[Minnesota Rising Dispatch] February 2012

Published monthly, the [Minnesota Rising Dispatch] curates noteworthy events and opportunities for emerging leaders across Minnesota!

[#mnrising Dispatch] February 2012 Happy Leap Day! It comes but once every four years, but February 29 is a special reminder that the passage of time is more cyclical than it is linear. While an ever-increasing pace of life urges us to constantly do, achieve, and press on, the annual (or quadrennial) resetting of the calendar offers us the reassurance that we have been here before and that we will be here again. In this regard, we know that political divisiveness and seemingly insurmountable challenges of disparities now loom large in our state, but we also know that Minnesotans have overcome these struggles in the past and that we can do it again. As we reflect on our unique time in the history of our communities and state, may we push forward to build trusting relationships and shape a powerful collective vision for Minnesota, knowing full well that ours can be a legacy that future generations will build upon! Reportback: Communities Connections Conference Jenny Hegland, Contributing Writer Minnesota Rising hosted a table on February 9th at the first-ever Communities Connections Conference, "Building Better Communities through Neighborhoods” hosted by the City of Minneapolis’ Neighborhood and Community Relations department. The conference attendees were energized and engaged, as they learned together and spent time in community throughout the day. At our table, we shared the purpose of Minnesota Rising with attendees and invited them to participate in our Cascading Conversations Tour. In an effort to learn from those we met, we asked participants to share their ideas in response to the question, “What is the boldest, most inspiring vision you hold for Minnesota’s future?” This activity reminded us just how much Minnesotans care about the future of our state and that there are deep values we hold in common. Here’s what we learned! Advancing Cascading Conversations The Advance Team for the"Our Minnesota" Cascading Conversations Tour is prepped and hard at work hosting conversations with young Minnesotans and building the Minnesota Rising network! Interested in connecting with another emerging leader and extending the cascade of discussions around values and visions for the future of Minnesota? Write to us atminnesotarising@gmail.comto request an invitation to an hour-long conversation this Spring with a member of the Advance Team. We welcome you to join the cascade! Making Our #MNRising Mark! Don't forget to tag your upcoming emerging leader events, thoughts, musings, and more, #mnrising, on Twitter and Facebook. Let's aggregate and organize ourselves for increased interaction and potential for collaboration! Friend on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Upcoming Events Catch Minnesota Rising around town at these upcoming events! Step Up to Diversity! What Can I Do NOW: Being the Diversity Competent Leader Torch Community Thursday, March 1 5:30pm - 8:30pm Wells Fargo Center, Minneapolis Student Civic Leadership Summit: Making Social Change Happen Minnesota Campus Compact Saturday, March 31 9:00am - 3:00pm University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center News from the Network Updates and events with our esteemed network partners and collaborators! Young Professionals Happy Hour League of Women Voters St. Paul Thursday, March 1 The Republic, Minneapolis 7:00pm-10:00pm The Non-Nonprofit: Should Nonprofits Operate More Like Businesses? Ashoka & Greater Twin Cities United Way Tuesday, March 6 United Way Offices 4:00pm - 6:00pm Laugh In Peace Tour Minnesota Idea Open III Thursday, March 15 The Varsity Theater 7:00pm; Doors open at 6:00pm

Copyright © 2012 Minnesota Rising, All rights reserved.

You're Invited: Laugh in Peace Tour

Poverty, hunger, and cultural conflicts are grave issues that we have to contend with in our communities. These challenges are to be taken seriously. But just as much as we need critical thinking and compassionate dedication, we also need fun and good humor to be able to sustain ourselves personally and to grow our creativity. Enter the Minnesota Idea Open III and the Laugh in Peace Tour coming to the Varsity Theater next month. Join the rabbi, minister, and Muslim trio that brings a message of peace and unity, and start brainstorming your way to a #MIO3 submission!

So a Rabbi, Minister and Muslim Comedian Walk Into the Varsity... This is no knock-knock joke. The Minnesota Idea Open is proud to bring the Laugh in Peace Tour to Minnesota. Join us on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis for the first-ever Idea Open comedy show! Be prepared for your face to ache as we laugh together across cultures and faiths! Our very special guests are professional stand-up comedians Rabbi Bob Alper, Rev. Susan Sparks and Azhar Usman. Alper founded the Laugh in Peace Tour. To him, the most natural thing to do after serving congregations for 14 years as an ordained rabbi was to become a stand-up comedian. Makes sense to us. He's been doing the latter for more than 20 years, including appearances on Comedy Central and Showtime. An even funnier story is the one about the trial lawyer turned comedian turned Baptist minister. Sparks is senior pastor of the historic Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York City and tours nationally with the Laugh in Peace Tour. She also is the author of "Laugh Your Way to Grace: Reclaiming the Spiritual Power of Humor." Alphabetically last but certainly not least is funny man Usman who describes himself as "intellectually White; emotionally Japanese; spiritually Indian; psychically Persian; physically Arab; artistically Southeast Asian; romantically Latino; and psychologically Black." (That's a long title for a business card.) He is co-founder of the comedy show, "Allah Made Me Funny," which features America's top Muslim comedians. Join us for this very special Idea Open event! Click here to get your tickets online. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the show begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10, or $5 with a valid student ID. All tickets include complimentary valet parking. Ages 11 and up are welcome! After the show, join us for light appetizers and a chance to enter the Idea Open and submit your best idea to build bonds and work together across cultures and faiths in your community. Your winning idea could receive $15,000 to become a reality. Volunteer for the Interfaith Build Event We're looking for volunteers with tool belts to participate in a unique interfaith event. Sign up now for the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH) and Idea Open event: Building Together Across Cultures and Faiths. TCHFH is hosting several special construction days that bring together volunteers from diverse backgrounds to build homes - and ideas - for the community. There is still room to sign up for a variety of dates between February 28 and March 24. Be sure to spread the word to your friends, family and networks! No building experience required! Learn more at http://blog.tchabitat.org/IdeaOpen. Stay Connected The Idea Open is always cracking jokes on Twitter and Facebook. The Idea Open Challenge III: Working Together Across Cultures and Faiths and Laugh in Peace Tour are made possible by One Nation and three affiliates of Minnesota Philanthropy Partners: Minnesota Community Foundation, Multicultural Endowment and Facing Race. Learn more at onenationfoundation.org and mnpartners.org. Game On. Minnesota Idea Open

A venture of Minnesota Community Foundation

You're Invited | The Non-Nonprofit: Should Nonprofits Operate More Like Businesses?

As the rise of L3Cs and social enterprises continue, it is clear that doing good is no longer relegated to the nonprofit or social sectors. While lines continue to blur between nonprofits, for-profits, and all the shades of gray between, Ashoka and the Greater Twin Cities United Way are hosting a forum to consider how nonprofits can leverage business practices for increased innovation and growth. Registration is currently capped, but you can still sign up for the waitlist for this free event!

Ashoka and Greater Twin Cities United Way Present: The Non-Nonprofit: Should Nonprofits Operate More Like Businesses? March 6; 4-6 p.m. United Way--Stuart Wells Room 404 South 8th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404 Join United Way, Ashoka Twin Cities and local nonprofit leaders for an innovative and practical panel discussion on how nonprofits can measure what counts, be market driven and create economic value from social impact. Nonprofits are changing and sector boundaries are blurring. In an increasingly entrepreneurial and competitive environment, a premium is placed on metrics of success. Steve Rothschild, author of "The Non-Nonprofit: For-Profit Thinking for Nonprofit Success," will address critical questions confronting the sector, drawing on his experience-based principles to ensure nonprofits remain competitive. Our panel of social entrepreneurs, academics and nonprofit leaders will provide a variety of viewpoints and practical examples that you can take back to your organization. Panelists: Steve Rothschild - Ashoka Fellow and founder of Twin Cities RISE! Joe Soss - Cowles Chair for the Study of Public Service at the University of Minnesota; co-author of "Disciplining the Poor: Neoliberal Paternalism and the Persistent Power of Race." Sarah Caruso - president & CEO, Greater Twin Cities United Way Tony Wagner - executive leadership fellow, Center for Integrative Leadership; former president, Pillsbury United Communities Terrie Rose - Ashoka Fellow and founder of Baby's Space Moderated by Laura Bloomberg, executive director, University of Minnesota Center for Integrative Leadership Register Now Contact Spectra Myers at Ashoka Twin Cities or Brian Paulson at United Way with questions.

Respond to the gift

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

"To give thanks is to recognize what has come to you.... How does the seed give thanks? It flowers. You take what you have, who you are, and you respond to the gift of that beingness with a course of action that aligns with it. You do what is in your nature."

-Patrice Vecchione

Friday Fun | Guante "Starfish"

Last month, I attended a benefit concert supporting a group working on the issue of massive foreclosures, largely in North Minneapolis neighborhoods. Guante was one of several spoken word artists and talented local musicians to grace the stage that night, performing his piece proclaiming, "I was struck by lightning." In it, he posits that those whom undergo powerful experiences, whether positive or negative, are given just that much energy, and that its their own choice whether and how they funnel it back out into the world. It's a compelling case that those who go through some of the hardest and most trying of struggles may be very well the most courageous and superhuman among us.

Below, for some Friday fun, I'm sharing Guante's "Starfish" piece. Enjoy!