Uniting for Democracy in The Northland

Uniting for Democracy (U4D) in The Northland is a non-partisan program that brings together residents in Northeast Minnesota to build relationships, strengthen collaboration skills, explore different perspectives on local issues, and work together to broaden civic participation. 

Program Goals:

1. Build relationships across difference
2. Increase understanding of different views on local issues
3. Strengthen collaboration and communication skills
4. Address a local democracy challenge through a local solution
5. Broaden civic participation to empower people from underrepresented communities to fully engage and lead​

Participants:
Anyone 18+ who lives in Northeast Minnesota and embraces the goals above is invited to apply. In other words, it's for you!
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Implementing Organizations:

• Lead for America: This local effort will be led by Amber Lewis, a Fellow with Lead for Minnesota (a state affiliate of the national Lead for America) who is originally from the Iron Range and is serving Northspan for two years. 
• Urban Rural Action: Provides facilitation support to participants and connects efforts in Northeast Minnesota with the national Uniting for Democracy initiative
• Northspan: Supports implementation of the venture that community members design

Uniting for Democracy Overview
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U4D consists of three phases:

• Phases 1 and 2 will take place in person in Duluth at Lake Superior College on Saturday, April 30, 2022. This high-energy, experiential kick-off workshop will start at 9:00 a.m. and wrap by 4:00 p.m.
• Phase 3 will start immediately after the workshop, and the team leading this effort will decide on a meeting schedule moving forward.  ​

4/30/22 Morning (Phase 1): Relationship-Building and Constructive Dialogue 

We will use the ABCs of Constructive Dialogue to explore different views on issues in Northeast Minnesota while building connection

4/30/22 Afternoon (Phase 2): Planning for Action

We will create Problem Trees to analyze causes and effects of civic participation challenges AND begin to design a community venture in Northeast Minnesota

Phase 3: Taking Action Post-Workshop

Coming out of the April 30 workshop, we will implement a community venture with Northspan at our own pace.

Apply for Uniting for Democracy in the Northland by April 25, 2022

FAQ

What are examples of community ventures that participants might implement?

Teams might address misinformation by offering training on news literacy, enhance trust in institutions through community education on civics, or mitigate polarization through experiential training on communication across difference.

What will I get out of this experience?

​ Based on the experience of participants in previous programs, we expect you will walk away with the following:

• Professionals skills in a) communicating effectively with people who have different views than you do, b) analyzing complex interconnected societal challenges, and c) community venture design
• Relationships with people with whom you might not otherwise engage
• A stronger understanding of the challenges that face communities different from your own (through connections with groups across the country)
• Meaningful contributions to a community venture that addresses a local democracy challenge

How will we be doing this?

We will meet in person in Duluth on April 30, 2022. After that, we will meet at our own pace for structured discussion, small group brainstorming, and collaboration. 

What is the cost?

The cost is $25, all of which supports implementation of the program. No one is turned away because of an inability to pay; when you register, you'll have a choice of paying the amount you can afford, which can be $0.