Operation Happy Note gets Marketing Makeover!

Operation Happy Note, based out of Fergus Falls, Minnesota and an active member of Lakes Country Service Cooperative, was selected to receive a free "Marketing Makeover" while attending the Essentials Training Team's "Nonprofits: Today & Beyond 2008 Conference."

Operation Happy Note is a volunteer effort to send musical instruments to deployed service men and women throughout the world. Steve and Barb Baker from Fergus Music started Operation Happy Note in March 2005 after their son was deployed to Iraq. They sent him a guitar and one to his friend. These soldiers were so pleased to have instruments while deployed, Steve and Barb found a way to get more instruments to deployed troops. With the help of major musical companies and individual donations, Operation Happy Note has sent over 2,000 instruments; including guitars, mandolins, banjos, violins, harmonicas, and accessories. Thousands of requests continue to come in daily. Operation Happy Note has received national recognition for their outstanding efforts.

Steve and Barb Founders of Operation Happy Note
Visit their newly designed website at http://www.operationhappynote.com/

Non-Profits: Today & Beyond 2008

The 2008 Nonprofit Conference was a full day of training and presentations offered by the "Essentials Training Team" held at the Minnesota Technical College in Alexandria, Minnesota on August 6, 2008. 110 people were registered and attended this full day event.

The conference covered topic areas identified by local nonprofit leaders. Session topics included:
* Board Expectations & Governance
* Building Essential Relationships
* Web-Based Technology for Nonprofits
* Grant Writing Essentials
* Managing and Disciplining Employees
* Board & Executive Director Relations

In addition to the seminar program, a "Nonprofit Marketing Makeover" for three selected organizations was made possible by the donation of services from three professional design firms. They offered their time & expertise at no charge and worked with these organizations to professionally "makeover" their agreed upon marketing materials.

Firms donating their time and expertise:
1. KO Creative...www.kocreative.net
2. Studio 78 - Platinum Design...www.studio-78.com
3. Eggen Group Marketing & Katzenjammer Designs...www.eggengroup.com and www.katzenjammerdesigns.com

Nonprofits Selected for Makeovers:
* Operation Happy Note
* Windmill Project
* Minnewaska Lutheran Home

The Essentials Training Team is a partnership between United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties, Tastefully Simple, West Central Initiative, Bremer, Lakes Country Service Cooperative and Alexandria Technical College. These organizations have provided a member of their team to meet monthly with the goal of organizing training that meets the "Essential Needs" of new, as well as established nonprofits. To learn more about the Essentials Training Team, contact Linda Roles and unitedway@rea-alp.com or call 320-763-4840.

Childhood Trauma Seminar October 3, 2008

Otter Tail County CARE (Children are the Responsibility of Everyone) Committee presents "Childhood Trauma: Facts, Features and Necessary Help" on Friday, October 3, 2008 at the Bigwood Events Center in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Dr. Anne R. Gearity, a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of clinical experience, will address why children are vulnerable to trauma effects and how adults can best provide this support.

Seminar objectives include:
1. Learn the hallmarks of trauma and trauma effects in children;
2. Understand the biology, as well as the psychology of trauma experiences that may perpetuate a sense of danger or fear;
3. Examine different kinds of traumas and their meanings to children;
4. Examine developmental intersections with trauma: how children of different ages manage and respond;
5. Build confidence as adult responders to provide trauma support.

CEU's may be available for Nurses, Law Enforcement, Social Workers, School Administrators and Teachers.

Contact the Otter Tail County Human Services Department at 530 W. Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 56537 for more details.

The Otter Tail County CARE Committee includes: Otter Tail County Human Services; Otter Tail County Public Health; Early Childhood Family Education; Lakes Country Service Cooperative; Community Education; Fergus Falls Police Department; Dr. Lawrence Eisinger, M.D.; Someplace Safe; Otter Tail Family Services Collaborative;and the Children's Trust Fund.

New Web Site is 'First Stop' for Minnesota State Grants Information

Cities can now search for state grant opportunities and information through a new state web site, www.grants.state.mn.us.

"This new web site is a first stop for people interested in learning about the hundreds of grant programs that are available through 23 state agencies," said Dana Badgerow, Commissioner of the state Department of Administration. "The public can locate grant opportunities on the web site three ways: by subject - such as crime prevention, community improvement, or health; by state agency coordinating the grant; or by key word through the site's search feature."

The web site includes a brief overview of many of the state's grant programs and provides direct links to the sponsoring state agency.

The web site, created by the Office of Grants Management in the Department of Administration, was developed under the auspices of the Drive to Excellence state government reform initiative. The 2007 Legislature appropriated start-up funding for the Office of Grants Management, which has as its mission increasing public access to information about state grant opportunities and standardizing, streamlining, and improving state grant-making practices.