[Minnesota Rising Dispatch] March 2012

[#mnrising Dispatch] March 2012 As Minnesota Rising works to build the network for what's next, you're invited to join us in linking leaders across the Twin Cities. We're bringing together experienced and emerging leaders to reflect on their respective leadership journeys, burning questions for their next steps, and advice and ideas for the future of their careers and communities! Through speed-networking style conversations, you'll be able to connect with innovative leaders and build a stronger network for yourself and for Minnesota. Join us in this unique opportunity to connect and collaborate! Building a Network for What's Next - Linking Leaders Tuesday, April 17, 2012 5:30PM - 8:30PM Prep Activity + Appetizers: 5:30PM Program: 6:00PM $5.00 The Beat Coffeehouse Reportback: Step Up to Diversity! Heidi Smith, Contributing Writer Torch Community, an organization which aims to connect young professionals in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region, orchestrated a fantastic event entitled "Step Up to Diversity! What I Can Do NOW: Being the Diversity Competent Leader." Minnesota Rising, along with BRIDGE-MN and the National Association of Asian American Professionals – Minnesota Chapter (NAAAP - MN) co-sponsored the event. Each of the co-sponsors took time to share their current work concerning leadership and diversity among young professionals. The evening's presenters found fun and engaging ways to talk about leadership and diversity though hands-on activities, such as shaping something you find meaningful out of pipe cleaners. The evening's keynote speaker was the highly entertaining Jermaine Davis. Jermaine gave an inspirational and interactive talk on diversity. [Read more] Who Cares About Minnesota? Jeffrey Miller, Contributing Writer Who cares about Minnesota? I do. Not only was I born here, I grew up, went to college, met my wife, got married, and started a family here. My roots go deep. Before you begin to think "Of course, he would care, he's never left the state...", I should also mention that as an adult I've also lived for years in other notable places, such as Florida, California, Hong Kong, and in the shadow of the Himalayas in India. You see, I like to travel...alot. How much? In a 12 month period, I traveled enough miles to circle the globe at the equator - 3 times. With 44 states and 21 countries under my belt, I've been a few places I could also consider home. Why so braggadocious? I don't really care if you consider that a lot or little, but what I do care about is Minnesota, and so I needed to lay a backdrop to explain that my interest in Minnesota isn't for lack of options. You see, as is true in any great love story, love is a choice (this interestingly holds true for poor excuses for love, like The Bachelor, but I digress). The bottomline: I keep coming back to Minnesota because I choose to. [Read More] Friend on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Swap Meet: A Common Market Can Minnesota Rising help you find a tool or organization you're seeking to partner with or share that you've got an upcoming event or resource to offer? Submit your requests and offers to by the 20th of each month to minnesotarising@gmail.com! Seeking League of Women Voters St. Paul "We're looking for another organization to join us for our next Young Professionals event. It's a bowling event and we're looking for a group to share networks and networking with. If anyone is interested, they can contact me at lauraleaschwartz[at]gmail.com." Thursday, May 17 5:30pm - 7:30pm Memory Lanes Sharing YNPN-TC Emerging Leaders Network Lunch "Showcase Yourself: Presenting at Conferences, Getting Published, Etc." Friday, April 20 12:00pm - 1:00pm MN Council of Nonprofits 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 at minnesotarising@gmail.com to 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! Copyright © 2012 Minnesota Rising, All rights reserved.