BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//West Central Initiative - ECPv6.15.17.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:West Central Initiative
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://wcif.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for West Central Initiative
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Chicago
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20240310T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20241103T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20250309T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20251102T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20260308T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20261101T070000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250908T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250908T200000
DTSTAMP:20260416T124521
CREATED:20250709T130157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250709T130157Z
UID:10000202-1757354400-1757361600@wcif.org
SUMMARY:Morris Screening of Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics
DESCRIPTION:Morris Screening of Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics\n\n\n\nJoin us and the Morris Model to explore the microplastic public health crisis present in our community and everyday life. \nWe’ll kick things off with a screening of Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics\, a documentary that uncovers how tiny plastic particles have infiltrated our food\, water\, air\, and our bodies\, both globally and at a local level. \n\n\n\n\nAfter the screening\, stay for a thought-provoking discussion about what this means for public health\, the land we live and work on\, and our everyday choices. What steps can we take as individuals and communities to address this urgent issue? How can we push for solutions that go beyond recycling? \nWe’ll also be joined by Mary Kosuth\, a special guest from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health! \n\n\nWhether you’re passionate about community health\, curious about the science behind microplastics\, or simply looking to learn more\, this event is for you. Let’s talk about what’s at stake—and how we can be part of the change. \n\n\nThis event is free & open to all\, and movie snacks are provided. \n\nThe film will start at 6 p.m. with conversation to follow. \nClick here to register to attend!
URL:https://wcif.org/event/morris-screening-of-plastic-people-2/
LOCATION:MN
CATEGORIES:In Person Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wcif.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Plastic-People-Film-Screening.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250909T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250909T180000
DTSTAMP:20260416T124521
CREATED:20250723T150201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250723T150201Z
UID:10000203-1757433600-1757440800@wcif.org
SUMMARY:The Great Wealth Transfer
DESCRIPTION:Discover what the Great Wealth Transfer means—for you\,  your clients\, your practice\, and your community. \nOver the next 20 years\, trillions of dollars will change hands as wealth is passed from one generation to the next. This moment—known as the Great Wealth Transfer—presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape the future of our region. \nWe invite financial professionals and individuals to a valuable evening of learning\, conversation\, and connection. This event is designed to help you explore how thoughtful charitable giving can benefit families and the communities they care about. \nYou’ll hear from rural sociologist Ben Winchester on the scale of this transfer and the transformative opportunities it presents for communities like ours\, explore how individuals and families can create lasting local impact through legacy planning and charitable giving\, and gain real-world tools and insights from legal\, accounting\, and financial experts to support meaningful\, tax-wise giving. \nThis session will help: \n\n\nFinancial professionals gain tools to lead legacy conversations and strengthen client relationships. \n\n\nIndividuals and families explore values-based giving that creates lasting local impact. \n\n\nAll attendees understand how to partner with community foundations for strategic\, community-focused philanthropy. \n\n\n\nAgenda\n4 p.m. | Welcome & Introduction \n4:15 – 4:45 p.m. | Ben Winchester\, Research Fellow\, University of Minnesota ExtensionTopic: Great Wealth Transfer & Charitable Impact Potential in Community \n4:45 – 5:15 p.m. | Panel: From Our Experts – Turning Insight Into ActionHow to use this information to guide charitable giving that lifts communities. \n\n\nJanel Fredericksen\, Estate Attorney\, Smith & Strege \n\n\nKyle Wesely\, CPA\, Managing Shareholder\, Wesely & Wesely CPAs \n\n\nTim Stauffer\, Regional Vice President of Retirement Strategies\, Prudential \n\n\n5:15 – 6 p.m. | Q&A and One-on-One ConversationsConnect directly with our panel of experts. Guests are encouraged to bring questions for tailored guidance. \nRefreshments and appetizers provided. \n\nCome as a team. Leave inspired. \nSpace is limited\, so RSVP today for you and your clients\, family members\, or guests who are interested in the future of their wealth and their community.
URL:https://wcif.org/event/the-great-wealth-transfer-2/
LOCATION:MN
CATEGORIES:In Person Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wcif.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/The-Great-Wealth-Transfer-Final.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250910T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250910T130000
DTSTAMP:20260416T124521
CREATED:20250815T145109Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250815T145109Z
UID:10000205-1757505600-1757509200@wcif.org
SUMMARY:Sustainable Communities Network: The Morris Model Blueprint for Community Resilience
DESCRIPTION:You’re invited to learn more about the success of the Morris Model – an award-winning group made up of partner organizations working together towards a shared vision of advancing a sustainable community in Morris\, Minnesota\, and west central Minnesota.  \nThe Morris Model focuses its work on energy conservation\, clean energy\, community resilience\, cultural exchange\, and celebration with specific goal areas within clean and efficient energy\, transportation\, waste reduction and recycling\, and education. Learn more about what made the Morris Model successful with the new Morris Model Coordinator Talitha Anderson\, and what steps you can take to support similar initiatives in your own community! \nHow this connects to the Region 4 Climate Action Plan: \n\nPromote and incentivize local renewable energy projects. Explore leveraging existing incentives to increase renewable energy utilization and generation throughout the region.\nCollaborate with residential and commercial waste haulers to establish organics diversion programs for residential and commercial buildings. Support and encourage local governments to use strategies to move the municipal operations toward zero-waste.\n\nHow this connects to the Sustainable Development Goals: \n\nGoal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities\nGoal 17: Partnerships for the Goals\n\nClick here to register to attend. \nSustainable Communities Network \nWe invite you to join the Sustainable Communities Network and get connected to actionable climate and sustainability solutions! In the Sustainable Communities Network\, you’ll connect with climate and sustainability experts and people like you working on solutions that support a resilient and sustainable future for our region. \nGoals:\n\nConnect people to actionable solutions to create more sustainable communities\, now and in the future.\n\n\nBuild relationships across the region with each other and with the people and organizations creating positive change in their own communities.\n\n\nChampion success stories and innovative projects that can be supported or replicated in other communities.\n\nThe topics and goals of the group are grounded in both the Minnesota Region 4 Climate Action Plan and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that are part of our strategic framework.
URL:https://wcif.org/event/morris-model-2/
LOCATION:MN
CATEGORIES:Virtual Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wcif.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Morris-Model.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250912
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250922
DTSTAMP:20260416T124521
CREATED:20250904T145825Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250904T145825Z
UID:10000207-1757635200-1758499199@wcif.org
SUMMARY:Welcoming Week
DESCRIPTION:Welcoming Week 2025—Stories We Share\nJoin us in celebrating Welcoming Week 2025\, September 12-21\, 2025! \nWe envision a future where all people feel welcome\, appreciated for their unique attributes\, and connected to their neighbors\, communities\, and natural environments. \nAs communities in our region look ahead to growing economically and socially\, it is vital to provide a welcoming\, safe space for all newcomers. \nThat is why we participate in Welcoming Week\, a national movement organized by Welcoming America that helps communities become more welcoming to newcomers. 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. \nSee a full list of Welcoming Week events taking place in our region here.
URL:https://wcif.org/event/welcoming-week-2/
LOCATION:MN
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wcif.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Welcoming-Week-169.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR