[Minnesota Rising Dispatch] February 2012

Published monthly, the [Minnesota Rising Dispatch] curates noteworthy events and opportunities for emerging leaders across Minnesota!

[#mnrising Dispatch] February 2012 Happy Leap Day! It comes but once every four years, but February 29 is a special reminder that the passage of time is more cyclical than it is linear. While an ever-increasing pace of life urges us to constantly do, achieve, and press on, the annual (or quadrennial) resetting of the calendar offers us the reassurance that we have been here before and that we will be here again. In this regard, we know that political divisiveness and seemingly insurmountable challenges of disparities now loom large in our state, but we also know that Minnesotans have overcome these struggles in the past and that we can do it again. As we reflect on our unique time in the history of our communities and state, may we push forward to build trusting relationships and shape a powerful collective vision for Minnesota, knowing full well that ours can be a legacy that future generations will build upon! Reportback: Communities Connections Conference Jenny Hegland, Contributing Writer Minnesota Rising hosted a table on February 9th at the first-ever Communities Connections Conference, "Building Better Communities through Neighborhoods” hosted by the City of Minneapolis’ Neighborhood and Community Relations department. The conference attendees were energized and engaged, as they learned together and spent time in community throughout the day. At our table, we shared the purpose of Minnesota Rising with attendees and invited them to participate in our Cascading Conversations Tour. In an effort to learn from those we met, we asked participants to share their ideas in response to the question, “What is the boldest, most inspiring vision you hold for Minnesota’s future?” This activity reminded us just how much Minnesotans care about the future of our state and that there are deep values we hold in common. Here’s what we learned! Advancing Cascading Conversations The Advance Team for the"Our Minnesota" Cascading Conversations Tour is prepped and hard at work hosting conversations with young Minnesotans and building the Minnesota Rising network! Interested in connecting with another emerging leader and extending the cascade of discussions around values and visions for the future of Minnesota? Write to us atminnesotarising@gmail.comto request an invitation to an hour-long conversation this Spring with a member of the Advance Team. We welcome you to join the cascade! Making Our #MNRising Mark! Don't forget to tag your upcoming emerging leader events, thoughts, musings, and more, #mnrising, on Twitter and Facebook. Let's aggregate and organize ourselves for increased interaction and potential for collaboration! Friend on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Upcoming Events Catch Minnesota Rising around town at these upcoming events! Step Up to Diversity! What Can I Do NOW: Being the Diversity Competent Leader Torch Community Thursday, March 1 5:30pm - 8:30pm Wells Fargo Center, Minneapolis Student Civic Leadership Summit: Making Social Change Happen Minnesota Campus Compact Saturday, March 31 9:00am - 3:00pm University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center News from the Network Updates and events with our esteemed network partners and collaborators! Young Professionals Happy Hour League of Women Voters St. Paul Thursday, March 1 The Republic, Minneapolis 7:00pm-10:00pm The Non-Nonprofit: Should Nonprofits Operate More Like Businesses? Ashoka & Greater Twin Cities United Way Tuesday, March 6 United Way Offices 4:00pm - 6:00pm Laugh In Peace Tour Minnesota Idea Open III Thursday, March 15 The Varsity Theater 7:00pm; Doors open at 6:00pm

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