Northwest Minnesota needs new leaders. As Minnesotans age, they are seeking new leaders to step in to lead. And as civic organizations change, they need different kinds of leaders to face the future.
Meanwhile, many community members aren't aware of existing leadership opportunities or haven’t yet been invited to contribute and lead.
Growing Local Leadership is a pilot program designed by Extension to draw more Northwest Minnesotans into formal community leadership. We aim to build personal confidence, enhance skills, and strengthen regional connections so people understand how they can make a difference by participating in and leading local boards, commissions, and communities.
Communities in Northwest Minnesota will benefit from this program. They will:
Next cohort starts: November 23, 2024
Location: Online and in-person
Application period: Open until October 1, 2024
Participants should:
There is a sliding fee scale for participation (note below list). This will cover meals and lodging for the in-person sessions.
Note: If interested in participating and need assistance meeting requirements (e.g. Internet access, transportation, attending due to childcare) funding may be available.
Nominations are due October 1, 2024, by 11:59 p.m.
Decisions on the 2024-2025 GLL cohort will be made through a rubric that looks at growth in leadership, ability/commitment to complete the program, county affiliation/geography, and building a pool of new leaders in the northwest region, along with input from the present advisory committee, and Extension personnel. Priority will be given to county emerging leaders and representation across the region.
Final cohort member invitations to participate will be sent by October 15, 2024.
Session 1 (in person): Cohort launch
Saturday, November 23, 2024, noon - 5 p.m.
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Session 2 (online): Launching your community leadership
Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Session 3 (online): Community readiness
Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
March 2025 (small group work) — Develop your leadership story
Session 4 (in person): Moving forward with visionary leadership, action and celebration
Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 5 - 8 p.m.
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Jennifer Aranda is a University of Minnesota Extension educator for leadership and civic engagement in the Department of Community Development. Her background includes service and community-building with a focus on marginalized populations, particularly in rural and greater Minnesota.
Jennifer has worked with community-based organizations, non-profits, and higher education institutions to explore the many facts of belonging. She has provided training and facilitated dialogue to build pathways leading to change. A resident of Moorhead, Minnesota, Jennifer is an advocate for projects that promote an enhanced understanding of equity and justice. Jennifer has a doctorate in education, holds an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrator License, and is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach.
An emerging leader is someone who has not been in a formal leadership position (like a school board member) or has not received leadership education or leadership training, and is dedicated to making their community a space where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We support our program's emerging leaders in envisioning themselves and ultimately serving on public and other local boards and commissions.
We ask that nominators consider the following people as future leaders for their community.
We also encourage learning partners. Research shows that pairs who learn together are more engaged and gain additional understanding of concepts as they discuss them with a partner. Learning partners can be added at any time before the first session.
Using resident data, Extension research shows the demand for leaders in Minnesota counties. Our numbers assume that adults are 18 years and over, five leaders are needed per government office, and six leaders per non-profit.
For over 40 years, Extension has been investing in leadership education for Northwest Minnesota through the Emerging Leadership Program. In 2024, Extension created this new iteration to better address the need to address the leadership gap by exploring ways to engage more people in leadership education programs.
We call upon existing leaders, alumni of the Emerging Leadership Program, local government, health, and non-profit organizations to make a difference by nominating program participants.
Do you or someone you know have the potential to lead? Apply now or nominate them. Primary factors to consider are emerging leadership and potential, interest, and commitment to participate in the Growing Local Leadership program.
As Extension chooses participants, we will consider participation across the 19 counties that the program serves. We hope to recruit people who do not currently hold leadership positions and/or haven’t participated in leadership education experiences in the past.
Reviewed in 2024
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