Barb Moran and Monte Hegg were selected from a statewide pool of nominees to participate in a year-long training institute focused on building strong leadership skills within the non-profit Community Action network.

Twenty-eight Community Action agencies provide a spectrum of anti-poverty programs and initiatives throughout the state, serving all 87 counties.

Among the hundreds of services offered by Community Action are Head Start programs, weatherization, heating assistance, food support, senior services, free tax preparation, affordable housing and emergency services.

The Emerging Leadership Institute is led by the Humphrey Institute's Public and Nonprofit Leadership Center at the University of Minnesota, who are experts in the field of leadership development. The mission of the Public and Nonprofit Leadership Center is to enhance the leadership of nonprofits, philanthropy and public sector organizations to work together -Êwith the private sector - to advance the common good and serve the public interest.

The center conducts research and provides workshops, conferences and other opportunities for scholars, working professionals and organizations, as well as courses for graduate and undergraduate students. This is the first joint Institute that the center is launching in partnership with the Minnesota Community Action Partnership.

The goal of this initiative is to build a strong base of competent statewide leaders who will be prepared to engage the public, private and non-profit sectors in identifying solutions to barriers that prevent low income people from leaving poverty.

A co-hort of 30 emerging leaders will be introduced to innovative ideas, relevant research, and hands-on solutions to contemporary and future organizational challenges.

For more information, contact Deb Allison at (218) 333-9827.