Helping Minnesota Build Bridges Between People and in Communities

Communities thrive when they make decisions together. Everyone wins when leaders are purposeful in creating connections.

• People resolve collective problems more easily.
• Managing public input is less costly than managing public controversy.
• More people are involved
• Connections broaden our awareness of common links to others in the community ^*

But connecting communities is hard work! It takes time, persistence, vision and, above all, teamwork. U-Connect works with government, nonprofit or other groups that make decisions affecting the common good. We can help you improve the quality of democracy and community life. We offer training workshops, consultation and local assessments.

	Features
	Engaging with the Public Involving people affected by decisions is more likely to increase public trust and support. Tip sheets advise community leaders.
	What makes a small town thrive? Minnesota Public Radio: Why some towns are dying, some are vibrant. Hear a discussion with Extension educators.

	Educational Offerings
	Contact a Regional Educator to schedule these educational opportunities for your community: Training Workshops Social Capital — Tricks of the trade that engage the public and move you to action Tools for Public Participation Strategists: — Tricks of the trade that engage the public and move you to action Designing Participation Processes: — The What, Why, Who, How, When, and Where of Public Participation Public Participation Process in Groups and Teams: — How can people come together to make decisions successfully Leadership and Policy Change: — How does leadership change in a shared-power world? Consultation Want better public involvement? Our Educators can help you design and implement a process that engages your constituents, gets their feedback, and motivates them to help. Local Assessments Assess your community’s social capital with tools that can help draw an accurate picture of the ties among the community’s people and organizations. See Our Community: Assessing Social Capital

Contact Information

Mary Ann Hennen Area Program Leader Leadership & Civic Engagement 456 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55108 Email: henne011@umn.edu Phone: 612-624-4226 Fax: 612-625-1955

Program Team Leadership and Civic Engagement Regional Educators

*References

Bryson and Carrol, Public Participation Strategies (in press)
Putnam, Robert, D., (2000). Bowling alone – The collapse and revival of American community. New York, NY, Simon & Shuster.