Collaboration – It Works!

In Central Minnesota, I am one partner (Bremer Bank) in the Essentials Training group - other members include: Alexandria Technical College, Lakes Country Service Coop, United Way of Ottertail County, United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties, and West Central Initiative. An impressive group wouldn’t you say? There is real power in collaboration – sharing networks – sharing ideas – sharing expertise – sharing the WORK!

Last week, we sponsored a day long training in Alexandria for Nonprofits which we called Tool Box Strategies for Nonprofits. It featured a morning key note address on “How Your Generation Saved the World,” by Cameron Kruger (pictured left) at http://www.horizonnps.com/ and then a discussion over lunch on how the generations integrate in a work environment.

We offered breakout sessions on the following topics:

• Recruiting & Retention Strategies
• Give MN 
• Charities Review Council – Accountability Standards
• HR/Keeping it Legal
• Maximizing your Marketing Strategy with Social Media

Our final motivational speaker of the day was Ann Dolence on “Attitudes are Contagious”.

Collaborating with the Essentials Training group enabled us to provide a full day of quality training to nonprofits in our area, without taking a lot of our individual time. We were able to spread out the work and the responsibility and have a good time in the process!

Holly Witt, NRS Alexandria Charter