Sponsors

Local Government

• Dakota County
• Morrison County
• Morrison County Public Health
• Rice County Attorney’s Office
• Sherburne County
• Sleepy Eye Public Schools
• Yellow Medicine County
• Washington County

State Organizations and Associations

• Minnesota Association of Assessing Officers
• Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
• Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
• Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust
• Minnesota Lakes Association
• Paul Revere Housing Cooperative / North Country Cooperative Development Fund

Nonprofits and Foundations

• Cedar Valley Services
• Community Options and Resources
• Girl Scout Peacepipe Council
• Lake of the Woods School
• Minnesota Valley Health Center
• Northwest Area Foundation
• Prairie Community Services
• St. Francis Health Services
• Soil and Water Conservation Society
• Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

Community Organizations

• Alexandria Business Women
• Leadership Morris
• St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce

• “I’ve learned so much about the area that I have decided to plant my roots in for my life remaining. I met people and learned how small communities have just as much to offer as large communities.”
• “I am always hesitant to get in a leadership role. Someone else would be better at it, more organized, more knowledgeable, etc. But it has hit home that I don’t have to be the ‘best’ one out there. I just have to be willing to try and willing to take the steps to get involved. I really can make a difference if I really want to.”
• “The most important thing I gained is a clear pattern of how to go about making changes/enhancing our communities. Going through the program, the path of making a difference by leadership is clear. It gives you the map and the compass!”
• “Networking with other people with many different backgrounds and learning about them. Learning the many different things in the county that I didn’t know before. Most people want to better their community and we work at that from many different angles.”
• “It was interesting learning about the state legislature. I also learned that leaders did not have all the answers but at least they try.”
• “I am taking out of this so much more than I thought I would. The people I met are great.”
• “It helped to define what a true leader really is. How to get things changed if you feel something isn’t good for a community or organization.”
• “Met a lot of people and learned a lot about myself. I feel “I can.” Going out of my comfort zone.