Yesterday I sat in a room full of champions, and I admit I was a little overwhelmed.

These weren’t the type of champions who get trophies and stand on podiums, although a few had done that many times.

These were the type of “community” champions who see a need that isn’t being addressed and do something about it.

The occasion was a statewide Mountain Bike Summit, held near one of this state’s developing “destination” trail systems.… Read the rest

Memorial Day is an appropriate time to reflect on our lives and the people who made us who we are.

My wife and I recently visited a few family gravesites in preparation for Memorial Day. It’s kind of a family tradition handed down from my dad, who makes a point of traveling to many family cemeteries for the holiday.

What struck me again this year is just how much I miss many of those folks.… Read the rest

My wife and I spent time in the car yesterday, traveling to the first of what will be at least a half dozen high school graduation parties. The trip was a great time to reflect on the opportunities today’s young people have for building their “woodpiles+” and why they absolutely should make it a priority for themselves.

One thing I’ve noticed over the last few years is that today’s youth have more opportunities than ever to be involved in their communities as volunteers.… Read the rest

We have a lot to learn from others that are trying to build their communities and their woodpiles. Today’s interview picks another person we’ve identified as giving back to their community in some way and tries to learn from them.

If you know someone you would like to nominate for an interview, please drop me a note with a brief story about why that person should be featured.… Read the rest

As we’ve pointed out in this blog since day one, your job or vocation is one of the three main avenues for building your Woodpile. Finding some way, through your employment, to give back and build up others is a critical part of impacting the community you live in. But it’s not the only way.

WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY

When you invest as much time and energy into a job as most of us do, you can’t put all that on a little shelf and separate it out from “you.”… Read the rest

We have a lot to learn from others that are trying to build their communities and their woodpiles. Today’s interview picks another person we’ve identified as giving back to their community in some way and tries to learn from them.

If you know someone you would like to nominate for an interview, please drop me a note with a brief story about why that person should be featured.… Read the rest

Whether you’re a volunteer or are working for a living, it’s important to stay motivated and knowledgeable about the work you’re doing.

For many folks, attending a workshop or conference not only gets you out of the house or office, it can put you in touch with other people who are interested in the same things. Some of those folks will have some great experiences or knowledge to share.… Read the rest

Do you know a great non-profit that deserves some recognition for its amazing work? The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) is currently accepting nominations for its annual Mission Awards! Check out the descriptions and nomination forms HERE.

Now let’s go make it happen for some of our great non-profits in Greater Minnesota!… Read the rest

If your first response to the “What is a non-profit?” question is “a company that doesn’t make any money,” you’re not helping.

If you say it’s an organization that does good in the community, well, we hope so!

A good wood-piler will understand the basics of what a non-profit is so that they can have a bigger impact on its success.… Read the rest