Northwest Minnesota Foundation ~ Developing Community Assets ~ Serving 12 Counties SUMMER 2008
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Number 46
NMF Annual Dinner
Celebrating Leadership, Vision, Change and Impact On April 15, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation board and staff hosted the annual celebration dinner, held in Crookston at the Northern Inn. Nearly 200 people attended the event. Eric Bergeson, NMF board chair, delivered the keynote message. The theme for this year’s celebration, “Leadership: Vision, Change, Impact” was the basis of remarks by Bergeson. He discussed how the foundation has seen the new strategic plan envisioned, made major changes in programming, and a hired a new president to lead the organization into the next phase of development. Bergeson said, “It seems that leadership has been the focus of our entire year at NMF. We have a new leader. We have a new leadership program. We’re more ready than ever for the exciting future that lays ahead for all of us in the region.” NMF President Nancy Vyskocil made the opening remarks and introduced board and staff members. Also in attendance was her predecessor, John Ostrem, who was recognized through a photo presentation of his history with the foundation and presented with a gift. The group was entertained by C. Willi Myles, whose stories and anecdotes about life as a newcomer to Minnesota raised the roof with howls of laughter. Tribute was given to the designers of the new NMF LeaderImpact program. The foundation contracted with Dr. Okokon Udo, together with DeAnna Murphy of Northland Community and Technical College as the design team. The foundation expressed its thanks and gratitude to Okokon and DeAnna for creating a program that is different from any other in existence, designed to be a leadership experience that transfers the lessons learned back to real life.
Anne Sand, NMF board vice-chair (seated) with Nancy and Rick Vyskocil
Their vision, hard work, dedication and, most of all, great passion for the complex project made it all possible. Thanks were also given to Northland’s Bonnie Stewart and Pat Balstad, without whom the work would not have been possible. Stewart talked about the pilot program, held last winter, being characterized by participants as a uniquely powerful experience, described by many as “life-changing.” They reported that they had developed an awareness of their own gifts and talents. They felt better able to understand and utilize the talents of others, and grew more confident in their own leadership abilities and potential. The highlight of the evening was the pleasure of honoring the work of partners through the presentation of awards. (Continued on page 4)