NDSU Extension Leadership and Civic Engagement

06/18/2026

Special Meetings: Things to Remember! ✨

Agenda items can not be added to special meetings at the meeting. 🙅

Agenda items posted in advance are the only items to be discussed. 📝

New items can be added to the next regular meeting's agenda instead. 📆

To learn more about managing effective boards, see the NDSU Extension publication on Board Management and Best Practices:

Breadcrumb Ag Home Extension publications Board Management and Best Practices Title Board Management and Best Practices (CV1965, Jan. 2024) File Publication File: CV1965 Board Management and Best Practices Summary This publication is a guide for new or existing boards to help improve their work and....

06/18/2026

💸 Grant Opportunity 💸

The application period for the Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP) is still open, but it closes soon, on June 30, 2026! 🚨

The goal of the RWIP is to empower locally led solutions to one of the state's greatest challenges: workforce needs. Single-business solutions are not eligible for this program; instead, the intent is to support local communities or regions in implementing a long-term, sustainable solution to permanently mitigate workforce participation issues. 📈

The ND Department of Commerce page for this grant program includes a webinar recording that explores the program further. 🎦

Find out more about this grant here: https://www.commerce.nd.gov/workforce/workforce-programs/regional-workforce-impact-program

06/17/2026

🤝 Facilitation 🤝

“Fail to plan, you plan to fail”. This applies to communities and businesses of all sizes. 📝

Strategic planning brings a sense of focus to any organization. 🔎

Because a strategic plan establishes a direction for your business, community and organization to take, it will help it sharpen its focus in order to get there. Strategic planning can therefore help your organization develop the right goals and targets and help everyone focus their efforts into meeting them. 🎯

Board members come to an organization with various goals or agendas in mind. Strategic planning is a tool to get everyone’s input and prioritize so everyone is on the same page and moving in the same direction. Ideally, everyone’s opinions were heard and robust discussion takes place and prioritizing ensues. 🗣

Explore more about strategic planning here 🖱: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/goal-setting-strategic-planning

06/15/2026

Join us June 30th!

Did you know it takes nearly 100 volunteer leaders to keep Casselton thriving? We NEED you! On June 30, NDSU Extension Leadership and Civic Engagement will bring its Lead Local training to Casselton to help you build the confidence and practical skills needed to serve effectively on local boards, committees and councils.

We invite those from our surrounding communities to join us as well!

Registration at https://agext-northdakotastate-ndus.nbsstore.net/lead-local-cass-county-2026

06/15/2026

Data centers: What considerations should a community take into account when exploring their development?

In an effort to assist communities in making sound decisions, here is a document that may be helpful as you move forward with your development discussions:

https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/extension-topics/leadership-and-civic-engagement/data-centers-guide-common-question

06/15/2026

Burnout is an increasingly frustrating issue in our current world.

Explore one way to avoid burnout by "unfocusing" in the Practicing Connection podcast episode linked in the original post below!

What if the key to getting more done is doing less focusing?

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.