From the Center for Integrative Leadership

Every few weeks on my e-mail or voice-mail, I have two or three people asking if I know ”someone who’s working to find a better way to welcome new Americans to Minnesota,“ ”someone who has created a way to talk about the value of out-of-school time for young people,“ or ‘the best way to assess quality in early childhood settings.“ Perhaps it is because I teach social policy. Perhaps it is because I work at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Affairs. But I’ve always been struck by the inefficiencies with how this all works. There has got to be a better way to find someone else who is working on the same thing you are. And do so through a trusted source.

About two years ago, I began to work with others to envision such a platform that combines web resource sharing and in-person meetings. It is a better way for people to connect with each other, share insights and get support for moving forward.

You’re Invited Feb. 8 for an Evening of Solutions

Here we are in February with the days still short, snow still on the ground and temperatures still below freezing. Chances may be, the energy and resolve you had at the beginning of the year to create positive change in 2011 is ebbing.

That makes this month an ideal time to rekindle, gather, learn, share and creatively think about new solutions to advance lasting social change.

This Tuesday, Feb. 8, InCommons is proud to support and co-sponsor the second Ashoka Twin Cities Solutions Forum.

As an InCommons member, you’re invited to enjoy a one-hour live interview with Ashoka Fellows Conchy Bretos and Felipe Vergara, conducted by media personality Rick Kupchella. Exchange your perspective with these leaders and others in attendance at a reception to follow. This free event will be held at the Walker Art Center. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The program begins at 7 p.m.

We hope you can join.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot at the Ashoka Solutions Forum. For more information, contact ashokatwincites@ashoka.org.
Other Solutions Forum sponsors are The John S. & James L. Knight Foundation and Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP.

About the Ashoka Fellows
Conchy Bretos developed MIA Consulting, an initiative for more autonomous elderly care, working with policy and public housing buildings in order to prevent low-income and disabled elderly from being forced into nursing homes against their will.
Recognizing the need for an efficient system to finance higher education, Felipe Vergara created Lumni and is introducing human capital contracts—an entirely new set of financial products—to draw private capital toward higher education.