Are you passionate about making a difference in your community, but need the tools and confidence to step into more formal leadership roles? Growing Local: Emerging Leaders is a leadership education program designed just for you. We’ll help you discover and build on your unique strengths so you can make a difference through local boards, commissions and elected positions.
You’d be a great fit for this program if you want to:
- Boost your confidence as a leader.
- Learn about board and commission structures.
- Gain valuable tools and resources to navigate your leadership journey.
- Connect with a supportive network of emerging leaders and mentors.
- Make a lasting impact on the places and people you care about.
Who should apply?
This program is geared toward people who are interested in being more involved in local leadership through boards, commissions and elected leadership roles. To get the most out of the program, you should be at the start of your leadership journey. That can mean you have little to no experience, all the way up to two years of experience in community leadership roles. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply, especially if you identify as Black, Indigenous or a person of color (BIPOC).
Applications for the 2025 Growing Local: Emerging Leaders cohort are open through 5 p.m. on April 11, 2025. IMPORTANT: Viewing and completing the application works best with the Google Chrome browser.
Requirements for Participants
- Be 18 years or older at the time of applying
- Be able to speak and read English
- Reside in one of the 18 counties or two Native nations that make up our region: Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift and Yellow Medicine counties; Caŋṡayapi Oyate (Lower Sioux Indian Community) and Peżihutazizi Oyate (Upper Sioux Community)
- Have transportation to and from sessions
- Commit to attending all program sessions (listed below) and related activities
There is no charge to participate in the program. Participants will receive a $100 stipend for each session to cover any related expenses. Participants in the 2025 Growing Local: Emerging Leaders cohort will also be reimbursed for travel.
Program Sessions
Sessions will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- May 20, 2025: Launching Your Community Leadership (Granite Falls)
- June 17, 2025: The Self-Aware Leader: Reflecting to Rise (Morton)
- July 15, 2025 (tentative date): Understanding Community, Culture and Engagements (Madison)
- July 22, 2025 (tentative date): Group Observation: Leadership Site Visit (Marshall)
- August 19, 2025: Organizing Committees that Work and Navigating Conflict (Pipestone)
- September 16, 2025: Elevating Impact: Leading to Make a Difference (Worthington)
- October 21, 2025: Visionary Leadership, Action and Celebration (New London)
For more information, contact:
Khou Lor
(320) 583-6579
[email protected]
