NDSU Extension Leadership and Civic Engagement

06/12/2026

"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."
-John F. Kennedy

Are people in your community ready to learn how they can serve as a leader on a board, council, or commission? 🫡

Please connect with a Leadership & Civic Engagement Specialist from NDSU Extension to learn more about how to increase the number of people willing to serve in your town! ☎️

Extending knowledge by connecting resources in leadership development and civic engagement to support agriculture, communities and rural quality of life.

06/10/2026

🌟 Leadership 🌟

Great leaders understand the value of being great followers. Here’s why followership is just as important as leadership:

1. Support and Respect: A good follower supports their leaders and respects their decisions, contributing to a cohesive team environment. 🤝
2. Active Participation: Engage actively in tasks, meetings, and projects, showing commitment and dedication. 🌟
3. Constructive Feedback: Provide thoughtful and constructive feedback to help improve processes and outcomes. 🗣️
4. Reliability: Be dependable and consistent in your actions, building trust within the team. 🕰️
5. Personal Growth: Embrace opportunities to learn and grow, enhancing your skills and readiness for future leadership roles. 📚

By mastering followership, you contribute to a stronger, more effective team dynamic and pave the way for your own leadership journey! 🌱

How do you practice effective followership in your team? Share your tips below! ✔️

06/09/2026

It's Primary Election Day in North Dakota! 🎉

If you weren't able to participate in early voting, today is the day to make your voice heard! 🗳

Help your preferred candidates advance to the general election later this year (November 3, 2026). ✅

Participate in a basic American civic duty. 🫡

Vote! 👍

06/04/2026

“The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born-that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born."
-Warren Bennis

Is your town in need of people to serve on councils, boards, commissions, and committees? 🧐

Contact NDSU Extension for ideas on how to make some more leaders in your community! 📨

Extending knowledge by connecting resources in leadership development and civic engagement to support agriculture, communities and rural quality of life.

06/04/2026

💻 Check out this month's scheduled OneOp webinars!

https://oneop.org/upcoming-webinars/

06/02/2026

🗣️ Communication 🗣️

Body language speaks volumes in communication! Here are tips to enhance your non-verbal cues:

Posture: Maintain an upright posture to convey confidence and attentiveness. 🚶‍♂️
Eye Contact: Establish and maintain eye contact to show interest and sincerity. 👁️‍🗨️
Gestures: Use natural gestures to emphasize points and express engagement. 👐
Facial Expressions: Smile genuinely and use facial expressions that match your message. 😊
Space and Proximity: Respect personal space and adjust proximity for comfort and rapport. 🌐

By mastering body language, you can enhance your communication effectiveness and build stronger connections! 💬✨

Looking for more resources? We would love to hear from you!

✔️ How do you use body language to communicate effectively? Share your tips below!

06/02/2026

Early voting for the primary election begins today in some counties in North Dakota! 🗳

Participating in primary elections is an important civic duty in our country. Some counties encourage early in-person voting, but even if that option isn't available, you can make a plan to vote in the primary election next week Tuesday, June 9, 2026. 🫡

Curious where you can vote, if early voting options are available, or what candidates are on the ballot for your area? 🤔

Find out on the North Dakota Secretary of State's website here:

Welcome to the North Dakota Secretary of State Voter Information Portal

05/29/2026

❓ Did You Know? ❓

🤓 Guests to a board meeting may be moved up in the agenda to accommodate their schedule so they don't have to wait for the rest of the meeting to take place.

📜 Make things more convenient for meeting guests by asking if they have any scheduling conflicts both before the agenda goes out and prior to the start of the meeting to accommodate their needs where possible.

💪 An adaptable board is a more successful board!

🖱 Explore more about effective board management:

Where do you begin?

05/27/2026

🗂️ Meeting Management Tip 🗂️

To ensure clarity and formality in meetings, motions should always begin with the words “I move….” Here’s why and how:

🗣️Clarity: Starting with “I move…” clearly signals that a formal proposal is being made.
📜Structure: It helps maintain a structured and organized meeting flow.
⚖️Formality: Using precise language upholds the formal nature of parliamentary procedures.
🧠Understanding: It ensures all participants understand the proposal and can follow the discussion.
📝Record Keeping: A consistent format makes it easier to document and reference motions in meeting minutes.

By starting your motions with “I move…”, you contribute to smoother, more effective meetings! 🚀✨

Need assistance with parliamentary procedures? Contact us for training sessions!

✔️What makes your meetings run smoothly? Share below!