Conversations do matter to you and to the future of our planet. Some of the basic principles involve the importance of deep, respectful listening, avoiding blame and judgment, and staying true to yourself and your values – even in difficult circumstances. Hear useful ways to engage, heal, and inspire! We’ll talk about:

* how all situations can benefit from conscious, intentional conversations

* conversation guidelines to enhance relationships and family life

* what fragmented attention can do to sabotage a conversation

* the importance of asking good questions and managing expectations

* whether you feel prepared to initiate & explore sensitive subjects

* why learning to have “conversations that matter” has rich rewards

Recently, the Southern Minnesota Manufacturers Alliance™ formed to create new business opportunities. Three companies, CAB Construction of Mankato, ProTrucking/ProManufacturing of Albert Lea and Metal Services of Blooming Prairie, are using their combined strengths to attract new customers from around the world, many of whom have sought larger firms outside the region to meet their needs.

In a shrinking economy, many business owners are asking themselves: "Where do we find more business?" Working together, rather than in competition, has provided at least a partial solution for three metal manufacturers in southern Minnesota. The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation has helped bring about this synergy by convening a monthly business leaders meeting called the CEO Peer Council.

Link to a video of the ProAction Cafe portion of Art of Hosting.

In 2005, a report published by the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that, because of obesity, this generation of children could be the first in the history of the United States to live less healthful and shorter lives than their parents. This caught the attention of the Dakota County Public Health Department. To determine how to locally address childhood obesity, Dakota County worked with Wilder Research to conduct a series of focus groups with parents and caregivers of preschool children. this brief outlines the planning process, lessons learned and next steps.