Leadership and civic engagement
"One person can make a difference, and everyone should try."
— John F. Kennedy
Extension is in the business of growing leaders and strengthening leadership. We believe that sound leadership will create a better future for Minnesota. See what we have to offer.
Ways Extension can help
Expanding community involvement
We help community leaders make better decisions and design more effective meetings. We teach leaders how to create stronger connections with community members.
Growing community leaders
Leadership education helps communities grow their local leadership capacity.
Our community approach and models
Our approach to leadership and civic engagement is grounded in research. But we always keep the real needs of communities in mind.
Strengthening tribal leadership
We work to engage with tribal leaders and strengthen tribal partnerships and communities in Minnesota.
For your community
Find educational resources below that include articles, podcasts and videos to help strengthen leadership skills and community engagement.
Assessing your leadership
Is your community willing to invest in its future? Take our assessment and discover your community's leadership strengths and priorities.
Building trust in communities
Social capital is the glue that holds communities together. Learn about building trust and basic ways to grow it every day.
Impact of charismatic leaders
How do charismatic leaders impact communities? Learn how the relationship between them and their followers offers key insights to experienced and future community leaders.
Public engagement strategies
How do you engage with the public? Find resources to help you increase public involvement, assist with meeting planning and facilitation, and make group decisions.
Vital Insights
Read our Vital Insights news blog for current topics on leadership and civic engagement.
(10/18/2121) Two common reasons for people not attending meetings? Not feeling valued and poorly run meetings. Learn some tips for having better meetings and questions to ask to better involve…
(10/11/2121) Leadership practitioners have an opportunity to reflect on ways to increase inclusion and integrate multicultural approaches.
(10/4/2121) Reflexive thinking is having the ability (and commitment) to look inward and to see what some people refer to as a “standpoint.” Learn how you can practice reflexivity.
(9/27/2121) Trust binds a relationship, keeps a team together, drives performance, and enables collaboration and coordination. Learn five steps to build it.
Podcasts
Listen to conversations on community-focused topics from Vital Connections On Air and Indigenized Connections On Air.
(8/17/2121) Hear our conversation with Brenda Child about the legacy of boarding schools and its impact on tribal land, American Indian education, and more.
(7/2/2121) Listen as we talk to Dustin Burnette who shares his leadership journey and efforts to create an Indigenous immersion network.
(6/8/2121) Listen as we talk with Sarah Agaton Howes as she shares stories about resilience, heartache and perseverance.
(4/6/2121) Join us for a conversation with Dr. Anton Treuer. Listen as he shares stories about resiliency and how it has influenced his leadership journey.
News
Explore community news from Extension about leadership and civic engagement. Find more articles
Extension celebrates the class of 2020 from nine community leadership programs
Extension welcomed 200 graduates from eight community leadership programs as alumni this year.
Extension salutes recent graduates of Bridging Brown County leadership program
Extension proudly welcomes 22 graduates from the Bridging Brown County program. Learn more this leadership program and its new alumni.
Extension salutes recent graduates of Connecting Nicollet County leadership program
Learn about the Connecting Nicollet County leadership program and its future alumni.
Extension salutes recent graduates of LINC Redwood County leadership program
Extension proudly welcomes 23 graduates from the LINC Redwood County program. Learn more about this leadership program and its new alumni.
Videos: Two for You
Two for You is a series of two-minute videos. You will learn about positive psychology research to help you live and lead with intention.
For program alumni
"I will become more involved in my community. No more staying behind the scenes."
— Tina Swanson, Emerging Leadership Program, 2016
Alumni resources
Extension strengthens the leadership and civic engagement skills of community members across Minnesota. Our educators have guided thousands of participants through their leadership journey.
Consult with us
Community economics • Leadership and civic engagement • Tourism
Extension educators work in communities with partners throughout Minnesota. Contact us for consultation, guidance and conversation about your community.