West Central Initiative

Conversation about Climate and Rural Community Resiliency
2023-10-30 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago)
Join Minnesota Farmers Union and West Central Initiative for a Conversation about Climate and Rural Community Resiliency. The discussion will focus on our changing climate and mental health concerns in west central Minnesota.
WHEN: 5:30-7:30 p.m. October 30.
WHERE: Outstate Brewing Company, 309 S. Vine St., Fergus Falls.
SPEAKERS: Ariel Kagan, MFU Climate and Working Lands Program Director; Monica McConkey, rural mental health specialist, Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
FOOD: Pizza, charcuterie board, and first drink will be provided.
Registration is full.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: E-mail lisa@mfu.org or call (763) 607-4570 for more information.

Age-Friendly Minnesota Conference and Exchange
2023-09-27 09:00 - 2023-09-29 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us for these three dynamic days, where you can learn about age-friendly trends and innovations. Select one virtual session or attend several – it’s up to you! We also want to hear your insights at an in-person Exchange Session, where you can shape our state’s Multisector Plan on Aging, network with people in your area, and take home insights from local and national experts.
DATES
Join us September 27-29, 2023 for a number of options to connect.
TIME
Virtual sessions run from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and in-person exchanges will be held from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon on Friday.
LOCATIONS

September 27-28 sessions are all virtual via Zoom.
September 29 is in-person, with Exchange Sessions hosted simultaneously in multiple locations around Minnesota.

COST
The Age-Friendly Minnesota Council is pleased to provide all sessions atno charge thanks to our Age-Friendly Technical Assistance Providers, AARP Minnesota, AARP Livable Communities, Area Agencies on Aging, and the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging.
AUDIENCE
All are welcome who envision a Minnesota that is supportive and inclusive for residents of all ages, including representatives from local and state government, aging services professionals, business leaders, as well as those working across healthcare, higher education, philanthropy or those interested in helping to shape the future of aging in our state. Especially if you’ve never been part of an event about aging – welcome!
REGISTER
https://www.agefriendlymn.org/conference

Welcoming Week 2023
2023-09-07 - 2023-09-23
Our goal is a world where everyone belongs and can thrive.
We envision a future where all people feel welcome, appreciated for their unique attributes, and connected to their neighbors, communities, and natural environments. As communities in west central Minnesota look ahead to grow both economically and socially, providing a welcoming, safe space for all newcomers is vital.
That is why we participate in Welcoming Week (September 8-17, 2023), a national movement organized by Welcoming America that helps communities become more welcoming to newcomers, immigrants, and refugees. Welcoming Week celebrations bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong communities and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity.
View a full list of events in our region.

Conscious Discipline Training
2023-08-23 09:00 - 2023-08-24 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Conscious Discipline is a life-approach, social, and emotional development program teaching adults the ability to recognize and regulate their own emotions, with the hope to mirror their behaviors for the children in their classroom or care setting. This evidence-based approach has proven to help with children’s behaviors, relationship-building, and overall well-being.
For more information: https://consciousdiscipline.com/
The two-day Early Childhood Overview is open to any Early Care and Education professional in west central Minnesota. Although this training is FREE, we ask each participant to purchase their book. The cost is $39.
Registration is closed.

Age-Friendly Minnesota: Community Challenge Brainstorm
2023-06-23 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
POSTPONED
We’re offering this Age-Friendly Minnesota workshop for community leaders in west central Minnesota. Age-Friendly Minnesota is a statewide program that aims to make communities more accessible to older adults, especially those from historically marginalized groups.
This workshop will provide inspiration and practical tools for a team (3-5 people) from your community to bring ideas from the drawing board to reality.
In this session, you will:

Discover how small communities throughout the world are making a difference for their citizens.
Learn about upcoming grant opportunities from Lake Region Art Council, AARP, Age-Friendly Minnesota, Springboard for the Arts, and West Central Initiative.
Learn how to prepare for grants before the deadline and how to get from the drawing board to a grant application.
Create a plan to make your community more vibrant, accessible, and resilient for your neighbors. Earn a $500 sponsorship if you implement that plan within 18 months!
Engage with your placemaking and community development peers.
Receive a customized socio-economic report specific to your community. The report is a valuable tool in grant-seeking.

To register, a community should bring a team of 3 to 5 people, which MUST include one member of city staff, one elected official, and one member of a community fund, group, or nonprofit interested in community development. The day will include a continental breakfast, refreshments, and a boxed lunch.
A registration fee of $100 will be charged per community team.
Space is limited, so be sure to register your team as soon as possible.
Register Your Team
Agenda
8:30 a.m: Breakfast and introduction.
9:00 a.m: Presentation “Top Takeaways” from … Gil Penalosa of 8-80 Cities, Rural Sociologist Ben Winchester, AARP, SaveYour.Town, Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging, and more!
10:00 a.m: World Café – a series of round-table discussions happening simultaneously. Five table topics are available, and you can choose to share and listen as you find interest and applicability to your community project ideas.
11:00 a.m: Large group discussion with input from community development guests and granting organizations.
12:00 p.m: Community tour – see the amazing transformation of Farwell! Then enjoy lunch with your team and start planning your next community project. Staff and guests will be around to answer questions as you sketch out your dream!
1:00 p.m: Take off for the weekend!

How to Tell Your Story
2023-04-27 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Child care and preschool frequently appear in headlines. But what are policymakers planning to do on these topics? How do these discussions affect your work, and how can you participate?
Attend this Develop-approved online training to brush up on the history and context of our current early care and education “system.” Then learn about concrete ways you can participate in the policy conversations happening today. You’ll have time to think about what and how you want to share. No previous advocacy experience or knowledge required!
Learn more and register today! Use coupon code STORYFREE to register for free.

Creating Your Climate Solutions Journey
2023-04-21 13:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago)
We all share this one planet and have a responsibility to do our part to sustain it for future generations. Celebrate Earth Day with us at our fourth Convivium gathering and discover real solutions to tackle climate change in our own backyard.
The Schedule
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Presentation and Q&A | Edson Auditorium
Dr. Heidi Roop, author of The Climate Action Handbook: A Visual Guide to 100 Climate Solutions for Everyone, will present a roadmap for creating a personalized climate solutions journey. Following the presentation, she’ll be joined by the Sustainability Director for the University of Minnesota Morris Troy Goodnough and West Central Initiative President Anna Wasescha to answer questions from the audience.
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Complimentary Refreshments and Book Signing | Oyate Hall
Guests will have the opportunity to have a copy of The Climate Action Handbook signed by Dr. Heidi Roop while enjoying refreshments and meaningful conversation.
We’d love for you to join us on April 21. The first 200 guests will receive a free copy of The Climate Action Handbook. Register at wcif.org/convivium.

Legislative Kaffeeklatsch
2022-12-09 07:00 - 08:00 (America/Chicago)
Lakes Country Service Cooperative & West Central Initiative invite you to join us for a virtual Legislative Kaffeeklatsch to hear from our region’s legislators. Lobbyists Sam Walseth & Roger Moe will moderate the event.
The first 50 people to register will receive a complimentary $5 gift card to a coffee shop in our region.
Register Today

Pine to Prairie GIS Users Group Meeting
2022-11-16 09:00 (America/Chicago)
Otter Tail County is hosting an in-person meeting with a potential hybrid option.
Additionally, we’re requesting your input on future meetings. Please complete the RSVP with your preferred attendance and topic suggestions.
Draft agenda for November 16:
9:00 a.m.: Welcome & Introductions
9:15 a.m.: Fiber Optic Networks
10:15 a.m.: E911 Data Standards: Updates and Usage
11:30 a.m.: State LiDAR Project Update, PLSS remonumentation efforts
Noon: Lunch & Networking, round-robin style

Autumn Convivium
2022-11-15 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago)
We’re inviting our friends and partners in Detroit Lakes and beyond to an evening of celebration, exploration, and conversation at the Historic Holmes Theatre.
5-6:45 p.m. Social & Interactive Booths
Blackboard, based in Vergas, will provide heavy hors d’oeuvres. Booths with focuses on climate, community, and kids will be available for you to read, taste, and explore elements unique to this region. Be sure to view our guests below!
6:45-7:30 p.m. Dessert & Conversation
Starting at 6:45 p.m., guests will enjoy dessert while Storyteller Kevin Kling hosts an evening presentation that features a story by Emily Buermann, a Becker County Resident and enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and a conversation between Kevin Lindsey, CEO of the Minnesota Humanities Center, and Anna Wasescha, president of our organization.
Learn more and register.

Spring Convivium
2022-04-22 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
We all share this one planet and have a responsibility to do our part to sustain it for future generations. This Earth Day, join us at our Spring Convivium as we bring together regional climate experts to discuss real solutions to tackle climate change in our own backyard.
Featured guests include Shelly Carlson, Mayor of the City of Moorhead; Dr. Heidi Roop, Assistant Professor of Climate Science at the University of Minnesota; Dr. Mark Seeley, former Extension Climatologist and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota; and Sven Sundgaard, Broadcast Meteorologist.
Registration to attend this event in person is limited. We expect to reach our in-person capacity fairly quickly, so please don’t delay your registration. To amplify our message and connect with our broad audience base, we’re bringing this event online too!
Friday, April 22
RiverHaven Events Center, Moorhead + Online
11:30 a.m. Preshow & Social
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Complimentary Lunch & Panel Discussion
Register Today

Electric Road Trip: Stories of Traveling the Country in an Electric Vehicle
2022-03-21 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us for an interview with Detroit Lakes native Erika Gilsdorf, founder and videographer of What Fuels You USA. Hear stories from Erika’s year-long road trip traveling the country, pulling her tiny house behind an electric vehicle to interview nature enthusiasts, adventurers, and sustainability advocates in their element.
Register for the event

Social Emotional Development and its Impact on Learning in the Early Childhood Classroom
2022-03-08 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Social emotional development is closely related with cognitive development. In a model learning environment, children are engaged, stimulated, and engrossed in play-based learning. Taking turns, playing together, cooperating with others, and conflict resolution are some of the areas that will be covered during the training. We will dive into emotional awareness to help children recognize and understand their own feelings and actions as well as those of others. We will also learn how to help children become aware of how our feelings and actions affect ourselves and others. Finally, we will discuss the importance of self-regulation and learn how to support children in being able to express their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in socially appropriate ways. Teachers will reflect on their own learning environment, teaching styles, strengths, and areas for growth. So, come ready to collaborate, reflect, and plan! This is going to be a great time of learning together. Can’t wait to see you there!
The first 110 registrants will receive materials kits, each valued at $75!

The (R)evolution of Indigenous Food Systems of North America
2021-11-17 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Mexico_City)
Our Era to Act Virtual Speaker Series is bringing you diverse, thought-provoking voices from our rural region and beyond.

Our next session is November 17 from noon to 1:30 PM. Join Oglala Lakota Chef Sean Sherman, founder of The Sioux Chef, to learn about decolonizing our food system. From growing up on Pine Ridge to an epiphany on a beach in Mexico, Chef Sean Sherman shares his journey of discovering, reviving and reimagining Native cuisine.
Register for the FREE event:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JS0xcIfOQvyeXH3RsQUATA
Learn more about the series: https://era2act.com/

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Action-Planning Meeting: Child Care
2021-11-16 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago)
Register to attend this event to create a one-year child care action plan, which is one of the highest priority areas noted within the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. On November 16 from 10 to 11 a.m. via Zoom, we’ll gather input from leaders, stakeholders, and action-focused individuals to create a plan to achieve our region’s short- and long-term goals. All interested parties are welcomed to attend.

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Action-Planning Meeting: Business Development
2021-11-10 12:30 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Register to attend this event to create a one-year business development action plan, which is one of the highest priority areas noted within the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. On November 10 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. via Zoom, we’ll gather input from leaders, stakeholders, and action-focused individuals to create a plan to achieve our region’s short- and long-term goals. All interested parties are welcomed to attend.

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Action-Planning Meeting: Housing
2021-11-09 13:30 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Register to attend this event to create a one-year housing action plan, which is one of the highest priority areas noted within the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. On November 9 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. via Zoom, we’ll gather input from leaders, stakeholders, and action-focused individuals to create a plan to achieve our region’s short- and long-term goals. All interested parties are welcomed to attend.
Register Today

Grant County Dental Outreach Clinic for Kids
2021-11-03 08:00 - 16:00 (America/North_Dakota/Center)
PLEASE NOTE: In accordance with CDC Guidelines related to COVID-19, Apple Tree Dental has implemented a full range of new protocols to ensure your safety during dental appointments.
This is a Dental Outreach Clinic specifically designed to provide dental services to children between the ages of 1 and 18 years of age. Dental health staff will be available to provide all dental services for children covered by Minnesota Health Care Programs and Minnesota Medical Assistance.
Appointments must be made in advance by calling toll-free 1-218-998-2218 between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
If you need help with transportation, please ask when you make your appointment.
