Social capital is the glue that holds communities together.
Leadership skill building
Local groups, local leaders, and engaged community residents make a difference every day. They decide how to use local assets. They establish local priorities and imagine what’s possible. They set the tone for how the community will live and work together, and how they will reach beyond their boundaries.
Helping communities make a difference
Extension leadership and civic engagement programs focus on expanding community involvement and growing community leadership. We believe that sound leadership and engaged residents will create a better future for Minnesota’s communities. Our education programs are carefully evaluated, proving that they:
- Increase the knowledge and skills residents and leaders bring to community life.
- Increase the involvement of residents in organizations and community initiatives.
- Increase the connections community members have to each other and to resources and people outside their community.
- Help communities make decisions and take action — improving the quality of life.
Online events and courses go more in-depth on topics such as facilitating meetings and deciding to engage in civic life.
Leadership education resources
Our online education resources for leaders include articles, videos, and podcasts focused on: facilitation; recruiting and preparing community leaders; working across differences; navigating conflict; social capital in communities; civic engagement; and special topics.
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.
Navigating conflict
How are you managing conflict? Dive into our self-paced course to grow and re-energize your skills around conflict, rebuilding trust, and more.
Assessing your leadership
Is your community willing to invest in its future? Take our assessment and discover your community's leadership strengths and priorities.
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.
Our community approach and models
Extension's approach to leadership and civic engagement is grounded in research. But we always keep the real needs of communities in mind. Learn more about our models.
Special topics
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Breakfast Info Bites are half-hour “nuggets” that discuss University of Minnesota research on a broad range of issues. Topics have included navigating conflict on public issues, fostering meaningful careers, and more. Read more about the series and listen to past discussions.
Extension educators work with local partners to design leadership and civic engagement programs. Participants meet over time to learn, connect with one another, and make decisions about the future of life in their community. Connect with our list of past and current cohort programs and partner. Connect with a leadership and civic engagement educator in your area to talk through whether a cohort in your community is a good idea.
Check out the outcomes of Extension’s leadership and civic engagement programs.
Changemaker retreats inspire local residents to make a difference by tapping into their personal interests and passions. In changemaker retreats, Extension educators lead groups to identify an issue that they are interested in working on in their community, explore options for making a difference, find a way forward, and take action.
Read about how changemaker retreats have created local action to prevent opioid use and support recovery. Contact a leadership and civic engagement educator to bring a changemaker retreat to your community.
Innovation for social change
Identify your issue, opportunity, or change.
Phase 1: Imagine
- Expand your mind. Think freely, boldly. Identify your idea.
Phase 2: Explore
- Probe, research, question. Identify your innovation.
Phase 3: Create
- Design with passion and purpose. Identify your way forward.
Phase 4: Leap
- Probe, research, question. Identify your innovation.
Celebrate
- Cheer. Breathe. Re-imagine.
Source: Rothstein, L., and Stromme, D, University of Minnesota Extension.
Extension'sMinnesota Indigenous Leadership Network works to engage leaders and strengthen partnerships with Native American communities in Minnesota. Extension collaborates to offer cohort programs and other learning opportunities designed with communities.
Our podcast series,Indigenized Connections On Air, highlighted the path to leadership for some Minnesota leaders.
Community conversations
Rural-Urban interdependence: Listen to conversations about the interdependent relationship between rural and urban spaces on our Side by Side podcast.
News and insights
Explore our community news and insights page for current topics on leadership and civic engagement.
Reimagining the path: Four lessons for navigating change
() While the process to redesign and innovate may be daunting, change is often necessary when working with partners on long-term projects or impact. Discover helpful tips for leading a community or…
Leading the way: six tips for energizing your small community
() Especially when you're wearing many hats, it can be hard to step away from existing tasks and create energy for a new idea. Discover six ways to strengthen your engagement and keep momentum going.
Better together: shared interdependence connects rural and urban communities
() Ellen Wolter wanted to start a new kind of conversation — one that shows rural and urban areas are connected and dependent on each other.
MARL maximizes impact of Minnesota’s agricultural and rural leaders
() For the past 25 years, MARL has helped more than 380 rural Minnesotans. Leaders and alumni share how the program helps people grow leadership skills and connect with others.
Related community topics
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