YNPN-TC's The Insider: the real scoop on professional development opportunities in the Twin Cities

Looking for the real scoop on professional development opportunities in the Twin Cities? Join YNPN-TC and your nonprofit peers at The Insider where you'll participate in roundtable discussions facilitated by former participants of various professional development opportunities in the Twin Cities.

Why go? Here is your chance to ask questions and get unfiltered and unbiased perspectives on:

* Post-graduate degree programs
* Certificates, Trainings & Workshops
* Networking events and other professional development opportunities

Don’t miss this rare and free opportunity! Registration is required. For more information or questions, email info@ynpntwincities.org.

GOTV! And thank your election judge, too!

Today is primary election day in Minnesota. Polls close at 8PM. Have you voted yet?

 
With anticipated low voter turnout, given that it is not a presidential election year, that primaries are not usually as well attended as the general elections, and that the date is so much earlier than the usual September primary dates of late, the votes of a small amount of the population today will make a big difference in the tomorrows to come. The 2010 elections will help determine the next Governor of Minnesota, lay the groundwork for contending with the critical issue of redistricting, and determine how we address the challenges our state faces with regard to the budget deficit, disparities in healthcare and education, and much, much more. Sound like something you want to have a say in? Check out the League of Women Voters Minnesota website to read up on your primary candidates and the Secretary of State to locate your polling location. You've got until 8PM to pick up your "I voted" sticker. And don't forget to bring along a family member or friend to join in on the fun! One last thing - Minnesota has an oft-touted, remarkably effective, and highly admired electoral system. It’s thoughtful, active citizens, like election judges, that allow us to make that claim. It’s impressive, and these volunteers and good citizens deserve kudos and thanks for their public service. And for handing us those awesome, red "I voted" stickers! PARALLEL || POSTS

• LWV-MN Introduces Smart Chick Happy Hour!
• Giving Back and Getting More: How Community Engagement Advances Your Professional Career
• Good News: Happy 36th Annual National Volunteer Week!
• Reportback: "Trailblazers: Charting a Course for the Future!"

National Poetry Slam 2010: Here and Now!

The 21st annual National Poetry Slam has brought together 76 teams from across North America as hundreds of the world's best poets have converged on St. Paul this week. They've been battling nightly in hopes of clinching the national title this coming Sunday at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. This five-day festival of non-stop performances, workshops, and heated performance poetry competitions is inspiring audiences and bringing incredible poetry from the national stage to our local community.

Show your support for the arts and the amazing talent that has joined our SlamMN team this week by checking out any of the bouts, the semi-finals, or the finals. As the slam poets yell in encouragement to their fellow teammates, "Don't be nice!" Get in there and cheer 'em on!

Accepting Applications: Rotary Group Study Exchange 2010-2011!

Given my interest in civic engagement and public health issues, I have a great deal of respect for the Rotary Club's history as well as their continuing community-based volunteer work. They're one of the oldest civic organizations in the country and helped to lead the wildly (and almost completely) successful international polio eradication effort. I particularly enjoy opportunities to speak to Rotary Clubs because Rotary members are active citizens, thoughtful and intelligent, and a lot of fun! Want to see for yourself? For an unforgettable opportunity to learn about and interact with Rotarians the world over, apply for the upcoming 2010-2011 Rotary Group Study Exchange for professionals aged between 25 and 40!

Rotary Clubs within District 5950 are seeking four outstanding professionals to visit France from March 6 – April 3, 2011 as part of the Group Study Exchange program of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. For four weeks, team members experience the way of life, customs, and vocational practices of another country, while sharing information about their home country.

The purpose of the Group Study Exchange program is to promote international understanding and goodwill through personal connections. While abroad, team members stay with local Rotarians and have the opportunity to meet their professional counterparts. They also give presentations to Rotary clubs and other groups about their home country. GSE is also an excellent opportunity for employers to expose leaders within the organization to a range of public and private sector activities in France.

The Rotary International Foundation pays for round-trip airfare, and Rotary club members in the host country provide meals, lodging, and group travel in their district. Team members pay for their own personal and incidental expenses. Professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are interested in applying should be employed full-time in a business or profession for at least two years. Applicants must live or be employed in Rotary District 5950 – district boundaries can be found on the website. Proficiency in French is desirable but not required.

Applications are available online or contact Barbara Devlin by email: bdevlinMN@aol.com or by phone: 612-861-9600. Applications are due to any of the 60 Rotary Clubs within District 5950 by August 13, 2010.

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotarians in 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and territories living by the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.”

South African Signage: From Symbolic to Silly

The beautiful FIFA 2010 World Cup logo was strewn about stadiums, streets, t-shirts, etc, across the southern African landscape in celebration of life, soccer, and Africa.

Other signage viewed in South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland, however, left us bemused travelers shaking our heads in disbelief and more often, in laughter. Following is a sampling of some of the cautionary posts we encountered throughout our travels. Tell me, which is your favorite?