Leadership education program nominees sought for Northwest Minnesota

MAHNOMEN — University of Minnesota Extension is seeking nominations of northwestern Minnesotans for a leadership education program.

People who live or work in the region, have not yet served in formal leadership positions or have never participated in leadership education are ideal candidates.

Participants will attend Growing Local Leadership, a four-session hybrid program beginning in Nov. 23 with an in-person session at Shooting Star Casino.

The program aims to help fill a gap in civic leadership in the region, according to a U of M Extension news release.

"In Minnesota, we need people to fill public offices and sit on boards and commissions," said Holli Arp, program leader, Extension leadership and civic engagement, in the release.

"We know that Extension leadership education gives participants the confidence they can make a difference, develop skills and connect leaders to resources to make them successful. Those outcomes are critical, especially for those who don't yet see themselves as leaders."

Extension researcher Ben Winchester said that civic life is flourishing in Greater Minnesota.

"But we need to think critically about developing leadership for our civic organizations in the future," Winchester said in the release. "Leadership education is part of the answer."

Nominators and participants can express interest in the program by submitting a form by Oct. 1.