify your voice, or to learn about how you can unite it with others in the midst of a challenging economy and development of a new normal? Find out more about your one-stop shop below!

Fall Media Forum: Inform, Connect, Organize: Media Tools for the New Normal

Inform, Connect, Organize: Media Tools for the New Normal

Twin Cities Media Alliance Fall Media Forum
November 12, 2011
Minneapolis Central Public Library

Free and open to the public.

Click here to register.

Budget cuts and a tough economy threaten many of the things that Minnesotans value most - the quality of our schools, the vitality of our neighborhoods, even our jobs and livelihoods. This free public forum focuses on the media tools and information resources that can help citizens, communities and businesses inform themselves, communicate and work together.

New tools for advocacy and political engagement: The rules of political organizing haven’t changed, but the tools have. If you want to be effective in the political arena, you have to know how to use the latest social and digital media tools.

New tools for communicating and networking: Tools for organizing your members, identifying your assets.

Marketing without a budget: Whether you are a neighborhood business selling hardware or a community organization selling an advocacy campaign, you need to understand the tools of online marketing.

You're Invited: Jeremiah Program's Late Night Leap!

The Minnesota Rising 2011 Un/Conference: Building A Network For What’s Next was held on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the CoCo coworking and collaborative space in St. Paul, MN. Hosted by and for emerging leaders, the Un/Conference engaged emerging leaders across Minnesota in an energizing day of innovative learning and dialogue, skill-building, and network-building with their peers!

Minnesota Rising is pleased to collaborate with Network Partners, emerging leader group organizations, to help cross-promote our parallel efforts to provide leadership development and community-building. Below, we highlight PROPEL, the Jeremiah Program's Young Professionals Group, which invites you to participate in this weekend's Late Night Leap!

Bullfrog Bash After Hours Party to benefit Jeremiah Program!

November 12, 8:30 pm
The Depot in Minneapolis

Individual Tickets:
$40 in advance, $50 at the door

Packages:

4-pack $150
6-pack $210
8-pack $265

(All ticket prices include food, two drink tickets, and evening entertainment by Belladiva!)

Order Online Here!
https://jeremiahprogram.ejoinme.org/MyPages/BullfrogBash2011/tabid/300833/Default.aspx

Questions? Contact Stephanie at 612.259.3038 or spayne@jeremiahprogram.org

You're Invited: South Asian Immigration Roundtable

The times, they are a-changin'. With Minnesota's impending Silver Tsunami and the influx of immigrants and refugees who have come to make this place home, our demographics are in the midst of some serious change. If you've got ideas for how we can make sure to leverage all Minnesotans' current and future potential to contribute to once again making this place the "State that works," you're invited to participate in the South Asian Immigration Roundtable being facilitated by the Advocates for Human Rights!

South Asian Immigration Roundtable Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Washington County Library - R. H. Stafford Branch

8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury, MN 55125

6:00pm - 8:00pm

The Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans is organizing a South Asian immigration roundtable by facilitated by Emily Good, Refugee & Immigrant Program Director at The Advocates for Human Rights.

Purpose of the Roundtable:

America is a nation of immigrants and as we work to rebuild the economy, our ability to thrive depends, in part, on restoring responsibility and accountability to the immigration system. We are seeking a diverse of stakeholders who care about addressing the concerns and needs of those affected by immigration to provide their voices at the roundtable.

Through the roundtable, we aim to listen to community voices to better inform policy-makers on how the immigration system affects South Asian Minnesotans. Feedback collected at the roundtable will be submitted to Minnesota's congressional legislators and to the Obama Administration.

Event details and RSVP at

http://immiroundtable.eventbrite.com

You're Invited: Rural Young Entrepreneur Summit in Iowa

Since I've posted about our friendly neighbor to the West, I figure it's important to reach a bit South in the Midwest and share about an interesting event that Young Professionals of Iowa (YPIowa) is co-hosting this week in Ames. If you're an entrepreneur, lover of rural life, or just looking for a fun road trip, consider attending. And as always, please let us know if you make the trip and if there are some things Minnesota Rising can learn about the effort next door or if there are ways we'll be able to work together regionally!

Rural (YES) Young Entrepreneur Summit November 9th in Ames Young Professionals of Iowa (YPIowa) along with the Community Vitality Center at ISU, the U.S. Small Business Administration, USDA Rural Development and other partners are co-hosts for a Rural YES (Young Entrepreneur Summit) on November 9th. The summit will be held at the Scheman Building in the Iowa State Center, Ames from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Click here for more information and to register for the Rural YES event. The event is free to participating or prospective entrepreneurs. Small Business Administration Deputy Secretary Marie Johns and USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O’Brien will share their perspectives and success stories from around the country. Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will share their perspectives on state initiatives to enhance opportunities for successful rural Entrepreneurs in Iowa. A Panel of Rural Entrepreneurs to be featured include: • Amy Strouth, Prairie Queen Bakery & Restaurant, Sheldon • Pat Palmer, The Computer Guy, Hampton • Mari Holthaus, Kymar Acres, Waukon, & President, Grown Locally Coop, Decorah • Matt Russell, Coyote Run Farm, Lacona Young and emerging entrepreneurs at Rural YES will: • Hear success stories from other rural entrepreneurs, • Listen to and share ideas for improving opportunities for young entrepreneur success in rural America, • Connect with other rural entrepreneurs and support networks. • Shape ideas for a Rural YES Findings Report and future communications to participants and the rural entrepreneur network A free trade show/networking reception featuring local Iowa foods follows the program. Rural YES recognizes outstanding young entrepreneurs and shares their success stories from across rural America to inspire others to participate in creating a rural entrepreneurial cultural. Organizers believe this provides greater opportunity for successful enterprise development and support in the future. The Community Vitality Center is searching for success stories of young entrepreneurs from ruralIowa to be recognized during Rural YES and throughout the next year in a RURAL YES Social Network. Those interested in nominating successful young and emerging rural entrepreneurs are encouraged to fill out a Nomination form and return by email to: cvc@iastate.edu.

Sponsor Spotlight: STAGES

The Minnesota Rising 2011 Un/Conference: Building A Network For What’s Next was held on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the CoCo coworking and collaborative space in St. Paul, MN. Hosted by and for emerging leaders, the Un/Conference engaged emerging leaders across Minnesota in an energizing day of innovative learning and dialogue, skill-building, and network-building with their peers!

We're pleased to place a spotlight on the 2011 sponsors and supporters that made this year's Un/Conference possible! In this post, we feature the STAGES program at Thrivent, through the perspective of Un/Conference speaker, Jared Rendell!

STAGES Coaches are part of a mission to equip and empower 1 million people to worry less about the thing they worry about the most: money. We're here to strengthen communities and help people live with wisdom, freedom and generosity in all STAGES of their life. A STAGES coach is dedicated to partnering with organizations to offer creatively delivered financial education and help people worry less about money. In addition to hosting workshops, coaches also meet one-on-one with individuals to review their personal financial situation and recommend action steps to improve their financial health. Coaches are licensed financial professionals who are trained to help people develop a more positive relationship with their money, but are not paid on commission. STAGES education sessions are designed to empower, educate and inspire people to take action to improve their lives. The sessions are fun, interactive and take a stress-free look at the financial impact of key life events. STAGES: Steps Towards Achieving Genuine Economic Sanity. To learn more, check us out atwww.facebook.com/thriventstages or www.thrivent.com/stages.