GTV25: Leading Community Transformation
United Way of Central Minnesota is proud to partner with the University of Minnesota Extension to support Gathering the Village 2025!
This initiative is part of the Leading Community Transformation Cohort, a unique six-session experience designed for individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities. We are excited to share this important work and recognize the incredible partnership that’s making it possible.
Together, we’re investing in the development of community leaders who are ready to take action, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful change.
What is the Leading Community Transformation Cohort?
This cohort brings together a diverse group of leaders who share one powerful goal: creating stronger, more connected communities through collaboration.
Through six engaging sessions, participants will:
-
Build leadership skills and competencies to navigate change in uncertain times
-
Connect with other community leaders who can support and inspire you
-
Discover their unique role in creating community transformation
-
See how community systems connect and how to bring people together
This is more than a training, it’s a movement toward deeper connection, shared learning, and sustained impact.
“I signed up for this opportunity because I'm researching options for a social enterprise of my own, and it heavily involves community transformation. I'm super excited to learn more about strategy and impact, and I hope that I can build that into my own work.”
— Amy Spohn
What do these sessions look like?
Each session is thoughtfully designed to help participants grow as leaders and agents of change. Here’s a look at the journey:
- Session 1: Welcome and Exploring Community Transformation Part 1
This session provides an overview of the GTV25 course and time to connect with your fellow participants. Explore significant themes and practices emerging around community transformation and consider the role of the Community Capitals Framework in community transformation. - Session 2: Exploring Community Transformation Part 2
This session explores what we mean by community transformation and considers examples from communities that have transformed themselves. Imagine community transformation in your community and explore your transformation mindset. - Session 3: Navigating Complex Community Change
Leading community transformation comes to life through reframing strategy and planning, implementation and management, and learning and evaluation. Past practices may not be adequate. This session describes alternative concepts and practices practitioners can use to navigate complex community change - Session 4: Adaptive Leadership Skills
Adaptive leadership drives community transformation, helping individuals and organizations adjust and thrive in the face of challenge. This session will focus on developing those adaptive leadership skills and competencies to prepare participants to lead change. - Session 5: Systems Thinking for Community Transformation
Navigating community transformation requires leaders to bring a complex network of people, projects, and organizations together to create a common agenda. This session will focus on strategies to integrate and align community efforts across projects and systems. - Session 6: Reflection & Celebration!
Share your plan to apply what you've learned in your community. Celebrate completion of the program with your fellow cohort and engage in idea sharing for what’s next.