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.

DON'T THUMB IT UP: TEXTING, EMAILING, WEB ACCESS BEHIND THE WHEEL ILLEGAL AS OF AUGUST 1

Text-messaging, emailing or accessing the Web on a wireless device while driving — including while stopped in traffic — is illegal on Minnesota roads effective August 1. The violation can cost up to $300 and applies to drivers of all ages. As a primary offense, law enforcement can stop a motorist if they observe a violation of the new law.

Specifically, the law states that no person may operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device to compose, read, or send an electronic message, when the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic. The law does not apply to devices that are permanently affixed to the vehicle or global positioning systems or navigation systems.

According to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), crashes in which distraction or inattention was a factor — including text-messaging or cell phone use — are vastly underreported. The state reports distraction was a factor in at least 15 percent of all fatal crashes during 2005–2007, resulting in 240 traffic deaths. Another 1,163 motorists suffered serious, life-altering injuries as a result of distracted driving crashes during this period. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says distraction is a factor in about 25 percent of all crashes.

“When you are composing or reading a text message, your focus is not on the road, and your hands definitely aren’t on the wheel,” says Cheri Marti, director of DPS Office of Traffic Safety. “Driving is a multitasking activity in itself that requires complete attention.”

Marti says while the law is a good first step in eliminating the texting distraction, Minnesota motorists need to make a “serious effort” to remain focused on driving.

“Before you drive, put your phone out of reach so you avoid the urge to go for it,” says Marti. “If you have passengers, use them as the designated texters and have them handle your calls and texts.”

Cell phone use for teen drivers with a provisional license is completely prohibited by a law in effect since 2006. In an informal DPS Minnesota teen driving survey, teen respondents said texting was their biggest distraction while driving. Texting was also cited as the “most unsafe” behavior their friends engaged in while driving.

Motorists Can Be Pulled Over Directly for the Violation.

NEW TEEN DRIVING LIMITATIONS IN EFFECT AUGUST 1

New laws taking effect August 1 will help newly licensed teens hone their driving skills during the first year of licensure by reducing exposure to two high-risk situations: driving late at night and carrying multiple teen passengers.

According to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Minnesota teen drivers are overrepresented in traffic crashes each year due to driver inexperience, distractions, nighttime driving, speeding and seat belt non-use. In the last three years (2005-2007), 16- and 17 year-old drivers were involved in 116 fatal crashes, resulting in 133 deaths.

“These laws will help teens become safer drivers and, as a result, prevent deaths and injuries on Minnesota roads,” says Michael Campion, commissioner of DPS.

A nighttime driving limitation during the first six months of licensure prohibits teens from driving midnight –5 a.m., unless the teen is accompanied by a licensed driver age 25 or older. Other exceptions include driving between home and place of employment, for employment purposes, and to/from home and a school event for which the school has not provided transportation. Mile for mile, 16 and 17 year-olds are about three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash at night than during the day.

A passenger limitation for the first six months of licensure allows only one passenger under the age of 20, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. During the second six months of licensure, no more than three passengers under the age of 20 are permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Passengers under age 20 who are members of the immediate family are permitted for both periods.

In the last three years in Minnesota, 2005–2007, 41 percent of the teen passengers killed in traffic crashes were in vehicles driven by 16 or 17 year olds.

These laws also apply to teens licensed before August 1. For example, a teen licensed on July 1 would have the nighttime limitation for five months beginning August 1, the one passenger limitation for five months, and the three passenger limitation for six months.

Violating these laws is a misdemeanor.

DPS recommends parents reinforce these laws and continue to monitor and train teens, even after licensure, as new drivers need supervised exposure in a variety of driving conditions and environments. DPS also urges parents to be a positive role model behind the wheel. For more on the new teen laws, visit http://www.dps.state.mn.us/ots/teens/default.asp.

MN library agency accepting proposals for accessibility and construction grants

The State Library Services, a division of the Department of Education, is now accepting grant proposals for the Public Library Accessibility and Construction Matching Grant Program.

The competitive library construction grant program began in 1994 exclusively as a grant to remove architectural barriers in public library buildings. In 2005, the Legislature amended and expanded this legislation. Beginning in fiscal year (FY) 2006, permissible use of the grants includes general improvements and accessibility, renovation or expansion of an existing building for use as a library, or construction of a new library building. The maximum accessibility grant was increased to $200,000 with construction grants capped at $1 million. The 2008 Legislature appropriated $1.5 million for the FY 2009-2010 biennium.

Since 1995, 101 library buildings have benefited from competitive state dollar to local dollar matching accessibility grants totaling $5.9 million; local share has totaled more than $39 million. The actual overall matching ratio amounts to $1 state to $6.62 local.

The deadline for grant proposals to be submitted is Oct. 24 at 4:15 p.m. For more information and an application form, visit the State Library Services web site.

Potential applicants should notify Bruce Pomerantz, library development specialist, as early as possible of their intention to submit a grant proposal. Contact Pomerantz at bruce.pomerantz@state.mn.us or (651) 582-8890.

City of Hancock Receives Grants for Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure

The residents of Hancock will have improved wastewater treatment, a cleaner environment and lower costs, thanks to nearly $2.7 million in loans and grants. A Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Grant of $584,000 was awarded to the City of Hancock from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA).

“Adequate wastewater treatment is a key part of keeping the city healthy and economically vital,” said Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner and PFA Chair Dan McElroy.

The funds will be used to construct a new stabilization pond system for wastewater treatment that will serve approximately 700 residents of the City of Hancock, located in Stevens County. Construction began at the end of May 2008 and it is expected to be completed by October 2008.

Andrea Swenson, city clerk/treasurer said Hancock needed the stabilization pond because the current plant that handles wastewater treatment is outdated and the effluent does not meet Minnesota Pollution Control Agency standards. The new pond is extremely cost-efficient and will enable the city to save thousands of dollars per year on operating and maintenance costs, as well as improve the water quality of the nearby wetlands.

The PFA, an independent infrastructure financing authority, joined with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in announcing these grants. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development Agency will be providing $2.084 million in grant and loan funds for the project. The MPCA reviewed the project design to ensure regulatory standards were met.

The PFA, created by the Legislature in 1987, has financed more than $2.5 billion in infrastructure projects. The PFA operates three revolving loan funds for infrastructure projects, including the Drinking Water Revolving Fund, Clean Water Revolving Fund and Transportation Revolving Loan Fund.

DEED Seeks Request for Proposals for FIRST Grants by Aug. 27

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has announced another round of FIRST grants to help regions plan growth and economic development.

The agency will accept applications through Aug. 27 for four grants of up to $50,000 each with awards announced Sept. 12. Earlier this year, nine FIRST grants were awarded.

FIRST grants, which stand for Framework for Integrated Regional Strategies, were created after a series of listening sessions around the state last year indicated many regions lacked a coordinated strategy for long-term growth. With the help of FIRST grant funding, public officials, educators, business executives and other community leaders will work together to create an economic blueprint to guide future growth.

“FIRST grants help regions develop a plan that fits their needs,” said DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy. “Sustainable collaborations that create wealth, and not just jobs, are important in developing regional prosperity and community success.”

Any public, private or nonprofit entity engaged in workforce development, economic growth or education is eligible to submit a grant proposal. Grant funding will be used for staff support, consulting help, materials and other costs. Funding will be available for work completed through March 2010.

Details on the requirements for submitting a proposal and the review process are available at http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/workforce/prosperity/index.htm. Other questions may be directed to Shelley Landgraf, director of fiscal planning, DEED Workforce Development Division, at 651-259-7580 or shelley.landgraf@state.mn.us.

What Is Workplace Wellness—And Can It Really Work?

Beyond the Hype: Make Wellness Work for Your Workplace.

Wellness is big and wellness is everywhere—from national initiatives to get Americans to lose weight, kids to get active, and college students not to drink and drive, to local schools under pressure to serve more healthful meals in cafeterias or to sell more healthful foods in vending machines.

Wellness works! Or does it? And what is wellness, really? Can a workplace wellness program actually result in a return on investment in your workplace? Can you really change your employees’ behavior and overall health and wellness?

There are ample reasons to be skeptical. Wellness programs cost money and time. Yet, in this age of skyrocketing healthcare costs and the progressively deteriorating health of the average American citizen, there are similarly ample reasons—and proof—that an effective workplace wellness program will result in a healthy return.

The Lakes Country Service Cooperative Wellness Program is designed to provide educational information and encourage better health practices among members. The program focuses on employee awareness of health issues and on promoting healthy habits through a support system for a healthy lifestyle.